I recall this lad stood for something too.
Nor was he popular with the ones in power.
Posted on 08/16/2003 11:33:39 AM PDT by nickcarraway
Mad Mel or Brave heart? The storm over Mel Gibson's film, The Passion, is intensifying after a leading Jewish-American group had a private screening.
He infuriated some critics with his villainous depiction of the British Redcoats in his American Revolution epic, The Patriot.
Now he is provoking anger from several quarters with his film about the final 12 hours in the life of Jesus Christ.
For the unwitting, Mel Gibson is the action hero of Mad Max and Lethal Weapon.
He may have impressed as Hamlet, but is more frequently remembered as an international sex symbol with the twinkling blue eyes, his buttocks bared more than once in the interests of the box office.
His Hollywood CV also includes the requisite drink-drive episode and the visits to Alcoholics Anonymous to wean him from a lifestyle in which he drank five beers before breakfast.
"I felt I was in hell. I hated work and I felt lost," he said.
Speaking in tongues
Mel Gibson, ex-drinker, and still battling the nicotine habit, is dedicated to his wife of 23 years, Robyn, his seven children, and the faith that is driving his latest, hugely-controversial project.
The Passion graphically portrays Christ's suffering on his way to the Cross and his lingering, bloody death.
The film is four hours long and the actors speak only in Latin, the language of the Romans, or Aramaic, the tongue of the local people. No subtitles are planned.
Gibson doesn't appear in the film, but has co-written, directed and financed the project with £16million of his own money. Its release is planned for Ash Wednesday next year, even though it has yet to attract a distributor.
The film claims to be the Gospel truth and, says Gibson, is meant to "inspire, not offend".
But it has already disturbed Catholics and Protestants and angered some Jewish groups, who are worried about the possible repercussions of the movie, which, they feel, portrays a cabal of Jews determined to secure the Crucifixion of Jesus.
"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," says Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League.
It may be common knowledge that Mel Gibson is not an authentic "fair-dinkum" Aussie.
One of 11 children, he was born in New York state and taken to Australia when he was 12 by his father so that he and his brothers could avoid the Vietnam draft.
Not quite so well known are Gibson's beliefs as an ultra-Conservative Catholic traditionalist. He belongs to a splinter movement, the Holy Family. [I don't think this is an established fact-remember this is the BBC]
It refuses to accept the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which in 1965 formally rejected the notion that the Jews were collectively responsible for killing Christ.
Gibson is bankrolling the building of a new church for the Holy Family in Malibu, California, where he and his family worship.
They say Mass in Latin, refrain from eating meat on Fridays and the women cover their heads. The movement believes that reforming liberals in the Vatican have made the modern church structure rotten to the core.
Mel Gibson's declaration that homosexuality was against the will of the Lord provoked protest from America's gay community. Now he seems set to provoke the Jewish members who have always been an integral part of his industry.
"Maybe I'm crazy," he says. "But maybe I'm a genius."
The 'genius' was the one who wrote this. Just tell it like it was written. Truth is a perfect defense.
1: When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
2: And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.
3: Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
4: Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
5: They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.
6: As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
7: Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
8: Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:
9: That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
10: Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
11: Then said Jesus unto Peter, Put up thy sword into the sheath: the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?
12: Then the band and the captain and officers of the Jews took Jesus, and bound him,
13: And led him away to Annas first; for he was father in law to Caiaphas, which was the high priest that same year.
14: Now Caiaphas was he, which gave counsel to the Jews, that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.
15: And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple: that disciple was known unto the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the palace of the high priest.
16: But Peter stood at the door without. Then went out that other disciple, which was known unto the high priest, and spake unto her that kept the door, and brought in Peter.
17: Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not.
18: And the servants and officers stood there, who had made a fire of coals; for it was cold: and they warmed themselves: and Peter stood with them, and warmed himself.
19: The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine.
20: Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing.
21: Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said.
22: And when he had thus spoken, one of the officers which stood by struck Jesus with the palm of his hand, saying, Answerest thou the high priest so?
23: Jesus answered him, If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?
24: Now Annas had sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest.
25: And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not.
26: One of the servants of the high priest, being his kinsman whose ear Peter cut off, saith, Did not I see thee in the garden with him?
27: Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew.
28: Then led they Jesus from Caiaphas unto the hall of judgment: and it was early; and they themselves went not into the judgment hall, lest they should be defiled; but that they might eat the passover.
29: Pilate then went out unto them, and said, What accusation bring ye against this man?
30: They answered and said unto him, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up unto thee.
31: Then said Pilate unto them, Take ye him, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said unto him, It is not lawful for us to put any man to death:
32: That the saying of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he spake, signifying what death he should die.
33: Then Pilate entered into the judgment hall again, and called Jesus, and said unto him, Art thou the King of the Jews?
34: Jesus answered him, Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or did others tell it thee of me?
35: Pilate answered, Am I a Jew? Thine own nation and the chief priests have delivered thee unto me: what hast thou done?
36: Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.
37: Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.
38: Pilate saith unto him, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all.
39: But ye have a custom, that I should release unto you one at the passover: will ye therefore that I release unto you the King of the Jews?
40: Then cried they all again, saying, Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber.
John 19
1: Then Pilate therefore took Jesus, and scourged him.
2: And the soldiers platted a crown of thorns, and put it on his head, and they put on him a purple robe,
3: And said, Hail, King of the Jews! and they smote him with their hands.
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.
5: Then came Jesus forth, wearing the crown of thorns, and the purple robe. And Pilate saith unto them, Behold the man!
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.
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.
8: When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
9: And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
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?
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.
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.
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.
14: And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
15: But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priest answered, We have no king but Caesar.
16: Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
17: And he bearing his cross went forth into a place called the place of a skull, which is called in the Hebrew Golgotha:
18: Where they crucified him, and two other with him, on either side one, and Jesus in the midst.
19: And Pilate wrote a title, and put it on the cross. And the writing was, JESUS OF NAZARETH THE KING OF THE JEWS.
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.
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.
22: Pilate answered, What I have written I have written.
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.
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.
25: Now there stood by the cross of Jesus his mother, and his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalene.
26: When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son!
27: Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.
28: After this, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, saith, I thirst.
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.
30: When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
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.
32: Then came the soldiers, and brake the legs of the first, and of the other which was crucified with him.
33: But when they came to Jesus, and saw that he was dead already, they brake not his legs:
34: But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
35: And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
36: For these things were done, that the scripture should be fulfilled, A bone of him shall not be broken.
37: And again another scripture saith, They shall look on him whom they pierced.
38: And after this Joseph of Arimathaea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews, besought Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus: and Pilate gave him leave. He came therefore, and took the body of Jesus.
39: And there came also Nicodemus, which at the first came to Jesus by night, and brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about an hundred pound weight.
40: Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.
41: Now in the place where he was crucified there was a garden; and in the garden a new sepulchre, wherein was never man yet laid.
42: There laid they Jesus therefore because of the Jews' preparation day; for the sepulchre was nigh at hand.
I recall this lad stood for something too.
Nor was he popular with the ones in power.
All of whom so far I've seen mentioned--Mary C. Boys, Philip A. Cunningham, Lawrence E. Frizzell and John T. Pawlikowski--are way out of the Christian tradition, far to the left and are associated in one way or the other with The Institute for Christian and Jewish Studies, the ADL, the Simon Wiesenthal Center or all three. Perhaps some mainstream Christian leaders have objected to the film. If so, I would like to know what they said.
Who are they speaking of - besides the four very liberal Christian scholars on the USCCB's ad hoc committee?
Typical lazy (and biased) journalese.
It would sort of be like making a WWII movie and having to show the Germans in a completely positive light so as not to offend today's German people.
Hooray for Mel! It is rare and wonderful for a man today to actually put his time and money where his beliefs are ... I pray he remain strong and resolute in this matter and God will provide a means to get this film distributed.
""Maybe I'm crazy," he says. "But maybe I'm a genius.""
I vote genius. I eagerly look forward to seeing it.
Nah...no bias there. Just a disinterested "scholar" searching for the truth. What is it with the media? I see these scholars referred to over and over. Has no one checked them out? Or doesn't the media want to?
Director Mel Gibson, under heavy fire from Jewish groups for his $25 million movie on the death of Jesus, has "softened the story" and made changes to make The Passion more palatable to critics, according to a spokesman. Scheduled for release next year during Lent, The Passion has some Jewish groups nervous it will resurrect old beliefs that Jews were responsible for the death of the Christian savior.
Paul Lauer, marketing director for Gibson's Icon Productions company, said Gibson has edited the film to show more "sympathetic" Jewish characters who were not calling for Jesus to be crucified. "We believe we have softened the story compared to the way the Gospel has told it," Lauer said in an interview. He pointed to Matthew 27:25, in which the Jewish mob calls for Jesus' blood "to be on us and on our children."
"That's in the Gospel," he said. "It's not in our film."
In addition, Lauer said the character of Simon of Cyrene, who was forced to carry the cross for Jesus, will be clearly labeled a Jew in the film. A shouting mob will include voices opposing the execution, Lauer said.
http://www.jewsweek.com/bin/en.jsp?enPage=BlankPage&enDisplay=view&enDispWhat=object&enDispWho=Article%5El635&enZone=Articles&enVersion=0&
Then you have the Independent saying http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/story.jsp?story=434029
This is not an easy controversy to judge, since the film has no distributor and is not expected to arrive in cinemas until next year's Lenten season at the earliest. Of the chosen few who have been accorded advance screenings, however, conservatives and Gibson's fellow super-traditionalists have - perhaps predictably - tended to love it, while the Anti-Defamation League, a conservative Jewish group which kicked up a huge fuss until it too was allowed a look, felt - also predictably - that the film confirmed all its worst anti-Semitic fears.
The ADL a conservative Jewish group?
Because they believe the U.S.is villainous
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