Church is not the enemy, but rather science is: Dan Brown

In a week, the controversial 'Angels & Demons' movie will hit the silverscreen in India. Even as protests among the Catholic community calls for a ban on the movie, the author of the book, Dan Brown, says the church is not the enemy, but rather that science is.

In an interview with the DNA Mumbai, the author responding to the opposition the movie is facing by the premier Catholic body, said, "One thing which is preserved in the movie is that it takes a very balanced look at tough topics. Nothing here is black and white. One could very easily argue that the church is not the enemy here, but rather that science is."

He argued that he was raised a Christian and also part of the Episcopal choir. "My mom was an organist at a church, and religion was a big part of my life."

The author also said that he was "God's favourite child and with his blessings I have been in the best of my spirits and have been having fun in my life."

The plot of the Angels & Demons film sees a secret society known as the Illuminati try to destroy the Vatican in order to take revenge for a massacre against its members by the Catholic Church.

The film is the prequel to The Da Vinci Code, which claimed that the Church covered up Jesus' secret marriage to Mary Magdalene.

The movie is directed by Ron Howard and starsTom Hanks, who plays the character Robert Langdon.

Howard, had meanwhile, said those who believe the movie to be offensive should not watch it.

"...If anyone feels the film is going to be offensive to them - don't see it," Howard told the Press Trust of India.

The American director said he was aware of the protests in India but denied that his film had anything against any particular religion.

"I came to know about this. Neither I nor my film are anti-Catholic. I believe Catholics, including most in the hierarchy of the Church, will enjoy the movie for what it is: an exciting mystery set in the awe-inspiring beauty of Rome," said Howard defending his film.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of India has called upon the censor board to cut objectionable scenes in the movie. Additionally, it should also contain a disclaimer shown before and after the film.