Well said. I can see why they made him a Knight.

I love it when someone simply speaks the truth! How it upsets the mindless drones of the faithful to simply have someone state the obvious. The idea of a RELIGIOUS group being concerned with a work of art being labeled as 'fiction' is so ironic.

The faithful really are blind aren't they?

One final thing *promise*, I didn't mean Ian's opinion is less valid because he is an actor, it's just not more valid.

Whether or not you believe in the Christian view of life, you shouldn't base your opinion on some poorly researched airport novel by an arrogant conspiracy theorist, or even the opinion of our beloved Galdolf the Gay. Ian McKellen is a great actor, one of the few people who can make his eyes twinkle on demand, but he is just an actor.

Paul: yes, you probably are going to hell for disagreeing with Mandy. As a Biblical authority and rabbanic scholar you must have come across this in your research. Sounds silly? Well so does your reasoning about hell. I think that Jesus or somebody said that the destination of one's soul is between God and that person, we can judge their actions but where you end usually depends on where you start...well that was Everlast. I don't feel that I need to read every athiest and Scientologist pamplet to form my opinion those belief systems, but if I ever feel so inclined I will refer to your reading list. Though I wouldn't be so sure about the "science of religion": explaining scientifically why people want to worship God is like explaining why Mr. McKellen is attracted to men--the science may exist but where emotion and politics get in the way it is to often manipulated into lies sprinkled with bits of truth.

Let me also say that while people have surely suffered more than Jesus did on the cross, I doubt many attribute divine status to enduring the most physical pain of any being ever. I mean, the Romans used to line the roads with crosses. That said, I find it a little hard to believe that you know many people, alive or recently deceased, who went through worse physical pain than having nails put through their extremeties and left on a few planks to wood to die. As a matter of fact, how did these friends of yours even make the comparison? Did they survive crucifiction only to be subjected to some worse torture, during which they told you "yeah, this is worse than that time I spent on the cross"? Wait, now I remember, Jesus wasn't promoted to king of heaven and the universe for being on a cross, I think most Christain theologians now concur that it had something to do with his father being God.

Finally, let me just say I'm tired of the way we hold European Christians (the Conquistadors, et al) to a higher standard than the rest of the world. All the Columbus/Cortez bashing strikes me as disguised Eurocentrism: Cortez was neither a racist nor a religious hypocrite, just a ruthless military leader from a ruthless background; no different than Genghis Khan and his sons. It is as if we expect more out of Europeans than we do of simple tribal folk (I don't use the word 'white' because it may not fit many of the conquistadors).

I don't care if Jesus was the son of God or the son Uuhrkfdskksa, Emperor of the Planet Kasoolza, walking on water without some sort of contraption to keep you up, coming back from death, healing the blind, bringing others back from death, it is all IMPOSSIBLE. I don't think the movie needs a disclaimer, and neither does the bible. Atheists have the right to believe what they believe, as do Moslims, Jews, and Pagans. I mean, come on. The Christians basically say that anyone who is not Christian will go to Hell when they die, right? Well, what about Jesus? He was JEWISH. He taught what he believed, thus he taught Judaism. Christianity came about as the name of those who followed Jesus CHRIST. Doesn't that basically make all of Christianity, like, remedial Jews?

Personally I think nothing should have disclaimers in 'em. That's just ruining half the fun. You watch a movie you know nothing about, where's the feeling of surprise if it says "DISCLAIMER: THIS MOVIE MAY CONTAIN SOME SHOCKING SCENES AND THE FACT THAT THE MAIN CHARACTER DIES IN THE ENDING MAY CAUSE SOME DISCOMFORT TO CERTAIN PEOPLE. DON'T TRY THIS AT HOME!"

Sheesh, yanks, y'all suck. Remember THAT COFFEE MIGHT BE HOT SO SPILLING IT ON YOUR PANTS MIGHT NOT BE THAT GOOD OF AN IDEA.

What I've noticed is that a lot of these so-called believers are quick to say things like "see you in hell", "your eternal afterlife is not guarenteed" etc.

Being religious does NOT put you in a position to pass judgement yourself.

What arrogance; who do you think you are? God? If you're really so religious, think again before speaking for God Himself.

If religous freedom isn't your thing, you should consider moving to Saudi-Arabia.

Guys, Sir Ian was just trying to lighten things up. Good Lord. It's amazing how many people there are out there without a sense of humor. And at least be familiar with McKellen in the first place before you criticize his comments - wry humor is his specialty.

I am a Christian, but it makes me sick reading all these comments saying things like "Well, those of you who don't believe weren't brought up well, and you just must not know any better." Just in case you know, criticizing people and patting them on the head like animals doesn't make them want to listen to you. People like that make me ashamed to be Christian.

Sir Ian has my full support. And Da Vinci Code is a MOVIE. When was the last time you watched a movie that was completely accurate? My guess is, it was a really boring one.

Valerie,

1. I work at a Nazarene church.
2. My job is exactly what i said it was... a YOUTH LEADER. I'm 20 years old and I intern there helping the high school pastor LEAD teenagers. I councel them, talk to them, listen to them, basically just hang out with them.
3. Nope, I do not take everything in the bible at face value, because that would be moronic. I think it has some great concepts that we can learn and better ourselves from. The pastor I work for and I both encourage our kids to question everything they hear, and to not be sheep. Like I said before, the Bible was written by men, so I do take everything I read from it with a grain of salt. Does that mean I take nothing from it? No, ofcoarse I do, that is why I work at a church.
4. I hope I am teaching my kids that it is okay to question the church, that it is okay to have an open mind about subjects like gay marriage and abortion. I hope I am teaching them that believing in Christ doesn't mean you have to believe everyone who doesn't is going to hell. Mostly I just hope they know that I care about them.

Well, I hope I've answered your questions. You sound very angry. I'm sorry I upset you so much.

All I can say is this.... There are many people on here that are on the fast track south and I pity each and every one of you. At least I can go to sleep at night knowing I am at peace with myself and God... Too bad not many of you can say the same.

well well.... Ian had spoken what has been in my mind since ages ago, the bible is nothing more than a tall story.... and everyone's goD is different. And i really don't believe that jesus was anymore than a normal human being or even less, never goD's son of coz

CAT... you said you were a "youth leader" at a church... WHAT kind of church hires a youth leader that does not even believe the Bible to be true??? What exactly is your job at this "church" if you are not even teaching the Bible. What is your job there??? You said yourself that you did not even take the Bible for what it says.. Why bother???? What are you teaching????

This is way too long but I think some of you will find it interesting so give it a shot, or not.

Anyway in response to One, I don't look to science for answers. I learned years ago in my biology class at the university that the answers to life can not be found in science. Sure there are theories but when it comes to the question of how life began even the most renowned biologists can only guess.

I'm not cynical any longer. I was but realized it didn’t do me or anyone else any good. Now I’m pretty positive and hopeful that one day I will find peace with my place in life.

I do kind of wish Christians would realize how terrible their belief is for 80% of the earth’s population. They believe we made a choice when for me it wasn't as much a choice as a matter of being. I could no longer believe. My mind and heart would not allow it. Coming to terms with the loss of my faith was very difficult since I loved Jesus and the Bible more than anything else for nearly 30 years. The belief that everything in life has a purpose and that there is a loving caring God watching out for me and those I love was invaluable. I miss it. I tried returning to my faith but I couldn't do it. It no longer made any sense to me (I know, Christians, you think I’ve been blinded). What happened was I realized I'm too nice of a person to believe. I want to love and accept everyone and I don't want anyone ever to go to hell.

Yet, I still seem to be one of those "weak" people who longs for a purpose in life. I miss knowing that no matter what everything is going to be okay. Life is a little bit scary without faith which I think is the reason it's been a part of humanity since the beginning of time.

I do wish Believers would stop assuming that all non-believers have chosen to "reject Christ." It's not Jesus I’ve rejected. I wish everyone in the world was like Jesus. It is religion I rejected. An establishment created my man to control man. Read the papers and you'll see that it’s still working. It's working in Iran, Iraq, Israel and yes, even here in America.

I know you won’t listen to me because I'm a non-believer which means I don't know the truth. The thing is, I don't want you to stop believing. I understand why you believe and I understand why you can’t or won’t allow your faith to be shaken. Believe me, minus the Old Testament, Revelations, hell and only One Way stuff, if I could believe I would. What I want is for you to stop thinking those that don't believe are somehow being led by an evil force. Most of my friends are actually really good, honest and loving people. And I want you to please stop judging us and start really loving us. That's what I want the most. Cause you know what? Even though I am not a Christian or a believer, Jesus still loves me, right? So, you should also, correct? So, please don't condemn me or Ian, or Paul or anyone else to hell because really (even though we don’t believe in it) there is nothing worse you could do to us (eternal suffering?). If you knew me, you would never want me to go to hell. Can’t you just LOVE US and let us love you back?

To Paul W. and usedtobelieve,

You think TOO much. Stop overanalyzing everything and just accept what is. You will be much happier when you drop the cynicism and simply accept what is. Both of you are looking for scientific evidence and answers that you are not going to find in a scientific journal. The answer lies in the realm OUTSIDE of where the mind is able to go. Stop questioning and analyzing and just ride the ride. Your lives will be much more enjoyable. Bye now. Peace.

Do you really believe we are going to hell?

I was born and raised in a Christian home. I was loved and cherished and well sheltered. The first time I questioned my faith was when I was a young teen. A Pastor in our church said, "40,000 children will die this day of starvation, neglect and war. And many of them will spend eternity in hell." The New Testament says only children of Christian parents are sanctified. If you believe exactly what the Bible says, you must believe that Children born of non-Christian parents are going to hell.

A couple years later I burned myself while helping build a fire at Church camp and the assistant pastor said, "You know the pain you felt? Multiply that times 100 and you get the severity of the pain non-believers will experience for all eternity." I went to my cabin cried for hours.

If you fundamentally believe in the Bible, you must believe that only those who proclaim Jesus as Lord will go to heaven. The rest of us?

Later I questioned, "Why did God create us knowing only a billion or so would make it to heaven and the rest would suffer for all eternity?"

As a mother whose love it not supposed to be as great as God's, I would choose not to have children at all if I knew even two of the six (or worse 4 out of the 6) would suffer any kind of pain for any prolonged period of time.

Today I have come to the conclusion that I have too much love inside of me to believe in a faith that believes in hell.

I'm at peace today because I can love everyone for who they are, I no longer worry about someone being lost or going to hell. I also do good, I'm kind and loving, I reach out to those in need and give whenever I can. And I always treat others the way I want to be treated. I don't do it to earn rewards in heaven or to have my own prayers answered. I do right by others simply because it's the right thing to do.