|TOP|A South Korean court has rejected a petition by Christian churches seeking to ban "The Da Vinci Code" from the country's cinemas, citing freedom of expression.

The Christian Council of Korea (CCK) filed for a court injunction accusing the film of "blasphemy" against the Christian faith, the court ruled that the film, which portrays Jesus Christ and Mary Magdelene being married and having children, was clearly a work of fiction.

In addition to filing for a court injunction, Christian Council of Korea has sent a written letter to Sony Pictures last month on behalf of twelve million Christians in South Korea, requesting removal of the false facts in the film. In the letter, CCK expressed: “The film disrespects religious beliefs and infringes the right of Religious Freedom of millions of Christians in Korea.”

|AD|Churches in Korea started a campaign against the film through an 'Anti-Da Vinci Code' website and campaign video produced by CCK.

"There is little possibility of the film misleading the viewers to believe the film's contents are based on facts," the court ruled.

"Ordinary members of this society already have their own concrete perception concerning the life of Jesus Christ and Christianity and it is hardly likely that these will be changed because of the movie."

Discretion is required for a court action that might limit "the freedom of art and expression," it added.

The Da Vinci Code is based on the best-selling book by Dan Brown, which has sold nearly 50 million copies. The Catholic church was not associated with the court injunction application here, but some of its priests and organisations have declared open war on the film, amid fears that its plot could damage the church's image.

On 17 May, the film held its world premiere at the 59th Cannes film festival. The divisive book, now made into a certain summer blockbuster, has drawn protests from across the world from Christians due to its content about Jesus Christ. But the team behind the book and film have remained adamant that they would not give in to protestors.

Meanwhile, the head of the Catholic group Opus Dei, which has been given an image of a secretive murderous sect in the book, has said that he prays every day for author Dan Brown and the people behind the film.