Hi Stephanie,

>>Irregardless of how much we argue in regards to whether the book is fiction or not, the problem is that people do perceive it as being potentially factual. There has been tons of money to be made in either "proving" or "disproving" the DVC. Why would this be even necessary if the book were purely fiction?

The book has obviously hit a nerve with some. I think perhaps Joanne has touched on the main reason that the Catholic Church has issue with the book (the celibacy issue), and perhaps the church felt strongly enough about the controversy surrounding the book to defend itself. However, I think that banning the book is the wrong approach.

As to your question, why is it necessary? IMO, it isn't. But maybe you hit the nail on the head with the 'tons of money to be made' proving or disproving the book. I know many people claim that there are scads and scads of people taken in by the book, and believe it to be true - however, I have yet to run across one. I wonder how much of this 'controversy' is real, and how much is 'hype'?


>>Remember, we're a race that needs to have warning labels about hot liquids on coffee cups!

The warnings on coffee cups protect the coffee sellers from law suits - because people will sue over anything these days. Some people go from store to store looking for an area that has been freshly mopped, still wet, with no 'wet floor' sign, and proceed to fall in an effort to injure themselves so that they can sue. I'm not sure the label on coffee is necessary to prevent burns, as much as protect the coffee seller from someone willing to burn themselves in an effort to sue for monetary damages.

Barbara