I RATHER LIKE THIS LETTER TO THE EDITOR OF A JAMAICAN NEWSPAPER

I find it interesting for several reasons:

--One, it is a breath of fresh air for a person of obvious deep religious faith to be so relaxed about opening one's mind to interesting ideas that might be in the Da Vinci Code;

--Two, because it tells us something about the international scope of the debate over DVC;

--Three, because it showed up in my Google Alerts today and reminds us of how, in the age of instants search engines and blogs, a single writer with a thought to communicate can rise out of the billions of bits of data flowing through cyberspace and get our attention with a headline like: "Da Vinci Code Does Not Threatent the Bible; and

--Four, because the writer also seems to find our Secrets of the Code to be of interest.


Herewith, from the "Jamaican Gleaner," a letter to the editor from a writer named Pansy Gayle.


Letter of the day - Da Vinci Code does not threaten the Bible
published: Sunday | May 14, 2006

THE EDITOR, Sir:

RE THE Da Vinci Code(by Dan Brown) and the Unauthorised Guide to the Mysteries Behind The Da Vinci Code by Dan Burstein, I read both books and found them to be mesmerising. Good writing, I say, coming from one who often loses interest if the author cannot keep my attention after a period of time.

Dan Brown's revived my interest to such an extent that I now do a lot more reading. Dan Burstein should be read after The Da Vinci Code. Both books should be read to get an empowered understanding of Christianity.

THOSE THREATENED

Those who feel threatened are not as grounded in their Christian faith as they ought to be.

Is there a fear that some people will become enlightened and brave enough to question issues they have read in the Bible, without feeling they are blaspheming? The Holy Bible is made up of different writings from different people at different times. Some are divinely inspired, I believe, by the spirit of the most high God; some are historical records of a 'nation'; some are letters written by followers of Jesus. The list goes on.

From the list, some writings were chosen to be part of another book called the Bible. Is it inconceivable that we do not know all the facts? Do we even care? Do most 'Christians' really read and understand Revelations. If they truly aspired to practice Jesus' teachings, acknowledge that they too are sinners, seek after righteousness continually, live a life based on faith in the spirit of the most high God, and learn to enjoy life whatever the condition, they would be amazed how rich their spiritual lives would become without craving after money.

Reading both books has not in any way diminished my faith in God nor stopped me from practising the teachings of Jesus and other prophets of old. I have been enlightened, nonetheless. Know for yourself the God you serve.



PANSY GAYLE

plgayle05@yahoo.com