As notoriously reclusive as Dan Brown tends to be, it's always big news when the DaVinci Code author makes a rare public appearance. His most recent speaking engagement, however—at a New England writers' forum—may also be of interest to Brown's Christian critics. According to the Associated Press, Brown briefly addressed the book's extraordinary controversy, saying that answering the religious questions raised by the book is not his responsibility: "Let the biblical scholars and historians battle it out."

Added Brown, "It's a book about big ideas, you can love them or you can hate them. But we're all talking about them, and that's really the point."

The Portsmouth speech—Brown's only scheduled public address before the May 19 release of the film—attracted over 900 people, and found Brown covering everything from his book to the recent Gospel of Judas debates.

Brown also cited apathy as the greatest offense to religion. "We all have a right to believe what we believe. And we are not only entitled to speak our minds, we are required, because it is through dialogue and debate that faith, any faith, remains a 'living' faith."

In other Da Vinci news:

Da Vinci debate reaches new high as film approaches (MSNBC)
Even "liberal" thinkers say Brown has "wildly misinterpreted" facts

Brown's sequel delayed until 2007 (Playfuls)
Author's next book may deal with freemasonry

Most Catholics unfazed by DVC claims (USA Today)
Poll shows that 73% of Catholics say book hasn't affected their faith

Italy removes giant movie poster from church (Associated Press)
After clergy complaints, government agrees to take down DVC ad

Debate rages online, in pulpits, everywhere (New York Daily News)
Internet discussions, sermons, full-page ads all part of the dialogue

New book stresses opportunity for evangelism (official website)
Fear Not Da Vinci tells how to use novel to share your faith

Scottish Catholic Church debunks with DVD (The Scotsman)
New DVD release calls Brown's novel "monumental nonsense"

© Josh Hurst 2006, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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