I say its crazy to think you're always right and to claim to know exactly what God meant. I suppose that's why I choose to research, pray, AND read scripture at home and go by how I feel.. instead of going to a church that pretends to know everything. Haven't found a church yet that accepts its lack of knowledge. Doubt I will.

No I have not really studied early Christianity, I'm sorry. This is the first time I've heard that Catholicism was started by Christ himself. I think it was started by Peter, who as we all know, was a man, not a God. Just as those other churches were started by men. Men that claim to have been inspired by God as I understood it. I suppose you think they are just on the wrong path and pathetic. Lots of Protestants feel that you all are lost, especially going by some of your history (not that its your fault) and the issue with all the priests (who are supposedly very close to God) committing such horrendous crimes and shaming an entire Church...

It is all relative. It's all a matter of opinion and who are you to say yours are better than anyone elses. Honestly.

I am appalled at this way of thinking and yet somehow in awe by how much you believe in it...

Things are relative to me because I do not have a Church to defend, as I have now said several times. I don't put faith into people. I put faith in God and in what He says to me. Not what people say. Sorry. Are you saying you do not believe in the Holy Ghost?

I am appalled at this way of thinking and yet somehow in awe by how much you believe in it...

Things are relative to me because I do not have a Church to defend, as I have now said several times. I don't put faith into people. I put faith in God and in what He says to me. Not what people say. Sorry. Are you saying you do not believe in the Holy Ghost?

And you all seem to love using the test of time as reason. Just because a Church has been around a long time doesn't mean its correct. Lots of ideas have been around long periods of time and then proven wrong. I am NOT saying your ideas will all be proven wrong. I am simply saying that to make a point. Just because Baptist religion has been around 1/10 of the time that Catholicism has doesn't make it wrong. Jews have been around longer than Catholics. Am I to assume by your reasoning that makes them "more correct?"

Hi. First let me start off saying I am not a Catholic. This is the only site I've found regarding the Da Vinci code where people are having good discussion about the book/movie. Let me also say that I have both read the book and watched the movie. I encourage you all to do the same. If you are strong in your faith, it shouldn't hurt your faith. I think it's always better to have all the information you can get and make an educated decision. Not to mention a lot easier to discuss something you know a lot about. . . IMHO.

Now I may be offensive to some here and I apologize. I am a lifelong Christian, currently not attending any church however. I respect Catholics' beliefs, just as I respect other denominations' beliefs, even those I do not agree with. . . My real question here is WHY can't it be both that Jesus was divine and that he was a man. Not merely man, better than us, but nevertheless a man, with a physical body. As far as genetics go (though its not that simple of course) he was "half" of each. I don't understand the uproar with this idea that he could have been married. It seems there is more controversy over that than over the fact that the book claims he was a MERE mortal. I want someone to tell me why they are 100% sure Jesus wasn't married and had children? Where's the sin in that?? Sex? Sex in itself as I have always understood it, is not a sin. Sex outside of marriage, sodomy, homosexuality, fornication of any kind.. yes. But sex in a marriage? Why is that sinful? Isn't it basically exactly what God told Adam and Eve to do in Genesis? Is it not so that if no one ever had intercourse, the world would have ended long ago...? I'm just confused as to why this is such an issue. Yes, the Bible does not say Jesus is married. And I believe in the Bible.. but how can anyone think that the Bible is THE only word of God or account of Jesus' life. Couldn't there be more we don't know about? I hate to quote something from the book, but it is true to me that Jesus as a married man and a father makes more sense than Jesus as a bachelor. Marriage has always been viewed as a holy relationship, a close relationship, and overall a "good thing". Is it fair that the Savior of all of humankind be denied such a thing? And isn't it true that to be called a rabbi in the Jewish faith, you must be married?

Now don't get me started on the divinity of Christ. The book and movie both contradict themselves in that aspect. To prove Christ is not divine, they quote from the gospel of Phillip, which was supposedly left out of the Bible as we know it.. but in the very quote they use, Peter is referring to Christ as "our Saviour". I don't doubt that Christ is God in the flesh... I've always felt that in my heart. But I do not claim to know either way about his marital status, if he was a father, OR even the complete accuracy of the good book. The Bible is still a product of man, either way you look at it. Men wrote it (usually inspired by God, I know!), men translated it and men decided what should be included or excluded. I feel that we have what we are meant to have, what we can handle.. But I seriously doubt it is ALL there is to tell about God's works or the life of Christ.

I'm sorry... I've rambled on and on. These are some questions I want answered. Any ideas, ramblings or additional points and questions are more than welcome. I think at least one good thing has come from this movie - people are definitely talking about spirituality and God more than usual.

Thanks for your time and God bless!

1. How do you know Jesus was never married?

2. Is it Catholic doctrine that Mary (mother of Jesus) was always a virgin?

3. Does Catholic doctrine consider celibacy a superior state to marriage?

4. Must Catholics and Christians who are not Catholics have the same reasons for rejecting the proposition Jesus was married?

And how do you know that it's God talking to the people who teach you what to think and believe? Whether the Church was founded by Christ or on Christ doesn't change the fact that over the last 2000 years, men have decided what you would believe. Not God himself. And as we know, men can be corrupt, wrong, or misled. The same with any church..

And by the way, other religions feel that you are wrong. Other religions claim that God speaks to them and inspires them.

I trust myself before I trust a preacher or priest. You don't know if you're being misled either. You can't even go by your conscience as you just blindly follow what other people tell you.

Some of your ideas are ridiculous, I'm sorry to say. Like worshipping the Virgin Mary. Where is that listed in the Bible. Respect and reverance sure.. But what about the Ten Commandments.. ya know the "having no other Gods before me" thing? And I'm finished with this conversation. Goodbye.

And how do you know that it's God talking to the people who teach you what to think and believe? Whether the Church was founded by Christ or on Christ doesn't change the fact that over the last 2000 years, men have decided what you would believe. Not God himself. And as we know, men can be corrupt, wrong, or misled. The same with any church..

And by the way, other religions feel that you are wrong. Other religions claim that God speaks to them and inspires them.

I trust myself before I trust a preacher or priest. You don't know if you're being misled either. You can't even go by your conscience as you just blindly follow what other people tell you.

Some of your ideas are ridiculous, I'm sorry to say. Like worshipping the Virgin Mary. Where is that listed in the Bible. Respect and reverance sure.. But what about the Ten Commandments.. ya know the "having no other Gods before me" thing? And I'm finished with this conversation. Goodbye.