Tracy Connor, Daily News Staff Writer reported: "Da Vinci Code is full of Lies, cardinal says".
Inaccuracies in his so-called facts about Leonardo da Vinci, libeling of the Catholic faith and its societies, the Catholic Church came out against Dan Brown, saying that the book distorts the society it discusses.
The Church has a list of banned or censored books and texts. How does this align with first amendment texts and with separation of church and state? The Vatican is a RELIGIOUS state with contrasting international publication and freedom of speech issues. Can one publish lies?If so, what are the lies in Dan Brown's text?
Is his text fiction and he can publish lies or non-fiction and he can't publish lies? If Brown honestly believes a lie, is he liable for publishing it as a truth? Is fact checking part of publishing responsibility? What is the liability of fiction authors? How is the book listed on the best seller list?
Issues to find links and raise questions for kids are: How responsible is the author of a fiction book with non-fiction details for "checking" accuracy of these details?
In U.S. freedom of speech context, can the Church censor a fiction or non fiction work because it portrays a religious society in a negative light? How would a devoted American Catholic react to this condemnation? What two loyalties and concepts are at odds here?
How should U.S. courts react to and value the Vatican's responses from religious and revered officials? To what extent, if any can their perspectives be brought in to weigh in this case?
To what extent is their perspective legally valuable in the suit? How might these statements and the very concept of litigation and censorship have enhanced sales?
To what extent have banned books and books involved in litigation profited from censorship? Ironically in contesting the work legally, its fame and desirability spreads.
Look up censorship and truth in writing laws in the Italian system. Remember, check that the book is a fiction work.
Steve Feld John F. Kennedy High School 99 Terrace View Avenue Bronx, New York 10463 sfeld2@nycboe.net
© 2005 All rights Reserved
Home Page: http://www.tqnyc.org/NYC051308