Opus Dei The Truth about Opus Dei and
Opus Dei The Truth about Opus Dei and The Da. Vinci Code By: Ellie Molyneux
THE SHOWDOWN Dan Brown’s Facts VERSUS Opus Dei’s Fiction
Dan Brown on Opus Dei: “The Facts” n “The Vatican Prelature known as Opus Dei is a deeply devout Catholic sect that has been the topic of recent controversy due to reports of brainwashing, coercion, and a dangerous practice known as corporal mortification. ” Opus Dei Headquarters in New York City
? : n n FACT Opus Dei portrayed through Aringarosa and Silas They accurately represent what can occur to Opus Dei members n Implications: n Hierarchal establishment Mind control Loss of perspective Internal confusion Impious motivations n n
Opposition to Dan Brown’s Claims n Main opposition comes in a statement about the book by Opus Dei n Arguments are supported by Opus members with high stakes in the group
A Few Support Sources for Brown’s Claims n Opus Dei Awareness Network n Writer Michael Walsh n 18 -year numerary Maria del Carmen Tapia n Opus Dei’s Form of Self-”Discipline”
Opus Dei: Beyond The Da. Vinci Code Facts n Brown omits: n Public deception Secrecy/Lies Segregation Oppression Recruiting Practices Cult-like Control n n n
A Father’s Response: Secrecy n “Contrary to some of the things you have probably read in your research, Opus Dei is in no way secret. ” – Reverend Arturi n “Opus Dei states they give copies of their statutes to all the bishops in whose dioceses they operate. When I asked some bishops to see the statutes, they refused me access. ” –Ex-member who was denied access to doctrine
A Father’s Response to Segregation “it is merely independence” n “we find it helpful to organize separate activities for men and women” n “This makes it easier to deal with themes that may be of particular interest to one group or the other” - Reverend Bradley Arturi, US Opus Dei Headquarters n
A Father’s Response: Recruiting n “It [is] something so simple, natural, and straightforward such that one would have a hard time distorting the whole thing and still tell the truth. ” -Reverend Arturi
When Opus Dei-type Mind Control Happens to Good People… Jim Jones formed The People’s Temple n Similar ideas of bettering themselves n Secretive, controlling, and cultish n External pressure for truth lead to conflict n Result in misery and mass suicide n
WINNER!! The Man with THE SHOWDOWN Truthful Fighting The Final Round. Words n Dan Brown VERSUS Opus Dei
Bibliography Slide n n n Brown, Dan. The Da Vinci Code. Doubleday, 2003. Tapia, María del Carmen, 1925 Beyond the threshold : a life in Opus Dei Walsh, Michael. Opus Dei: An Investigation into the Powerful Secretive Society within the Catholic Church. San Francisco: Harper Publishing, 2004. www. odan. org www. opusdeiusa. org
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