Answer to: "So what does the Church think of fictional books?"
Hi everyone! Thanks for reading : )
Today's topic is the Church's thoughts of fictional books, such as the Harry Potter series, the Da Vinci Code, etc.
The Da Vinci Code
I did some research about this, and found some really interesting stuff.
This next bit is from here, a site that answers questions, somewhat like I do.
Why should a Catholic be concerned about the novel?
Although a work of fiction, the book claims to be meticulously researched, and it goes to great lengths to convey the impression that it is based on fact. It even has a "fact" page at the front of the book underscoring the claim of factuality for particular ideas within the book. As a result, many readers-both Catholic and non-Catholic-are taking the book's ideas seriously.
The problem is that many of the ideas that the book promotes are anything but fact, and they go directly to the heart of the Catholic faith. For example, the book promotes these ideas:
- Jesus is not God; he was only a man.
- Jesus was married to Mary Magdalene.
- She is to be worshiped as a goddess.
- Jesus got her pregnant, and the two had a daughter.
- That daughter gave rise to a prominent family line that is still present in Europe today.
- The Bible was put together by a pagan Roman emperor.
- Jesus was viewed as a man and not as God until the fourth century, when he was deified by the emperor Constantine.
- The Gospels have been edited to support the claims of later Christians.
- In the original Gospels, Mary Magdalene rather than Peter was directed to establish the Church.
- There is a secret society known as the Priory of Sion that still worships Mary Magdalene as a goddess and is trying to keep the truth alive.
- The Catholic Church is aware of all this and has been fighting for centuries to keep it suppressed. It often has committed murder to do so.
- The Catholic Church is willing to and often has assassinated the descendents of Christ to keep his bloodline from growing.
Catholics should be concerned about the book because it not only misrepresents their Church as a murderous institution but also implies that the Christian faith itself is utterly false.
Should other Christians be concerned about the book?
Definitely. Only some of the offensive claims of The Da Vinci Code pertain directly to the Catholic Church. The remainder strike at the Christian faith itself. If the book's claims were true, then all forms of Christianity would be false (except perhaps for Gnostic/feminist versions focusing on Mary Magdalene instead of Jesus).
So, to summarize:
The book takes such a hard blow at the Catholic faith, you can't step around the fact that it is "just fiction". They have a "facts" page at the beginning of the book, and talk about how they have done so much research. It seems as though they believe these allegations are true. Yet, if you read the above list, some of the things they are saying are just absurd! The Christian religion would not exist if this was true. Yes, it is fiction, but why write a fictional book that demoralizes God and makes people question their beliefs?
Therefore, if you want to read the book, read it. I have. Just know that what you are reading is entirely false, and it mocks all Christianity. Wow, what a great book...
Harry Potter Series
I have not found as much research about the Harry Potter series, but it still comes up in religious discussion.
The Harry Potter novels are based on a plot of good vs. evil, with magic as a way of battling between the two.
I agree with many others in saying that the subject matter is so fictional and so fake, that you cannot believe it to be true. To believe in magic/witchcraft is a sin:
"All practices of magic and sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion."
-The Catechism of the Catholic Church, #2117
I have also found some interesting research in a book titled Looking for God in Harry Potter. It brings up some very interesting points, but I am not quite sure if any of them are true. It takes the books as a Christian battle between God and Satan. It's a very intriguing idea, and much research has been used. If anyone would like to borrow it, just let me know.
I, however, after reading the research, am not sure what the intentions were behind the Harry Potter series. I believe they are meant just to be a fantasy series.
The Left Behind Series
To read what I have read, click here.
Really, it's pretty interesting. I will sit here and wait for you...
Waiting...
You still don't want to read it? Just read the section at the end titled "Where The Church Stands"...
Have you read it yet?
...
Ok.
This series as well is to be taken as entirely fictional. Make sure to note that if you choose to read it. I have read the series, but did not know that it was fictional. It can be really misleading, so take caution!
To summarize everything said here:
If a fictional book sounds appealing to you, read it. But, beware of its message.
And if it makes you question your faith, don't read another book ever like it again. Because if something fictional makes you question your faith, you need to strengthen your beliefs.
Any further questions you may have I would love to answer. Ask them here.
From now on, I will take comments about my writing at the bottom of this article, and further questions at the "Ask Emily" section of the website (just click the link above).
May God bless you all, and help you to see the truth.
Your sister and witness in Christ,
Emily
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