THE PASSION -- WILL IT CHANGE THE DYNAMICS OF THE 2004 ELECTION?

Vanity Press ^ | 02-08-04 | CWW (Vanity)

[CWW]

Ponder this Question: Will The Movie "The Passion" affect the dynamics of the 2004 Presidential Election?

In my humble opinion, The Passion is going to hit this country like a freight train, and many of those who see the movie will engage in some serious self-reflection about their lives and the direction of the Country.

I believe that Mel Gibson's film will be a clarion call for those who have sat idly by and watched moral relativism erode the foundations of our democratic republic.

The Passion clearly is going to focus the debate regarding the role of religion in society and that includes the role of religion and faith as it relates to politics.

Now I'm not saying that Republicans have any lock on religious faith or moral values, but I can also honestly say that more times than not, the Democratic party has found itself on the wrong side of this discussion. For many so-called "national democrats", religion and faith are for simpletons, and they rarely mention the two in a positive light. Ridicule generally rules the day. For example, former democratic governor Casey could not even speak at the 1992 Democratic convention because he was pro-life. Those who espouse traditional judeo-Christian beliefs on a wide array of topics are publicly derided and ridiculed as intolerant, backwards and irrelevant.

Just look at President Bush -- he barely made a reference to his belief in Christ during the 2000 election and he was openly criticized for his beliefs. In fact, as I recall, the debate centered on whether the President excluded non-Christians.

Let's look at the list of topics that involve faith and morals:

1. Abortion -- Partial birth or otherwise.

2. Sex Education in Public Schools and Contraceptive Distribution.

3. Prayer and public displays of faith.

4. Faith-based programs. 5. Marriage -- Homosexual marriage and civil unions, etc.

And the list goes on.

Bottom line -- The Passion is going to be a powerful experience for Christian and non-Christians alike, and it will shift the debate like a lazer beam and the Republicans likely will be benficiaries.

I guess we'll find out if I'm right begining February 25, 2004.

Your thoughts?

[CWW]

You comments are welcome.

[discostu]

People that aren't religious aren't going to watch the movie. Much like how people that were religious didn't go see Last Temptation of Christ. It might be a great experience for those that are religious, but it will merely be preaching to the choir.

[CWW]

I disagree. That's like saying you have to be Jewish to want to see Fiddler on the Roof. What about Moses? Ben Hurr? The Greatest Story Ever Told? Ever heard of those -- all huge box office hits.

Second, I think it will attract many curious people who are looking for answers and want to know what thie "Jeses" is all about.

Third, don't forget -- this is Mel Gibson, not some second rate film with washed-up actors like a lot of "religious" films are. And you know which ones I'm talking about.

[Malesherbes]

I think it will have a tremendous impact, now and for years to come. In this visual (post-literate)age, the images of the Passion should shake the grip of the secularists on a demeaned and vulgarized society.

The country is coming to some kind of crossroads. The Super Bowl incident produced a reaction powered in part by a feeling that enough is simply enough. The Massachusetts court has now poured fuel on the fire, and it is going to be increasingly difficult for politicians to blur their positions on cultural issues. Mel Gibson is a good and courageous man.

[Hildy]

WRONG...this non-practicing Jew can't wait to see the movie.

[Corin Stormhands]

People that aren't religious aren't going to watch the movie. Much like how people that were religious didn't go see Last Temptation of Christ.

People that were religious didn't go to see The Last Temptation of Christ because they were protesting what they saw as a perversion of the gospel. Not because of lack of interest.

[xJones]

WRONG...this non-practicing Jew can't wait to see the movie.

Good for you, Hildy. Personally, I also can't wait to read the DU reactions. :)

[discostu]

Fiddler on the Roof is about a lot more than Judaism, it's about struggle and change and the battle between tradition and modernism.

I didn't say Passion wouldn't be a box office hit. I said people that aren't religious aren't going to see it. There happen to be a lot of religious people in this country so it should make some serious bucks, which is a good thing because Hollywood really needs to be reminded morality can be profitable.

People don't look for answers in the movie theater. At least not the ones with a lick of common sense. Movies are for entertainment, they might contain additional messages and lessons but their primary function is still entertainment, not giving all important answers to deep questions like "who's Jesus".

Actually I have no idea which ones you're talking about. But it doesn't matter, again I didn't say it would be a flop, I said non-religious people wouldn't go see it. There's still a potential audience of (depending on which survey you believe) anywhere from 50,000,000 to 150,000,000 people. Plenty of dollars to be made. But it isn't going to rattle through the non-religious community making them reconsider their morals or lack there of. Why would people who have no interest in Jesus have an interest in Jesus?

[azcap]

The film may have a big impact on American Christianity and may help the general cause of Christ's mission but I don't think it will have much political effect because of it's narrow focus. The film is about the last day of Christ's life. It is the message of redemption. It does not focus on his earlier ministry and teachings or the later ministry of his disciples (where the political issues of today come to light.)

[nmh]

Ponder this Question: Will The Movie "The Passion" affect the dynamics of the 2004 Presidential Election?

No! It will make NO difference at all. All it will do is polarize those that believe against those that do not. The luke warm curious will need more than a movie to become a Christian.

While I plan on seeing the movie, like any other (hopefully) good movie, people often do NOT apply any moral references to themselves. The majority are BLIND to their sins and don't want to make any changes in that department. If they did, we would hardly have any Demoncrats and certainly NO Rhino's.

It's a timeless problem with people ... and this movie is not going to affect the elections or more importantly turn them intop Christians.

[Lessismore]

The movie is that much better than the Book?

[discostu]

Good for you. But the plural of annecdote is not fact. Non-religious people will NOT be flocking to this movie to have their lives changed. It's just that simple. Non-religious people didn't flock to see the great Bible movies of Charlton Heston, in fact many of them make fun of those movies, and they will not flock to see this hopefully great Bible movie of Mel Gibson.

[nmh]

"What about Moses? Ben Hurr? The Greatest Story Ever Told? Ever heard of those -- all huge box office hits."

Who could forget them? Certainly not Christians, however did you notice HOW LONG AGO they were hits? Society has changed since then. We are not a predominately based Christian country. Today there are not many Christians. Who will see that is like another gentleman said - preaching to the choir, believers already.

BTW, I also add The Robe to the list of classics.

[discostu]

Lack of interest, protest, whatever you call it not being willing to lay down 7 bucks to go see a movie outside your belief system is still not being willing to lay down 7 bucks to go see a movie outside your belief system. People with no interest in religion will not have an interest in this movie, much like how they don't have an interest in religious music or religious books.

[Corin Stormhands]

People with no interest in religion will not have an interest in this movie, much like how they don't have an interest in religious music or religious books.

I disagree. We'll have to see when the box office results hit.

[prairiebreeze]

I know a Jew who's bought into the anti-Passion line he's heard preached as his synagogue. He intends to purchase a ticket to another movie showing at the cinemaplex but then attend the Passion, that way seeing it but avoiding his money going to Gibson. BTW this guy is in his 50's, professional and very liberal.

Strong (and in this case irrational) reactions have been generated already. I would't put it past the left to use this against Bush....somehow, at least indirectly.

I was fortunate enough to see the movie at a preview. It's indeed powerful. Releasing on Ash Wednesday will be incredible.

Prairie

[CWW]

So, Shindler's List was for "entertainment"? You are just wrong. People have been moved to faith by MANY movies and by other media. I just think your prmise is absurd.

[narses]

A good question, what does the Catholic Caucus say?

[discostu]

How many atheists do you know that have read a Left Behind book? The same number will go see Passion. We won't see when the box office results hit, I'm not predicting it will be a flop, there are more than enough religious people in America to make it a major success. I'm predicting it won't lead to a massive rebirth of morality and religious piety nor will it have any effect on the election.

[OmegaMan]

Why was Mel Gibson's company interested in bankrolling Michael Moore's next movie 'Fahrenheit 911'? I don't understand that. He eventually dropped it, but only under pressure. I'd be curious to know what his politics really are. He could be one of those people that think the Bushes are trying to create a one world gov't or something. Hitchens has a hard-hitting, in-depth piece about him and 'The Passion' coming out in Vanity Fair next month. Should be interesting.