Da Vinci Code Campaign Blog

May 31, 2006
The Passion of the Christ Trumps Da Vinci Code, Despite Pronounced Media Bias

Media Research Center has prepared a study exposing media efforts to promote The Da Vinci Code and bury Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ. (see: http://www.mrc.org/SpecialReports/2006/report052306_p1.asp) Despite their attempts, the numbers reveal that Mr. Gibson’s film brought in more money than Dan Brown’s blasphemy, although it cost less than one fourth the amount to make and “significantly less” to market. (see: http://www.humaneventsonline.com/article.php?print=yes&id=15230)

Religious Harassment in Steubenville?

When Mrs. Deborah Sturm parked her car in the lot of a public community college to protest on a public sidewalk in Steubenville, Ohio, a security guard approached her and aggressively said: “You have to get out of here because you have a religious message.”

Taken aback at his apparent hostility to religion, she responded: “The police gave me permission to protest here.” Nevertheless, he continued to harass her and eventually called the police.

It is amazing that while religious freedom is considered an inalienable right, harassment of Catholics is becoming increasingly common. However, this does not come as a surprise to Mrs. Strum, who said, “We can expect persecution like this.”

SM Cinemas Refuse Da Vinci

Mr. Henry Sy, owner of the Philippines’ massive mall complexes, SM, has decided not to show The Da Vinci Code in any of his theaters, although they comprise forty percent of the nation’s cinemas.

He based his decision, fully supported by his wife Fely, on the fact that SM malls all contain Eucharistic adoration chapels. The contradiction of worship Our Lord on one floor of the mall, while He is denigrated on another was obvious to Mr. and Mrs. Sy.

Manila-based American deacon, Barth Bracy commended their decision in a letter. After praising the businessman for taking a principled stand “in an age when most businessmen, Catholic or otherwise, make decisions solely according to anticipated earnings,” he went on to explain his opinion of so-called Christians who are capitalizing on Dan Brown’s blasphemy:

“Anyone involved in making or promoting the Da Vinci Desecration, whether they want to believe it or not, has spat directly on the Divine Face of Christ. Owners of cinemas and bookstores who consider themselves Christians and have yet profited from the book or film have committed the sin of Judas. While we might lovingly correct these people where possible, it is imperative that we make reparation to the Heart of Christ for these outrages.” (see http://news.inq7.net/opinion/index.php?index=2&story_id=77321&col=73)

May 30, 2006
Da Vinci Code Takes “Significant Plunge”

The frenzy of opening weekend is over and The Da Vinci Code has taken a “significant plunge,” grossing a mere $10.2 million on Friday, while X-men: The Last Stand brought in an impressive $44.5 million. (see: http://comingsoon.net/news/movienews.php?id=14731) Finishing the weekend with $107 million at the box office, X-men grossed nearly 50% more than The Da Vinci Code’s $77 million opening weekend. (see: http://www.pr-inside.com/x-men-storms-past-da-vinci-code-r6488.htm)

Meanwhile, protests against the blasphemous film have continued across the nation. We are rapidly approaching double the number of protests we had originally hoped for with nearly 2,000 theater demonstrations nationwide.

Overall, it looks like The Da Vinci Code will fall short of expectations, whereas protests against the film have grown beyond our wildest dreams.

Defending the Truth in the Public Square

The sidewalks outside theaters showing The Da Vinci Code are not the only places in the public square where faithful Christians are exposing the film’s blasphemous lies. Writing in the pages of Texas’ oldest newspaper, Galveston County’s The Daily News, Sheri O’Rourque answers a local columnist’s parroting of the Hollywood line that it is “only fiction”:

While Ron Howard may be defending his decision to make the film by declaring it to be only fiction, a visit to the American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property Web site, www.tfp.org, reveals what author Dan Brown really thinks. He actually seems to believe his book’s blasphemies.

If writers in your local paper defend The Da Vinci Code with similar lame excuses for blasphemy, you may wish to set the record straight as Sheri O’Rourke has done so ably and commendably. (See http://news.galvestondailynews.com/story.lasso?ewcd=c8308d23b678eb1e.)

Protesting in Reparation for Her Sins

One protest organizer from California commented that, after her demonstration, she felt like she had been on Crusade. She explained that she continues protesting in order to make reparation for her sins.

May 28, 2006
Worthy Not of Men, But of Worms

We recently came across a quote of Blessed Pius IX that is a timely reflection for those engaged in the struggle against the blasphemous Da Vinci Code. In it, he forbids Catholics from frequenting establishments that promote immorality or blasphemy and decries those who attempt to discourage a reaction against these depraved institutions.

The saintly pontiff stated: “Fathers of families must not risk their children’s frequenting theaters having programs that disparage morality and religion, and that idealize blasphemy and immorality. Such places are forbidden to the Christian family, which cannot stand as a spectator of actions that constitute an affront to God and the Faith, to the Church, and to every sacred law.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ continues His battle with His Cross. We will use that same weapon. We will pray for our enemies, but will never accept their principles. We will condemn the cowards who do nothing save repeat, ‘What are you hoping to accomplish? What can we do anyway?’ These questions are not worthy of men but of worms…

“Let us place ourselves in Mary’s heart. There we will be in the safety of Noah’s Ark, so to speak, even though surrounded by the deluge of evils.”

Stop Honking!

To get passing motorists involved in our protest in Glen Burnie, Maryland, we made a sign that read, “Honk if you reject The Da Vinci Code.” This gave the public an opportunity to join our efforts without even stopping their cars. The reception was so good that at times ten to twelve cars were honking at the same time.

One young lady was stopped at a traffic light surveying the scene while many cars were honking in support. Obviously against our efforts, she became increasingly angry as she waited. Finally, unable to control herself any further, she screamed: “Stop honking!”

Much to her dismay, the honking persisted until the light changed and she was forced to drive away.

The Passion Repeated

A protest organizer from Nadia, N.Y. sent us the following reflection on the world situation. She said: “I feel like these days are leading up to the Passion of Our Lord all over again.”

At least this time around, some of Our Lord’s children are willing to stand up and defend Him while He is mocked and blasphemed.

May 27, 2006
Do More of This

We recently received this reflection on the importance of publicly defending the Faith, from one of our protest organizers. We couldn’t agree with him more.

“We Roman Catholics need to do more of this kind of public display rather than sitting inside our Churches while our Creator is vilified, His Ten Commandments are hidden from view, Nativity scenes are treated like something obscene in city squares, the symbols of His horrific suffering on the Cross are struck down by the ACLU and atheistic judges, prayer is outlawed in schools, attempts are made to remove ‘In God We Trust’ from our currency, and on-and-on. While ‘God the Father’ and ‘His Son’ are driven-out of our country – we sit by waiting for someone else ‘to do something.’ Well – our little group did something today in the hot blazing sun. We stood-up for Jesus on public property, in a dignified, respectful way, and God-willing we and others will do so again.”

Filipinos Take on Da Vinci

A group of 300-350 people gathered in Bonifacio Plaza, in the Filipino capital of Manila, to show their support for a recent city government decision to ban The Da Vinci Code.

The event was attended by TFP sister organization, The Philippine Crusade for the Defense of Christian Civilization, whose president, Dr. Jose Maria Alcasid, addressed the crowd.

The event ended with the recitation of the Creed and an act of consecration to Our Lady.

Viva Mexico

We have received news from a protest organizer in Guadalajara, Mexico, who arranged a lively protest attended by 13 people, including a full mariachi band. During the demonstration, our Mexican protesters succeeded in turning 40 people away from seeing The Da Vinci Code.

Samoan Bishop Distributes TFP Letter

In American Samoa, Bishop John Quinn Weitzel, the country’s leading prelate, responded to an appeal for support sent by American TFP President Raymond Drake. The bishop passed the appeal on to local parishes and stated that American Samoa is a Christian territory whose people will be offended by the movie’s “anti-Christian and blasphemous content.” (see http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=24314)

Da Vinci Code Banned in Punjab

In the Indian city of Punjab, controversy surrounding The Da Vinci Code is heating up as well. Christian groups there successfully persuaded the government to ban the release or exhibition of the blasphemous film. (see http://www.telegraphindia.com/060526/asp/nation/story_6271010.asp)

May 26, 2006
Readers Write

It is now been a full week since the blasphemous Da Vinci Code film began showing at theaters across the nation. It is also the eighth day of our nationwide protest against the film.

From Around the Globe

People around the globe continue to get riled up about The Da Vinci Code. Sri Lanka has banned the film, while Christians in Pakistan are pushing to have it prohibited. (See http://sify.com/news/fullstory.php?id=14212560 and http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C05%5C25%5Cstory_25-5-2006_pg11_5)

Straight from the Horse’s Mouth

We recently received a piece of hate mail that is quite telling. It was written by two pagans, who are upset by our Reject The Da Vinci Code campaign. They state unequivocally, their belief that The Da Vinci Code is absolutely true. Take a look:

“In no way do we reject the wonderful work of Dan Brown and the awesome movie The Da Vinci Code. There are so many historic facts and actual truths within the book and his movie. This I know by the study of my own religion – Paganism.”

They continue with a diatribe against the Vatican: “Why does the Vatican and the Catholic Church oppose this movie? I’ll tell you why! Because the Vatican is holding onto many hidden secrets, hidden truths and tries so hard to suppress certain info so the people don’t find out what the ‘powerbased’ Catholic Church is keeping locked away in its safe. You people are really a joke. Paganism is strong in America. Nature/earth worship is real and true…

“You all think ‘you’ are perfect, you all think ‘you’ are all right, well think again. The end of days will arrive when your precious Church will fall and the people will know the truth about all the hype!”

It is a shame that while pagans use The Da Vinci Code as a loudspeaker for their false beliefs, many continue to believe that it is just entertainment.

May 25, 2006
Seven Reasons to Keep Protesting

To encourage our protesters across the nation, we have put together a list of seven reasons why we must continue to protest the blasphemous film, The Da Vinci Code.

1)  Since Our Lord continues to be publicly blasphemed, we should continue to offer public reparation. We should be like Our Lady, who stayed with Our Lord until He was taken down from the cross and laid in the Sepulcher.

2)  Now that the frenzy of opening weekend has passed, we have a better chance of dissuading moviegoers from seeing the film.

3)  It is an opportunity to show the world the meaning of Catholic perseverance.

4)  Our time will be well spent, as it will increase our eternal glory. “Every one therefore that shall confess me before men, I will also confess him before my Father who is in Heaven. But he that shall deny me before men, I will also deny him before my Father who is in Heaven.” (St. Matt. 10:31-32)

5)  Since The Da Vinci Code is merely the most recent episode in a wave of blasphemous novels, “art” exhibits, films and theater plays that has pounded the defenses of the Christian soul for twenty-odd years, the louder and longer we protest against it, the more effective we will be in preventing future blasphemies.

6)  The bigger the reaction to The Da Vinci Code, the less likely it will be to harm people’s Faith. If we stop now, some could interpret it to mean that we lack argumentation against the film’s claims or were scared away.

7)  Participating in theater protests is a great way to give public witness to the Faith.

Governments Continue to Ban The Da Vinci Code

Governments around the world continue to ban The Da Vinci Code. Officials in Nagaland, a predominantly Christian state in India, have prohibited the publishing, selling and reading of Dan Brown’s blasphemous book. Government officials there hope to ban the film as well. (see http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=3&art_id=qw1148459583921B264)

Meanwhile, the Solomon Islands is set to become the South Pacific’s second country to ban the film after Samoa prohibited it earlier this week. The nation’s Prime Minister explained that “the government will be failing in its duty if it allows such a film to destroy the moral fabric of society.” (see http://english.people.com.cn/200605/24/eng20060524_268281.html)

Also, an affiliation of Christian Churches in Kenya is asking the government to outlaw screening the movie. A senior pastor explained his objection to the film: “Whereas the producers are hiding behind a fiction line, the film is another betrayal of Jesus Christ for a few pieces of silver.” (see http://allafrica.com/stories/200605230752.html)

May 22, 2006
Time to Regroup

Opening weekend of the blasphemous Da Vinci Code movie is now over and we should to take advantage of the next few days to strategize for this week’s protests. It is time to regroup and summon up the courage to continue our efforts in defense of Our Lord.

We have added more pictures of protests from across the country.

Political Correctness Falters in Italy

While it has become fashionable to burn effigies of President Bush and American flags in certain parts of Europe, in the Italian city of Ceccano, two city councilors exercised their freedom of speech by symbolically burning a copy of The Da Vinci Code, in the city’s central square. Although hecklers were on hand to throw tomatoes, the councilors insisted their actions were aimed at defending the Person of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

Is It Really Just a Fiction?

Pro-Da Vinci activists are eager to assert that the blasphemous film is just fiction. However, TFP members protesting the film in York, Pennsylvania on Saturday noted numerous cars shouting pagan, atheistic and even satanic slogans as they passed, for example: “May the goddess bless you,” “Satan is going to eat your children” and “God is just pretend.” At another theater, protesters faced opposition from a group of avowed Satanists.

Unfortunately, while gullible Christians repeat the “it’s just a movie” mantra, these factions know The Da Vinci Code true significance, and are using it’s Gnostic message to sanction their errors.

Meanwhile, protest stories continue to filter in. Take a look at these accounts from all over the U.S.

When TFP Member arrived to conduct a prayer vigil at a theater in Baltimore, no other protesters were there yet. Thinking that he was simply the first to arrive, he grabbed his protest poster and began praying the rosary. Shortly, seven individuals set up a counter-demonstration and began heckling and insulting him.

Although he was alone, he stood tall and continued to pray. For a full hour, he stood alone, enduring their chides until three local friends came out to join him.

Yesterday after Mass, a man stood outside a Pennsylvania church, holding his protest sign, in hopes that some of the churchgoers would join his prayer vigil later that day. A group of first communicants soon came out, one of whom stopped and stared intently at his sign.

After a few moments, the young girl, who was only eight years old, approached the man and said, “I agree with you. I love Our Lord Jesus Christ and I reject The Da Vinci Code.”

At a theater in Florida, a group of thirteen-year-olds were dropped off and went directly inside to watch The Da Vinci Code. After the movie was over, they left the theater scandalized by what they had seen and approached TFP member Matthew Shibler, who was there, protesting.

When they asked to join his prayer vigil, he gave them each a protest poster. After receiving it, they began running throughout the theater parking lot, holding up the signs and screaming “Blasphemy!” at the top of their lungs.

May 21, 2006
Keep Up the Pressure

As the opening weekend of the blasphemous Da Vinci Code movie closes, we encourage our protesters across the nation to keep up the pressure. The movie will continue to run for several weeks, which gives us many more opportunities to renew our public acts of reparation to Our Lord.

While interviewed at a prayer vigil in Irondequoit, N.Y. Agnes Falbo said, “If He [Our Lord] could hang on a cross for me and die for me, I need to be out here to do something for Him.” (See http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060519/MULTIMEDIA/305190010) Reflecting on her words should inspire us to continue holding prayer vigils in defense of Our Lord’s honor.

TFP in the News

While we protested this weekend, the media took a keen interest in our activities. If you type “Da Vinci Code Tradition Family Property” into the news search on Google.com, you will find around 150 articles come up. Some of the more notable ones can be found at:
http://news.cincypost.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=
/20060520/NEWS01/605200360,
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base
/cuyahoga/1148113865243910.xml&coll=2 and
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=
/20060519/MULTIMEDIA/305190010

More Protest Stories

TFP Chicago Bureau Director Preston Noell convinced a group of seven people not to see The Da Vinci Code.

In Frederick, Maryland, TFP Member John Ritchie had a long conversation with a lady in front of a theater, trying to convince her not to see The Da Vinci Code. When they finished their discussion and the lady turned to enter the cinema, Mr. Ritchie asked, “So you are not going to see The Da Vinci Code, are you?”

Although she claimed to be Catholic, the lady stood still for a few moments before responding: “yep” and walking through the door. Nevertheless, her evening had been transformed from a night of entertainment into a moral choice.

At a protest in western Pennsylvania, a motorist stopped his car and hugged a local priest who was participating in the prayer vigil.

An eight-year-old boy, who was protesting in Hudson, N.Y., approached a reporter and asked: “Will you print what I say?” The reporter eagerly listened and the boy continued: “Tell people I hate The Da Vinci Code. Don’t go see it.”

One young man walked up to TFP Member Norman Fulkerson, who was protesting in front of Showcase Theaters in Crafton, Penn. “You know something,” he said, “I didn’t even know that this movie was religious. But after I saw you protesting, I realized that it was a movie that insulted Jesus Christ.”

There is a moral to these stories. Protests ARE effective. Not only do they hurt ticket sales, they instruct the public and console Our Lord.

May 20, 2006
TFP Tops 1,000 Protests
The Campaign Has Just Begun

Yesterday, theaters around the nation began showing the blasphemous Da Vinci Code movie. However, in addition to having to choose between popcorn and peanuts, moviegoers were confronted with a moral choice, thanks to waves of protesters, who came out to defend Our Lord’s honor.

Early reports suggest that we easily surpassed 1,000 theater protests yesterday alone. We had roughly 1,050 protest organizers, and many of these led multiple protests. One lady led a team that held more than thirty protests yesterday alone, and she plans to continue for nine days, doing what she calls a “novena of protests.”

Be sure to check out daily updated photos of protests across the country.

Archbishop Amato Decries Attacks on Faith

Archbishop Amato weighed in heavily against attempts to “slander and discredit the Church” on Wednesday. Reflecting on The Da Vinci Code, the Archbishop said: “the whole book is a wicked distortion of the truth.”

He also commented on the reaction Catholics should have to such blasphemies, saying: “the Churches and Christian communities should speak out strongly, should cry out the truth from the rooftops, as the Gospel says, to stop the lies that, unfortunately, use all the weapons of media persuasion to achieve this mass consensus.” For the complete story, see http://www.zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=89362.

Da Vinci Code Protest Held in Sydney

TFP Member Richard Lyon held an impressive three-hour Da Vinci Code protest at a theater in downtown Sydney, Australia, attended by 250 people, including at least three priests. Protesters held a large banner that read, “The Da Vinci Code blasphemes Our Lord Jesus Christ, disdains the truth and maligns the Catholic Church. We offer Our Divine Savoir this public act of reparation and decry this religious vilification.”

During the event, protesters actually went inside the theater and distributed flyers to people buying tickets to The Da Vinci Code! Theater security did not interfere.

Campaign Stories

Since yesterday’s protests began we have been receiving a steady stream of campaign stories from across the country. All in all the reception has been astoundingly good. Our protesters have reported that many people driving by stop long enough to shout out: “God bless you,” “We can’t let them get away with this,” or “Everybody should be out here doing this.”

On the other hand, some people just don’t get it. One young lady, yelled “freedom of speech” out her car window as she sped past a prayer vigil. A protester immediately responded, “I am practicing my freedom of speech.”

He understood that responsible freedom of speech does not include the right to blaspheme and calumniate Our Lord and the Church. However, it does give us the right to loudly protest when our Faith is drug through the mud.

TFP Member Gregory Escaro was confronted by a gentleman who repeated the mantra, “It is only fiction.” Mr. Escaro asked him: “If I made a movie that denigrated your family members, would you tell me that it was only fiction?”

With this the man stopped and thought for a while. Finally he responded: “I do not agree with you, but I respect you.”

At a protest in Delray Beach, two teenagers rode up to a TFP prayer vigil on skateboards. When they realized what the protest was about, they grabbed signs and joined in the prayers. After staying for a while, they said they would advertise the event by riding their skateboards along the highway, holding protest signs. They also agreed to attend a later prayer vigil.

Campaign Statistics

In addition to campaign stories, we have compiled some impressive campaign statistics as well. For example:

– All 50 states have at least one protest organizer
– Over 8,000 protest signs were mailed out
– Over 4,200 ft. of banner material was used to make 352 twelve-foot banners (that’s three quarters of a mile, or 14 football fields)
– These banners weighed 1,200 lbs. – more than half a ton
-2,100 grommets were used to make these banners
-Our printer ran 320 hours to make these banners

Philadelphia Cardinal Quotes TFP Book

Clergy support for the TFP’s Reject The Da Vinci Code campaign continues to grow. In his column from The Catholic Standard and Times, Justin Cardinal Rigali quoted the TFP book, Rejecting the Da Vinci Code, to “state what the Church believes about Mary of Magdala.” (See http://www.archdiocese-phl.org/davinci/davinci.htm)

May 19, 2006
It’s Showtime!

The long awaited day has arrived and protests are beginning all over the nation. We are confident that we will have a larger-than-expected turnout. Our coordinating office in Kansas has been receiving between 400-600 telephone calls a day!

As you make last minute preparations to protest we invite you to visit our protest resources page where you can download helpful protest tools.

If you have not made plans to attend a protest yet, there is still time.

Anyone Planning to Othercott?

Just in case you are still planning to “othercott,” TFP friend Randy LaBauve from Louisiana put together the following reflection you should consider: “First, by merely showing up at the theater to watch a different movie, we have lost a valuable opportunity to impart information to people. All like-minded people who use this weak boycott strategy squander their power to enlighten others…

“Second, it’s absurd to imagine that this sort of boycott will have any impact at all…The idea of a boycott is to hurt those businesses that carry out blasphemy, by NOT giving them ANY business. Participating in the ‘othercott’ rewards the promoters of blasphemy, by flooding the movie theaters with more business…

“Serious problems need serious solutions. Did you know that Voltaire’s fictional work was instrumental in helping bring about the French Revolution or that Alexandre Dumas and Victor Hugo wrote fiction which helped fuel anti-clerical persecutions in the 19th century?…

“Here’s a much better suggestion. As Catholics, we should pray, protest, write letters, educate others and let Hollywood know we will no longer go to ANY of their movies. If all Catholics and other Christians did this, we would put Hollywood out of business…

“Yes, protesting the Da Vinci Code WILL work! We are on the winning side, that of Christ Jesus and His Catholic Church (against whom the gates of Hell will never prevail). Christ can never be conquered. ‘If God is with us, who can be against us?’ The promise He extends to us for defending His name, should excite us to be even more courageous and steadfast amidst this fight: ‘Whoever shall confess me before men, I will also confess before My Father, Who is in heaven.’ (Matthew 10:28)”

Protest Stories

We have a couple amazing protest stories from across the country. One of our protest organizers took off the last two months of work to prepare her protest.

Another protest organizer went to his local police station to inform them about his protest. When the police lieutenant learned that the protest was against The Da Vinci Code, he lit up with excitement and even offered to assign officers to help with security at the prayer vigil. Before our protest organizer left, the entire police station stopped to pray for the success of the vigil.

Manila Bans Da Vinci Code

The city of Manila in the Philippines passed a resolution, prohibiting theaters from showing The Da Vinci Code. The resolution stated that the film “is undoubtedly offensive and contrary to established religious beliefs which cannot take precedence over the right of the persons involved in the film to freedom of expression.” (See http://news.inq7.net/nation/index.php?index=1&story_id=76260)

Da Vinci Code Protest Held in Sydney, Australia

TFP member Richard Lyon held a prayer vigil against The Da Vinci Code last night at a theater in downtown Sydney. A report and photos of the event are expected soon.

May 18, 2006
Stoking the Fire

You would think that at this point, the cast of The Da Vinci Code would be hoping to assuage American Catholics, but some seem intent on deepening the wound. First Tom Hanks acted in a blasphemous skit on the May 6 episode of “Saturday Night Live,” now Ian McKellen, who plays Sir Leigh Teabing in The Da Vinci Code movie, has insulted Catholics on the “Today Show.”

When asked about the desire of some to include a disclaimer at the beginning of the film, saying it is fiction, Mr. McKellen said: “Well, I’ve always thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying, ‘This is fiction.’” (See http://newsbusters.org/stories/dv.html?q=dv.html&q=node/5402)

Apparently, Mr. McKellen does not realize that the historicity of the Bible has withstood the most rigorous challenges, while serious historians refuse to vouch for The Da Vinci Code’s claims. No comparison between the two is conceivable.

News from Around the World

We are proud to announce that we now have a protest organizer in Mexico. Mr. Florencio Estrada will be leading a protest in Gudalajara, bringing the total number of countries participating in the American TFP’s campaign to 8, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Mexico, Peru and South Africa…and of course the US.

News from America

Here in America, a lady held a preemptive protest at a Pennsylvania mall. When she got home, she had a voice message from the mall’s general manager.

Nervously, she returned the call, only to find that the manager was favorable to the campaign. The manager went on to explain that while she could not stop the film from being shown, she had informed the mall security and the theater not to interfere with protesters. Before hanging up the manager offered to help in any way she could and even volunteered to join the prayer vigil if she has time.

Is It Really Just a Novel?

If you still think that The Da Vinci Code is just a novel, consider these statistics quoted in The Daily Mail. Compared to those who have not read the book, those who have are: twice as likely to believe Our Lord and Saint Mary Magdalene were married, four times more likely to believe that Opus Dei is a murderous sect and nearly five times more likely to believe that the Priory of Sion was a real medieval organization. (see http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/showbiz/showbiznews.html?in_article_id=386479&in_page_id=1773)

May 16
1,000 Protests and Beyond

When we first made plans to protest The Da Vinci Code movie, the idea of generating 1,000 theater protests across the nation was daunting to say the least. Now, with less than three days left before opening day, things are really taking shape and our campaign has snowballed larger than our wildest dreams.

We currently have over 1,000 protest organizers. Since most organizers are putting together three or more protests, some simple math shows that we are looking at loads of protests. One lady has organized around 115 protests on opening weekend alone!

India Set to Ban The Da Vinci Code Film

The Da Vinci Code film has run into trouble in India, where the Information and Broadcasting Ministry has denied it clearance until it is approved by the Catholic Churches Association of India (CCAI), who will screen it tomorrow. For the full story click here.

Preemptive Protests Reach a Dozen
Over the weekend, we held three “preemptive protests,” bringing the grand total to twelve. The reception we received was amazingly positive. In Frackville, Pennsylvania, where one group protested, TFP members tallied the reactions they observed. Of those who voiced an opinion, twenty times as many were favorable to the protest than those who opposed it. That is encouraging for those who still have pre-protest jitters.

There was another protest in Baltimore, attended by thirty people. This protest lasted for three hours and over fifty cars honked in approval during the first two hours alone.

A group that protested at a theater in Lancaster had similar results. That is not to say that everyone who drove by was favorable. One very “courageous” man stopped his car just long enough to unroll his window and scream, “God doesn’t exist, you morons” before speeding away. Perhaps, TFP member Alvaro Zapata said it best. As the car sped away he responded, “Actually, both God and morons do exist.”

TFP on Washington Post Radio>

TFP member Preston Noell was interviewed for a half-hour on Washington Post radio yesterday morning. After Mr. Noell commented that he would like to see The Da Vinci Code book banned outright, the issues of censorship and free speech were raised. The interview reached a high point when Mr. Noell demonstrated that free speech is not an absolute right. Just as free speech does not give one the right to denigrate someone’s good name, it does not give one the right to blaspheme.

Is it Just Entertainment?

Finishing up today’s edition of the Da Vinci Code chronicle, there are two troubling bits of news that have recently come out. One is from France, where polls show that 31% of the population is prepared to believe that The Da Vinci Code was inspired by real facts. If you can understand French, you can read the story by clicking here. The other news is from America, where a cover story in World magazine quoted the following statistic: “A George Barna poll found that 53 percent of the book’s readers said that it aided their “personal spiritual growth and understanding.” (http://www.worldmag.com/articles/11861) No matter what you may have heard, there are a lot of people out there who think of The Da Vinci Code as more than just entertainment.

May 12
Are You Really Going to Have 1,000 Protests?

That’s what everyone is asking.

The protest is now less than a week away. So many things are happening that we have decided to suspend our normal web activity and concentrate on over 1,000 protests in front of theaters starting May 19.

Just a few milestones to begin.

We have officially reached our goal of 100,000 protest petitions to Sony’s Columbia Pictures. And they are still coming in fast and furious.

Speaking of Sony, two protest organizers went in front of Sony Headquarters in Los Angeles with a 13-foot protest banner. The sight caused quite a stir. One executive came out and asked about the protest. The lady responded by asking if film companies have previews of their movies. When he responded that they did, she replied that this protest was a preview of the 1,000 protests happening all over America. The executive was taken aback by the answer.

Another milestone is that, yes, we now have over 1,000 protest organizers across the country. That means 1,000 individuals have agreed to organize at least one protest. We will have 1,000 protests on May 19 and hundreds more afterwards.

Some 36 Los Angeles protest organizers had a meeting last weekend to discuss strategies. The group was really fired up. A similar meeting was held in San Diego and we had a followup “practice” protest.

Protest Ideas

People are quite creative when it comes to protesting. One lady carries her large color sign with her wherever she goes. People stop her to find out about the protests.

Another family has put the TFP 13-foot banner on their front lawn. Others are going door-to-door inviting people.

Others are already holding “practice” protests in front of theater where the movie will be shown.

If theater owners like “free publicity” they certainly are not letting on. Some theater owners are still not telling our protest organizers if the film will be showing in their theaters. In fact, no theater owner has asked us to help them make money by giving them free publicity by protesting outside their theater! They are doing everything possible to avoid controversy…

Othercott

Someone sent me his thoughts on the “othercott” where people are asked to watch another movie instead of The Da Vinci Code.
“If you were in a two room structure and in one of the rooms they were defaming and ridiculing God, would it be appropriate for you to go to the adjacent room, sit down with family and friends and begin eating a jumbo size box of popcorn and enjoying another movie while God was being blasphemed, mocked and ridiculed in the adjacent room?”