I'm Sorta Shocked ...
... that this story about the remains of Jesus, Our Lady, and several others (including Mary Magdalene and what is claimed to be her son by Jesus) allegedly being found in some Jerusalem gravesite hasn't gotten more coverage in St. Blog's than it has. To my knowledge, the only Catholic blogs to have given this story any attention are this blog and The Hound of Ulster.
I mean, this story poses much more danger than Dan Brown and the DaVinci Code ever did. Dan Brown at least always had the disclaimer of "It's only fiction". This film, on the other hand, is a full-frontal assault on the most basic foundation of the Christian faith - the Ressurection of Christ, under the auspices of a "fact-based" documentary.
Of course, we know it's complete bollux. But for every one person that the DaVinci Code led astray, this "documentary", because it claims to be factual, has the potential to lead many, many more.
Catholic bloggers REALLY need to get out in front of this story.
UPDATE
By the way, in my view, the best way to discredit the filmmakers' laughable claim is to laugh at it. Poke holes in it, but poke fun at it, too.
UPDATE # 2 (25 February)
It looks like St. Blog's is now starting to take notice of this story. You can see a list of some of those blogging the story here.
UPDATE # 3 (26 February)
The Anchoress was also an early blogger on this story, posting about it when it first broke last Friday.
Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
BREAKING: Jesus’ Burial Site Found - Film Claims
Labels: Media, Our Lord Jesus Christ, Pseudo-science
posted by Pro Ecclesia 7:27 PM
10 comments
10 Comments:
I noticed the same odd lack of attention.
A quick Google search reveals that the only people paying attention are biblical scholars (and that dispassionately) and Jewish culture groups. Perhaps there's a reason no one's taking it seriously. Or did I miss the "big" announcement? Oh yeah, and Amazon has the book out in paperback--suggesting that this may be old news, but that he just mustered up the funding for the TV version.
It's the sort of thing that'll be a one day wonder. Too many people, including secularists remember the "James ossuary" mess. Even from the small amount of material released so far, it's easy to notice the whole story has holes in it a mile wide.
Funny you should mention the James ossuary mess, since the co-producer maintains it was genuine.
"The Lost Tomb of Jesus" will premiere on the Discovery Channel on Sunday, March 4 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
I haven't blogged on it because beyond saying a Pythonesque "no it tisn't", I'm not sure what to say.
Clearly it's nonsense, and that really seems reason enough not to take it seriously.
I guess same boat as everyone else, I wasn't sure what to say about it beyond the obvious: that you have to either make some unlikely assumptions about the authorship of the New Testament (that it was either written _long_ after the event or was massively re-written long after) or assume that folks in 1st century Palestine were absolute maroons, for any of them to get excited about the "Christianity" thing there was a well labeled family tomb of the whole lot of them right outside of town.
On the other hand, maybe just that is worth saying.
I guess I should google up if there is any (non-Discovery Channel ilk -- i.e. real) scholarly reaction out there.
Of course, we know it's complete bollux. But for every one person that the DaVinci Code led astray, this "documentary", because it claims to be factual, has the potential to lead many, many more.
Dude,EVERY YEAR we are regaled with astounding new revelations and debunkings of Christianity, right about the Lenten season when the general awareness is at its highest. Last year, it was the thing about the Gospel of Judas which I decided to systematically debunk and which you can read here
This year I decided to reduce blogging and focus the posts on spiritual and Lenten things.
This brouhaha shall soon come to pass. Those who want to reinforce their prejudices by believing this crap will do so regardless of what we do or say.
Those who really want to know the Lord will continue searching for Him and they will find Him. Those who don't want to know the Lord will follow the many counterfeits already available.
Our job is to witness to the Truth. I choose to witness to the Truth by not giving Cameron and Jacobvici more coverage than what they deserve--which is not really that much anyway. I will not grant them free publicity.
-Theo from Vivificat
Well, I couldn't resist.
Oooo! I have totally dropped this ball. Me of all people. I am so ashamed. Off to remedy...
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