Opus DeiThe Truth about Opus Dei and

The DaVinci Code

By: Ellie Molyneux

THE SHOWDOWN

VERSUS

Dan Brown’s Facts

Opus Dei’s Fiction

Dan Brown on Opus Dei

“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

: “The Facts”

FACT?:

Opus Dei portrayed through Aringarosa and Silas

They accurately represent what can occur to Opus Dei members

Implications:

Hierarchal establishment Mind control Loss of perspective Internal confusion Impious motivations

Opposition to Dan Brown’s Claims Main opposition

comes in a statement about the book by Opus Dei

Arguments are supported by Opus members with high stakes in the group

A Few Support Sources for Brown’s Claims

Opus Dei Awareness Network

Writer Michael Walsh

18-year numerary Maria del Carmen Tapia

Opus Dei’s Form of Self-”Discipline”

Opus Dei:Beyond The DaVinci Code Facts

Brown omits:

Public deception Secrecy/Lies Segregation Oppression Recruiting Practices Cult-like Control

A Father’s Response: Secrecy “Contrary to some of the things you have probably

read in your research, Opus Dei is in no way secret.” – Reverend Arturi

“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” “we find it helpful to organize separate

activities for men and women” “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

A Father’s Response: Recruiting

“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 Similar ideas of bettering themselves Secretive, controlling, and cultish External pressure for truth lead to conflict Result in misery and mass suicide

The Final Round

THE SHOWDOWN

VERSUS

Dan Brown

Opus Dei

WINNER!! The Man with Truthful Fighting Words

Bibliography Slide

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