h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hi Rev,

I must confess I have not read the book, but the criticism surrounding it makes it a compelling read, like Salman Rushdie's Satanic Verses.

Some clerics in my country (Nigeria) do not find the book by Dan Brown particularly enchanting, so they are calling for its ban by the Federal Government. Please, may I ask what in your opinion you consider awful about the book, from a Cleric point of view, that is?

Waiting for your response.

Memechi

Firstly, the "Reverend" title is by happenstance. I found a small church in the U.S. that is pleased to grant legal ordination to anyone who wishes. Presuming that they will honour it's basic tenet. ( www.ulc.net )

And I guess I haven't been clear at all. I did enjoy both books very much, but found something about the writing style a bit odd. As I said earlier, reading any 20 to 25 pages, and feeling that I'd really only received 10 pages of 'substance'.

I do, btw, have a copy of Satanic Verses, but haven't yet found the time to read it. I still have page markers in "Every Man's Talmud", a translation of the Qu'ran, both the old and new testaments of the King James version, and a couple studies of Buddhism and other belief systems. There just aren't enough hours in a day.

Memechi I think what the 'Church' has a problem with is the portrayl of Jesus as a man, flesh and blood human prophet with a wife and child rather than the Holy Son of God. That and the fact that the church is portrayed in a rather bad light. Of course this is only an opinion and not to be taken as the truth, what people need to remember is that The Da Vinci Code is FICTION not Fact, no matter what Mr Brown says

Well, thanks Reefgirl for the insight. Myself I feel greatly dithered that Christ will be protrayed in any other way than CHRIST that he is. It is indeed taking fiction to a ridiculous height to portray Chrsit as a mere mortal subject to the vagaries of human imperfection. Whether fiction or not, Dan Brown ought to be sensitive to reactions of most Christian faithfuls. Please, get me right, I am not being fanatical, but for God's sake, that fiction was in bad taste.

Remember, what happened recently when a Danish Newspaper depicted Allah as something akin to fish. Am I right? Of course, the world paid for such huge joke. Hundreds of lives were lost in many parts of the world. It is really painful. Much as we respect the rights of people to air their views, they also must take into contemplation the startling consequences some religious jokes, or fiction can trigger.

What do you think?

Hi Rev,

I feel amazed about your explanation regarding your status. Did you say some church in the USA grant legal ordination to anyone who wishes? You mean you assume the garb of a Reverend by reason only that some church feels gratified to confer same on you provided you keep the christian faith? Please forgive me if you find my reaction rather startling.

The office of a Reverend as I undersatnd it is a most honourable one. Have you read the Book of Titus in the Bible? You dont come about it by chance. I can understand if you say you assume the title as your screen name, but to parade yourself as a Reverend!

Well, I would like to read that Satanic Verses. Haven't even seen it before. Books are treasures in the part of the globe where I reside. For those of us who read, we make extra efforts to do so.

Regards,
Your friend

*not wishing to lead this journal further astray, directs Memechi towards his own Message Center, to read and avoid further misunderstanding ...*

Hey dear Rev,

What's up. Please dont get me wrong, eh. Am still your pal. Why dont you tell me more about the Satanic Verses. And, please, where is Rushdie? Does he still write?

Theat Da Vinci Code of a book is still raising dust over here. Got to watch the film soon.

High regards.

I see that you are a relatively new "Researcher" to this site, with limited contacts so far. So if I may, ... This journal was begun by Cal, in his "sitting room" so to speak. To hear opinions and inputs perhaps of his friends. As such, it would seem a little impolite to drag things too far astray, unless he wants to go that way. So to keep things tidier here, I posted to you in your own Message Center. A click of this line, ... http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/F4404410?thread=3085072 , will take you directly there.

Hi Memechi

I am a christian myself


I have no problem in the chance that Jesus "may" be a "mere man" to me this would make him all the more special.


For a deity to do what he did is in my eyes part of a deity's day to day work. I've made that sound trife but I'm hoping you'll get the gist.

But for a mere man to go through all that suffereing for mankind to be saved is something beyond quite exceptional.

So...... perhaps I should read this book after all eh?

Ummm, there's no good piccies in it. Mebbe YOU could illistrate it?

I DID see an illustrated version once much more appealing to me than the normal version. It had shiney pages

I believe Dan Brown has an illustrated version out.

Ah, you know what they say about great minds

I think I'd like Jack's better. Bound to be very creative and imaginative. All I have is the North American hard-cover book.

*giggles* Rev the illistrated version contains some of Da Vinci's artwork.

How about a Da Vinci Code anime?

ARE you suggesting my art work does not rival that of Leonardo Da Vinci's?

*poke*

WAIT, I think Batty MAY be onto something there

as if I would suggest that?


I wouldn't dare