Morford: How To Gag On 'The Passion' (Gibson's brutal snuff film makes a mockery of true belief)

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | Friday, April 16, 2004 | Mark Morford (they finally found the other gerbil)

[presidio9]

Perhaps you, like so many across the planet, are more than a bit baffled by the runaway success of "The Passion of the Christ."

Perhaps you, furthermore, are more than slightly disturbed that millions have flocked to this bizarre ultraviolent blood-drenched revisionist flick and that so many actually believe its story to be absolutely true, and that it just surpassed "The Return of the King" in total box office and is the No. 8 most successful film of all time and it was No. 1 again across BushCo's flyover states during Easter weekend and has sold 650,000 books and 125,000 creepy pewter nail necklaces and you find it all just incredibly warped and disheartening and what the hell is the world coming to.

You are not alone.

[presidio9]

I'm touched. I feel like, upon her release from rehab, she wrote this article just for me.

[Democratshavenobrains]

You catch glimpses of this revolting cartoonishness through barely parted fingers and you think, goddammit, there goes half an hour of my vital life force that I will require much sex and vodka and Buddhism to recover.

Isn't one of the central beliefs of Buddhism NOT to insult what other people believe? Some Buddhist.

[.38sw]

Morford's back? Oh, goody. Such a treat.

[Slings and Arrows]

"Crystal Meth: Helping Mark Morford write columns since 2000."

[This message brought to you by the Crystal Meth Dealers of America.]

[cyborg]

heh... the effete one is out of the looney bin I see

[Argus]

Mel's deliberate provocation of the pseuds and phonies who like to dismiss Christianity as a mildly pathetic, daisy-shaped fridge magnet of a religion scores another bullseye.

[presidio9]

He's baaaaaaack...

[jcb8199]

Ugh. That's all I can say...

I wonder how she would feel if I wailed on homosexuals, abortion, gun-control, taxes, and John Kerry...bet she would come out fighting about "tolerance" and "acceptance" and trying to understand and respect other people's opinions and choices...

[Little Pig]

Because it is vitally important to Morford's ... er... choice of lifestyle that Jesus didn't really suffer like that for all of us. Because if he did, then maybe all that other stuff in the Bible is also true, and that would mean what Morford does behind closed doors (at least I hope he closes the door) is wrong. Not to mention all those other uncomfortable moral issues that come up. It's much easier for people like Morford if Jesus was just a nice guy who had some interesting ideas, because then it's ok to ignore him (or put words in his mouth) and not take seriously the idea that there might be a right and wrong way to live (note the multiple references to alcohol and general licentiousness, and ridicule).

[My2Cents]

I love how he has the gall to speak on behalf of Jesus Christ at the end of his article. If this guy has the "mind of Christ," we're all lost.

[Army Air Corps]

What a heartless, scurrilous a**-clown. If the author does not share Mel's faith, sobeit; it does not excuse the mocking and disrespecftul tone of this groteque polemic. In short - FEH!

[Not A Snowbird]

Nope, sorry, not baffled at all.

Anything that distresses Mr./Ms. Morford must be good!

[pogo101]

... How To Gag On 'The Passion' ...

I should think that Miss Morford would be more competent at advising on how to suppress the gag reflex.

Seriously, she's deliberately punning with that headline.

[B Knotts]

I see Miss Morford is back from the institution. Is Lemmiwinks OK?

[Blood of Tyrants]

Interesting that a non-believer is trying believers what the think or believe about Jesus.

[per loin]

Someone should notify the Morford that the sound track from "The Passion" has gone gold. That will make his day.

[Leroy S. Mort]

Morford cracks me up. I keep wanting to hand him a napkin to wipe his chin with.

[B Knotts]

I keep wanting to hand him a napkin to wipe his chin with.

Whatever you do, don't ask for it back!