Opus Dei

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Opus Dei

• The Truth about Opus Dei and
• The DaVinci Code
• By Ellie Molyneux

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THE SHOWDOWN
Dan Browns Facts
VERSUS
Opus Deis Fiction
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Dan Brown on Opus Dei
The Facts

• 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

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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

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Opposition to Dan Browns 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

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A Few Support Sources for Browns Claims

• Opus Dei Awareness Network
• Writer Michael Walsh
• 18-year numerary Maria del Carmen Tapia

• Opus Deis Form of Self-Discipline

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Opus DeiBeyond The DaVinci Code Facts

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

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A Fathers 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

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A Fathers 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

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A Fathers 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

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When Opus Dei-type Mind Control Happens to Good
People

• Jim Jones formed The Peoples Temple
• Similar ideas of bettering themselves
• Secretive, controlling, and cultish
• External pressure for truth lead to conflict
• Result in misery and mass suicide

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The Final Round
THE SHOWDOWN
WINNER!! The Man with Truthful Fighting Words

Dan Brown
VERSUS
Opus Dei
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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