Debating ‘The Da Vinci Code’

Greenwood residents talk about controversial film
during roundtable discussion at The Index-Journal

May 22, 2006

By MEGAN VARNER
Index-Journal senior staff writer

Leading up to its release in theaters on Friday, “The Da Vinci Code,” directed by Ron Howard and based on the best-selling fiction novel by Dan Brown, has been a movie under scrutiny by Christian groups who have called the film a potentially dangerous blur of fact and fiction concerning the life — and divinity — of Jesus Christ.
But in a roundtable discussion Sunday at The Index-Journal, a panel of Greenwood residents with different faiths and beliefs said that, after viewing the movie for themselves, they think “The Da Vinci Code” might spur research and questions that could lead moviegoers to decide what they think is true.
“I think the movie, in a lot of ways, is dangerous but, in other ways, not so dangerous. I think the movie is going to make the people pick sides,” said Byron Jones, senior pastor at Refiner’s Fire Christian Assembly in Greenwood and one of six panelists in the discussion. “I think it is going to make people stand up and do some investigation — at least I hope that is where it leads.
“To me, this movie can not shake what I believe in, but to those who have been blindly led to believe what they believe, it will probably shake their faith because they have not bothered to investigate for themselves,” Jones later added.
Discussion participants Travis Agnew, an associate pastor at North Side Baptist Church in Greenwood, and Brad Byars, a Greenwood resident who studied religion while at Furman University, agreed, adding that the film, if anything, makes people begin to think.
“One thing about the story that definitely makes it so popular is that it has blended fact, fiction, history and religion so well together,” Byars said. “There are definitely points in it that could be confusing, and maybe dangerous, but, at the same time, there are parts that, if anything, can really make you question what you think and what you believe in — and that is healthy.”
Brown has consistently maintained that his book is a work of fiction, but Agnew said he thinks some of the blurs between what is truth and what is fiction can make “The Da Vinci Code” difficult for some to decipher.
“Some things are stated as fact, and one step later it may seem like fact when it is really just a theory,” Agnew said. “I think that is one of the hard things about following the movie for some people — understanding what is truth, and what is not, about the movie.”
While some have raised questions about the movie’s influence on those who are still searching for answers in their own quest for the truth, some panel members said the film’s power over its viewers is only as strong as the viewer’s faith is weak.
“I’m not sure it could have an impact on someone’s faith unless that person’s faith was weak to begin with,” said panel participant Prudence Taylor, Greenwood County Library director.
Michael Coleman, a self-coined “movie expert,” said that people who have already formed an opinion on their beliefs likely won’t be swayed into new beliefs in the 2 1/2 hours it takes to view the film.
“The only danger I see is if someone truly ignorant watches it. People who think for themselves are going to have their own opinions,” said Coleman, adding that other popular works of fiction don’t seem to have the same hold on their audiences.
“As a moviegoer, I don’t believe in Harry Potter anymore than anything else,” Coleman said, laughing. “‘The Da Vinci Code’ is a good movie, but it is fiction.”
In the novel and film, the lead character and his heroine discover that Jesus Christ might have left behind a royal bloodline through a child he fathered with Mary Magdalene. That secret and Christ’s descendants, according to the book, have been kept concealed by various Christian groups. The film and novel also bring up Gospels that did not make it into the Bible — texts referred to as the Gnostic Gospels.
The film also raises a point that the Catholic Church has, for more than a millennia, suppressed the knowledge of Christ’s bloodline and tried to keep Gnostic Gospels from the world in order to retain power. The Gnostic Gospels, some argue, point to a very close relationship between Christ and Mary Magdalene. Some think that relationship could have been a marriage.
“There is no question that historically, bishops, cardinals, priests and even popes have used their position evilly, but does that mean they were involved in a cover-up? That’s not the real issue,” Byars said, adding that people should research the Gnostic Gospels rather than being complacent with what they have been taught over the years. “The important part is that you do need to seek out what is true and what is not true instead of accepting that this is the document that has been passed down to us through the ages.”
Jones said the first Council of Nicaea (325 AD), where the novel and film suggest some Gospels were chosen and others thrown out, was instead used to determine if Jesus Christ was divine — which the council decided was the case.
Historical accounts say the Gospels were chosen in the years leading up to the council.
“The mere fact that (the book and movie) insinuate that Jesus was not the son of God, is not divine, and that there was a council that took place to determine the level of this cover-up is simply not true,” Jones said.
Though he said it raised interesting questions, Byars said he does not think Jesus’ divinity is what makes Him so influential.
“To me, the matter of His divinity is not what is important about Christ,” Byars said. “The thing that makes Jesus the single most influential person in the world is His message, and His message is a message of love and hope and community.”
If the novel and film were true, and if Jesus and Mary Magdalene had a child, it would insinuate that Jesus was married before he was crucified — if not, he would have sinned — and that notion is one that weighed differently on panel participants.
Bill Fitzgerald, a Greenwood resident and member of Main Street United Methodist Church, said that Jesus being married likely would not have made a tremendous difference in Christian beliefs.
“The movie suggested that (Mary) was pregnant at the time of His death,” Fitzgerald said. “I don’t see any difference. I know a lot of good people who are married and a lot of good people who aren’t.”
Fitzgerald said that, if anything, marriage creates a positive change upon those who take the vows.
“I should think that being married makes you more conscious,” he said. “You have to think of more than yourself.”
Taylor said the notion that Christ was married is one that is not new. In fact, it was a point raised decades ago by the authors of the book “Holy Blood, Holy Grail,” and Taylor said she could remember the controversy and stir the book created when it was released.
“I think that (concept) will be the one thing people pick up on,” Taylor said of the idea of Christ’s bloodline.
But Jones said the idea of marriage between Christ and Mary Magdalene is one that doesn’t fit in with Biblical teachings, and it is one that would offend many. Because Christ is supposed to have been “married” — or at least betrothed — to the Church, to have another “wife” would have been sinful, Jones said.
“God’s perfect will is never to have more than one wife. We are the bride of Christ, and, if He was married before, then he would have been a polygamist,” Jones said. “If the Church was not the (literal) bride of Christ, it certainly was the spiritual bride.”
But Jones added that if Jesus did marry Mary Magdalene, a child would not have “defiled” the marriage bed.
“But it didn’t happen. It’s a moot point,” Jones said.
As proof of the marriage, the novel and film claim that it would have been unusual for a Jewish rabbi of Jesus’ age to be single, but Agnew said that, in actuality, many Jewish rabbis and prophets were in the same situation.
“Many said they would not get married because they said they would be solely on this mission,” Agnew said. “It wasn’t a weird thing in that culture for Jesus not to be married.”
Agnew said the marriage and bloodline were just some of the parts of the movie that might not have come across very well for viewers who had not first read the book and might be points that are lost in translation.
“From what I could tell when I walked out, the people who were in there and hadn’t read the book walked out going, ‘What just happened in there? I have no clue what just happened,’” he said. “I don’t think a lot of people are going to be walking away from the movie going, ‘Wow!’”
Agnew said viewers will either leave the theater with no questions about the film, in which case the story and the points it raises will just be forgotten, or they will thirst for more knowledge.
“The ones that do ask questions and do some research are going to have good, solid answers,” Agnew added.
The controversy surrounding the film’s release — some groups have even called for boycotts of the movie — might have stirred up more interest in the film, participants said, adding that the “hype” gave “The Da Vinci Code” an added appeal.
“I think it actually backfired on (the groups calling for boycotts),” Taylor said, adding jokingly, “If I ever write a book, I’m going to hire someone to protest it.”
Agnew said it is society’s love of a “conspiracy” that makes the movie and novel so popular among the young and old. But he added that Christian groups, like every other person in the country, have a right to have their voices and opinions heard.
“As a Christian, I can read this and say it’s fiction. I’m not afraid Christianity is going to fall apart because of Dan Brown,” he said. “Even though it is a fiction, it sort of says that everything you’ve ever believed has been a cover-up forever ... I think that Christians should also have the liberty to say that it isn’t true.
“If Dan Brown gets a voice, let us also have a voice and speak about what he’s saying,” he added.
And though it can raise questions that test their beliefs, Byars said Christians can enjoy the film and learn from it. “There are Christians who have seen the movie and have been highly entertained and have not felt like the movie was a complete affront to their beliefs,” Byars said.
Taylor said that the most positive thing about the movie is that it creates an atmosphere of discussion, and with the plethora of television shows, DVDs and books on the subject available, anyone looking for more information need only make a trip to the library.
“I think that the movie has raised the point that people are not only able to discuss but are willing and anxious to discuss,” Taylor said. “I think the good thing about the movie is that it does prompt people to examine their beliefs and do research.”
But when the research is complete, Jones said the final decision on the truth will lie in the hands of the person, not the filmmakers or authors.
“You’ve either got to prove (Jesus) or disprove Him, and if you prove Him, you’ve got a choice to make,” Jones said. “It is my desire that this movie will prompt a lot of folks to make some decisions.”

Three from area make all-state

May 22, 2006

By CHRIS TRAINOR
Index-Journal sports writer

One of the top honors a high school athlete can receive is being named to their sport’s all-state team. Three Lakelands area baseball players can now boast of achieving that honor.
Emerald High School’s Brandon Miller and Cruse Tollison were named to the Class AA all-state squad. Meanwhile, Dixie third baseman Jeff Hanna was named to the A team. The teams were chosen by the coaches in the respective classifications.
Miller received an additional accolade as he was named AA player of the year.
Hanna, a junior had another solid season for the Hornets. The third baseman batted .504, marking the second consecutive season he batted over .500. He also served as a pitcher, recovering from offseason shoulder surgery to become one of Dixie’s go-to relievers.
“Jeff is very deserving of being named all-state,” Dixie coach Todd Brown said. “It’s funny how things work. Jeff didn’t make all-region, but he did make all-state. He had a great year for us.”
Brown said he thinks Hanna is in line for a big senior year. The coach said he expects Hanna will continue his solid hitting and might even be called on to start a few games from the mound. He also said he feels lucky to have a member of his unit on the all-state team.
“We do feel fortunate,” Brown said. “Only four regions had players named to the team. The other four didn’t get anybody on, and that includes region three, which Indian Land plays in.”
Emerald coach Chad Evans said having two players on the team is a marked accomplishment, particularly in AA.
“There is a lot of talent in AA,” Emerald coach Chad Evans said. “It is certainly high caliber in terms of level of play.”
Tollison, an outfielder, was the Vikings’ leader at the plate. He had team highs in batting average (.398), hits (35) and RBI (34).He also hit a home run, 10 doubles and had six game-winning RBI. He made no errors in the outfield.
Miller was a dual threat for the Vikings this season. He batted .373 at the plate, with 31 hits, 24 RBI, a home run and 11 doubles. He had five game-winning RBI.
However, the junior USC-commitment may have been even more impressive on the mound. He held a 10-2 record with a a 0.76 ERA. He struck out 127 batters while walking just 20 in 73 innings worked. He tossed a no-hitter against Chapman in the first round of the playoffs.
Tollison and Miller’s efforts helped the Vikings to a 25-3 record and a berth in the upper state championship series. The team won the Region III-AA title.
Miller said he was not expecting to be named the top player in AA.
“It took me by surprise, really,” Miller said. “I didn’t have a goal to win that award. I only had a goal to win the state championship.
“And we didn’t do that. We came up short by three games or so. But it is nice to be named player of the year.”
Evans said he was pleased to have the player of the year come from Emerald and credited Miller and Tollison’s success to the team as a whole.
He also said he expects Miller will face some pressure to repeat his performance next season.
It’s an idea Miller doesn’t shy away from.
“Yeah, there will be some pressure,” Miller said. “I can’t worry about it though. I realize how important every pitch is and every inning is. I just try to stay relaxed. I’m already looking forward to next year.”

Chris Trainor covers area sports for The Index-Journal. he can be reached at: ctrainor@indexjournal.com.

Opinion

State’s colleges obliged to serve their own first

May 22, 2006

Two things (at least) about South Carolina’s “state-supported” colleges should get attention. That’s the continuously rising cost to attend and the increasing numbers of out of state students. It so happens that both are on the minds of a lot of Palmetto State parents.
They should concern parents. Hardly a year goes by when tuition, books and general living expenses don’t go up. In fact, it’s getting increasingly difficult for average South Carolina families to pay the costs.
There are reasons for increases, to be sure, that are beyond the control of college trustees. They get less money from the state. At the same time, though, officials in Columbia, particularly lawmakers, often mandate a variety of things for the colleges without providing the funds to pay for them.

THAT, OF COURSE, LEAVES THE colleges no where to get needed operating funds except from students.
Then there’s the fact that more out-of-state students attend state colleges and are only required to pay in-state tuition.
According to reports, the percentage of out-of-state freshmen at the state’s three largest schools this year ranges from 33 percent to 45 percent. These figures have remained fairly constant over the past five years.
According to the S. C. Commission on Higher Education, USC admitted 1,233 out-of-state freshmen in the fall to its Columbia campus; 560, or 45 percent, of them paid the in-state tuition rate and received a scholarship to cover some of the costs. At Clemson, 336, or 33 percent, of the 1,015 out-of-state freshmen admitted in the fall received in-state tuition and scholarships.

AT THE COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON, 45 percent of its freshmen last fall were from out of state, but only 5 percent received scholarship funds.
There have been complaints that some in-state students with fairly good grades have not been admitted.
Parents of those students aren’t happy. Nor should they be. State colleges should first serve the children of South Carolina. When they get to the point where out-of-state students or higher costs keep qualified state students out, somebody is failing a lot of taxpayers and children.
To be fair, colleges are making efforts to attract top students, whether they are from out of state or not. That’s commendable. However, it had one parent asking, “What’s the schools’ role, to be elitist institutions or to serve the children of South Carolina and the parents who pay taxes?”
No doubt many will echo her feelings.

Obituaries

Robert B. Forsyth

DONALDS — Robert Bruce Forsyth, 84, of 165 Double H Farm Road, widower of Elizabeth Graham Forsyth, died Sunday, May 21, 2006 at his home.
Services will be announced by Harris Funeral Home, Abbeville.

June Franke

June H. Franke, 82, of 145 Pin Oak Drive, widow of Darwin Lewis Franke, died Sunday, May 21, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
The family is at the home.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Rosemary Ginn

Rosemary Werts Ginn, 74, of 109 Ginn St., wife of William L. “Billy” Ginn, died Sunday, May 21, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Services will be announced by Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Milford L. Glassburn

PLUM BRANCH — Milford Leo Glassburn, 80, of Thunderbird Boat Club Lot 27, husband of Arilla M. Glassburn, died Saturday, May 20, 2006 at his home.
Born in Elkhart, Ind., he was a son of the late Ernest and Agnes Pettit Glassburn. He was a World War II Navy veteran, a retired supervisor for Continental Con and a member of West Side Baptist Church. He had lived in the Augusta, Ga., area for 25 years.
Survivors include his wife of the home; a daughter, Karen Sue McBride of Martinez, Ga.; three sons, Thomas Glassburn of McCormick, Jeffry Glassburn, Decatur, Ga. and Todd Glassburn of Waynesboro, Ga.; a brother, Harold Eugene Glassburn of Middlebern, Ind.; four grandchildren, one great-grandchild.
Graveside services are 2 p.m. Tuesday at Plum Branch Cemetery, conducted by the Rev. Lehn.
Pallbearers are Jimmie Adams, Jeremy Glassburn, James Cantrell, Elzie Peals, Frank Clark III and Thomas L. Glassburn.
Visitation is 7-9 tonight at Strom Funeral Home.
The family is at the home.
Strom Funeral Home is in charge.

Willie Hawkins

SALUDA — Willie Foster Hawkins, 77, of 166 Rock Hill Rd., died Sunday, May 21, 2006 at Self Regional Medical Center.
Born in Saluda County and a son of the late Kenny D. and Eve McCarty Hawkins, he was the husband of the late Jeanette Hyler Hawkins. Mr. Hawkins was a US Army veteran during the Korean Conflict and was the retired owner and operator of Hancock Poultry. He was a member of Emory United Methodist Church where he was treasurer of the D.D. Padgett Sunday School Class, the treasurer of the Emory Golden Agers Club and former Emory Sunday School Treasurer.
Surviving is a daughter and son-in-law, Angela H. and Keith Rushton of Saluda, two sons and a daughter-in-law, Sammy F. Hawkins of Saluda and Wendell D. and Marie Hawkins of Saluda, one brother, Kenny Hawkins of Newberry, seven grandchildren, April, Bryan, Victoria, Andrew, Amanda, Laurie Anna and Nathan and a great granddaughter, Olivia.
Funeral services will be 3:00 PM Wednesday, May 24, 2006, at Emory United Methodist Church with Rev. Joyce Murphy officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 PM Tuesday evening at Ramey Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Emory United Methodist Church, Construction Fund, 3139 Spann Rd., Leesville, SC 29070 or to HospiceCare of the Piedmont – Hospice House, 408 W. Alexander Ave., Greenwood, SC 29646. PAID OBITUARY

Barbara LaFountain

Barbara Elaine Scott LaFountain, 47, of 114-A Halcyon Court, wife of Barry LaFountain, died Friday, May 19, 2006 at her home.
Born in Greenwood, she was a daughter of George Robert Scott and Helen Farris Evans. She was a graduate of Greenwood High School and Piedmont Technical College, where she received a degree in Radiology. She was retired from Capsugel.
Surviving is her husband of the home; her mother of Hodges; her father of Waterloo; a daughter, Jennifer Wright of Greenwood; two sisters, Lillie Owings of Hodges and Robin Bell of Greenwood; a brother, Chuck Scott of Greenwood and a granddaughter, Madison Elizabeth Rousey.
Services will be 3:00 pm Tuesday at Harley Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Jeff Lethco and the Reverend J.C. Sorrow officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Tuesday from 1:00 pm until 3:00 pm.
Pallbearers will be Jeff Scott, Don James, Thomas Kinard, Bruce Wright, Curtis Townsend, Mike Morris, Steve Smith, Kip Doolittle and Kevin Erwin.
Memorials may be made to the North Side Baptist Church building fund, 409 Northside Drive, Greenwood, SC 29649 or to a charity of one’s choice.
The family is at the home of her mother, Helen Evans, 303 Nicholson Drive, Hodges.
Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.harleyfuneralhome.com
PAID OBITUARY

Genola M. Martin

INDIANAPOLIS — Genola Moore Martin, 69, wife of John Lester Martin, died Wednesday, May 17, 2006 in Indianapolis.
Born in McCormick, she was a daughter of the late Wistar and Lottie Mims Moore. She received her early education in McCormick County Schools. She was retired from RCA and a member of Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church.
Survivors include her husband of the home; three sons, Dale Martin, Horace Martin and Tyrone Martin; a daughter, Brenda Martin Lockhart; two sisters, Deborah Cobb of Atlanta and Louise Phillips of Greenwood; a number of grandchildren.
Services are noon Tuesday at Zion Tabernacle Church.
Crown Hill Funeral home is in charge.
Announcement courtesy of Walker Funeral Home.

James O. Peavy

LINCOLNTON, Ga. — James Otis Peavy, 67, of Leathersville Road, died Saturday, May 20, 2006 at his home.
A native of Longview, Texas, he was a former resident of Beech Island, S.C. and McCormick, S.C. before moving to Lincolnton six years ago. He was formerly employed by Columbia Nitrogen for 18 years and ARAMCO Oil Co. in Saudi Arabia for 14 years. He was a member of First Baptist Church, Beech Island.
Survivors include his wife, Therissa Burke Peavy of Lincolnton; a son, Mark Peavy of Lincolnton; two sisters, Betty Barber and Ruth Smart, both of Mount Pleasant, Texas; three grandchildren.
Services are 1 p.m. Tuesday at Republican United Methodist Church, conducted by the Rev. Don Alexander.
Burial is in Hephzibah Baptist Church Cemetery, Lincoln County.
Pallbearers are Tracy Burke, Travis Burke, Troy Burke, Wade Burke, Hank Burke and Bob Blackburn.
Visitation is 6-8 tonight at Beggs Funeral Home.
Beggs Funeral Home is in charge.

Joe E. Shumate

OPELIKA, Ala. — Graveside service for Joe E. Shumate, 66, of Opelika, Al. is Saturday, May 27, 2006 at 11:00 a.m. at Greenwood Memorial Gardens. The family will gather at the graveside in Greenwood, S.C. at 10:30 a.m. The Rev. Michael Shumate is officiating.
Visitation is Monday, May 22, 2006 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home, Opelika, Al.
Mr. Shumate, who died Saturday, May 20, 2006 in Opelika, Al., was born June 29, 1939 in Greenwood, S.C. Mr. Shumate had been a resident of Opelika, Al. for the past 30 years. He was a retired supervisor with International Paper Company with 23 years service.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Betty Shumate of Opelika, Al.; two sons, Mark Shumate of Oxford, Al., and Rev. Michael (Edith) Shumate of Shelby, N.C.; one brother, John L. Shumate, Jr. of Alexander City, Al.; four grandchildren, Joshua, Jacob, Rebekah and Aaron Shumate.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial donations may be directed to: Union Baptist Church – Building Fund, 3800 Polkville Road, Shelby, N.C. 28150.
Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home is directing.
www.jeffcoattrant.com
PAID OBITUARY