Ancient Mariner
Sip the ship
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Posted
The sponsors of this special bulletin board, Focus Radio, are contributors to a one-off debate at the Christian Resources Exhibition in London (just outside actually) on Wed 10 May (11am). All are welcome to attend. A release follows.
Should be an interesting occasion...
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CRACKING OR CRACKED? EXHIBITION SET TO DEBATE DAN BROWN’S BLOCKBUSTER
NOT ONLY was Jesus besotted with Mary Magdalene, often kissing her on the mouth, but she was his chosen successor and not Saint Peter.
That will be author Lynn Picknett’s contention at this year’s National Christian Resources Exhibition.
Picknett, a lecturer on heresy and the occult, will be part of ‘The Da Vinci Code: Cracking or Cracked?’ - a debate hosted by Ruth Gledhill, religious affairs correspondent of The Times (11am, Wed 10 May, Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey).
‘The early church fathers chose to marginalise and denigrate Mary Magdalene rather than see her become the role model for women,’ argues Picknett, co-author of The Templar Revelation. ‘In rewriting the Christian story to make her unimportant, they effectively condemned generations of women to disenfranchised, uneducated and degraded lives. They also made sex a sin - even though it seems Jesus and Mary had elevated it to a sacrament.’
Picknett’s views, allied to those of Dan Brown in The Da Vinci Code, will form part of a free-flowing panel discussion at CRE. The film version of Brown’s blockbuster, starring Tom Hanks, is scheduled for UK release in the week following CRE.
‘Many commentators have publicly condemned The Da Vinci Code,’ says Fr Peter Malone, a film critic and former President of the World Catholic Association for Communication (SIGNIS). ’The difficulty with denunciation is that it uses polemic to make its point. It has a limited effect which can often be alienating. Dialogue with those who respond to the invitation, can lead very effectively to truth.’ Fr Malone will be at the 59th Cannes Festival just seven days after the CRE debate, for the film's premiere.
Also part of the panel will be David Couchman of CRE exhibitor Focus Radio. Focus has produced a special DVD in response to the book.
‘The Da Vinci Code film is a great opportunity for Christians to get their colleagues and friends talking about the historical facts about Christ,’ says Couchman. ‘Dan Brown himself said, "My hope in writing this novel was that the story would serve as a catalyst and a springboard for people to discuss the important topics of faith, religion and history." The debate at CRE is part of this process.’
CRE, Europe’s leading annual Christian exhibition, will be opened by Bible teacher, author and broadcaster Jeff Lucas who will also give keynote talks each day.
The event brings together some 340 suppliers, charities and missions under one roof. Dozens of seminars and presentations will help churches and individuals to be more effective in their ministry. Dates: Tue 9 – Fri 12 May, 2006. For more information phone 01844 271476. Fax: 01844 344988.
-------------------- Ship of Fools' first novel, Rattles & Rosettes, is the tale of two football (soccer) fans: 16-year-old Tom in 1914 and Dan in 2010. More at www.rattlesandrosettes.com
Posts: 2582 | From: St Helens (near Liverpool) UK | Registered: May 2001
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