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Mel Gibson May be an Alcoholic, a Sedevacantist and an Anti-Semite – But He Has My Sympathy
The Catholic Herald (UK) ^ | 10/25/10 | Stuart Reid

Posted on 10/26/2010 7:21:57 AM PDT by marshmallow

Hollywood has turned against him: he has been dropped from the cast of Hangover 2

Here we go again. Mel Gibson has been dropped from the cast of Hangover 2. He was to have had a cameo role as a tattooist – the role played in the original Hangover by that winsome rapist Mike Tyson – but at the weekend it emerged that his co-stars had decided that they could not appear alongside a man whose wickedness has dragged the good name of Hollywood through the mud. Over at Salon Matt Zoller Seitz thinks he detects double standards at play:

“There’s something about this Hangover 2 thing that doesn’t pass the smell test. It seems, at the very least, yet another example of the selective outrage that fuels controversy-driven entertainment coverage, and Hollywood posturing generally, with actors, directors, producers, studio bosses and other players working themselves into a righteous snit about certain people and offenses while giving others a pass.”

Go here for the whole thing.

The case against Mel is that he is anti-Semitic, homophobic, violent and alcoholic, and, to add insult to injury, a Roman Catholic. That’s a bad combination in Hollywood. Most Hollywood types can forgive alcoholism and a little domestic violence, but they draw the line at anti-Semitism and homophobia, and they don’t like Catholicism unless it comes from Bing Crosby and is wrapped in tinsel. No one would ever accuse Mel of wrapping his Catholicism in tinsel.

But hang on, is Mel Gibson really a Catholic? No, say his critics; he is a sedevacantist and therefore a schismatic and therefore not a Catholic. You didn’t hear much talk of that sort when The Passion of the Christ was released in 2004. Then it was Mel the conquering Catholic hero; now, in some quarters at least, it is Mel the Damned. When I last wrote about him three months ago, one reader declared in the combox: “I am sorry to say that Mel will go to Hell when he dies. He is NOT a Catholic and absolutely does not practice the true Catholic faith.” Bless that reader for having compassion enough to regret that Mel Gibson is doomed to spend an eternity in unspeakable misery.

But not even Google can tell us exactly what Mel’s religious position is. His friend the Jesuit scholar William Fulco says that Mel denies neither the Pope nor Vatican II. Mel Gibson is obviously a religious nut, however, and there must have been times when, as a loyal son, he embraced his father’s sedevacantism. It is possible that he remains a sede. But so far as I know he has never questioned, far less rejected, any part of Catholic teaching. That’s more than can be said for a lot of Catholics, including priests and bishops. Surveys show that most Catholics in the comfortable West do not accept the Church’s teaching on (for example) birth control. They don’t just ignore it – the way we all ignore moral teaching from time to time – they believe the Church is in error. So it could be that some of those accusing Gibson of sedecavantism may themselves be heretics, or at the very least recalcitrant dissidents. I am not defending sedevacantism – on the contrary – but I am suggesting that sedes are sometimes more faithful to Church teaching than respectable Catholics in the suburbs.

Whatever Mel’s status as a Catholic, however, he is in his anger and resentments a classic type of Catholic alcoholic. His anti-Semitism is very Catholic, too. Catholic anti-Semites are very rarely prejudiced against individual Jews, but have a “thing” about Jews collectively. G K Chesterton loved individual Jews, and was outspoken in his condemnation Hitler’s anti-Semitism, but he was able to write:

“I am fond of Jews
Jews are fond of money
Never mind of whose
I am fond of Jews
Oh, but when they lose
Damn it all, it’s funny.”

Some might say that those lines are quite innocent, but I am not sure many Jews would.

Mel himself obviously has nothing against Jewish people. His agent, Alan Nierob, is Jewish. Nierob is also the agent of Liam Neeson, who has been picked to replace Gibson in the cameo role in Hangover 2 – pending, as Nierob has said, “clearance of cast and crew background check”. Probably the only sane response to this is to laugh.

All the same, I have sympathies with Mel Gibson, if only because I, too, am an alcoholic, and sense that if I were to go back on the booze I might soon find myself doing Gibson turns. My perhaps rather pious hope is that Mel will sober up – whether or not he is drinking now, he is not sober – and make his peace with the Church. He can after all do that and continue to hear Mass in the old rite. First, though, he must learn moderation. That’s more than I have ever managed to do, but I am persuaded that the only antidote to booze, anger and bad religion is love of God and neighbour, especially when your neighbour is also your enemy.


TOPICS: Catholic; Current Events; General Discusssion
KEYWORDS: gibson; melgibson
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To: RegulatorCountry
Lots of reindeer, lots of redheads, lots of amanita muscaria ~ for the reindeers ~ makes 'em happy.

Have you seen that video the BBC did on reindeer eating that mushroom ~ they are large ones, so the reindeer grabs a big bunch and runs off with it ~ looks like he has a red nose.

Then, later, the reindeer stands there with his eyes circling. Check out one of several short subjects: >http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MkCS9ePWuLU.

A Russian researcher discovered that most (not all, but most) Sa'ami do not have an enzyme necessary to metabolish alcohol.

SOoooo000o-OOOO ~

81 posted on 10/27/2010 2:41:18 PM PDT by muawiyah ("GIT OUT THE WAY" The Republicans are coming)
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To: ansel12
I am getting overly amused!

Mel Gibson is doing more to harm himself, and has done more to harm himself than any other person or group on the planet.

He has nobody but himself to blame for his problems.

But lets all excuse his racism, and call anyone who brings attention to it a racist! After all, it seems he has the right enemies (other than himself, he being his own worst enemy).

82 posted on 10/27/2010 2:41:41 PM PDT by allmendream (Income is EARNED not distributed. So how could it be re-distributed?)
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To: allmendream
He was raised up in his father's Church, learning from his father. When asked about his father's WELL KNOWN Holocaust denial, he said “My father never lied to me.” He supported and advocated as truth his father's Holocaust denial.

You are a liar that keeps claiming that Mel Gibson is a holocaust denier, the most serious thing that a person can be to you, yet you can not show us where he has ever said it.

That is a disgusting smear, show us where Gibson denies the concentration deaths.

Your obsession with this man is unbelievable.

83 posted on 10/27/2010 2:42:20 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: allmendream

Your absolute refusal to even acknowledge Hollywood’s war against Christianity is bigotry and racism, that on this thread alone, goes way beyond a drunken statement.


84 posted on 10/27/2010 2:44:57 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: Perdogg

Mine neither. But Mel is NOT and anti-Semite. There is a world of difference between a drunk mouthing off and actually feelings. I know a man, when drunk, even says he hates his own mother (others also). And, no it is not true.


85 posted on 10/27/2010 2:45:50 PM PDT by Jane Austen (Boycott the Philadelphia Eagles!)
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To: mas cerveza por favor
In context it certainly is.

While Mel Gibson admitted that “some” Jews died in concentration camps, his answer to his father's rationale that the Germans just couldn't have possibly killed that many, they didn't have enough gas, most fled, etc - was that “My father never lied to me”.

But I guess no bridge is a bridge to far for “Saint Mel” for some people.

He said stupid things and made himself look like an idiot, now even other Hollywood idiots don't want to work with him.

He has nobody to blame but himself (and possibly his father, who taught him so much that was supposedly never a lie).

86 posted on 10/27/2010 2:46:17 PM PDT by allmendream (Income is EARNED not distributed. So how could it be re-distributed?)
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To: allmendream
Gee whiz, I go away somewhere else and then come back to this thread and after I reported that the man is a diagnosed victim of bipolar disorder you say he's a "loon".

We are retrogressing here. Yes, he's a "loon" ~ an awful of folks with bipolar disorder can give you that impression.

On the other hand, it's a very well-known condition and those who personally know such folks do try to LOOK BEYOND IT ~ because, frankly, not a lot can be done.

There are medicines that help ~ and the best thing you can do is encourage the victims to use the medicines.

Frankly, it's stupid to stand there with your arm outstretched pointing your finger at them and doing a hissy. It's not like they can control it!

And don't give'em likker

87 posted on 10/27/2010 2:47:54 PM PDT by muawiyah ("GIT OUT THE WAY" The Republicans are coming)
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To: ansel12
Your obsession with defending the man is unbelievable.

But really - be sure to cry and cry that your favorite antisemitic millionaire is losing work!

Ludicrous that a convicted and unrepentant rapist (much more serious than Holocaust denial, despite your idiotic attempt to mind read me) is OK for them to work with, but not Loony ol’ Mel. But there you have it.

But after all “Hangover 2” would just be another Hollywood attack on Christianity anyway, they ALL are !!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!

88 posted on 10/27/2010 2:49:59 PM PDT by allmendream (Income is EARNED not distributed. So how could it be re-distributed?)
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To: allmendream

You are a liar that keeps posting that someone is a holocaust denier, but you cannot show him ever saying that.

That is being truly obsessed, the willingness to push a lie on freerepublic, out of hatred for an individual, is beyond the pale.


89 posted on 10/27/2010 2:57:01 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: allmendream
In context it certainly is.

The context was an badgering interview trying to make him denounce his father. He was obviously uncomfortable with entire line of questioning and gave ambiguous responses. Your piecing together a "denial" in this context is an attempt to read the man's soul.

You may think you have reason to suspect that Mel doubts the six million figure but to say the he "denied the Holocaust" is patently false.

90 posted on 10/27/2010 3:04:12 PM PDT by mas cerveza por favor
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To: mas cerveza por favor

From Reader’s digest;

When asked whether he believed the Holocaust happened, the younger Gibson replied, “Yes, of course.”


91 posted on 10/27/2010 3:07:46 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: mas cerveza por favor; allmendream
Here is the quote in it's context.

Here is the relevant portion of the interview by Peggy Noonan, and Reader's Digest, along with the quote that our resident bigot has been misusing over and over.

RD: Your father. I have read in some articles that your father has some very conservative religious beliefs, and, according to at least one story, that he has questioned some of the accepted versions of the Holocaust. Is there anything you want to share about that?
Gibson: My dad taught me my faith, and I believe what he taught me. The man never lied to me in his life. He was born in 1918. He lost his mother at 2 years of age. He lost his father at 15. He went through the Depression. He signed up for World War II, went off to Guadalcanal, got malaria and shot at and didn't like it too much. Served his country fighting the forces of fascism. Came back, worked very hard physically, raised a family, put a roof over my head, clothed me, fed me, taught me my faith, loved me. I love him back. So I'll slug it out until my heart is black-and-blue if anyone ever tries to hurt him.

RD: You're going to have to go on record. The Holocaust happened, right?
Gibson: I have friends and parents of friends who have numbers on their arms. The guy who taught me Spanish was a Holocaust survivor. He worked in a concentration camp in France. Yes, of course. Atrocities happened. War is horrible. The Second World War killed tens of millions of people. Some of them were Jews in concentration camps. Many people lost their lives. In the Ukraine, several million starved to death between 1932 and 1933. During the last century, 20 million people died in the Soviet Union.

92 posted on 10/27/2010 3:24:10 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: ansel12; allmendream

I am sure that if Mel would only denounce his father, all would be forgiven and Mel could return to the good graces of Hollywood.


93 posted on 10/27/2010 3:31:02 PM PDT by mas cerveza por favor
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To: ansel12
So then, if someone was asked about Hitler, and his views of the Jews, and someone responded...

“Hitler taught me my faith, and I believe what he taught me. The man never lied to me in his life.”

That wouldn't be an endorsement of Hitler's views on the Jews? No? Really?

Mel Gibson was asked about his father, and his father's view that the Holocaust didn't happen, Mel responded....

“My dad taught me my faith, and I believe what he taught me. The man never lied to me in his life.”

That isn't an endorsement of his father's view of the Holocaust? No? Really?

Keep telling yourself that!

94 posted on 10/27/2010 3:35:10 PM PDT by allmendream (Income is EARNED not distributed. So how could it be re-distributed?)
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To: allmendream

You are just too far gone to keep trying to deal with.


95 posted on 10/27/2010 3:38:41 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: mas cerveza por favor
A little late for that!

All he had to say is “My father said/believes some things that I don't necessarily believe.”

He said the OPPOSITE of that. That his father taught him, he believes what his father taught him, and that his father never lied to him.

In context it is obvious that he is saying that his father taught him Holocaust denial, he believes his father's Holocaust denial, and he insists his father never lied to him about the Holocaust.

96 posted on 10/27/2010 3:39:31 PM PDT by allmendream (Income is EARNED not distributed. So how could it be re-distributed?)
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To: mas cerveza por favor

It isn’t his father that Hollywood started hating Gibson for, it was “The Passion of the Christ”. That interview was actually about The Passion.

I think that is what is driving our weird little friend here as well.


97 posted on 10/27/2010 3:42:16 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: allmendream
Mel Gibson was asked about his father, and his father's view that the Holocaust didn't happen,

Even when shown the interview itself you keep lying.

You are despicable.

98 posted on 10/27/2010 3:52:15 PM PDT by ansel12
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To: ansel12
You are delusional.

The question that Mel Gibson responded to ended with “ (your father) has questioned some of the accepted versions of the Holocaust. Is there anything you want to share about that?”

That seems to comport well with my characterization that he was asked about his father and his father's view that the Holocaust didn't happen.

Killing a few thousand wouldn't be a Holocaust, killing six million was. Mel Gibson's father has consistently argued that the Holocaust didn't happen as reported in history, that it was overblown, that the Germans couldn't have possibly killed that many for logistical reasons, and that most of the reported six million dead fled to other nations.

99 posted on 10/27/2010 4:01:13 PM PDT by allmendream (Income is EARNED not distributed. So how could it be re-distributed?)
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To: ansel12
Attempting to mind read me again?

You are not very good at it.

Despicable.

100 posted on 10/27/2010 4:02:33 PM PDT by allmendream (Income is EARNED not distributed. So how could it be re-distributed?)
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