Brutal Passion - Jesus on the big screen.

National Review Online ^ | 02/25/04 | Steve Beard

[diotima]

Can't make this stuff up.........

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP - THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

[eastsider]

I have no idea how the academy is going to deny Mel and James Carviezal their awards.

My guess is that they'll give it Best Foreign Language Film.

[DestroytheDemocrats]

"The biblical accounts are supremely less wanton and morbid. The Gospel writers straightforwardly and soberly state that after arriving at Golgotha, "There they crucified him." Only Hollywood, or an overactive and distorted religious imagination, would add such details, literally ad nauseam. "

You know, this is a good point. The gospel writers, inspired by the Holy Spirit, do not describe every gory detail of the crucifixion. If such was necessary I am sure they would have done so. Only a handful of Christians saw the actual crucifixion. And Christianity has flourished for 2000 years....no movies necessary. Nobody should feel that they have to like this movie, and don't let anyone bully you into going to see it if you don't want to. It's only a movie. Popcorn...Diet Coke....Milk Duds.

[ArrogantBustard]

It's only a movie. Popcorn...Diet Coke....Milk Duds.

I saw a lot of uneaten popcorn, candy, and nachos, and full coke cups when leaving "We Were Soldiers" and "Black Hawk Down" ...

Just a movie ...

[Keen-Minded]

I saw the film last evening. It was a great and vivid portrayal of what Christ willingly went through for us. It is not anti-Semitic!

Critics that take a political view miss the whole point of the film. It wasn't meant to be a stereotype movie, but a graphic display of sacrifice. I encourage everyone to see the film before passing judgement. Would I have done some things differently? Maybe, but not much! Mel Gibson did a great job.

[af_vet_1981]

That crowd standing before Pontius Pilate screaming for the head of Christ in no way convicts an entire race for the death of Jesus Christ any more than the actions of Mussolini condemn all Italians,

Italian Fascists received 7% of vote in the last election in 1921. The Acerbo Law (July 1923) allowed Mussolini to consolidate power 2/3 of the seats in parliament. In any case we are looking at millions of Italians who chose Mussolini at one time or another. For example,

Reasons for the rise of the Fascists (1920-22)
1. Disgust in Italy at the terms of the peace treaties (didn’t obtain A.H. territory)
2. The Fascists represented a means to stop the socialists and the communists (in the eyes of conservative politicians, who sought to moderate and control Fascism to their purposes)
3. Mussolini was backed by wealthy industrialists and landowners (b/c of their fear of socialist reforms) Support from Pope Pius XI and the Vatican (who saw the
4. Fascists as an opportunity to normalize State-Church relationships)
5. Lack of faith in Italy’s institutions (failures of WWI, post-war violence, high U…)
6. After the March on Rome (October 22) the King offered the post of Prime Minister to Mussolini
7. The violence of the Fascists (i.e.: blackshirts) intimidated opponents
8. The complicity of the police and the army (who didn’t suppress Fascist violence)

That level of complicity is hardly commensurate with some hundreds of Jews (or what a thousand or so) appointed by Rome and involved in the trial and execution of Yeshua of Nazareth. They were occupied by the brutal Romans.

I do agree that the race cannot be blamed for the sins and crimes of one generation. Those who were too young or not even born in Italy could in no way be held responsible for the deaths.

[af_vet_1981]

You know, this is a good point. The gospel writers, inspired by the Holy Spirit, do not describe every gory detail of the crucifixion. If such was necessary I am sure they would have done so. Only a handful of Christians saw the actual crucifixion. And Christianity has flourished for 2000 years....no movies necessary.

What, do I hear a voice of reason ?

[Feiny]

I think that the Rev. Stanger is going straight to hell.

[Feiny]

Also, why does it seem like only democrats think the movie will cause anti-semitism? Could it be that most of them already hate jewish people?

[AnnaZ]

I love you!

 

(The Left hate all religions except when they can use their adherents to fight that which they loathe the most -- the Christian religion.)

[NYCVirago]

"In their coverage of The Passion, the predictably contrarian website Salon.com turned to the Rev. Mark Stanger, one of the pastors at the trendy Grace Cathedral, an Episcopal church in San Francisco.

It figures that he'd be from Grace Cathedral. Anybody who's read the Tales of the City books will know what I mean!

[DestroytheDemocrats]

"I saw a lot of uneaten popcorn, candy, and nachos, and full coke cups when leaving "We Were Soldiers" and "Black Hawk Down" ... "

No you did not. Fibber! ;O>

[DestroytheDemocrats]

"What, do I hear a voice of reason ?"

Almost drowned out in the stampede but I try.

[af_vet_1981]

Almost drowned out in the stampede but I try.

The vitriol over this movie is really taking off. I want your opinion. Do you think they all think they are Christians ?

[DestroytheDemocrats]

"To put down this movie because it is based on fact and scripture just because you are afraid of blood or violence is pitiful."

I am not putting down the movie!!! I am just saying Christianity got along just fine without it and people are being very carried away over a movie. A lot of it is politics and the culture war. But I also understand enough about life in America to know that it will blow over in a few weeks and some other big new controversy will take its place. Two weeks ago it was Janice Jackson, now it is a movie. In a few more weeks there will some other sensational event and everybody will forget about the movie. Don't forget how the media jerks our chains, they drive the controversy and then report on it.

Futhermore I do not know how good a thing it is to be caught up in a wave of religous emotion generated by a very sensational movie. The bible is not that sensational and maybe that's for a reason. Emotions are fleeting. It's what you make up your MIND to do or believe that endures. This not to say that a revival caused by this movie is not a good thing. But I would not put all my eggs in that basket. Scripture as written in it's entirety is far more important and effective and always will be.

[af_vet_1981]

"To put down this movie because it is based on fact and scripture just because you are afraid of blood or violence is pitiful." I am not putting down the movie!!! I am just saying Christianity got along just fine without it and people are being very carried away over a movie. A lot of it is politics and the culture war. But I also understand enough about life in America to know that it will blow over in a few weeks and some other big new controversy will take its place. Two weeks ago it was Janice Jackson, now it is a movie. In a few more weeks there will some other sensational event and everybody will forget about the movie. Don't forget how the media jerks our chains, they drive the controversy and then report on it. Futhermore I do not know how good a thing it is to be caught up in a wave of religous emotion generated by a very sensational movie. The bible is not that sensational and maybe that's for a reason. Emotions are fleeting. It's what you make up your MIND to do or believe that endures. This not to say that a revival caused by this movie is not a good thing. But I would not put all my eggs in that basket. Scripture as written in it's entirety is far more important and effective and always will be.

Hokay, you probably meant this missive for someone else ...

[af_vet_1981]

Or you were showing me what someone else wrote you on another thread and how you responded ?

Hopefully cooler heads and warmer hearts will prevail.

Thank you and carry on.

[DestroytheDemocrats]

Yeah I did mean the message for someone else. Sorry.

[rbmillerjr]

"Do you think they all think they are Christians ?"

Are you a real veteran?