Even so, as soon as the book was published there was strong outcry from many Christian organizations and a rash of books purporting to debunk The Da Vinci Code came on the market.

Is this all just a tempest in a teapot? After all, this is a work of fiction.

The Harry Potter series and the Twilight series of books are fictional works that have been wildly popular in recent years, but nobody thinks we need to publish books to debunk the presence of vampires, wizards, or magical creatures running around London, so why is this particular work of fiction so different?

What about the Bourne series or even Tom Clancy’s books? These are popular fictional series that have governments and agents doing all sorts of wildly illegal and unethical things, but they too have not spurred a barrage of fault-finding and fact-checking.

Well, you might say it is because these books and movies are clearly fictional and just good fun, and thus no need to debunk them, but then what does that say about the Da Vinci Code?

None of the theories or ideas raised in The Da Vinci Code are particularly revolutionary; alternate gospel, texts, and the rumour that Mary Magdalene and Jesus may have had a child have all been around for a long time. Frankly, the fact that Christian organizations feel that there is a need to debunk it makes The Da Vinci Code look more plausible.

Sadly, Christian organizations are so busy being offended they can’t see that their hard work has turned against them.

To debunk The Da Vinci Code actually gives it more credibility than it would ever have on its own.

The Temple Church (pictured) is the setting of an action-packed scene in The Da Vinci Code.

Temple Church

Address: Fleet Street, Holborn, London EC4Y 7BL

Telephone: 020 7427 5641

Photo courtesy: Ben Sutherland

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