THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.. (It's here!!).. Live thread!

Your Right Wing Chef ^ | Feb 23 2004 | Carlo3b

[carlo3b]

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST.. (A HIT OR A MISS?).. Live thread!

Contrary to popular media pronouncements, the first of the commercial showing of this long awaited, landmark, and controversial film has already debuted and the misconceptions that the fate of this endeavor hangs in the balance.. That is HOGWASH.. The Passion of the Christ is on the brink of a record breaking opening, in spite of the limited available screens, and the all out, and outragous efforts on the part of the National Media's near unanimous rejection, and the Hollywood establishment roadblocks to stymie this motion picture and it's brilliant and courageous director/producer..

I just receive a call from friends that attended a church sponsored midday showing of the movie with more than 850 of their fellow flock. The collective response was "it was sobering and breathtaking, and they existed with a profound feeling of moral inadequacy".

I toyed with the idea of accepting an invitation to book a private showing at a local theater for this weekend, however after calling a few local churches to help fill the seats I discovered that all (I call 12) of the parishes and neighborhood churches had already secured their own private dates with sellout crowds.. Every one of them had sold the seats within a day of their announcements... I just may book a threater in three weeks for all of my friends and family, that wish to watch it again, and again..

Your comments...

[HairOfTheDog]

I think everyone dial back the tension a little bit! Now everyone is debating the rightness or wrongness of popcorn!

[formerDem]

"True, however the Movie Theaters make nearly all their money on concessions and literally no money on the movie. So if nobody buys popcorn or cokes, then the theaters will be hesitant to show pictures like this again in the future.

So buy some popcorn and some candy and some cokes. Support the theaters that are courageous enough to show this film. Heck, don't eat the popcorn, give it to the guy behind you in line."

Very good point. Get to the movie early and eat the popcorn during previews and pre-movie commercials.

[luckystarmom]

I'm just glad I got babysitters for my kids, so I can see the movie. Some girls in our church are babysitting lots of kids so that the adults can see the movie. I'm barely going to have time to get them ready for the night.

I also don't want my stomach growling during the movie. I think I'd be more distracted by being hungry than by actually eating.

[Unam Sanctam]

Evidently it is a sin to disagree with the diefication of Mary around here.

No Catholics believe in the "deification of Mary". Mary is a creature, not the creator. You are criticizing what you believe about the Catholic Church, not the Catholic Church itself, since you misrepresent her teachings.

[2nd Amendment]

I've found that this pending movie allows me to discuss serious faith issues with my Roman Catholic friends. I'm a typical "faith alone" protestant of the Baptist ilk, but am challenged by the testimony of Mel Gibson, an erstwhile fundamentalist Catholic. No Protestant has ever produced such an accurate and moving movie about the sufferings of Christ. Although we agreed not to force the baggage of our doctrine on eachother, we could agree that Mary was the most blessed of women and that our sins placed Christ on the cross.

[mylife]

Not only is Mel on O'rielly tomorrow night but the PAX Special "The Making of The Passion of the Christ" will be Rebroadcast on PAX Network Tomorrow (Tuesday) at 7 PM ET.

Thanks for the heads up

[all4one]

"I have waited a lifetime to stick it in the Hollywood elitist eye.. Join me in this labor of love.. POPCORN anyone..:)"

Well said!! I believe that the Hollyweird elitist who have been trying to pan this movie, and create an anti-semitism slant are going to be eating crow!! (BTW is crow low-carb?)

I believe that the word of mouth, and the ground swell of people who will be seeing this movie this first week is going to be IMMENSE! And the weeks thereafter are going to break box office records. The premise of this movie and Mel Gibson's passion to get this movie out to the public, goes against everything that the Hollywood of today believes.

[prairiebreeze]

Carlo, thank you for the thread and the ping. Somebody has suggested it stay in Breaking News so that people can post and not have multiple threads. I like that idea, but if Jim and the mods don't want to have it in Breaking News, do you think you could please send out periodic pings to your list to keep drawing folks back to it? Pretty Please??

I suppose it could be bookmarked too.....I'm just thinking out loud because I've been waiting WEEKS since I saw the preview to chat with FReepers and others about it!! And now, it's almost opening day.

BTW, I just bought tickets to experience it again. Taking hubby this time.

Prairie

[jwalsh07]

Certainly. Christ alone is the mediator. Christ alone suffered and died to give us a path to heaven. And Christ alone is the savior.

The traditions of each religion are there's alone and cople nobody else. Why such animus exists about the traditions of one religion vs another is something I will never understand.

[prairiebreeze]

It isn't a popcorn movie. But I'll buy some concessions anyway, even if I don't eat them so the movie theater gets some more profit from showing this film.

Somebody said that the concession stand is where most of their profit comes from

Prairie

[commish]

Ecactly! Last time I checked we all read the same book, and believed the same things. Whether one prays directly to jesus, or holds a rosary and prays through Mary or through a saint doesn't really matter in the end.

The path taken is different for all of us, but it is the doorway at the end of the path that matters. How we show our devotion to god and how we worship matter not a whit. All that matters is that in the end we accept our Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the almighty god and the Virgin mary, as our personal savior and recognize that he gave up his life and suffered immeasurably so that we may sit at the lords side forever.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Whether one prays directly to jesus, or holds a rosary and prays through Mary or through a saint doesn't really matter in the end.

ooh you better put on the asbestos cape now

[HiTech RedNeck]

[ps i disagree; others will probably put it far more colorfully]

[Lucas McCain]

Anyone who could eat popcorn during this movie has an iron stomach. I saw it today. The scourging scene was gut-wrenching and relentless. My thought was that being nailed to a cross must have been a relief after the scourging.

[bannie]

I just cover my eyes and peek 'tween my fingers. I'm not hot about violence, either.

[AppyPappy]

The scourging was intended to kill.

[commish]

[ps i disagree; others will probably put it far more colorfully]

Freepers put things colorfully? Surely you jest?

I know that there a lot of people who have some very strong opinions on religion and prayer, if they wish to take me to task for that statement then so be it.

I personally think that there are very many paths to the lord, and as long as one is faithful to the path you choose to follow then the Lords offer of redemtion is available. The Bottom line in all religions though is the acceptance of Jesus as Savior, that one is non-negotiable.

[RightOnline]

"Will be attending Saturday morning at 9:00 AM. Hope they serve something other than popcorn at that time of the day!"

Don't know what you'll be eating, hoosiermama, but I DO know what they'll be eating in Hollywood.

LOTS of crow........with humble pie on the side.

[2nd Amendment]

I don't intend to get drawn into a theology dispute about Catholicism vs. Protestantism. I suspect, even in our little fundamentalist circles, we have traditions of men that are not necessarily inspired. I claim John 14:6 (I am the Way, The Truth, and the Life, No man . . ) I believe (perhaps in our dying moments) we must pur our sole trust in Christ the Lord (ala. the Thief on the Cross, who had no time for doctrinal debates) I don't necessarily dismiss doctrine. It only means teachings and we all need to be taught. I just hope this film causes all of us to realize the profound suffering we caused Christ and the great gift he gave us!

[hoosiermama]

This week our preacher asked for prayers...Nine pastors in our community, Baptist, Luthern, Methodist, Presbyterian, Catholic, Nazarene, etc are going on a retreat, lasting several days TOGETHER.....

They realize they are all part of "the body of Christ" That the bible doesn't mention church affiliation.....They are praying for "revival" of our community.

Viewing the "Passion" will be one of their "activities" .......We are expecting more miracles,........ the first being their "retreat"......