I didn't know that the origin of the word, heresy, comes from "choice." I learned this from The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown. Choice in what to think and believe is not tolerated if one is to be faithful to some religions ... fascinating. No wonder Christianity hated science.

"The Da Vinci Code," is a great novel, not only because it is a great "murder mystery" and "thriller," but because it combines that with:

• fascinating intellectual and cultural material ... that I found more engaging than the thriller aspect of the novel.
• a controversial religious theme focused on Christianity and Jesus. Many disaffected and former Christians out there are curious.