Krauthammer: "Gibson's Blood Libel"

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

[churchillbuff]

Gibson's Blood Libel

By Charles Krauthammer Friday, March 5, 2004; Page A23

Every people has its story. Every people has the right to its story. And every people has a responsibility for its story. ...[snip]

Christians have their story too: the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Why is this story different from other stories? Because it is not a family affair of coreligionists. If it were, few people outside the circle of believers would be concerned about it. This particular story involves other people. With the notable exception of a few Romans, these people are Jews. And in the story, they come off rather badly.

Because of that peculiarity, the crucifixion is not just a story; it is a story with its own story -- a history of centuries of relentless, and at times savage, persecution of Jews in Christian lands. This history is what moved Vatican II, in a noble act of theological reflection, to decree in 1965 that the Passion of Christ should henceforth be understood with great care so as to unteach the lesson that had been taught for almost two millennia: that the Jews were Christ killers.

[churchillbuff]

More anti-christian garbage from somebody who's revealing his true colors. He's all for christians when they're dying on the battlefields of Iraq -- in a war he supported loudly - - - but they have their faith depicted on film (unless Jewish authorities are allowed to approve and censor the depiction) without being denounced with slimy smears. What a lowlife creep.

[Ganymede]

Et tu, Krauthammer?

[churchillbuff]

And when we're talking "blood libels," what else can one call Krauthammer's obscene, if implicit, indictment of christianity for the holocaust. This despicable ignoramus doesn't know it was christian soldiers who defeated the nazis? If antisemitism grows in the wake of this film, it will be because jerks like krauthammer have shown how much they despise christianity and can't stand having the christian gospels proclaimed in the public square. He's one with the ACLU jerks who have sued christmas into the closet.

[thoughtomator]

Krauthammer has spent too much time at the WP if he really believes what he has written.

[Betaille]

I am Jewish, and yet I am still alive after "The Passion" has been out for a week. Seems like my "leaders" have lied to me.

[Chummy]

After witnessing and experiencing with my family this evening "The Passion", I know Krauthammer couldn't be more wrong in his assertions, and will pray that his eyes open to the truth.

[churchillbuff]

He's all for christians when they're dying on the battlefields of Iraq -- in a war he supported loudly - - - but they CAN'T have their faith depicted on film (unless Jewish authorities are allowed to approve and censor the depiction) without being denounced with slimy smears. What a lowlife creep.

[wardaddy]

He's returning to his Marty Peretz/New Republic roots.

Folks here forget he's pro-gun control too.

[churchillbuff]

The Israel-first evangelicals perhaps will have their eyes opened by the anti-christian viciousness displayed by some of the neoconservatives, now that the Passion has hit a nerve. The neoconservatives demand loyalty from the evangelicals, for Israel, but a lot of them in their heart repay that loyalty with contempt and hatred for the evangelicals' religion.

[ambrose]

There's no "blood libel" in The Passion.

What part of "father, forgive them" do these idiots not understand? Any "Christian" who condemns Jews for the death of Jesus are repudiating their own religion which teaches that ALL OF MANKIND is responsible. I watched The Passion today, and I really don't understand why Krauthammer is protesting so loudly.

[drlevy88]

Krauty has nothing to say about the Roman goons?

[ClancyJ]

Looks like Jews are so self-centered they think the movie was about them - not Christ. They cannot get beyond them, them, them, them.

Which, goes to prove, they do not believe that Christ is the Savior - they believe he was only a man and horribly resent the fact they are shown killing him. Why would they care if Christ was only a man?

I suggest the author quit worrying about how Jews are depicted and worry about what Jews believe about Christ. I would think this would be far more important than whether or not the world thinks they were Christ-killers.

The "world" does not offer eternal life.

[ambrose]

I am Jewish, and yet I am still alive after "The Passion" has been out for a week.

I saw it today, and managed to survive as well. I guess I missed the message from Abe Foxman on how I am supposed to think.

[Texas_Jarhead]

well said

[Congressman Billybob]

Given my own life, I give everyone else more than one serious failure before I condemn them. I now apply that method to Krauthammer.

This is the first time I've ever read anything of his that I did not largely or totally agree with. It is also, not coincidentally, the first piece of his where it seems that his emotions were driving his logic, rather than being his usual, clear and able thinker.

So I'll just say, strike one, and you get more than one.

Congressman Billybob

Click here, then click the blue CFR button, to join the anti-CFR effort (or visit the "Hugh & Series, Critical & Pulled by JimRob" thread). Please do it now.

[Texas_Jarhead]

well said re: post #10

[squidly]

It seems that Gibson is a very devout man, so he must be struggling with his pride when he surveys what he has wrought, and the people he has put into a frenzy. Be hard not to gloat.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Perhaps this should not be surprising, coming from a filmmaker whose public pronouncements on the Holocaust are as chillingly ambiguous and carefully calibrated as that of any sophisticated Holocaust denier.

Gibson has very publicly acknowledged the horror of the Holocaust. This is a breathtakingly irresponsible thing for him to have written. Many things to disagree with here, though I have always respected this man and I believe he is brilliant.

What a disappointment.

[Betaille]

"I guess I missed the message from Abe Foxman on how I am supposed to think."

You didn't get that memo? Lol
I find it amazing that he and his goons are called jewish community "leaders". Who appointed them that? Silly me, i thought our Rabbi's were community leaders, not left-wing demagogues.

[Hon]

I am truly shocked and disappointed that Krauthammer doesn't even know the proper use of the term "blood libel."

(Hint: it has NOTHING to do with the death of Jesus.)