Of Angels and Demons: A Da Vincian free-for-all

In view of all the paranoia, commotion and sensationalism surrounding a certain modern-day conspirational work-of-fiction, the tomes of retorts that have followed, and the movie that it spawned, I say let the people have what they want. I say lets wipe the slate clean, lets abolish all known religious ethos and holy tenets, and go back to a time when humanity ruled, when nature was the supreme educator, when the genders knew their rightful places and the infatuation with a God like entity was but a faint glimmer in a far away imagination.

Yet I cannot but ask a few Da Vincian type questions pertaining to the whole can of worms: If it is widely accepted that a God like entity exists, why the obsession on changing what is? If all holy writings are inspired of God, when did the message change? When did God become democratic? Is God real? The whole illogicality reminds me of a certain statement by Voltaire: "Christianity is the most ridiculous, the most absurd and bloody religion that has ever infected the world." This was of course said before certain Eastern Religions became the headlined scourge of mankind.

The interesting issue at this juncture lies in the fact that, as much as people want to do away with prescriptive religion, as much as they need to worship something. Wendy Kaminer in her work Sleeping with Extra-Terrestrials wrote, “Ours is an evangelical culture. So many people convinced that they’ve been saved by Jesus, cured by homeopathy or the laying on of hands, abducted by aliens or protected by angels seek public acknowledgement that their convictions are true. Imbued with messianic fervour, or simply seeking ‘validation,’ they are not content to hoard the truth; they are compelled to share it and convert the unenlightened, relying on the force of their own intense emotions. Generally, the only proof offered for a fantastic belief is the passion it inspires.”

Given the above, I feel that something is amiss for Religion has never been about the rights of the people (It is not democratic.) Religion does not have the keys to salvation (God is the supreme Judge.) Religion also does not have the answers to mankind’s woes (It can only comfort and support - All are born sinners thus must suffer the woes of their actions): did not Karl Marx assert that Religion is the opiate of the people?

Personally, I find the whole obsession interesting and laughable, for here is a work-of-fiction being hailed as the best thing since sliced bread. The interesting portion stems from the fact that it is people with set believe-structures that are the ardent pursuers of said literary work - Is the disappointment in structured religion that evident, or are the religious followers easily sidetracked by plausible assertions and postulations? The fun thing is that Atheists, Agnostics, Secularists and Enlightened-thinkers are having a good giggle at the whole gum-shoot (not to mention the Author who is coining a pretty penny.)

What irks me no end, are the actions by religious leaders who will voice their opinions elatedly and arrogantly in the face of popular acceptance. Shouldn’t they rather be looking inwards and investigating why the people are so easily diverted from a supposedly path to salvation? Surely something is amiss with their teachings, dogmas and assertions? The down side the aforementioned conjecture is that, in life, human beings are generally known to be fickle, therefore in need of guidance and support when making decisions on matters of faith.

It is a well known fact that humans have a propensity towards conspiracies, cover-ups and obscure cults. Robert Anton Wilson in Everything is Under Control, asserts that “ We live in an age in which humans distrust other humans more than ever before.” He further states that “ Men and Women indeed become strange when seeking gods…they become even stranger when seeking devils.”
Thus, it is fair to state that people do not believe in conspiracies for logical or scientific reasons, but for emotional reasons; it’s the not knowing what comes next that drives the whole caboose. The one question that answers all questions must surely be: Do you trust your Government? The ensuing answer will undoubtedly provide a likewise rationale reason to the paranoia that surrounds The Da Vinci Code.

In asserting that Dan Brown did a brilliant job in researching the material for his Novel is stating the obvious. Its even more obvious that he was aware that conspiracies are gobbled up vigorously by the masses at large; especially where it concerns secular religion. For that he deserve an applause and a congratulations on a job well done.

In the meanwhile, I will find solace in a chalice of well-aged Cabernet Sauvignon and leave all Grail quests to the sacred feminine.