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QUESTIONING 'PASSION' AND THE GOSPEL TRUTH (crossing over into Christian-hating)
NY POST ^ | February 21, 2004 | LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Posted on 02/21/2004 2:55:03 AM PST by Liz

Edited on 05/26/2004 5:19:41 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

A movie about the Gospel sparks outrage, but movies that depict graphic sexual activity, romanticize criminals and constantly bombard us with violence are not criticized. If those movies are released without outrage, let he who is without sin cast the first stone against Gibson. Mary Maresco Sarasota, Fla.


(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...


TOPICS: Current Events
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Surely the talented Mel Gibson ---recipient of several Oscars for acting and directing---was prepared for the ragtag cadre of naysayers bent on marginalizing his awesome film.

It was never entirely practical to think that non-believers---even at a purely intellectual and artistic level----would embrace Gibson's efforts on a subject in which he sincerely believes with all of his heart and soul---a subject Gibson shares with millions of American Christians, not to mention global Christianity numbering in the billions.

However, it appears that some of Gibson's critics cross the line into a demonstration of utter hatred for Christians, Christianity, and the Biblical facts of Jesus Christ making the ultimate sacrifice by dying on the cross to save humanity.

Christians cannot, nor should they be expected to, countenance hatred of themselves or their beliefs.

It's apparent that Gibson's film is unnerving to a small pocket of naysayers imbedded in our culture. These types have put in decades of work----together with calculated, concerted efforts---to subugate believers, to discredit Christianity, and to remove all signs of religion from our culture.

But they have never been able to remove belief from the hearts of the people. This is where they've failed miserably.

One might conclude that Mel's film is anathema to the naysayers because it shines a light on the eternal story that animates Christians and it ennobles Chritianity and those that accept its tenets.

1 posted on 02/21/2004 2:55:04 AM PST by Liz
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To: Liz
Some of my thoughts on the many "Passion" threads:

I don't think the issue is "Jew vs Gibson's 'Passion'" it's "Secular Liberals vs Gibson's 'Passion'" of which many are secular/liberal Jews. You find more support for the movie coming from conservative Jews who respect our faith. On top of that, both groups are united in our common cause against secular/liberals.

My big concern, with all the left has failed to do to stop this movie and the hype surrounding it, is that they may resort to voilence in the end to keep people from seeing the movie.

We are discussing a polarizing event, but it's even more than Christianity vs Liberalism . It is very much Good vs Evil. The threat that the message of Christ's sacrifice poses to them has driven them into a panic. I really believe they are prepared to do anything to stop that message from spreading.

So anyone hear anything about when THE SEQUEL will be out?

2 posted on 02/21/2004 3:03:48 AM PST by Caipirabob (Democrats.. Socialists..Commies..Traitors...Who can tell the difference?)
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To: Caipirabob
The sequel to Passion? Oh, you mean the Resurrection, of course. Yeah, that's gonna make a great movie. I hear Hollywarped is getting a slew of screenplays on it. Oh, and a remake of the Ten Commandments is also in the works.
3 posted on 02/21/2004 3:09:45 AM PST by Liz
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To: Caipirabob
My big concern, with all the left has failed to do to stop this movie and the hype surrounding it, is that they may resort to violence in the end to keep people from seeing the movie.

Another significant concern I have heard some voice is the possibility of an pseudo-anti-semitic "Reichstag fire" event of some sort (since those opposed to the film have already asserted to the public that such consequences from this "hate film" are inevitable).

The people opposed to this film should not be underestimated; many are literally evil incarnate.

4 posted on 02/21/2004 3:24:20 AM PST by Technogeeb
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To: Caipirabob
Resorting to violence? Hmmmm. Lawsuits maybe, but not violence. They would love to criminalize Christianity.

Anti-Passion, religio-phobic lefties fear that the movie will organize a highly visibly force---a demonstrative religious-loving Nation---a Nation that lefties have worked so hard to suppress, disparage and denigrate over the years.

Lefties fear Passion-inspired religionists may never go back to being force-fed the garbage warped Hollyweirdos' spew out in movies, music and TV.

Theirs has been a calculated attempt to subvert western culture and to weaken the foundations of America's strength. The ACLU, Planned Parenthood, Americans for Separation of Church and State, People for The American Way, and the Hollywarped denizens, have all played their parts to construct The Aberrant Culture.

Libs planned to foment a chaotic, fully fornicating society, with abortion on demand to clean up the mess and it has been very successful.

American traditions are being replaced by gay marriage, gangsta rap, hard and softcore-porn in music, TV broadcasts, and movies. This is proselytized in schools (without parents knowledge or consent under the guise of "Family Life" education), on TV, movies, music.

Leftist revisionists are now busy reinterpreting American history, literature and traditions. Even American heroes like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln are subject to leftist revision and slander.

We are nearing the point where having faith and espousing the Christian religion is close to being criminalized.

If lefties are allowed to continue this course to its logical conclusion, the death of Western Civilization would be upon us.

However, many Christians feel Mel's film will alter the course of history.......and just in time.

5 posted on 02/21/2004 3:25:06 AM PST by Liz
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To: Liz
Amen and Amen
6 posted on 02/21/2004 3:38:25 AM PST by gakrak
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To: Liz
What gets lost in all the fuss about this film is the simple fact that the staunchest supporters of the state of Israel (outside of the Jewish community) are the Conservative Christians in the USA. The reason this fact gets left out of all these discussions is because the discussions are led by leftists --- who hate the Christian religion and the Israeli state with an equal passion.
7 posted on 02/21/2004 3:42:38 AM PST by samtheman
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To: Liz
I posted this quote the other day.

It was posted by Dialup Llama in a thread earlier this week, and he/she did a good job of nailing down the hypocrisy. Here is his quote:

They loved Jesus when he was a clown (Godspell). They went crazy over Him as rock star (Jesus Christ Superstar). When Jesus was portrayed as having an affair with Mary Magdelene (Last Temptation) or as a homosexual (Corpus Christie), the liberal theologians did not object, but took it as an opportunity to explore the misnamed 'historical Jesus.' They cannot stand Jesus as savior. The crucified person is too much for them. They would much prefer the affable teller of parables.

8 posted on 02/21/2004 3:48:39 AM PST by dawn53
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To: Liz


Oddly, Abe Foxman ties bin Laden in his hatred of "The Passion"


Watch November's voting %ages and compare......




9 posted on 02/21/2004 3:53:54 AM PST by autoresponder (JAMES BOND: http://00access.tripod.com/007.html J-FK: http://00access.tripod.com/Kerry.html)
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To: Liz; samtheman
the reason i hang out at FR is to enjoy the eloquence -near to poetry, imo- of comments like your post #5. AND to get samtheman's point too. thank you both.
10 posted on 02/21/2004 3:56:18 AM PST by 1john2 3and4
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To: dawn53; Dialup Llama
DIALUPLlAMA POST They loved Jesus when he was a clown (Godspell). They went crazy over Him as rock star (Jesus Christ Superstar). When Jesus was portrayed as having an affair with Mary Magdelene (Last Temptation) or as a homosexual (Corpus Christie), the liberal theologians did not object, but took it as an opportunity to explore the misnamed 'historical Jesus.' They cannot stand Jesus as savior. The crucified person is too much for them. They would much prefer the affable teller of parables.

Excellent Dialup Lama post. Thanks for adding it to the thread. The insights
expressed by Dialup are revelatory. BTW, I also have a Dialup Llama fave:

DIALUPLlAMA POST (I see that MSNBC continues their downward spiral. they have returned to attacking Mel Gibson's father.) I expect this. The elites can tolerate a Jesus movie if its made in a stilted religious mode. They are OK with movies that take the Gospel as a script. (The Gospels are not a movie script and and using them as a script makes the film take on a stiff quality, almost as if one is making a silent movie with narration going on in the background.) But they cannot stand a movie that clearly portrays Jesus as savior if it has a compelling artistic vision, a good script and has any chance of becoming a cultural phenomena.

11 posted on 02/21/2004 4:01:03 AM PST by Liz
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Comment #12 Removed by Moderator

To: 1john2 3and4
(Blush), many thanks for your kind comments.
13 posted on 02/21/2004 4:03:15 AM PST by Liz
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To: samtheman
i completly agree with you
i spend most of my time on the religion side of FR
i am born again and have buisness associates that are orthodox jewish individuals
we have discussed their veiw of the passion
they have no belief whatsoever that the film is anti-semetic
14 posted on 02/21/2004 4:09:20 AM PST by alpha-8-25-02 (saved by GRACE and GRACE alone)
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To: Wolfgang_Blitzkrieg
Friend, the question is where in God's kingdom are we gonna get enough vodka and valium available to sedate all the hyperventilating libs we have on our hands over this movie?
15 posted on 02/21/2004 4:10:10 AM PST by Liz
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To: Liz
lol.....didnt mean to embarass, but your post just nailed it ....also, visit this thread; http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1082525/posts for a wise rabbi's comments
16 posted on 02/21/2004 4:10:47 AM PST by 1john2 3and4
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To: Technogeeb
Some people (read Foxman's hate group) are now saying that Mel Gibson USED THEM to get publicity for his movie.
17 posted on 02/21/2004 4:11:15 AM PST by kcvl
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To: samtheman
What gets lost in all the fuss about this film is the simple fact that the staunchest supporters of the state of Israel (outside of the Jewish community) are the Conservative Christians in the USA.
18 posted on 02/21/2004 4:12:14 AM PST by kcvl
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To: 1john2 3and4
Thanks for the link....that is a good reference piece.
19 posted on 02/21/2004 4:13:16 AM PST by Liz
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To: dawn53
They loved Jesus when he was a clown (Godspell). They went crazy over Him as rock star (Jesus Christ Superstar). When Jesus was portrayed as having an affair with Mary Magdelene (Last Temptation) or as a homosexual (Corpus Christie), the liberal theologians did not object, but took it as an opportunity to explore the misnamed 'historical Jesus.' They cannot stand Jesus as savior. The crucified person is too much for them. They would much prefer the affable teller of parables.
20 posted on 02/21/2004 4:13:47 AM PST by kcvl
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