Censored: Cineplex Odeon bans ads
The group behind this blog had planned an in-theatre ad campaign to encourage The Da Vinci Code movie-goers to come online and discuss what they had seen. In an unexpected move, Cineplex Odeon decided today the ads were too controversial and has pulled the spots from theatres in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto.
You can see the banned ad for yourself.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://media.truthmedianetwork.com/davinci/bannedad.swf" width="400" height="228" /]
In response to the decision, Campus Crusade for Christ, Canada issued a press release:
Vancouver – May 17-06 — Cineplex Odeon theaters today cancelled a planned in-theater advertising campaign by Campus Crusade for Christ. Valued at more than $60,000, the ads were part of the organization?s program encouraging the public to view The Da Vinci Code movie and explore religious issues raised by the film.
. . . . . . . . . .
?Aside from the obvious concern for free speech, our campaign is a thoughtful and positive one with messaging that the public will find interesting,? Douglas said. ?Judging by the public?s response so far, people are eager to explore their religious faith, which we believe is a positive step.?
Does the ad seem insidious to you? Harmful? Controversial? Something tells me there?s something more going on here.
In an article in the May 16th edition of the Toronto Star, Business Reporter Rick Westhead accused Campus Crusade for Christ of using the ads as part of a campaign to stalk theatre-goers. That?s simply not true. Campus Crusade for Christ exists because we believe that knowing Jesus is a life-changing experience. Where people are discussing spiritual things, we want to be part of the discussion. The Da Vinci Code has got people discussing Jesus and we want to be part of the conversation.
The truth about Jesus, as we understand it, is basic and fundamental. Jesus Christ, fully God and fully human came to Earth, lived a sinless life and died to bring fallen humanity back into relationship with God. You can read more about it in ?Uncover the Truth?. Campus Crusade for Christ wasn?t planning to be a public nuisance or decry the film. We just wanted to talk. Cineplex Odeon doesn?t seem to think that?s such a good idea.
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When the book first came out, I was not happy about it & I didn’t want to talk about it. I finally read the book in order to be able respond to conversations at work. As a fictional story it was done very well, the movie stinks, the actors are miscast and aren’t believable.
The great thing about all of this; I got to have a conversation with a friend’s husband that doesn’t go to church, he’s an alcoholic & refuses to meet anyone from church. He thinks all Christians are closed minded and are trying to shove their beliefs on others.
I don’t know anyone that has accepted Jesus by someone arguing with them, people are drawn in by relationship. I find ploys of Satan like this movie to be laughable because God uses everything for His glory & He is victorius!
It’s late & I’ve had too much caffeine today, let’s keep praying that Jesus is glorified by our responses to this piece of fiction.
Paul
It is not a matter of changing anyone’s belief at all. People should know the historical truth about Jesus and his message before making an informed choice about what to believe about him. However, this book contains some pretty major factual errors about lots of things mentioned and continually impies that the orthodox scriptures are fabrications and outright lies about God. The book sets itself up as an “expose” of the “supressed” truth about Jesus Christ by using documents written at least 100 and more years after the events took place. Many of these documents don’t even agree on what they consider the true nature of God either as gnostics felt flesh was evil and so God could not be human and divine as the traditional early church preached. They saw him as a spectral divine emmanation of God not a flesh and blood human. I challenge you to read the writings of Gnostism and also the Gospels and tell me which reads as the more credible amd consistent treatise about Jesus His nature and mission in the world. The belief part will be up to you. Yes the Da Vinci Code is just a book but Dan Brown says he stands behind what he has written and would include it in a non fiction book about the same subject. I think people with any desire for honest soul searching would be happy to hear both sides of the issue before jumping on the “lets trash historic christianity” band wagon. Even the Gospel of Thomas says:28 Jesus said, “I took my stand in the midst of the world, and in flesh I appeared to them. I found them all drunk, and I did not find any of them thirsty. My soul ached for the children of humanity, because they are blind in their hearts and do not see, for they came into the world empty, and they also seek to depart from the world empty. But meanwhile they are drunk. When they shake off their wine, then they will change their ways>”
Paul said: “I guess the question is why do you care what other people believe? Why do you Christians have to go around thumping your Bibles and beliefs on everyone. The only reason you want to run the ads is to try to bring them to this site and bring them to Christ.”
My question to you is why do you care why we care. We can choose to care about something if we want, you’re not in control of how we think so go off and mind your own business. The Da Vinci Code grossly misrepresents Christianity and has convinced millions (apparently) to change their beliefs. We as Christians feel passionate about what’s happening and want to give seeking people the other side of the story.
Paul, if a book/film came along and convinced millions to believe in something completely wrong, wouldn’t you feel compelled to do something about it?
Haha suckers. :)
[...] Well, it looks like the decision that Cineplex Odeon made to pull our DiscussDavinci.com theatre ad was good for us. Today we ended up on the front page in the Globe and Mail, National Post and for the second time in just over a week, in The Vancouver Sun. [...]
Actually, “Free Speech” applies specifically to governmental restriction on it, namely that “Congress [and schools, and etc] shall make no law …” I hate to admit it, but the theater is in it’s right to not show the ad. Of course, it is also in your right to show how ridiculously petty it is for them to do that.
I can’t believe someone would even ask why one would want to influence the views of other people. *You are trying to do that right now!* I swear, if some idiots started thinking things through, such things wouldn’t be asked. Everyone wants everyone else to think the same way they do. You don’t need a religious reason, it’s just human nature.
I see sharing one’s own religion as being like… well… seeing a movie that you really, really liked and now you want as many people to see it as there are in your sphere of influence. (so to speak). that’s how My Big Fat Greek Wedding and Napoleon Dynomite got so popular. People spread a “gospel” of some sort all the time, and yet we Christians get flak for wanting to share our faith. special pleading anyone? of course, it’s not that i’m complaining, as i find the pettiness highly amuzing more than anything. it shows we are twisting the right nobs.
Murray, I really appreciate your comments but I just read the article in the Post and it doesnt say anything about Campus Crusade protesting. From everything I have seen and read and heard CCC simply wanted to have a discussion, with people who were interested. If you have heard something I didn’t please let me know.
The DaVinci Code movie promotions and ads are plastered everywhere..even side of buses. The book and movie take a decided Spiritual slant on religious message. Has anyone not allowed them to advertise because ‘they are religious’?
So let’s level the playing field and let free spreech exist for others besides Hollywood who want to voice/dialoque on this topic. Campus Crusade deserves the right to air these simple ads encouraging us to “seek the truth”. Why are they censoring and hiding airing the ads? Even open minded Langdon in the movie would agree that we are allowed also to unlock the God code and “seek the truth”.
Murray, I agree with you, demonstrating in front of theatres is a mistake. But that is not what Campus Crusade is doing, I should know because I am part of the team that organized this in the first place.
To be honest,when the idea of having people go to the theatres with webcards and materials came up, I was against it because what we wanted to do more than anything was to generate a environment of openness and engagement and there was the possibility that any presence at the theatres, regardless of the intent, would be seen as a form of protest and demonstration. That was the oppposite of what we intended.
Because we wanted everyone, Christian and non-Christan, to instead of fixating on how we are different to focus on how we are the same. DVC asks to seek the truth, check out Campus Crusade’s theatre ad, it says the same thing. Can we really respectfully discuss, debate, disagree and at the end of the day, feel that we have found some truth?
So why go through with the theatre activities, well the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I was more concerned about reputation rather than character. Murray, I can attest to the fact that those involved at the theatres do indeed show love, care and concern for others, in fact that is why they are there. If someone sees that for something else, I am sorry but not hurt because I know the true motives of those involved.
We at Campus Crusade have officialy stated that we support people going to the DVC movie, (read the Vancouver Sun post). This is not sensationlistic rhetoric to get attention, we really feel this way. Murray, if you feel that we are still showing panic and fear, let me know, because if that is true, we have done the opposite of what we intended and I can use your help, because I think we have very much the same position on this.
Censored?…
Why has Cineplex Odeon pulled paid advertising from showings of The Da Vinci Code in Canada?
See this controversial ad for yourself and see if you can figure it out….
Brent, you suggested that “The End of Faith” should not be considered very frightening (first comment, above). I agree. There’s no evidence of anything there to be concerned about at all.
Wow! People have a lot to say. I’m almost speechless… almost. My brain is on overdrive! I can’t even think straight! Ha!
Paul, I’m intrigued when you say, “Once you become a perfect vessel for the Christ Conciousness, then maybe you will have the authority to preach to me or anyone else.” Very true. But sadly, most Christians don’t get it. I wished they would. I’m sure Christ wished they would too. But like you say, “when the student is ready, the Master will come.” Very True.
Leah, for the record, I only have a grade 12 education. I tried college, but I got bored and dropped out.
Murray Cunningham, my dear brother, you’re on to something. People respond to love. We need to embrace each other like Christ embraces us. We need to connect with people whom God places in our lives. Whoever they are. AND NOT TRY TO CHANGE THEM!!!!!
ps “What the world needs now is love, sweet love. Not just for some, but for everyone” Everybody join hands and sing with me…. HA!
I was disappointed to read in the National Post this AM that Campus Crusade had individuals that were and are planning to demonstrate in front of local theaters around Canada. The Christian church is really not confident in their faith in God by doing such acts. This kind of behaviour does not show faith, love and concern for the salvation of our friends, but shows fear, panic and slander to these individuals who have the right to see what ever they want.
Do you really think God is anymore concerned with the De Vinci code than with everyday behaviour of mankind? He is concern about their acceptance of Him as their personal Saviour. Our personal testimony is what is at stake here not the De Vinci Code. God wants us to reveal his power in our lives through love for our fellow man, not demonstating fear and panic as though we are going to change mankind through our demonstrations!
This is a mistake by the Christian church.
To Campus Crusade for Christ: I applaud you on your thoughtful, mature and clear response to “The Da Vinci Code” phenomenon. It is baffling to me how negative people can be to such a measured and thoughtful response. It is obvious that you are a religious group that feels somewhat concerned about what you feel are mistruths in these works of fiction (book movie) that have a huge media machine behind them.
If this was a movie calling into question the validity of Mohammed, or Bhudda or Selassie how many of these people would attack those trying to defend their faith? Here’s to talking about the issue and listening … really listening to both sides. Bravo for opening the dialog and allow oppsing points of view to be expressed here.
Paul: this is not an attack on you but you did say they should “chill” but it seems to me this web site could be described as having a “chillin’ response” (the alternative would be a resonse similar to that of “The Last Temptation of Christ”). It also occurs to me that you could apply the same logic to Cineplex and tell them to chill.
It’s JUST an ad.
The individual will use his or her own freedom of choice to view the website and to read and respond if they wish – just as they did to read the book or see the movie. This Christian group wants to let people know that this site exists and that they can explore another point of view. Ask yourself were you being “thumped” by a Bible when you chose to visit this site, read the blog and respond? And these “Bible thumpers” allowed your points to be shown on THEIR site. Anyone viewing this from an objective view point might accuse you of a closed mind and prejudiced viewpoints on Christianity.
Have any theatres been blown up?? Suicide bombers anywhere??
Its never ceases to amaze me that you can blaspheme against Jesus all you want and nothing will happen but dare you say anything about any other faith. Salman Rushdie – I think you wrote the wrong book.
dear thumped,
where are the christians that are “thumping on doors??” that you keep talking about? I don’t see anyone in my neighborhood. Do you guys have people coming up to you thumping in your face or on your door??? get real
Paul you sound like a very hurt individual and you obvioiusly just want a fight. I will pray for you.
Nice try Paul,
We don’t censor comments here otherwise the one where you accuse me of being a future molestor probably wouldv’e been one of them.
The only comments that don’t make it to the site are the one’s that are seen by the software as spam and get moderated. I’ve looked and there aren’t any in moderation from you.
If you want to leave that is up to you but we’d rather have healthy debate and discussion.
The fact that the Passion of Christ was a reality long before The DaVinci Code is a testament to the fact that fact will preceed fiction.
Personally, I think the ad was pulled more because of what it can stir up, as opposed to what it actually will. There is also an element of free-speech here, but I don’t think of it as being the only issue. The fact that Canada and the US are multicultural means that everyone has to be accomodating to those of other cultures and religions and not offend them.
Both countries were founded upon the basis of God’s existence, yet today, it is being fought in whatever way it can be.
Is it not up to Christians to fight to uphold the foundation upon which we stand?
Half my comments are getting censored. I figured as much. Just like the Church. What a crock this site is. Happy thumping all.
Your are soo right Sheldon. Also Paul, that ad doesn’t force anyone to go to the site. If they want to then they can but they also have the choice not too. We are not forcing a gun to their heads.
Are you saying that because we are Christians we don’t have the same fundmental right to free speech then everyone else? I personally don’t like what you say but I am not banning you from saying what you believe.
Also, I am not a bible thumper and do not like that term. I personally state what I believe and if people have questions I will answer them but I don’t force it on anyone.
Paul, you crossed the line there.
Paul,
“The problem is that you bible thumpers think you have all the answers, and that you are right.”
As a Christian, I do believe that I am right; otherwise I wouldn’t be Christian. You also believe that you are right. But the thing is, both of us cannot be right about this particular issue, hence this dialogue. :) I wasn’t always a Christian, I came from an atheist home and after finally investigating this “faith” thing for myself decided that to my surprise its actually true.
“banging down peoples doors with your message or forcing people to see it in a theatre”
I think this is a straw-man argument; no one here wants to ‘force’ anyone to do anything. The ad just presented the URL to the website. People are free to read and respond here as they wish.
Just for the record, I’ve never “thumped” a Bible. :)
I put the url there because the form asked. I care less if you go to the site. At least the site is about what I say it is…I get more hits than you too.
I saw the add and the url. It’s funny, because I am sure you didn’t mention Jesus in the ad because people would understand right away what you are up to. Once they go to the url though, they get prayer forced on them don’t they?
Why not make the add say “Be saved, Find Jesus, Don’t burn in hell!” Hahhaha that would go over well. It’s exaclty what you are doing. Once you become a perfect vessel for the Christ conciousness, then maybe you will have the authority to preach to me or any one else. Are you a molester too Sheldon? Not yet?
Hey Paul, I definitely see where you’re coming from and respect what you have to say. I too was very much annoyed and turned off by Christians. I remember saying to myself, “God, if these are your so-called Christians, then I don’t want to be one.” And believe me, I was and still am irked by the priests and what they did. Disturbing, I agree. I don’t think picketing against them would have done that much to be honest, and I believe their actions have been dealt with accordingly. (btw, I don’t think CCC is picketing against the movie) and yes, I agree with you, it was badnews. Actually, bad enough that it has influenced what people think of Christians, including myself.
But somehow, along the way, I realized I cannot let people be my only representation of who God is. Who Jesus is is far different from what I thought his Christians were. He is full of forgiveness and grace. He is strong and good. I’m sorry you’ve been annoyed by Christians in the past and think they’re like telemarketers (admittedly, I worked as a telemarketer during my high school years, haha)
And you are right, we can’t expect to convince people of God. I don’t expect to convince you of God. In fact, I sure hope my words are not what persuade you into believing. You seem to think for yourself, and I’d rather you decide for yourself. I don’t think CCC is trying to force people to come to this site. You seem like a smart guy that thinks for himself and wouldn’t do anything people forced you to do and you’re here, right?
So what’s this about Kabbalah and the Bible? Who do YOU think Jesus is?
Paul, I noticed that you used the URL in the comment form to link to your site and spread what you believe. Is that being a Leonardo Thumper?
Does Cineplex have the right to censor what they put on the screen? Sure they do! We just found it interesting that they would ban us after a poorly written article came out in a newspaper.
They were more than willing to take our money before!
Oh, and the sin of the Catholic priests is just as evil as the teacher down the road that molested their student. I didn’t picket that either.
“The problem is that you bible thumpers think you have all the answers, and that you are right. So that gives you the authority to go banging down peoples doors with your message or forcing people to see it in a theatre when they came to see something else. It?s on par with the annoying tele marketers.”
Did you see the ad? There was no message on it other than a URL.
Ahhhh still no one will answer my question about the molesting priests. Disturbing, but expected.
The problem is that you bible thumpers think you have all the answers, and that you are right. So that gives you the authority to go banging down peoples doors with your message or forcing people to see it in a theatre when they came to see something else. It’s on par with the annoying tele marketers.
You can’t expect to convince people of God….anyone who has sought and found knows that they will only find when they are ready. When the student is ready, the master will come.
Here’s another tid bit for you bible quoters. You cannot interpret the Bible without a thourough understanding of the Kabbalah. That’s a fact.
Maybe the Cancer patient wants the cure…
Quote: “Campus Crusade for Christ wasn?t planning to be a public nuisance or decry the film. We just wanted to talk. Cineplex Odeon doesn?t seem to think that?s such a good idea.”
Sometimes it’s not what you plan on doing, but more of what your intentions are. That is not to say that ‘Campus Crusade for Christ’ is trying to ‘decry’ the film in anyway, but you must think about the point of view of the theatre; the image of Cineplex for exposing such a religious based ad on their screens. And if they are to expose such, what makes you think that other religious groups might not do the same to ‘raise awareness’ for their religion everytime a movie with a bit of racial or religious aspects pop up? It would be bad for patron and client of the theatre being a public anomaly.
I believe I have a cure for Cancer, but I don’t want to shove it down anyone’s throat. So I’ll just let everyone die.
Doesn’t make sense does it?
We’re not bashing a Bible over anyone’s head but it wouldn’t be fair to hold information to ourselves that we believe to be critical to the spiritual lives of others either.
Paul, you raise a good question. “Why do you feel the need to change everyone?s opinion about the whole subject? What do you have to lose? Gain?” The answer is not so complex. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I believe that we all have a eternal nature. What we believe in Jesus in this life has everything to do with where we spend eternity in the next. CS Lewis’ logic of the Lord-Liar-Lunatic argument is case in point. If what Jesus claimed about himself is true, and his followers understood what he claimed as did his enemies, then what difference does that make? I believe it makes all the differnce in the world, and I want to do all I can to help people understand that. It’s not so much what I gain or lose. It’s more about what you may gain or lose.
Hi there,
Can I get the code to put the banned ad on my site? I would love to display it.
Wow!! what a wonderful opportunity to strengthen our faith and to witness to others. There is no need to fear this.
People do have the right to inerpret art freely as they please-that is one of the liberties we enjoy in a free country. However, nobody is shoving this website, which was created to help DaVinci lovers to understand the movies fully, down their throats. It was meant to help people understand what they believe and distinguish fact from fiction. And regardless of what you believe, isn’t it always nice to have confusion cleared up? Thanks so much for this website campus crusade-I will definetly encourage my friends to use this site!
Although I value free speech, I also value the principle that free people have the right to interpret art as they please. “The Da Vinci Code,” in both written and filmed form, is a work of art that each one of us has the right to discuss without influence from any direction. To the members of Christian Crusaders: if people want to go see the Da Vinci Code, they will. By that measure, if people want to see you and become involved with Jesus Christ, they will find you. There is no need for you to canvas your religion at the movies. Perhaps you are trivializing Jesus Christ by doing so.
I guess the question is why do you care what other people believe? Why do you Christians have to go around thumping your Bibles and beliefs on everyone. The only reason you want to run the ads is to try to bring them to this site and bring them to Christ.
I don’t blame Cineplex. Maybe they don’t want to be a part of that kind of drama.
The question remains: Why do you feel the need to change everyone’s opinion about the whole subject? What do you have to lose? Gain?
Another question: How much time did any of you spend picketing against or even speaking out against all the Catholic Priest Molestors? Not one I bet. Why is that????
You cannot say that the novel is no big deal because Cineplex seems to think it’s a very big deal. To pull an ad like that after a relatively harmless article is surprising to say the least.
Oh and Paul, the Da Vinci Code started it first. Two million Americans according to the poll just posted below, changed their views after reading a FICTIONAL story. In other words they actually believed it. Care to explain that?
There is credible evidence that Charles Darwins book had a major influence in the lives of both Adolph Hitler and Joseph Stalin, but then it’s only a book.
“it’s just a novel” implys that a novel can’t or shouldn’t change the way people think. don’t tell that to ms. stowe.
I personally find the attitude that “It’s just a book, why make a big deal” a little naive. Not everyone in this world is as informed and education like you MJ and Paul. There are people who are going to believe the untruths in this book. I think if we just let this book go by without saying anything it would be neglectful.
I agree with you Deebee, it’s about our Freedom of Speech not a soapbox.
Perfectly stated, Paul. “How is what someone else thinks going to change the way you relate to God.” Brilliant! By the way, cool website Paul… me thinks me like it! Have a groovy day!
Paul, I understand where you’re coming from. It’s just a novel, right? So what’s the big deal in running an ad to talk about a novel? Why would that be banned?
I guess I disagree with you Brent and Paul. This isn’t about anyone’s public soapbox, but about freedom of speech. It seems that you can buy adds to advertise almost anything under the sun and the media will run even the most embarrassing or sleazy ones. But here there was an effort to just let the movie going public know that there was a place to come and discuss their thoughts about the movie and ask questions that may or may not have led to a personal faith, and it is banned! Go Figure!!!
[...] Shortly before the movie came out, the theatres pulled the ad. “In an unexpected move, Cineplex Odeon decided today the ads were too controversial and has pulled the spots from theatres in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Toronto. ” (davinci.thelife.com) [...]
I don’t see what all the hoopla is about. It was a novel wasn’t it? You don’t see people running around acting stark raving mad about Vampire movies.
I say this. Why try to influence what anyone thinks about the Davinci Code (book or movie)? How is what someone else thinks going to change the way you relate to God??
The ads? Who cares? If you ask me, running them is a waiste of time anyway.
Chill.
Were the ads already purchased by Cineplex Odeon? Had they already agreed to show them, or did they just not purchase the ad?
[...] So if a movie theatre refuses to show an advertisement, are they censoring or boycotting? [...]
[...] UPDATE: One of the movie ads has been censored! [...]
Well now you can see where the real power lies. Odeon is a private business, not your public soapbox. If they don’t want you as a customer, your word does not appear on their screens.
If you want to get attention, (like with this website) you could also try writing a book. Yes, there is the bible. For some fresh thought, try “The End of Faith” by author Sam Harris. That is VERY thought provoking, and should not be feared by anyone with an open mind.
[...] more on this on our blog. [...]