"Change the book, please!"

One of my students came to me this morning to ask if I could possibly change the book I require them to read this midterm period. He said his dad, who is a pastor, doesn't want him to read the book (THE DA VINCI CODE) because he might get brainwashed by the content. His dad said the book was "anti-Christ" and therefore not advisable for students to read.

But I didn't buy that idea.

We are discussing ASSERTIONS, MANNERS OF VERIFICATION, FALLACIES, and CRITICAL THINKING this semi-final period. Reading the book does not mean believing the author. After all, Dan Brown's book is more of a fiction than reality. The purpose of reading the novel is not just for my students to learn how to read, but for them to learn how to be critical of what they are reading. They have to think that ASSERTIONS made by Dan Brown in his book should, by all means, be verified before accepting them.

It is true, though, that THE DA VINCE CODE will test your faith in what you call JESUS CHRIST THE SAVIOR. The only way to find out how is to think while you read.

gOODlUCK!

(pix from www.danbrown.com)

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