Five Reasons Not to Go See The Passion of Christ

The Banner of Truth: Biblical Christianity through Literature ^ | February 19, 2004 | Andrew J. Webb

[killjoy]

It's rather silly to view it from a secular perspective.

I completely disagree. I am willing to say that a large number of people, including myself, who see the movie are not religious. These people are not going to be able to relate to the movie the same way devout Christians are. This is especially true when the film gets released in countries that are, for example, predominately Buddhist.

I find it very interesting the number of times, even in this thread, where people are saying this is going to help people find Christ. The point I am making is if you are religious, I think it is a wonderful film. If you are not, it doesn't portray the events of 2000 years ago in a very good light, from any perspective.

[drlevy88]

Christians thank God for giving himself to be tortured to death in their place. They take no pleasure in wishing torture upon God. If you're a believer you will get the point of this movie. If you're an unbeliever you won't understand.

[goodnesswins]

"If you are not, it doesn't portray the events of 2000 years ago in a very good light, from any perspective."

Well, yeah, it helps to read the "Book." I don't think the movie was made for non-believers, or those not open to believing in the "Book".

[killjoy]

He is the Creator, Lord and future Judge of these very people who want to kill Him for claiming to be the Messiah.

Just curious, do you personally think he is the same Messiah that the Jews refer to as the Messiah?

[formerDem]

thank you for your thoughtful reply. We'll just have to agree to disagree on point two. :-}

[killjoy]

I don't think the movie was made for non-believers

Agreed, and I think it is going to turn off more non-belivers than it converts.

[rbmillerjr]

There is a huge difference between people who are not Christian and people who are looking to refute Christianity.

Wink,Wink.

[drlevy88]

These people are not going to be able to relate to the movie the same way devout Christians are. This is especially true when the film gets released in countries that are, for example, predominately Buddhist

Let Mel Gibson worry about how his film comes across. Who anointed you World Nanny of Movies?

[drlevy88]

Sheep and goats.......

[goodnesswins]

A"greed, and I think it is going to turn off more non-belivers than it converts.",/i>

Do you have an ON/OFF button? I don't think anyone cares if this movie turns people ON or OFF......but, it certainly will make them THINK!

[drlevy88]

If people start to bow down before posters of Jim Caviezel, I would worry. But I have yet to hear of that happening.

[ultima ratio]

Josephus never said anything about Jesus' physical appearance. He merely mentioned he was a wonderworker and had been delivered by Jewish leadership to Pilate who had him executed. He then states his followers claimed he rose from the dead and consequently they believed him to be the Messiah.

[potlatch]

Yes God forbid we should have Godless atheists turned into Catholics. Oh the horror!

As a Catholic myself, you have posted my views exactly!!!

[killjoy]

Who anointed you World Nanny of Movies?

It's an honorary title. :)

[MEG33]

Then post under religion.

[rwfromkansas]

which is what I am going to do for my thread.

[Buggman]

Your right of course. I have the feeling I may regret asking this but what is the Protestant beef with Catholics. I understand having a problem with the church of the middle ages but not the modern church.
No one was very nice in the middle ages.

Frankly, the "beef" is fairly involved, but it comes down to the fact that we reject the concept that the Church Christ intended is the hierarchy and structures of the RCC. We disagree with many of its traditions, such as Mary being Immaculate (i.e. without original sin), the veneration of specific saints, pergatory, works-based salvation, etc. and don't believe that an institution that holds to them has any right to call itself the one, true Church. We don't think that Jesus made Peter the pope, or that there has been an unbroken apostolic succession as the RCC teaches it. We have concerns that Catholic orthodoxy can get in the way of the pure Gospel.

What bugs me in particular is the Protestant-bashing that those who are first to cry, "Catholic basher!" engage in around here. Kind of the way liberals are so quick to insist that black people need their hand up and can't fend for themselves and yet attack everyone else as being racist.

Having said that: Do we really need to be having this kind of debate and sniping today? I mean, really, does Gibson's masterpiece in any way emphasize any of the theological disagreements between us, even in the artistic elaborations? So what if he drew inspiration from a Nun's writing! If he were Protestant, he would've probably drawn inspiration from an extra-Biblical novel!

Oi vey, people.

[Flightdeck]

I also understand, no doubt with Your good intentions, your confidence of complete understanding of life as we know it. All I am saying is that not a single one of us has complete knowledge of what is waiting for us, or truly why. I understand your respect for the King James bible (or whichever version you read) and respect its message myself. But I will teach my children to pursue their lives with the goal to love and be loved, regardless of the fine points in a certain volume of a certain book. Sometimes I feel disappointed that others who want the same thing as I do are influenced more by the human and dogmatic aspect of the message than by the conscious and loving aspect. It is the message that is important, not the particular words.

[rbmillerjr]

Here Here.

[William Terrell]

I saw it and it just reinforced how I already believed. I don't know anything about the way Catholics do things, so I wasn't troubled with being influenced that way. It didn't remold my beliefs; my beliefs molded what I, personally, saw.