The film The Da Vinci Code that has swept the world with controversial religious plots may reflects a growing trend of making religion more entertaining instead of puritanical, a Chinese expert said Saturday.

Song Yunfeng, associate professor of the Beijing Foreign Studies University, said the 125-million-U.S. dollar Hollywood blockbuster was nothing but a magnetic thriller despite protests from Catholic groups scenting blasphemy.

The film version of Dan Brown's murder mystery novel, based on the premise that Jesus Christ and one of his followers, Mary Magdalene, fathered children whose descendants are still alive.

It has reignited a global row. Many Christians consider it sacrilegious and demand both be banned.

But supported by a phenomenally successful sales record of over 40 million book copies worldwide, the film is likely to be the season's biggest hit.

"The film just presents research different from traditional Catholic teachings and interprets it for entertainment purposes," said Song.

As a matter of fact, many Hollywood films revise much from true stories they are based on.

Hollywood star Mel Gibson's blockbuster, The Passion of the Christ, also met with criticism two years ago for his graphic depiction of Christ's crucifixion.

Li Chow, general manager of the Columbia Triastar Film Distributors International China, said no part of the movie has been cut for its release in China.

"Everybody understands the movie is fictional," she said.

The public religious belief is fading, said Song. "As the public belief is getting diversified, people nowadays are ready to take various thoughts."

"Churches used to oppose marriage, abortion and science. Similar to that, the opposition against The Da Vinci Code is nothing special."

Source: Xinhua