Scottish Churches: Da Vinci Code 'Should Not Test Faith'

|PIC1|As The Da Vinci Code opens in cinemas across the world Friday, Scottish churches have told Christians that the film should not be a challenge to their faith.

The certain Hollywood blockbuster, starring Tom Hanks and based on Dan Brown’s international bestseller, received a cool reception from critics at its world premiere in Cannes Wednesday.

The incoming moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rev Alan McDonald, came out to dismiss the film prior to its Wednesday premiere calling it “theological mush”.

Rev McDonald said he had read and enjoyed the book, reports the BBC.

"It's cleverly done but I really don't think it should trouble anybody and it certainly didn't trouble me," said the moderator designate who will start work in his new post at next week’s General Assembly.

"I really do think that the best way to deal with that, the best response to it, is not to be too po-faced or serious about it.

"I really think because it is so theologically insubstantial it is not something to worry about."

|TOP|The moderator designate also revealed his intention to see the film, which featured scenes shot in Midlothian’s Rosslyn Chapel in Scotland.

Meanwhile the Catholic Church in Scotland said the long awaited had made some Christians “unsure” about the basic truths of their faith.

The Scottish Catholic Media Office launched a DVD Thursday in response to its concerns over the impact of the myths and misinformation contained in Brown’s book.

“Cracking the Da Vinci Code” features a lecture by Professor Patrick Reilly, Professor Emeritus of English Literature at Glasgow University in which he gives a critique of the literary style and theological content of the book.

"I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry: laugh at the sheer fatuous absurdity of this farrago of nonsense or weep for the state of contemporary culture which has made the author of this ineptly-written drivel a multimillionaire,” says Professor Reilly in the DVD.

The DVD will be sent to all 62 Catholic secondary schools in Scotland this week while posters to advertise the DVD being sent to all of Scotland’s 500 Catholic parishes.

Spokesman for the Catholic Church in Scotland, Peter Kearney said in a press statement: "The Church in preparing this resource is simply responding to reports that many Christians having read the "Da Vinci Code" felt their faith weakened or threatened by it.

He added: “To those left feeling unsure about their religious beliefs we offer facts in place of fiction and reassurance on the basic truths of their faith. We hope people find this useful and see the release of the film as an opportunity to widen awareness of the Christian Gospels rather than a threat."