Gibson's religious beliefs come under scrutiny

Los Angeles Times (by way of PittsburghLIVE.com) ^ | April 28, 2003 | Bettijane Levine

[Jacob Kell]

HOLLYWOOD -- Mel Gibson's upcoming film "The Passion" is being questioned by scholars who worry that the film -- which they have not yet seen -- might fan religious animosity and misunderstanding. The movie, which depicts the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus, features actors speaking only in Latin and Aramaic.

The controversy swirling around Gibson, his film and even his personal religious beliefs is built largely on conjecture. It is based on the few comments Gibson has made about the movie, which he claims will be historically accurate. It also is based on a magazine article about a church the actor is building in Agoura Hills, Calif. The article quotes his father, who claims that the Holocaust never happened and that the World Trade Center was destroyed by remote control.

[Rodney King]

"...scholars who worry that the film -- which they have not yet seen..."

Does one need to read any more than this?

[dark_lord]

The more controversy, the more viewers.

[Rodney King]

Korn says he will wait "a suitable amount of time" for Gibson to respond to the request for a panel of scholars to read the script. "If he doesn't respond, the controversy will certainly heat up," he says. "We are all very vigilant about things like this."

The gall of these people is unbelievable. Basically he is saying "We have made baseless accusations against you. In order to clear them up, you must do as we say so that we can get some more press out of this."

[My2Cents]

Jews and Catholics are concerned, for example, that Gibson's film might "blame the Jews for the death of Jesus," something the Second Vatican Council expressly forbids.

How will anyone know, since the film will be completely in Latin and Aramaic (with no subtitles)?

[moyden2000]

Liberals are evil.

[Mr. Mojo]

The article quotes his father, who claims that the Holocaust never happened and that the World Trade Center was destroyed by remote control.

A former Spotlight reader, no doubt. ....And a current Al Jazeera one.

[windcliff]

ping

[tracer]

"....respond to the request for a panel of scholars to read the script" in a movie about Jesus. I wonder if the irony of this has escaped Korn and company.

I also wonder if Mel knows how to say "bite me" in Latin and Arabic...

[Scothia]

So the race is on to discredit Mel Gibson as much as possible before his film comes out. Now, had he portrayed, say, a homosexual Jesus, we would be reading quite a different persective in the LaLa Times.

[tracer]

"Arabic" = Arameic"....

[tracer]

"Arameic" = Aramaic.... (D-OH!! D-OH!!))

[GovernmentShrinker]

Well, given that the director/producer is building his own private church building, for the renegade sect his wacko father belongs to, which church "will not be open to the public" (a radically novel concept for a purportedly "traditionalist" catholic church), I'm pretty confident that any religiously themed film that he financed out of his own pocket is going to be on the wacko side. Just like if I heard that Martha Burk was producing and directing a film about the modern women's rights movement -- would I really need to see the film before deciding it's going to be an idiotic piece of socialist trash?

[tracer]

Not to worry, The Pope signed off on this years ago.....

[ido_now]

(now i shout)

THIS HAS GONE FAR ENOUGH. NO ONE CAN ATTACK MEL GIBSON, NO ONE.

I HAVE ATTENDED -0- MOVIES AT A THEATER IN THE PAST 20 YEARS. WHAT I THINK I WILL LIKE I BUY, RENT OR WAIT FOR TV RELEASE. IF I REALLY LIKE IT I GET BOTH VCR AND DVD FOR HOME USE.

MEL'S NEW MOVIE MAY OR MAY NOT BE GOOD, I WILL BE THE JUDGE OF THAT FOR MYSELF, THANK YOU.

[Grammy]

"The movie, which depicts the last 12 hours in the life of Jesus..."
Well, some of us would dispute this particular statement, since we believe his life is ongoing. Perhaps it would be better stated the last 12 hours before he was crucified.

[toddst]

. . . some of us would dispute this particular statement, since we believe his life is ongoing. Perhaps it would be better stated the last 12 hours before he was crucified.

10-4! I look forward to this film, but will likely wait for the DVD as I dislike viewing a "movie" in a theater full of people who can't seem to be quiet and pay attention beyond, oh thirty seconds or so.

[SQUID]

This is just another example about how Christianity is being watered down by the Atheist Left. Christianity must be non-offensive to everyone...yes including the devil himself. I mean, mention the name Jesus and wow!...out comes the Atheist Left. I mean, the death of Christ has already been replaced with a rabbit and His birth has been replaced by a flying deer named Rudolph because even Santa is too religious. The next thing you know Christ will be know as your pet rock because the animal rights activists will find it offensive because the bird and the elk feel neglected with all the attention going to the rabbit and the deer. Shew! So much for religious freedom. You don't like it? Don't see it!

[Miss Marple]

Private chapels are a long tradition in Europe. Believe me, if I had the money I would have one myself, given how wacko my denomination has become.

I think you are misunderstanding. Gibson is making a movie that is historically and theologically correct. The granola contingent doesn't like it, because it probably won't conform to their watered down version of the Gospel.

Judging from the liberal hysteria, the early cut must be very good. I am going to see it.

[floridarocks]

I cannot wait to see this movie. Mel and his father know a whole lot more of what is going on in the world than most people realize. Pass the popcorn!