Gibson's passion film 'too Catholic'

Belfast Telegraph ^ | 19 March 2004 | Alf McCreary

[presidio9]

THE controversial Mel Gibson film 'The Passion of the Christ' has been dismissed by the Evangelical Protestant Society as a 'Catholic' interpretation of events which "does not present the Gospel".

Wallace Thompson, secretary of the Evangelical Protestant Society, said the film displayed "an un-Biblical fixation on Mary, the mother of Jesus. None of this should surprise us, for both Mel Gibson and Jim Caviezel, who plays the part of Christ, are enthusiastic devotees of the traditional teachings of the Church of Rome."

He further claims that Mel Gibson "belongs to an ultra-conservative Catholic group which does not recognise the reforms of Vatican II, and celebrates Mass in Latin".

Mr Thompson says that "this malign influence of Rome ought to cause all evangelical Protestants to reject The Passion of the Christ" and refuse to be swayed by the subtleties of the alleged arguments in favour of it.

Sadly, however, it will be welcomed and praised by many who ought to know better."

Mr Thompson also says that the film is "extremely violent", and that "anyone who watches it will be shaken and possibly terrified by its graphic and bloody scenes."

[DallasMike]

I'm a staunch Protestant and thought that the movie was wonderful. This review presents a very tiny minority opinion.

[atomicpossum]

Reminds me of the bit in Blazing Saddles:

Slim Pickens: 'We'll kill the first born son of every family!'

Harvey Korman: 'Too Jewish.'

[dawn53]

Mr Thompson says that "this malign influence of Rome ought to cause all evangelical Protestants to reject The Passion of the Christ" and refuse to be swayed by the subtleties of the alleged arguments in favour of it

Sorry to disappoint you Mr. Thompson, but we're Protestant evangelicals and we loved the film. In fact we're seeing it again this weekend.

The imagery blew me away and I'm looking forward to seeing it again, so I can look for things I missed on the first viewing.

[johniegrad]

Can't you just feel the love in Northern Ireland?

[presidio9]

This review presents a very tiny minority opinion.

Note the source: A Protestant in Belfast.

That's not to take sides in that argument, but to remind you that Protestants in Belfast really hate Catholics. And, I'm sure, the feeling is mutual.

[presidio9]

Can't you just feel the love in Northern Ireland?

These two groups can't get past their differences to see just how much they have in common. Their energies would be so much better served hating religious philosophies that truely deserve it. I can think of one especially.

[ladtx]

Imagine that. An Irish Protestant disliking a film made by a Catholic. Don't suppose there would be an underlying reason for the dislike would you?

[Pan_Yans Wife]

And Christmas is too Christian! /sarcasm

[nmh]

It is but I've seen churches who went in groups go back and discuss that movie as well as where it departs FROM the Bible. It has helped clarify why many are not Catholic and could never turn to Catholicism since it is not in agreement with the Bible.

[Aracelis]

THE controversial Mel Gibson film 'The Passion of the Christ' has been dismissed by the Evangelical Protestant Society as a 'Catholic' interpretation of events which "does not present the Gospel".

ROFL! Must be a wee jealous of the success. I was raised a Fundie and found the movie powerful, thought-provoking and compelling. Sure, there was some Catholicism in the movie, but guess what! Mel Gibson is a Catholic!

Sheesh! You'd think by now some protestants would be over the "Catholics are not Christians" bologna.

Mr Thompson also says that the film is "extremely violent", and that "anyone who watches it will be shaken and possibly terrified by its graphic and bloody scenes."

NEWSFLASH! Roman crucifixions were bad, bloody and terribly violent. Personally, I think every Christian of majority age should see what Christ endured.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

On St. Pat's Day, I was talking to mother. And she mentioned our Protestant ancestors in Belfast, and that she wore green in honor of them.

I reminded her she should have worn orange. LOL

[B Knotts]

You're right...but they'll be here on this thread nonetheless. :-(

[freebilly]

Wallace Thompson, secretary of the Evangelical Protestant Society, said the film displayed "an un-Biblical fixation on Mary, the mother of Jesus. None of this should surprise us, for both Mel Gibson and Jim Caviezel, who plays the part of Christ, are enthusiastic devotees of the traditional teachings of the Church of Rome."

Oh them devil worshipping Catlicks...!

[kittymyrib]

I suggest Mr. Thompson put up his own money and make a film telling the account of the crucifixion according to his evangelical protestant interpretation. It's easy to sit back and criticize the efforts of others. As an evangelical, I appreciated the film's beauty and power. I expected Mel Gibson to present it as a reflection of his faith. However, some people love to be critical, especially if it gets their name in the paper, as any criticism of The Passion of the Christ will most certainly do.

[BibChr]

As a Christian, I certainly have no affection for Rome's dogmas; and I did go in concerned. And some Mary-over-emphases did bother me a bit at first.

But then I asked myself whether, had I been unaware of the monstrous disservice done to Mary long after her death, would I have been equally troubled? The answer is "No." I would have just seen it as the director further humanizing the events and personalizing them by showing them from the perspective of one actual participant, the mother of Jesus' human nature: Mary.

So I'd say this issue is worth noting, worth discussing, and worth dismissing.

Dan
What Is Biblical Christianity?

[3dognight]

As a born again Christian from a very Roman Catholic family I loved the movie. It makes me never want to sin again. The hatred the Protestants and Catholics have for each other in Belfast is sin - so its probably easier for them to keep on sinning if they don't have to see the penalty Christ paid for it.

[Mr. Lucky]

Yeah, that's a thoughful post.

[ahayes]

I was wondering why these Evangelical Protestants seem so far departed from those I know, and then I realized they're in Belfast.

[af_vet_1981]

This review presents a very tiny minority opinion.

They claim to be a Fundamentalist Protestant group. I haven't heard of this particular group before but here is a link that discusses some of their clergy. The site is under development though so the text could change.

I receive all sorts of magazines in the post, but the most recent edition of the Ulster Bulwark, the magazine of the fundamentalist pressure group, the Evangelical Protestant Society, has really intrigued me. The January-March 2002 edition has left me wondering if there is a new alignment taking place within Protestant fundamentalism. The Ulster Bulwark announces that two new members have been appointed to the EPS Council, the organisation’s governing body. These are the Rev. Dr. Eric Culbertson, rector of Tullanisken and Clonoe parishes in Co Tyrone, and the Rev. Stephen Dickinson, minister of Glenarm and Cairnalbana Presbyterian Churches in Co. Antrim. What’s so special about these two appointments, you might ask, given that both these clergymen have well established reputations as very clear preachers of the Gospel message? I’ve personally heard both clerics speaking publicly, and both are very good communicators of their particular messages. But cast a little eye over some of the other members of the EPS Council, and some very interesting questions begin to arise as to what is supposedly happening within Protestant fundamentalist circles. The Ulster Bulwark lists two of the other EPS Council members as Mr. George Dawson, and Rev. David McConaghie. Again, you might ask - so what?