[Libertina]

The French have gotten themselves in a pretty little bind, now don't they? They have let in so many muslims they are now threatened in their own country and don't dare upset "them." Ah the religion of peace, how your scent so resembles aged French cheese.

[Aquinasfan]

They fear Christianity and a Mohammedan backlash.

[FreeReign]

The film was released in America and Australia last week but French distributors are wary of its impact on audiences and want to gauge its reception elsewhere in Europe, where it is due to open next month. A veteran film industry figure said: "We don't want to be on the side of those who support such anti-Semitism.

And in a similar country today, Christianity was banned. Said a veteren lawmaker: "we don't want to be on the side of those who support such anti-Semitism."

[Sloth]

More likely, they're blocking it because it depicts many Jews - and one in particular - in a positive light.

[bond7]

Regarding France:

I just finished (today actually) "Franklin and Winston", the story of the incredible personal relationship between Roosevelt and Churchill that got us through WWII. It was interesting to read their thoughts of France in 1945. During the famous Yalta meeting, the shape of a post-war world was being discussed. Stalin (who we hoped would be a continuing ally at this stage) stated that France folded so fast, that they deserved no positive consideration what-so-ever.

Roosevelt disliked de Gualle and found him haughty and unlikeable.

Some things never change.....

A great read for history buffs, by the way.

[Gritty]

Honestly, I can't see any French Muslims going to this film - not unless they want to be on the receiving end of their very own Jihad. Therefore, it is unlikely the "anti-semitism" will flower more than usual. That is just the excuse.

I think the genuine reason is the French secularists are afraid of Jesus and what a Christian religious revival would do to their country, their power and their comfortable compromises. It's Jesus and His Message which threaten them, as usual.

They are not unlike those Pharisees prominently featured in The Passion....

[Dr. Scarpetta]

Last year Paris police were forced to set up a unit to deal with anti-Semitic crimes.

Obviously France needs more people converted to Christianity so they will learn that being anti-Semitic is a sin, as Mel Gibson said. This movie can only help people to practice compassion, as Jesus taught.

[fire_eye]

I brought home a ream of inkjet printer paper from Office Depot last week. It said H-P on it so I thought it must be good stuff.

My wife noticed it was made in France.

I went back and exchanged it for some made in Brazil, so we're back on speaking terms now.

She says I still have to sleep on the couch for a while though.

[hosepipe]

Wrong approach completely... Should have been:

Passion of Christ WILL NOT BE DISTRIBUTED in France by order of Mel Gibson....

NOW.. that would have worked.. still could..

[TomasUSMC]

Before seeing the movie " The Passion of the Christ", the French should be told, it is helpfull to have read the book.

[Dante3]

It is absurd to say that this film will promote anti-Semtism or prejudice against Italians. It happened far too long a time ago.

This same argument could be made that films about Vikings would promote anti-Scandinavian sentiments. There been many WWII movies made recently and none have led to rioting against Germans.

[Dog Gone]

I'm not clear whether this is a decision by French distributors or by the French government. I'm guessing it's the former, but that seems a little weird. Money talks, and nobody has beat up a Jew upon exiting the movie yet.

[Zack Nguyen]

Would it be out of bounds to wonder if France's anti-Jewish issues are caused by the sizable Muslim population there? Does anyone have any insight?