'Passion' movie raises religious fervor, fears

The Cleveland Plain Dealer ^ | 2/7/04 | David Briggs

[Valin]

Mel Gibson's new film about the crucifixion of Christ is arousing the passions of Northeast Ohio faithful more than two weeks before its Ash Wednesday release.
Several Protestant churches are planning major evangelistic efforts, seeing in "The Passion of the Christ" a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reach the unchurched.
But some Jewish and Christian leaders are warning of the film's potential to promote one of history's cruelest anti-Semitic stereotypes: that Jewish people bear a collective guilt for Jesus' death.

The Diocese of Cleveland sent a February memo to all its parishes asking Catholics to be aware of the potential for anti-Semitism.
On Friday, a trio of prominent Jewish, Catholic and Protestant leaders sent a letter to 300 of their colleagues urging them to ad dress the issues raised by the film in their churches and synagogues.
"As fellow clergy and people of faith, we call upon you to be aware of the dangers the Gibson film poses. We urge you to address these risks forthrightly within your denomination and institution and to educate and sensitize those who may see the film so that they do not take away from it the wrong message," the letter said.
The plea was signed by the Rev. Joseph Hilinski, interfaith director of the Catholic diocese, the Rev. Louise Westfall, pastor of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, and Rabbi Richard Block, senior rabbi of The Temple-Tifereth Israel.

However, other churches see the highly publicized film as an opportunity to reach out to their secular neighbors and revive the faith of their own members.
Evangelical pastors and youth leaders are gathering this afternoon at Parma Baptist Church to participate in a national satellite question-and-answer session with Gibson sponsored by Church Communications Network.
One large local church, Cuyahoga Valley Community Church in Broadview Heights, will launch a two-week campaign Feb. 22 hanging movie-related material on the door knobs of about 20,000 of its neighbors. The packet invites people to follow up seeing the film with a visit to the church.

As its Feb. 25 release date draws near, the controversy surrounding the film and the attention commanded by Gibson are creating a national dialogue over artistic portrayals of the Passion that can be profound religious experiences for Christians but have provoked centuries of suffering for Jewish people.
Gibson, a conservative Catholic, has said he made the film as part of a spiritual calling and expressed hope that it could be used for evangelism.
Promotional materials sent to local churches call the Gibson film "one of the greatest evangelical opportunities of this generation."

However, particularly in the post-Holocaust era, many Christian and Jewish leaders have questioned the effects of performances of the Passion.
Historically, performances have led to violence and persecution by portraying Jewish antagonists of Jesus as almost subhuman and fueling the prejudice associating Judaism with deicide.

Some who have seen early scripts and later screenings of the film expressed concern that the movie revives inaccurate medieval stereotypes of a group of hate-filled Jewish people forcing a weak Roman ruler Pontius Pilate to put Jesus to death.
In their letter, Hilinski, Block and Westfall share their "grave concern" about the film. The three said Gibson has disregarded his film's "hateful antecedents," and they criticized the director for suggesting Jewish concerns about the film reflected antipathy toward Christianity itself.
"The shared commitment of Judaism and Christianity is love, not hate," the three wrote.

John Hexter, director of the Cleveland chapter of the American Jewish Committee, said Friday his organization is concerned the movie damages Jewish-Christian relations "in its unnecessary and destructive imagery of Jews."
The Jewish Community Federation of Cleveland on Thursday expressed hope that the film becomes an opportunity to reinforce Christian-Jewish relations by increasing dialogue and mutual understanding.

In the memo sent to parishes serving more than 800,000 area Catholics, the diocesan Interfaith Commission said it is admirable that the messages of the Gospel are found in movies.
But Catholics also should be aware the church "totally and definitively" rejects the false accusation that the Jewish people are responsible for the death of Jesus.

For their part, evangelical leaders say the film is a powerful, moving depiction of the Gospel affirmation that Jesus died in an act of sacrificial love for all people, and that part of the movie's value is to use it as a teaching tool to reject anti-Semitism.
"The biblical answer to that is God crucified Christ for our sins," said the Rev. Rick Duncan, pastor of Cuyahoga Valley Community Church. "It's not the Jews. It's not the Romans. It's all of us."

Evangelical leaders see in this film the potential to deepen faith and increase the capacity of individuals to love one another and empathize with the suffering of others.
"When we look at the cross, we know God is with us," said the Rev. Bob Armstrong of Bay Presbyterian Church in Bay Village. "And in our moments of greatest suffering we can feel closest to God."

[Diago]

From today's David Briggs' article:

The Diocese of Cleveland sent a February memo to all its parishes asking Catholics to be aware of the potential for anti-Semitism.

On Friday, a trio of prominent Jewish, Catholic and Protestant leaders sent a letter to 300 of their colleagues urging them to ad dress the issues raised by the film in their churches and synagogues.

"As fellow clergy and people of faith, we call upon you to be aware of the dangers the Gibson film poses. We urge you to address these risks forthrightly within your denomination and institution and to educate and sensitize those who may see the film so that they do not take away from it the wrong message," the letter said.

The plea was signed by the Rev. Joseph Hilinski, interfaith director of the Catholic diocese, the Rev. Louise Westfall, pastor of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, and Rabbi Richard Block, senior rabbi of The Temple-Tifereth Israel.

[Thorin]

I am embarrassed that my diocese's only reaction to Gibson's film is to issue a warning (from people who haven't even seen it) about its potential to incite anti-Semitism. Disgusting.

[Diago]

Obviously, the Diocese of Cleveland does not have enough to worry about:

From previous stories on Bishop Pilla:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1060132/posts


In March, 2002, about two years after leaving the diocese, Charlie [the bishop's former lawyer] says he met again with Bishop Gries. “I met with Bishop Roger and I told him as a friend that he needed to tell Pilla to step down. That's all I said.”


I prod him to continue. “Because of the manner in which all of this had been handled.”


Charlie later says, “The thing that really fried me was the way the church in Cleveland has agreed to ‘infanticize' Anthony. It's like he's a child. ‘Oh, he didn't know this, he didn't know that.' Wait a minute, oh merciful God. Then what's he in charge of one million Catholics for? Yes, Quinn did crazy stuff, but he was a lieutenant, you are the general. Why didn't you stop it?


_________________________________________________________


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/762432/posts

The following appeared in "The Wanderer's" From the Mail Section.:

In Cleveland, which has been racked with the most damaging sex abuse scandals outside of Boston and Los Angeles, diocesan officials, including Bishop Anthony Pilla, maintain a stiff upper lip as some homosexual activists in the chancery and parishes continue to transform parishes into gay-friendly communities. Consider:

The Diocese of Cleveland's official web site (www.dioceseofcleveland.com) greets the viewer with a rainbow flag, and gay activists at the diocese's Gay and Lesbian Family Ministry (GLFM) office are way out and way proud.

One member of the GLFM recorded his experience on an area gay web site of his participation in the Cleveland Gay Pride Parade, informing, "The catholic group had a very nice sized contingent. There were a whole ton of other religious groups as well...Oh, did I mention that I am in the same video as a pornstar?!...Our table was almost across from The Grid's table, so we got to watch Matt Rush shirtless signing autographs and posing for pictures most of the afternoon. I felt so uncouth ogling a pornstar and trying to be a respectable representative of the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland...

"The Stonewall Democrats had the booth next to The Grid, and they had some mighty fine shirtless guys sitting at their table, too. After we took down our table at the pride festival, seven of us from the Catholic group went out to dinner...We also had the same waiter that we had last time...the cute one with attitude."

The author of that revealing letter is the apparent friend of Brian Halderman, a longtime gay activist of the Diocese of Cleveland who recently announced that he is joining the Society of Mary (Marianists) in Dayton.

In another Internet chat thread sent to FTM by a Cleveland reader, Halderman revealed that while a parishioner at Ascension Church (a church plagued by a number of predator priests), he was a chatechist involved in the sacramental preparation of second graders.

Reader, does all this help you understand what bishops such as Clark and Hubbard and Pilla mean by the "lay-run church.

You can contact the diocese of Cleveland toll free at 1-800-869-6525 or by e-mailing:

info@dioceseofcleveland.org

_________________________________________________________

The official logo for the Diocese of Cleveland Gay and Lesbian Ministry [Warning: This is not a joke]:<




Go see for yourself:


http://www.dioceseofcleveland.org/gayandlesbianfamilyministry/mission/index.htm


The official logo for the Diocese of Cleveland Gay and Lesbian Ministry


_________________________________________________________

---

The following exchange appeared in an article on a gay convicted priest here in Cleveland. [Note: Burkhart is a gay detective and McBride is the gay priest]:

Burkhart and McBride dined on crab cakes and chatted lightly. After dinner, McBride turned the conversation to the recent Catholic Church scandal. He hoped that, when it was all over, the church would recognize that priests are sexual beings too -- and that some are gay.

"Back in the 1960s, would you have ever come to a place like this?" Burkhart asked. "I mean, in this town, where you were working?"

"Probably not, no," McBride said. "Realistically, in 1960, no."

"And in certain places it looks like the seminary on Saturday night now," Burkhart joked.

"Yeah, that really is how it is," McBride said.

They compared notes on seeing clergy in gay bars. Then Burkhart stammered as he asked McBride a personal question: "So, whenever you had sex . . . were you bound to go to confession and confess it before you said Mass, or . . .?"

"Well, you were supposed to, yes," McBride said.

"Do you think all these priests do?"

"No," McBride said. "I think they changed their minds and decided it's not a sin."

The full article can be found at this link:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/992919/posts

[Diago]

I am surprised Bishop Sam Miller would allow this to happen.

[Diago]

E-mail the Diocese of Cleveland at (please include all addresses in your message):

bishop@dioceseofcleveland.org , bpaepevec@dioceseofcleveland.org , ajquinn@dioceseofcleveland.org , rmharwood@dioceseofcleveland.org , ljurcak@dioceseofcleveland.org

[Diago]

From today's Plain Dealer article:

The Diocese of Cleveland sent a February memo to all its parishes asking Catholics to be aware of the potential for anti-Semitism.

On Friday, a trio of prominent Jewish, Catholic and Protestant leaders sent a letter to 300 of their colleagues urging them to ad dress the issues raised by the film in their churches and synagogues.

"As fellow clergy and people of faith, we call upon you to be aware of the dangers the Gibson film poses. We urge you to address these risks forthrightly within your denomination and institution and to educate and sensitize those who may see the film so that they do not take away from it the wrong message," the letter said.

The plea was signed by the Rev. Joseph Hilinski, interfaith director of the Catholic diocese, the Rev. Louise Westfall, pastor of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, and Rabbi Richard Block, senior rabbi of The Temple-Tifereth Israel.

See post #6 for e-mail addresses to contact at Diocese of Cleveland.

[Coleus]

`

[Barnacle]

This is just another BS article attempting to distract Christians and non-Christians from the true nature of the great film.

[Jeff Chandler]

This memo shows that the liberal clergy believe that we are idiots and bigots who will be turned against the Jews. Like all liberals, they are stuck in the sixties with their liberal templates of what people in general and conservatives in particular think. We are all racist, bigot, misogynist morons to them.

[Maximilian]

The Diocese of Cleveland sent a February memo to all its parishes asking Catholics to be aware of the potential for anti-Semitism.

Incredible!

One ought to be past the point of ever being surprised. And yet deep down I suppose I must harbor some hope that someday these clowns will accidentally do something Catholic. So far, however, they have succeeded in maintaining a perfect record: nothing Catholic, ever.

"As fellow clergy and people of faith, we call upon you to be aware of the dangers the Gibson film poses."

I wonder if a more truthful version might not sound like this: "As fellow perverts and faithless apostates, we call upon you to stay away from anything that might prompt you to realize that you have lost the true Catholic faith and have accepted an ersatz substitute. We also warn you to beware of anything that might reveal that you have betrayed Christ the King in order to curry favor with the Lord of the World and his one-world-religion New World Order."

Rev. Joseph Hilinski, interfaith director of the Catholic diocese

He, at least, ought to enjoy the movie since he can study the performance of the first to occupy the position of "interfaith director": Judas Iscariot.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[firebrand]

I am worried about this film, and sorry that it has inflamed the unnecessary war between people who fear anti-Semitism (a realistic fear) and the people who feel that their Christian religion is under attack everywhere (which it is).

Human beings will fight about anything, but the gasoline of a powerful film does not have to be added to the flames. Gibson is really just a celebrity, like the left-wing ones we are always pooh-poohing. He does not have the learning and the spiritual depth to have given us new insight into Christ. I fear he has caused trouble instead of advancing the kingdom of God.

[Diago]

He does not have the learning and the spiritual depth to have given us new insight into Christ.

What type of gnostic garbage are you spewing?

[Ronzo]

"John Hexter, director of the Cleveland chapter of the American Jewish Committee, said Friday his organization is concerned the movie damages Jewish-Christian relations "in its unnecessary and destructive imagery of Jews."

My goodness, the pre-emptive attack on Mel's film continues. Couldn't they at least WAIT until some sort of anti-semetic activity develops after the film comes out, rather than ASSUMING that the film is anti-semetic and that everyone who goes and sees it will automatically hate Jews for "killing" Jesus?

I guess this is a one-way street. It's OK to label a person or a film anti-semetic or a "probable" anti-semetic, but there is obviously no such thing as an anti-Christian. Yet these attacks on Mel and the film are DEFINATELY anti-Christian, in form as well as substance.

If there is going to be a rebirth of anti-semetic attitudes amongst Christians, it won't be because of people watching "The Passion," but because of the incredibly biased and unsubstanitated claims of certain very loud Jewish people AGAINST this film. Rather than preventing anti-semetism, they are, in fact, manufacturing it. "What you fear will come upon you..."

What's even worst, is the horrible theology that is being used to defend this film. No where in the Bible does it state that "we nailed Jesus to the Cross." While it may sound very pious, it is actually very boastful. However, you will find many, many references to the person who really does take FULL RESPONSIBLITY for the death of Jesus: God himself.

"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Ro 3:21-26). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Eph 2:1-9). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Mt 26:36-42). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

It was God's idea to sacrifice His son for our sins. He did not have to do it. He did it out of His love for us, while we were still sinners. We had nothing to do with it, other than being the objects of God's love. The only thing that sins did and still do is condemn us to everlasting destruction. Only faith in Jesus can wipe away the stain of our sins.

The Romans (Gentiles) put Jesus to death at the accusation of the High Priest and his minions (Jews). But it was God's plan they were fulfilling, no matter what their evil motives were. It is a mistake to say that the Jews were not involved in Jesus' death, as the gospels make it absolutely clear they were, and they must take there fair share of the responsiblity, just as we, the gentiles, must, as reprsented by Rome's role in the crucifixion. No one gets a free pass.

So why aren't the Italians worried about an anti-Roman backlash? If anyone has something to fear from this movie, it would be them...

[firebrand]

I'm not sure I understand your reply. If you mean that it takes no learning and no spiritual depth to make a multi-million-dollar movie about Jesus that will bring people closer to Him, I disagree. My opinion is not gnosticism. Gnosticism would be saying that you need to know certain special things, known to some but not others, in order to be saved.

The artist has taken on a great ambition here, which it seems he is not capable of achieving--and contrary to the last verses of the New Testament, I might add, which constrain us not to add to what is written.

[Valin]

Gibson is really just a celebrity,
You are absolutly correct. And I believe Mel would agree, he's just a man.

He does not have the learning and the spiritual depth to have given us new insight into Christ.
I doubt very much if he is trying to bring new insights into Christ. He doesn't have to in order for the movie to have an impact(whice is what all serious film makers strive for). All he has to do is tell the story, and leave the "deep insights" up to those of us sitting in the theater.

[firebrand]

Why bother, then, when we have the Gospel?

[missyme]

Your post has got to be the most ridiculous one yet regarding Mel Gibson and The Passion...You need to do more research before you speak about this.

[firebrand]

Heading to the library right now. Sorry to be so ignorant.

[Valin]

That is a question of such monumental stupidity that I really don't know where to begin.
If you really meant that question, then I have nothing to say.

[Diago]

Heading to the library right now. Sorry to be so ignorant.

Where in the Bible does it say that you are qualified to go to the library?

[Diago]

Also an interesting discussion on this topic, here:

http://www.markshea.blogspot.com

[NeoCaveman]

E-mail the Diocese of Cleveland at (please include all addresses in your message):

Thanks Diago, I was about to hit send and then rethought. I'll need to cool off or else I'll be calling them lavender loving heretics which, while true, won't get me anywhere.

[Diago]

Word is getting out. Our diocese will once again be a national laughingstock. Remember the group hugs at the Sign of Peace fiasco.

From Dominic Bettenelli's blog:

Don't bring your pitchfork to the theater

Okay, this is just getting ridiculous. Now, the Diocese of Cleveland is warning all Catholics to watch for rising feelings of anti-Semitism in their midst from people seeing The Passion. Can we all get a little perspective here? When Schindler’s List was in theatres did we get warnings about potential neo-Nazism? When CBS did their biography of Hitler, did people get worried about anti-Semitic feelings from that? This is a depiction of the Passion of Jesus Christ. We hear the very same story every year, twice at least if you’re an observant Catholic.

See the rest here:

http://bettnet.dyndns.org/blog/comments.php?id=2608_0_1_0_C

[Diago]

http://bettnet.dyndns.org/blog/comments.php?id=2608_0_1_0_C

[Valin]

Did you read "Supernature Abhors a Vacuum"?

[ultima ratio]

What is getting clearer and clearer is that some of our so-called "spiritual shepherds" have placed an exaggerated ecumenism before even the faith. They should hide their heads in shame. This is the real face of the Novus Ordo Church. Craven and without a clue.

[ultima ratio]

You must not understand Christianity at all. You haven't even the start of a clue. See the movie and learn something.

[firebrand]

I know not to cast my pearls before swine.

[ultima ratio]

Sorry, those weren't pearls, they were dumb comments.

[ultima ratio]

What's next--a ban on the reading of the Gospel on Palm Sunday? Is that also anti-Semitic?

[Maeve]

Diago, you are one of my Catholic heroes. I don't know if you are a Knight of the Immaculata, but St. Maximilian Kolbe would be proud of the way you keep shining the Light of Truth on the unCatholic blasphemies, crimes, and plain idiocies in the DIocese of Cleveland. Anyway, that's the way I see it.

[ultima ratio]

We shouldn't worry about the anti-Semitism of Mel Gibson, we should worry about the anti-Catholicism of some of our priests and bishops.

[Maeve]

That is absolutely true.

[Valin]

Shhh. Don't give them any idea.

[NeoCaveman]

Bad bishop ping.

Also he happens to be my bishop. 3 years 8 months until he is 75 and has to offer his resignation.

[Gabz]

I hope the the diocese can last those 3 years and 8 months.

I agree with other posters. To me I see the warnings about potential anti-semitism to be a catalyst for it occurring - not because of the movie itself - but because the suggestion for it has been planted.......

[NeoCaveman]

I hope the the diocese can last those 3 years and 8 months.

2000 years of ups and downs, less than 4 years is a breeze.

[Gabz]

Very good point.

[Diago]

God bless you!

[Diago]

The John Carroll University V-Day performance is sponsored by this Catholic univeristy and funds a member of the Freedom Of Choice Cleveland Coalition.

Go to this link http://events.vday.org/2004/College/John_Carroll_University

We are proud to present three fundraising performances of The Vagina Monologues. The money raised will go to help prevent and stop violence of women and girls. In addition, we will be holding a V-Day on Wednesday, February 11th which will include speakers,a bake sale, and a t-shirt sale.

Beneficiary: Cleveland Rape Crissi Center

Sponsor: John Carroll University Communications Department

Tickets price: $7.00 in advance

To purchase tickets:

Pre-Sale tickets will be available at V-Day.

____________________________________________________________

Now go to this link http://www.choicecleveland.com/member.html

 

About FOCC Member Organizations Links of Interest Contact Us Home

FOCC member organizations include: Abortion Access Center for Women's Health American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio Americans for Democratic Action/Cleveland Section Business and Professional Women/Cleveland Section Catholics for a Free Choice Ohio Clergy for Choice Cleveland Surgi-Center Greater Cleveland NOW Cleveland Pro-Choice Action League Cleveland Rape Crisis Center Cuyahoga Women's Political Caucus CWRU Medical Students for Choice Hard Hatted Women Jewish Women International League of Women Voters of Cuyahoga County NA'AMAT USA National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League of Ohio National Council of Jewish Women/Cleveland Section Planned Parenthood of Greater Cleveland Preterm Sierra Club Population Committee UNITE! Women's American ORT Women's Center of Greater Cleveland Women Speak Out for Peace and Justice YWCA Public Policy Committee   <![if !supportLineBreakNewLine]> <![endif]>

---

_______________________________________________________

John Carroll University (OH)

Rev. Edward Glynn, S.J., President

20700 N. Park Blvd., University Heights, OH 44118

Phone: (216) 397-1886

E-mail: eglynn@jcu.edu

[Northern Yankee]

Gibson isn't really giving us any new insight of the Gospels. In fact he's trying to be as faithful to the Gospels as he can be.

I don't think we need to have a bunch of letters after our name to interpret the word of God.

He's a devout Christian trying to share his faith to others. If we were in his position, would we not do the same?

See the film, and then decide for yourself if he has advanced the kingdom of God.

From what I have seen, I think it will be a movie that all others like it will be judged.

God Bless!

[Northern Yankee]

Thought you might want to see!

[truthandlife]

'Passion' ping

[padfoot_lover]

Totally shameful position for these "prominent Catholice leaders" to take; I pray your diocese gets cleansed of these people soon! Are there are Catholic churches in town that are more obedient to the Faith in spite of the diocese? I hope you have at least one you can frequent!

[man of Yosemite]

Acts 2:22-24, Ye men of Israel, here these words; Jesus of Nazereth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Acts 2:36, Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

It looks pretty clear to me that Israel was declared to be guilty of killing their Christ. Now, that has turned out to be a fortuitous event, freeing everyman who believes from his sins, but let us not hear any nonsense now about them not being responsible.

The only persons who would be anti-Semitic upon seeing this movie would be the ignorant and hate-filled. The movie is about the love of God demonstrated in his Son, not about the sin of those who rejected him. It is the story of God's answer for our sin, his remedy for our wickedness. If you are focused on how bad Jews are portrayed in the movie, then you have missed the point completely. The answer for their sin is the main character in the story.

Acts 2:37-39, Now when they heard this,they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

[Rodney King]

Human beings will fight about anything, but the gasoline of a powerful film does not have to be added to the flames.

That's great. Why don't we just stop going to church as well, surely that would decrease the tension between Christians and the ADL. That is the goal, isn't it?

[Victoria Delsoul]

Well said.

Bump!

[AAABEST]

LMAO at your #22!!

LOL!!!!!