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.

[drlevy88]

Jesus shouldered my guilt. The only debt I owe Him, is love.

[wardaddy]

Where have you been?

Anti-Christian or Anti-Conservative (sometimes interchangable) films have been standard Hollywood fodder for nearly 4 decades now.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I'm beginning to think that the only thing that would satisfy some people would be to keep Christianity in the closet. Silenced. And all because some people insist on distorting its message.

At least I know Mel Gibson understands it.

[stands2reason]

Most Christian academics, who have actually studied what is really known about the first century, are as upset about the fictionalization of the facts, as is Krauthammer.

Then they are upset with the Bible. Would you like Christians to tell you what you should believe about your religion?

[nopardons]

But all of that was based on church teachings ( the Jews killed Christ! ) and some of the most virulent anti-Semitic times, in European nations, followed Medieval PASSION PLAYS,that were performed during Lent.

Jesus was a Jew, but by the early Middle Ages,that was NEVER mentioned by Christians and certainly NOT by the church hierarchy.

[Al Simmons]

"Do you know how to reason?"

Given my legal training, probably much better than you.

Sorry - but my personal and my own family's experience at the hands of nazis and communists has left me with ZERO tolerance for those who carry water for them.

And make no mistake about it - if you hate God, you are carrying water for them.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Yeah, well I think Mel and for that matter most RCs have missed it to.

Mel isn't the problem. He proved that when he used his own hand to drive the spike in the film.

[Seeing More Clearly Now]

Well for starters, New Mexico and Mexico for example. This movie is going worldwide and the Aramaic line in the film that says "The Jews, because they 'killed Christ,' must be pursued and punished for all generations" and which Gibson was convinced by critics not to include in the English translation in the U.S. release of the film might very likely be translated for other countries showings of the film.

[wardaddy]

I said the same thing recently. Some of these detractors sound like they would only be happy with a mass renouncement.

Unbelievable. But you know what?

We brought this on ourselves. Hopefully this will at least galvanize folks enough to say "Wait a minute" at least.

[drlevy88]

In the medieval times, the viewers were largely ignorant about the bible, or indeed about the larger circumstances of Christ's suffering. If you notice, this film has a resurrection. How can we complain about the Jews killing someone who didn't stay dead?

[hellinahandcart]

If you're in favor of gun confiscation, you're carrying water for them too.

That upset me much more than finding out that Krauthammer didn't like "The Passion" (which is after all, only a movie), and I never knew that before tonight...

[claudiustg]

---There are very very few Conservative Christians against the film and usually sadly because of some dumb archaic post Reformation garbage. ---

That "dumb archaic post Reformation garbage" we call our Doctrine.

http://www.lcms.org/pages/internal.asp?NavID=523

[Sabertooth]

How is thinking clearly about a full 2,000 years of Christian history.

Krauthammer was ranting about anti-Semitism in a film where none exists.

I'm not suggesting there as been no anti-Semitism in Christian History, yet I would also offer that there is a bit more to Christian History than that.

No, he is not indulging in wishful thinking that no harm will come from this movie.

He, and you, are engaging in religious paranoia and not a small amount of anti-Christian bigotry. You are flagellating the present with the horrors of the past, and accusing living Christians of wicked intentions.

Remove the plank from your own eye.

We won't be silent about our faith, nor will we sanitize the Gospel to allay your fears. American Christians have not the History of anti-Semitism you would impute to us.

We'll declare the Gospel and still remain Israel's greatest friend, whether you like it or not.

[stands2reason]

the world's Christians, especially those who already continue to put on passion plays each year, in which things are no complete until blood is drawn and replicas of Pilot and the Jews are beaten.

Source, please.

[mercy]

This little row will not put a schism between Jews and Christians. We will get over it. It will feed the hatred of those already predisposed but I don't think that matters much either. Those who walk in darkness can find lots of inspiration in lots of way nowadays.

I might encourage you to look into these things however. There is nothing in the Torah stating that God could not come to us in human form one day and offer himself as a sacrifice. In fact there are many passages in the prophets that suggest he would do exactly that one day.

One does not have to give up his jewishness to accept Christ's gift. I believe everything that a religious Jew believes. I just believe that the Messiah came first in meekness and to give himself. The next time he comes will be different.

[Seeing More Clearly Now]

What most academics of New Testament scholarship are pointing out is that Gibson IS NOT FOLLOWING THE GOSPELS, but following largely a 19th century nun's visions of what she says the details were.

[drlevy88]

You're a troll, foldy rol;
You're a troll, foldy rol;
You're a troll, foldy rol;
And you fooled us once, but no more.

[Al Simmons]

"Well for starters, New Mexico and Mexico for example. This movie is going worldwide and the Aramaic line in the film that says "The Jews, because they 'killed Christ,' must be pursued and punished for all generations" and which Gibson was convinced by critics not to include in the English translation in the U.S. release of the film might very likely be translated for other countries showings of the film."

REALLY? Have you seen the film? Do you speak Arameic?

Ooooh.. Didn't think so. Just repeating something from one of those Democrat "fever swamp" web sites, no doubt.

Therefore, you have the same credibility as those Aryan-nation types who repeat quotes from the "Protocols of the Elders of Zion" as authority in order to justifying their anti-semitism.

You are a troll.

You are also an anti-Christian bigot.

You probably voted for the Rapist - twice.

Therefore I will waste no more time with you.

Cordially, Al

[stands2reason]

He apparently agrees with their position on the 2nd Amendment...

[Sabertooth]

But all of that was based on church teachings ( the Jews killed Christ! ) and some of the most virulent anti-Semitic times, in European nations, followed Medieval PASSION PLAYS,that were performed during Lent.

Jesus was a Jew, but by the early Middle Ages,that was NEVER mentioned by Christians and certainly NOT by the church hierarchy.

Yes, and this was also before Gutenberg and private ownership of Bibles.