| Christian Foes of 'Da Vinci Code' | | | | be talking about it?So for audience members and |
| Debate How to Fight It: | | | | religious leaders alike, |
| Leaders of many denominations agree that the | | | | remember that you'll get more of what you put |
| novel the | | | | your |
| movie is based on attacks the pillars of | | | | attention, energy and focus toward. Would you |
| Christianity, | | | | rather |
| but some are planning a boycott while others | | | | have more of a teaching moment or a |
| see a | | | | boycott?How instead, could the religious leaders |
| "teaching moment." --New York Times, May 11th, | | | | have received |
| 2006This headline from writer Laurie Goodstein | | | | the film in a way that encourages the similarities |
| caught our | | | | between the two messages? How instead could |
| attention, just as this novel turned big-budget | | | | they relay |
| movie | | | | gratitude that The Da Vinci Code is helping more |
| has everyone's attention. And different | | | | people |
| denominations | | | | inquire deeper into their own lives about the pillars |
| of the Christian church have chosen to respond | | | | |
| to that | | | | of Christianity? How instead could we all see this |
| attention with criticism instead of a reinforcing of | | | | as |
| | | | a teaching moment?Consider the following:In |
| the harmonious aspects of The Da Vinci Code's | | | | what ways could the energy that would be spent |
| message.Surely when a person or an institution | | | | |
| feels attacked | | | | boycotting be used to foster or indulge in more |
| it may be natural to choose defensiveness over | | | | teaching moments?Why spend effort avoiding |
| the | | | | what doesn't work for you? |
| opportunity to learn. But that's where hidden | | | | What might happen if you focus on what does |
| value is | | | | work for |
| going to waste. Instead of this default habit, | | | | you instead?What do you and those around you |
| being | | | | take as fact or truth |
| open and putting energy into proactive efforts | | | | that, if you looked at it differently, might benefit |
| may | | | | you more?What is so sacred in your own life |
| yield better results. The headline states that | | | | that you're not |
| some | | | | willing to look at it with freshness? What |
| religious groups will spend their energy boycotting | | | | assumptions |
| | | | are you making that it may be time to |
| what others see as a teaching moment. Which is | | | | challenge?Where are your emotions or judgments |
| more | | | | keeping you closed |
| empowering?What happens when we assume | | | | to the lessons that are already happening around |
| the pillars of a tradition | | | | you?Take a moment to write down 10 places in |
| or school of thought can't be looked at from a | | | | your life |
| new | | | | where you criticize yourself, others or almost |
| angle? What happens when something is so | | | | taken-for-granted schools of thought or belief |
| sacred that it | | | | systems. |
| discourages being reassessed with fresh eyes? | | | | Then write down how holding these thoughts and |
| When | | | | opinions |
| something - be it a fern or a person's creative | | | | is benefiting you, and how you might further |
| license | | | | benefit |
| - stops being open to growing and changing, it | | | | from letting them go. Take some time to talk |
| dies.What was Dan Brown's point in writing The | | | | with your |
| Da Vinci | | | | coach or a friend about where your reaction to |
| Code? Did he and the director intend to incite | | | | someone |
| controversy, or were they just hoping to light up | | | | else's choice is keeping you from moving through |
| the | | | | to |
| audience's reverence for art, religion and a thrilling | | | | your own choices. And send us an email so we |
| | | | can |
| hunt for clues?If it was created simply to | | | | support you in this process; looking at sacred |
| entertain, even with a | | | | areas of |
| little spice of controversy to keep us engaged, it | | | | your life is courageous, and we applaud you!(You |
| succeeded. It's a best-seller, a hit film and you're | | | | may reprint this article in full provided you |
| even reading an article about an article about the | | | | include the writers' names, contact information |
| | | | and |
| reactions to it right now.If it was created to | | | | brief bio. Thank you.)Kris Carey & Michael |
| promote beliefs that are contrary | | | | Vavricek, |
| to the dominant religious ideals, you could say | | | | are Life Coaches who help |
| that | | | | you get clear about what you want and get you |
| has been successful, too. Otherwise, why would | | | | busy |
| we all | | | | gettin' it. |