The Lost Symbol By Dan Brown

I am listening to the new book by Dan Brown. So far, YAWN, there is a secret society and a really crazy zealot dude running around wanting to kill people and Dr. Langdon has to figure out the long lost secret to unlock some code. Wait, wasn't that The DaVinci Code? Oh yeah, my bad, that book was set in Paris at first. This one is set in Washington DC.

I am learning tidbits about Mason's and architectural secrets in DC. The best part is learning about Noetic Science. That's worth something.

A big difference between The Lost Symbol and The Da Vinci Code is Dan Brown's attitude. It is obvious that Brown is anti-catholic and probably to some extent anti-formal religion of any kind, especially if it holds secrects and conducts religious rites. I may be speaking out of turn and Brown may not be totally against them but his previous books make him appear that way. He portrays the Catholic religion as full of secrets and greed and betrayal. Anyone who has read "The Da Vinci Code" or "Angels and Demons" knows this negative portrayal is true. I am not saying that I disagree with Browns interpretation of formal religions but why then is Brown so romantic about the Masons in "The Lost Symbol" and romantic about the Masons for the same reasons that he is negative about the Catholic Religion? I felt completely preached to about the Masons and how their religious rites and secrets should be excused because they they are misunderstood. Why does Brown think we should excuse the Masons for their secrecy and rites but persecute the Catholics for theirs? I believe that all religions and the Masons are guilty of their secrects to protect the common man from, well, from themselves. Formal religions and The Masons, it could be said, keep secrets because they think that the common man would make bad decisions if he only knew the truth and he is not capable of doing the right thing with that knowledge.

I am not a supporter of formal religion or a dissenter of The Masons. I simply don't understand why protecting man from using his brain is any more or less important that the religions wanting to protect man from disbelieving in Christ.

"The Lost Symbol" was entertaining because it moved quickly and didn't drag on but it was disappointing being too formulaic compared to "The Da Vinci Code". I did not like being preached to about how good and misunderstood the Masons are.

PS Can you believe that I got this from the library, ALREADY? I'm puzzled but loving it.