Posted on 08/14/2003 10:25:53 AM PDT by joesnuffy
TESTING THE FAITH Mel Gibson working with Jewish leaders ADL rep screens 'The Passion,' breaks confidentiality agreement
Posted: August 14, 2003 10:25 a.m. Eastern
By Joseph Farah © 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Faced with rising criticism of his unreleased movie, "The Passion," by the Anti-Defamation League, Mel Gibson is working with other Jewish leaders to "develop a strategy alongside this film to build bridges of understanding between various faith communities," says a statement by his marketing and media representatives released to some 300 people who have seen the film by special invitation.
The move comes after Gibson's Icon Pictures invited representatives of the ADL to screen the film – one the organization had criticized heavily before seeing the film about the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus. Despite signing confidentiality agreements restricting media comments on the film, the ADL sent out a press release condemning the movie once again following the screening – this time actually based on the film's content itself.
"The film unambiguously portrays Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob as the ones responsible for the decision to crucify Jesus," said Abraham H. Foxman, ADL national director. "We are deeply concerned that the film, if released in its present form, will fuel the hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism that many responsible churches have worked hard to repudiate."
Icon Pictures plans to use the controversy stoked by the movie to foster a better dialogue between Christians and Jews.
"In addition to reframing the picture about the current controversy, this is to inform you about a forthcoming emphasis, called 'The Jewish Initiative,' which was begun in a meeting in Washington last week," said the statement by Gibson's marketing team. "Icon Productions has engaged leaders of the Jewish community to develop a strategy alongside this film to build bridges of understanding between various faith communities. While the details are still coming into focus, this effort was born out of Mel Gibson's longstanding desire that this film will foster dialogue, discussion and debate, rather than division, derision and defamation."
Gibson's team has been stunned and taken aback by the anti-Semitism allegations.
"Everyone associated with this project – especially Mr. Gibson – share the ADL's concerns about anti-Semitism and religious extremism in any form, and have been careful that there are no such implications in this movie," says the statement. "As you are aware from your own experience, consider:
"'The Passion' does not seek to place blame, but rather to tell the positive and transforming story of faith, love, hope and forgiveness of a sacrifice willingly given. The film depicts Romans and Jews who are both sympathetic to Jesus as well as involved in his crucifixion, consistent with ancient, historical accounts on both sides of the question.
"No one who has seen 'The Passion' has indicated the film caused them to be angry with those who sought Jesus' death. Rather, they are caught up in their own identification of the sufferings of Jesus – that he did that for 'me,' and that 'my sins' are what put Him there. The emotion is one of mourning, not anger, and a lingering desire to let more people know who Jesus was, rather than seek revenge.
"It is obvious in the movie that the character depicting the devil floats in and out of all the intense scenes of scourging and crucifixion, and the Bible is clear Jesus' death was part of God's divine plan for the redemption of mankind.
"The issue is not, 'Who killed Jesus?' but rather, 'Who will be identified with the new life, love, hope and forgiveness He offers?'"
Gibson's team fears the film is being misunderstood before it is ever seen by the general public.
"This film is not about anti-Semitism or any other form of discrimination or hatred," said the film team's statement. "It is about what Jesus suffered, and why – to bear the sin of all humanity – told through the eyes of a Christian artist in the medium he knows best. That is not anti-Semitic; it is pro-humanity. It is not just history; it is 'His Story.'"
Related columns:
Real anti-Semitism
Mel Gibson's 'The Passion'
No surprise there. Mel should have realized that the ADL is concerned only with fundraising, and that they therefore could not possbily honor the agreement. If Mel does not cut off communication with them, he is an idiot. This is a shakedown scheme, and Mel can't get anywhere by dealing with them.
ADL doesn't have patience for any of this talk. It's all about raw power. They are determined to suppress the movie and nothing Mel says or does will make them voluntarily sway from this objective.
I think there is another attacking the faith by promoting bigotry and hate..
Does that mean we have to tear pages out of the Bible, because of how the Arab world will react? You're advocating censorship of Christianity - - using "Arab reaction" as an excuse. Maybe Prager is, too, and if so I'm disappointed.
If he's saying the Christian gospels are antisemitic, or shouldn't be put on screen because some dolts somewhere are antisemetic, then he's in favor of censorship and he's wrong - - and he's potentially fanning flames of anti-christianity.
The Koran teaches that Christ was never crucified so Arab governments would probably ban this film. The power of the film would probably influence some Muslims to convert, and would certainly strengthen the conviction of Christian viewers. That is what the Antichristian ADL seeks to prevent.
Who is doing this and how?
You are doing this. You are doing it with hateful rhetoric and name-calling directed (primarily) at Jews. There is a spirit motivating you, but it is not holy.
That's true. His problem is that he thinks his opponents are honest. They are not.
Are you disputing the fact that ADL promotes Antichristian bigotry and that this kind of hatred caused the death of untold millions during the twentieth century? Shouldn't Christians, Jews, and all decent people oppose this kind of hate along with others?
I'm disputing antisemitic rhetoric lest the casual reader get the impression that it is part of Christianity. You learned it somewhere. Is there a church you would like to credit, or did you pick it up from some other association ?
So you are not disputing the fact that ADL is attacking Christianity but you are saying Christians must not complain because doing so would be anti-Semitic. Is that right?
I don't know how many enemies you see attacking Christianity or what you intend to do to them but I find your rhetoric antisemitic. I'm only responding so that the casual reader to does not get the impression that antisemitic rhetoric is unopposed.
It's all about your feelings, isn't it? I pointed out the Antichristian Dirtbag Liars (ADL) are openly trying to suppress the Gospel. What is more important? Your feelings or this objective fact?
But so are you, so why do you hate them so much ?
I know someone cannot hate the Jews and know G-d. That type of person is better represented by Haman.
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