| Thursday, May 18, 2006 |
| Da Vinci Code and the 'secular' media |
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To begin with, let me make it clear that this writer is a Christian by birth. Whether I am a true Christian is something I don't know for sure, and something many would disagree with. So take this piece as you will.
First, links to some secular media stories:
HT
Who’s afraid of Dan Brown?
...There is nothing to fear from Brown or The Da Vinci Code. What one should be afraid of is one’s own ignorance.
Chhotebhai Noronha
The writer is the former National President of the All India Catholic Union
Control dramas
The Talibanesque charade being played out over the movie based on The Da Vinci Code raises questions about how freedom of expression is being encroached on by illiberal groups, and the Government of India.
IE
‘The Da Vinci Code’ controversy: the I&B minister has no business styling himself chief censor
If there is something refreshing about the Da Vinci Code protests and its coverage by the media, it is a clear stance. A clear stance, that this is a liberal society, censorship will not be tolerated, let people judge for themselves, etc etc. And for once, I can't see the Christian counterparts of the 'sensitive Hindu' writing columns about how it hurts the sentiments of the community, ban it please or there will be riots, etc etc. Sure, there are some who keep talking to the media and appearing in news reports, but so far, I haven't come across any columns or opinion pieces asking for a ban. Thank (Christian) God!
It also makes me smirk - how come the media which is in the thrall of the Italian Roman catholic Sonia Maino doesn't ask for a ban too? Sonia, Christian and Catholic and born in Italy, Manmohan - indebted to her, Indian Express, Hindustan Times, Times of India, sucking up to the Congress and therefore Christian Sonia all the time - so why are the newspapers supporting the movie and opposing the opposers?
Oh, I know. I think its that Hindus have finally awakened and if the newspapers would do just one more thng to please the minorities, they would wake up and cancel all their subscriptions. yes, that must be it.
Also, the surprising absense of anyone asking for a ban on Da Vinci Code from the edit and op-ed pages of the papers leads me to the next question - can't Christians write?! Occasionally, Muslims have a Shahabuddin writing in the papers, and all the editors and reporters (supporting the Muslims as my Hindu brethren would say), Balbir Punj and associates write about Hindu sentiments and such-like, where are the bloody columns on Christian sentiments? Oh I am so angry now I think I should go out and burn some shops.
Or could it be that Christians who can write columns are actually liberals and would want the movie in our cinemas? Such a horrible thought. I am sure my right-winger friends must be thinking - they have sold their religion off, what will they sell next - their mothers?
Most interesting thing in the papers are the letters to the editor. Also the discussions on websites of TV channels. The posters in their message boards seem to be very confused - why a ban? After all, isn't it a story? A better, more human interpretation of Christ? And then I check their names, and I see Hindu names. Umm, righties say Christians can't understand why Hindus feel strongly about 'insults' to their Gods, so the reverse line doesn't work?
Anyway, in case you are truly confused by now about where I stand, let me clarify: Dan Brown can 'insult' my religion as long as he wants, I will go watch his movie and laugh. If my fellow Christians don't stop me from it. |
posted by a correspondent @ 1:32 AM  |
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| 1 Comments: |
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Me too will go watch the movie. :-)
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Me too will go watch the movie. :-)