Ian Mckellen
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While promoters of "The Da Vinci Code" have tried to downplay the film's challenge to Christianity, actor Ian McKellen took a shot at the Bible in an interview with the "Today" show, saying Scripture should carry a disclaimer that it is "fiction."

McKellen, who played Gandalf in "The Lord of the Rings" triology, was responding to a question from host Matt Lauer about the requests by some Christian groups to insert a "fiction" disclaimer at the beginning of the controversial film, which suggests Jesus and Mary Magdalene were man and wife and that the divinity of Jesus was an invention of fourth-century church leaders.

McKellen, who announced in 1988 he is homosexual, said in a 2004 interview with the London Telegraph he rips out the book of Leviticus, which condemns homosexuality, from the Gideon Bible in every hotel room in which he stays.

"Well, I've often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer in the front saying this is fiction. I mean, walking on water, it takes an act of faith. And I have faith in this movie. Not that it's true, not that it's factual, but that it's a jolly good story. And I think audiences are clever enough and bright enough to separate out fact and fiction, and discuss the thing after they've seen it."

In another interview, commenting on calls by the Catholic Church to boycott the film, McKellen told MTV.com that as an atheist and homosexual, he's boycotting the Catholic Church.

The Vatican "is always saying very rude and unnecessary things about gay people, so I tend to keep out of their way and not listen to what they say," he said.

McKellen also made comments today picked up by Reuters.

"I'm very happy to believe that Jesus was married," he said. "I know the Catholic Church has problems with gay people and I thought this would be absolute proof that Jesus was not gay."

'Da Vinci' actor: Bible needs 'fiction' disclaimer Ian McKellen reacts to Christian concerns about controversial film
Posted: May 17, 2006 12:52 pm Eastern © 2008 WorldNetDaily.com