More DaVinci Code Madness

When last we met Sony pictures was considering changing the plot of Dan Brown's novel to soothe the feelings of the Catholic Church. Now the Church of England seems split over the propriety of allowing the movie to be filmed in English churches.

Westminister Abbey turned the movie company down saying it would be "inappropriate" and they could not "endorse the contentious and wayward religious and historic suggestions made in the book."

However Lincoln Cathedral agreed to act as a Westminister surrogate and allow filming. The Dean of Lincoln conceded that the novel was "far-fetched and heretical," but also said that the book "has clearly touched the public imagination, and the church needs to open up a debate about it rather than throw one's hands up and walk away from it."

Similarly Winchester Cathedral and Rosslyn Chapel near Edinburgh have also given permission for filming. The Director at Rosslyn was quoted as saying "There's nothing Rosslyn is concerned about. Perhaps the church needs to grow a thicker skin."

I wonder if the reported $180,000 Lincoln Cathedral is to receive and the fact that the number of tourists visiting Rosslyn this year is expected to triple thanks to the publicity from the book (and mostly Americans who tend to spend $$$) had any influence on these decisions?

Dan Brown's intro to his novel claiming a "historical" basis for the plot was a stroke of marketing genius and stirred up enough controversy to do wonders for the sales of the book. I read the book, it was OK (I've read a lot that were better) and the "heretical" portions of the plot didn't particularly shock me because I'd heard them before, although not necessarily in relationship to the grail and DaVinci. But let us not forget that it's FICTION! I'll bet Dan Brown is enjoying this "controversy" immensely all the way to the bank!