THAT DA VINCI EFFECT

My three teenagers all wanted to see the movie Da Vinci Code. It seems as if because so much controversy has been stirred up with this movie that it arouse the curiosity of my teenagers. My husband and I discussed the pro and con of allowing them to see the movie and reading the book. Fortunately or unfortunately because of the NC 16 classification only my eldest son is given the opportunity to watch this movie. My two daughters would have to settle with reading the book.

Yes as parents we were worried about the effect this wok of fiction would have on our teenagers’ faith. We wanted to put a blanket ban on the issue and pontificate that the movie and the book should not be touched with a ten foot pole.

But knowing the psychological of teenagers, the minute something is proclaimed as forbidden fruit, it would be seen as the most desirable item in their radar.

We decided to engage them with philosophical, metaphysical and sociological discussion of the Da Vinci Code. For example, we have a great time discussing the following issues:

What is the difference between fact, fiction and faith? Has religion become entertainment for the masses? What are the possible effects that they would have after they have read the book or view the movie?

Of great interest are the different responses that people all over the world for the movie. Some demand that the movie be ban while others view it as just entertainment.

But why is there this great concern for this movie or the book?

Maybe there is a unconsciousness acknowledgement that the movie, the book or any other form of entertainment from Hollywood or America has a greater power over people any preacher or pastor can have over their flock.

Perhaps there is a concern that the book or the movie would have the power to derail those whose faith is not strong.

Conceivably some felt insulted because of the preposterous suggestion that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were married and produced a child as this attacked the fundamental axiom that we have about Jesus Christ.

Of course we are afraid of the Da Vinci effect. We are worried that by being entertained subconsciously their belief and faith would be affected. But this Da Vinci effect is not confined to just the movie Da Vinci Code. Every movie, book, computer games, songs and concert that we encountered have the possibility to affect our belief, our attitude and our value system. It just so that this particular movie happens to touch on an issue that illustrates this effect clearly.

Perhaps now is a good time for us parents to examine closely the types of entertainment that is being offered for our children and teenagers to enjoy. For example in the mini series Six Feet Under, the theme on homosexuality is openly discussed. In Sex and the City, four women openly and happily discuss their sex life. In Desperate Housewife, the secrete and truth of four housewives are unfolded weekly for us to gawk at.

In the world of computer games where hero are made based on the number of people one can kill or in the world of music where pre-marital sex are promoted in the same stanza with love and honour, how do we protect our children from influence and values that we do not believe or subscribe to?

Do we try our best to ban all entertainment that we find offensive and do not support our value system? Or do we equip our children with the skills and ability to sieve the truth from the half-truth and the plain outright lie? Can we then trust our children to make the correct choice on the type of entertainment that they should engage in?

I believe that in order for our children to grow up to become functional adults, they must be given freedom to make informed choice. We must provide our children with as much information about an issue as possible. Based on the information given and if our children have been trained rigorously in logical thinking, I believe that they will be able to make the appropriate choice.

This article first appeared in TODAY on 23rd May 2006.