Forum: 'The Da Vinci Code' and 'Fitna'

Mon, 04/21/2008 10:35 AM | Reader's Forum

Before The Da Vinci Code movie was released, I read the book as well as Angels & Demons by the same author. Both these books are almost blasphemous to Catholicism.

During my visit to the Vatican as a tourist, I asked my guide about his opinion on these two books. He replied he didn't like to read trash like that.

When the movie was released, I called my Italian friend to find out whether it had been banned there. He said no. In fact it was being shown there freely and was attracting crowds.

So as a person who is neither a Christian nor a Muslim, I wonder why this movie, which claims Jesus had married and fathered a daughter, was shown freely in the very heartland of Catholicism. Yet there is so much resistance in screening Fitna here. If it is trash, people may see and dismiss its contents. Why can't Muslims look at such silly things as trash and avoid giving free publicity to this movie? By banning it, it may encourage its illegal screenings and hike up its value as "forbidden fruit".
K.B. Kale
Jakarta

No reprieve for EPL broadcaster -- April 14, p. 1

I find myself in concurrence with the cynicism and doubt found in others' comments. I think we all know there was more to the Manchester United (MU) broadcast story.

I missed the MU game and would have been really pissed if they hadn't beaten Arsenal. That is my sole comfort...along with the fact Astro is now back on air and I can go home this afternoon and watch the replay. I don't think we'll ever know the real story.
JOHN JIXTON
Jakarta

Isn't it normal to take the short-cut here in Indonesia? Bet the bribes aren't being paid, hence the suspension.
TORRES
Jakarta

It's beginning to look like this was all about Astro trying to get set up as quickly as possible in Indonesia after acquiring the rights to EPL, and with the notoriously slow government processes in Indonesia, it seems like they took some short-cuts with the Information and Communication Ministry. And now these short-cuts are being investigated - to make sure everybody gets their fair share of the pie.

But what do I know? It could be anything really. But while we wait for the TV to come back on, we might as well just sit around and speculate over what the source of this debacle is.
PETER LARSSON
Jakarta

Govt team wants sect banned -- April 17, p. 1

The fact there is a "Coordinating Board for Monitoring Mystical Beliefs in Society" is evidence enough that Indonesia is a mock democracy.

The political system operates on an evil beliefs basis, with the constitution being completely ignored at any convenient opportunity.

The number of arrests and trials for religious beliefs seems to increase every year. These are sad times for Indonesia. The extremists seem to be in control of the government.
PAUL
Jakarta

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