Transcript Opus Dei - Middlebury College

Opus Dei
The Truth about Opus Dei and
The DaVinci Code
By: Ellie Molyneux
THE SHOWDOWN
Dan
Brown’s
Facts
VERSUS
Opus Dei’s Fiction
Dan Brown on Opus Dei: “The Facts”
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“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
FACT?:

Opus Dei portrayed
through Aringarosa
and Silas
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Implications:

Hierarchal establishment
Mind control
Loss of perspective
Internal confusion
Impious motivations

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They accurately
represent what can
occur to Opus Dei
members

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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
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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

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“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…
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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
WINNER!!
The Man with
THE SHOWDOWN
Truthful
Fighting
The Final
RoundWords

Dan Brown
VERSUS
Opus Dei
Bibliography Slide
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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