Krauthammer: "Gibson's Blood Libel"

Washington Post ^ | Mar. 5, 04 | Charles Krauthammer

[Hamza01]

"I've known only a few Lebanese and Palestinian Christians, and Christians of Lebanese and Palestinian descent--and these, sadly enough, were the only authentic antisemites I have ever known in America other than Muslims."

There is no question that there is a virluent current of anti-Jewish feeling amongst Christian and Muslims Arabs from Palestine and Lebanon. But this is a recent development, nourished by the harsh reality of foreign occupation. The Christians of Palestine have lived there since the days of Jesus Christ. The Muslims for 1300+ years.

The Jews left (mostly). The Christians stayed. The Muslims came. And stayed. Before the 1930s-- during both the British mandate and throughout the Ottoman period, all of these people lived and behaved in a fairly tolerant atmosphere. As far as titles and deeds, some Christian and Muslim Palestinians maintain title to this land dating from the 1600s.

Political/diplomatic solution... Perhaps when they exhaust themselves in the blood of their children.

With regard to the UN, it was the UN that took this land from Arab Christians and Muslims-- land that had been theirs for at least a millenium-- and handed it to foreigners.

Finally, I don't think God is in the real estate business, except as a developer-- in the cosmic and universal sense.

Besides, when Jesus returns, he'll settle the matter expeditiously.

[Sabertooth]

I have to disagree with you. My post does not attack any religion, nor was I being indiscriminate at who I was targeting my post to. I was making observations about many of the ugly posts contained within, and which I cleary clarified as "many" in my initial post.

Which you addressed to "All," and in which you ignored the many, many posts that dismantled Krauthammer's screed in just the way you pretend you sought.

Furthermore, you did attack members of a religion, when you said:

Rather than to intellectually and calmly refute what Krathammer is saying, and point out where and why he is mistaken, many of you choose to delve into bigotted ad-hominem attacks on him and Jews in general. A move that only gives credence to the idea that maybe what Krathammer wrote has some truth to it, and that the Passion of the Christ, does, on a subliminal level, act as a catalyst for anti-semitic feelings.
#665

You came onto this thread with a post indiscriminately addressed to "All."

You were too lazy to address specific posts and posters, so you broadbrushed. When I objected to your paint job, you got disingenuously snarky, quibbled over the meaning of the word "all," and suggested it was the fault of others if they misunderstood you, and possibly nefarious if they objected.

Your initial post on this thread was at once sloppy and insulting. If you want to clarify it, then back up and be specific. All you've done to this point is vaguely suggest that those who've objected to Krauthammer in ways that you non-specifically describe as bigotted or ad hominem thereby betray some form of latent anti-Semitism.

That is most assuredly a religious insult.

If you think someone's making bigotted or anti-Semitic statements, then bring it; address them by name, get right in their face, and tell them so. Don't hide behind broad vagaries, only to complain at objections.

You made the charges, you make the cases.

In short, the post was *directed* to "all," to discuss the *many* ad-hominem attacks.

No, you wanted to discuss only what you call ad hominem attacks against Krauthammer, none of which you referenced specifically. It's not even accurate that you expect us to take your word for what are ad hominems, we have to imagine what your word might be.

Furthermore, you didn't display any interest in Krauthammer's own such ad hominem attacks against Gibson, nor in the many ad hominem attacks against Christians that have been posted on this thread.

You aren't, however, above insinuating ad hominems of your own.

Its not unlike when the President speaks to the nation (all) to discuss a problem caused by certain legislators (many). When he does this, and is subtly refering to the Ted Kennedys, the Rick Santorums do not mistake this as an attack on them.

Ah, a variation on your "Obviously, I stuck a nerve with you" gambit.

Is that really a game you think you want to play?

However, it was my full intention to call out those who rather than intellectually tear apart Krathammer's theories, opted to invoke crude epithets to tear down Krathammer himself.

No, that wasn't your "full intention." You just tossed a grenade at "All," you didn't call anyone out.

That's the easy way to avoid the many posts of substance which thoroughly dispatched Krauthammer's rant, from top to bottom, on this very thread. It's also how Krauthammer's anti-Christian bigotry can be most safely echoed.

You and he are looking for excuses to be offended.

To me, that kind of behavior should be left to the faithful over at Moveon.com and other leftwing outlets. I would hope the fine people here at Free Republic would be a little more intelligent when analyzing articles we take issue with.

I'd take you more seriously if you actually addressed the numerous posts that displayed the analyses you now claim you seek.

Your failure to do so is the current mark of your insincerity.

[mercy]

Yes and I hate the mood god Allah too but I don't advocate making outlandish movies offending his adherants. Let's make a movie dredging up every nuance of Ishmael's character then magnify it a few times, amp it up with a lot of violence and then tell the Muslims they're just a bunch of over sensitive whiners when they complain.

I didn't say 'I' was meek. I was saying this movie did not appear to be reflective of the Spirit of Christ. It's more demonstrative of the spirit of Mel Gibson I would say. We don't need a Fifth Gospel to borrow from another poster.

[Sabertooth]

There is no question that there is a virluent current of anti-Jewish feeling amongst Christian and Muslims Arabs from Palestine and Lebanon. But this is a recent development, nourished by the harsh reality of foreign occupation.

Why should the occupation of Lebanon by Syrian Moslems and Alawites cause Arab Christians to hate Jews?

Why should the occupation of Jordan -- which was formed to be the "palestinian homeland" -- by Arabian Hashemites cause anyone to hate Jews?

The Jews left (mostly).

Oh, there's a succinct way of saying "the Jews were murdered and driven out."

With regard to the UN, it was the UN that took this land from Arab Christians and Muslims-- land that had been theirs for at least a millenium-- and handed it to foreigners.

No.

What is now Israel was largely depopulated by the 19th Century, and it was the Turks who began selling land to the Jews in the latter part of that Century. Most so-called "palestinians" are the descendents of Bedouins and itinerant Arabs who came to work on the Jewish settlements, or of Arab immigrants, both legal and Illegal, who flooded proto-Israel between the League of Nations Mandate of 1922 and Israeli Independence in 1948.

Finally, I don't think God is in the real estate business, except as a developer-- in the cosmic and universal sense.

He is with one people on one piece of land:

His chosen people, the seed of Abraham, in the Promised Land.

Besides, when Jesus returns, he'll settle the matter expeditiously.

And there will be much gnashing of teeth among those who hated the Jews.

[sfRummygirl]

Thank YOU!

[sfRummygirl]

So, it's okay for you to believe your religion is right, but if I believe mine is, I'm intolerant (and we all know tolerance is everything!) and arrogant.


One more time.....says alot, it does.

[sfRummygirl]

Thanks for saying it all in your own post. I don't even need to respond.

[iconoclast]

emotions were driving his logic

Emotions drive his logic everytime he writes on the middle east.

[sfRummygirl]

You know folks, I got some interesting freep mail from one of the 'level headed' posters here just trying to 'make sure there is no anti-semitism'.
They just flat out accused me of hating jews.
The thing I want to say here, is that no one should get sucked into these victim games anymore. Don't let them take you for a ride with the oh-so-concered theology debates, either. Because this freeper just showed me what it's all about. No matter how many times we say that this movie caused us to look inwardly at ourselves, and not at others, they won't hear it. They are fractured emotionally, from whatever happened to them in their earlier years, and all they can see is twisted up.
The really horrible thing is that a few of them actually post these things just to incite...not only on Christians, but on THEIR FELLOW JEWS. It's a self destructive thing, and it really should be stopped. But they probably won't anytime soon.
I, for one, will try to keep this in mind myself, when they start up again. I know it's a fine line between defending yourself and feeding into their sickness.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Oh, it's worse than that. Keep reading. If I believe my religion is right - in other words, if I take Jesus Christ at His word - I'm a "Jew basher" and I wear a "white sheet".

I honestly don't know what's going on with some people here, but if my belief in Christ provokes that sort of irrational response, whatever it is must be very painful.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Bump yer tag Ma'am!

I've about had enough as well. My eyes are wide open...uncomfortably so.

Thank you very much. Last night, after I posted my tagline a friend of mine gave me grief over it and told me I was building a wall between the believers and the non-believers, and that I should delete it. I explained that anti-Christian comments are becoming bolder and incessant, and that after one full year of being told by the non-believers that the Passion was anti-semitic, full of gratuitous violence and with nothing good to show except trashing the Jews, I had reached a point where I can no longer remain silent. Last night in my prayers I asked the Lord if my tagline was wrong and you replied this morning.

I went to Catholic School for most of my education, and after seeing this movie I can attest that it is true to the Gospel borrowing some artistic license of course. There are a few things in this movie that aren't written in the Scriptures, so if we decide to pick on a specific scene and say, but that's not in the Scriptures therefore, the movie is wrong, that doesn't make the argument right. Let's take for instance the devil, there is nothing in the Scriptures that says the devil is a woman with a man's voice who appeared carrying a midget while Jesus was being scourged. However, the spirit of the devil is portrayed in the movie… as Mel said, satan doesn't have horns and carry a pitchfork, but is a seductive figure, almost beautiful but not quite. The devil takes something good and twists it and perverts it, like the baby satan was carrying and it turned out that it wasn't.

Some others complained that the presence of Caiaphas in the movie during the scourging and the crucifixion isn't written in the Scriptures, however, the religious leaders and the chief priests were there, and the Jews who wanted Jesus dead were present, thus their antagonistic spirit is portrayed through Caiaphas. Let's look at the Scriptures:

John 19:1 Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged [him].

John 19:2 And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put [it] on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,

John 19:3 And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.

John 19:4 Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith unto them, Behold, I bring him forth to you, that ye may know that I find no fault in him.

John 19:5 Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And [Pilate] saith unto them, Behold the man!

John 19:6 When the chief priests therefore and officers saw him, they cried out, saying, Crucify [him], crucify [him]. Pilate saith unto them, Take ye him, and crucify [him]: for I find no fault in him.

John 19:7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.

John 19:8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;

John 19:9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.

John 19:10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?

John 19:11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power [at all] against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.

John 19:12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.

John 19:13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.

John 19:14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!

John 19:15 But they cried out, Away with [him], away with [him], crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.

John 19:16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led [him] away.

John 19:17 And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called [the place] of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:

John 19:18 Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.

John 19:19 And Pilate wrote a title, and put [it] on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.

John 19:20 This title then read many of the Jews: for the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, [and] Greek, [and] Latin.

John 19:21 Then said the chief priests of the Jews to Pilate, Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am King of the Jews.

John 19:22 Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.

John 19:23 Then the soldiers, when they had crucified Jesus, took his garments, and made four parts, to every soldier a part; and also [his] coat: now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout.

John 19:24 They said therefore among themselves, Let us not rend it, but cast lots for it, whose it shall be: that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith, They parted my raiment among them, and for my vesture they did cast lots. These things therefore the soldiers did.

John 19:25 Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the [wife] of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.

John 19:26 When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!

John 19:27 Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own [home].

John 19:28 After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.

John 19:29 Now there was set a vessel full of vinegar: and they filled a spunge with vinegar, and put [it] upon hyssop, and put [it] to his mouth.

John 19:30 When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.

John 19:31 The Jews therefore, because it was the preparation, that the bodies should not remain upon the cross on the sabbath day, (for that sabbath day was an high day,) besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and [that] they might be taken away.

John 19:32 Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.

John 19:33 But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:

John 19:34 But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.

John 19:35 And he that saw [it] bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.

John 19:36 For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.

John 19:37 And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.

Abe Foxman was upset with one of the scenes in this movie in which the high priest says, let His blood be on us and on our children. He called Gibson antisemitic and blasted him for inciting hatred. So Gibson removed the scene from this film yet, it is written in the Scriptures…

Matthew 27:24 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it.

Matthew 27:25 Then answered all the people, and said, His blood be on us, and on our children.

It is ironic that non-believers blast us with so much intolerance while demanding tolerance from us. A lot of them haven't seen the movie but judge something they haven't seen, or if they have, they don't understand Christianity. They judge the Gospel, which they haven't read and call us anti-semitic, ignorant fools, and Jew bashers. It is ironic they tell us to respect their religion while they trash ours. The way I see it, this movie is testing our beliefs, is making us to come out in the open and show who we really are… what's in out hearts.

Maia Morgenstern the actress who "plays Mary in the film is the daughter of Holocaust survivors but says she does not consider the film anti-Semitic. She told the Associated Press if the film has a message it's more about how people can be manipulated by their leaders. " She also said, "Mel Gibson is an artist, a director. He never imposed his religious convictions on anyone," LINK

[Hamza01]

"Why should the occupation of Lebanon by Syrian Moslems and Alawites cause Arab Christians to hate Jews?"

It doesn't. It was the Israeli invasion of Lebanon and occupation of the Arabs of Palestine that has engendered this hatred. As far as the Syrian Alawites/Muslims: it seems the Christian leadership of Lebanon view the Syrians as their allies-- and views the Jews of Israel as their enemies.

"Why should the occupation of Jordan -- which was formed to be the "palestinian homeland" -- by Arabian Hashemites cause anyone to hate Jews?"

What right did the UN have to "create" a Palestinian homeland? Or decide that the people who lived in historic Palestine(Christian and Muslim) were to give up half their land to foreigners. As far as the Hashemites-- they're Arabs who have deep roots in the Hijaz and Northern Arabia, and many Arabs only wish they could be ruled by the Jordanian Hashemites.

"Oh, there's a succinct way of saying "the Jews were murdered and driven out."

Many Jews were murdered and driven out, but not by the Christian of Palestine, and not even by the Muslims who conquered the area around 640AD. The first wave of Jewish departure began in the Roman period. The second wave occurred around the time of the Crusades, when Arab Christians, Muslims, and Jews were slaughtered by European Christians who couldn't tell them apart. The Jews, quite intelligently, decided to move. Many went to Iran,Iraq and Arab North Africa and Spain. Back then, the Muslim empires weren't destructive totalitarian Wahabbis, and the Jews were at the very least tolerated. That was not possible in medieval European Christendom, or sadly, today's Islamic world.

"What is now Israel was largely depopulated by the 19th Century, and it was the Turks who began selling land to the Jews in the latter part of that Century." The first part of what you state here is unfortunately factually incorrect, the latter part is true. The Turks did sell some land to Jews, as did the Brits and some Arabs during the mandate period. But where you're off dramatically is the idea that the Palestinians are merely the descendants of a handful of nomadic bedouins. The Palestinians (Muslim and Christian) were overwhelmly a settled city people living off the often lucrative business of religious pilgrimage. They were also farmers whose fathers had tilled that land for a millenium. To this day, there are Palestinin families whose olive groves are still nurtured with the same tender care as they were a thousand years ago. Except, of course, when the Israelis burn them.

In 1920, the demographic balance between Arabs (Christian and Muslim) and Jews in Palestine was at least 4-1. At least a million people lived there. The demographic balance shifted a little due to massive Jewish emigration to the Holy Land, and then through the forced expulsion of the Arabs in 1948. (By the way, even the Israelis now admit that Israel could not have survived without the forcible removal of the Arabs)

As far as chosen peoples go, God chooses different peoples to carry his word at different times. Once he chose the Jews, but the Jews rejected Jesus.

But we digress... this thread is about Jesus. Did you like the movie? I saw it with my Muslim relatives and my Catholic in-laws. Gibson was true to the Injeel (the Good News). Most movies about Christ are so sanitized they fail to inspire. This one was powerful. Mostly historically accurate. And the fluent Arabic speakers amongst my relatives loved the Aramaic as they picked up words and word roots here and there.

Regards

[Joe Republc]

Great post!

Here's my email I just sent to letters@charleskrauthammer.com

Mr. Krauthammer,

I have always enjoyed listening and reading your opinions. However, I must express my respectful disagreement with your views written in "Gibson's Blood Libel."

Some background: I was raised Catholic, and am a devout Christian who has read the Bible twice in its entirety. I know a number of other devout Christians, and have Jewish relatives.

I know absolutely no one who is anti-Semitic. No one.

Seeing the "Passion" last night, I can say with the utmost sincerity and promise to you that, from my perspective, there was nothing anti-Semitic about the movie. Nor does the movie in any way prompt me to think less of Jewish people. All of humanity bears the guilt. I sincerely felt that the script and movie was very faithful to the Gospels. The non-biblical additions, such as Satan's appearances, did not detract or change the story. The message of the Gospels and the message I was taught as a Catholic all come through very well.

At the same time, because I hold you in high respect, I have to be very open to your perspective. Despite all we hold in common in our views, there obviously is a vast, deep, difference here.

Certainly, your perspective demands sensitivity. As a Christian, I only ask you remain sensitive to my perspective.

Best regards,
-- Joe

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks so much. Excellent letter as well.

Nor does the movie in any way prompt me to think less of Jewish people. All of humanity bears the guilt. I sincerely felt that the script and movie was very faithful to the Gospels.

I totally agree.

[TigersEye]

I was saying this movie did not appear to be reflective of the Spirit of Christ.

Perhaps you can show us again your own reflection of it.

I don't hate Buddhists. I just hate their demon spawned pollytheistic garbage religion. - mercy

[Northern Yankee]

Nice job with your letter, Victoria.

Those who criticize this movie don't understand its purpose, or the nature of faith, hope love, and forgivness this movie portrays.

I will be going to this movie again tonight with my boss as he wants to go, but wanted to go with someone. (His wife isn't quite ready yet...)

Even after a attending this movie a week ago, I still feel just as strong about its message as I did the night I saw it.

As a Catholic you see all the dots connected as the Passion is played out.

Mel indeed as done a tremendous job, and those who oppose this movie, don't understand the Gospels, or the message that it sends.

For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, so that everyone who believes in him may not parish, but have everlasting life. John 3.16

If that is a message of hate, or division then society is indeed in trouble.

[DentsRun]

Can you not see that being in a small persecuted minority destined for extinction might make these disagreements a little more sensitive?

"A small persecuted minority destined for extinction?" Who do you think you're kidding? Jews in America make far more money and have more power than the average American. In proportion to their numbers they're over-represed in law schools medical schools, college faculties in general, in the media, Hollywood, on best seller lists, on the editorial page, on the Forbe's 400 list of richest Americans, in congress and on the U.S. Supreme Court. Not only are Jews not persecuted in America, polls show they are actually one of the most "admired" groups in the country. Where have you been for the last 60 years? In the Warsaw ghetto?

[Victoria Delsoul]

As a Catholic you see all the dots connected as the Passion is played out.

Mel indeed has done a tremendous job, and those who oppose this movie, don't understand the Gospels, or the message that it sends.

Thanks Jay. I see it the same way.

If that is a message of hate, or division then society is indeed in trouble

Or maybe we are not giving enough credit to the devil, hehe.

[TigersEye]

Not at all. I just like exposing vicious hypocrites. Whited sepulchres.

We see you.

[Alberta's Child]

Outstanding post, Victoria. I've never seen this topic laid out more clearly.