Anti-bias group hits Mel's 'Passion'

NY Daily News ^ | August 12, 2003 | LEO STANDORA

[presidio9]

Mel Gibson's controversial new film about the crucifixion of Jesus was panned yesterday by the Anti-Defamation League. ADL officials emerged from a screening of "The Passion" concerned that the film might "fuel hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism."

"The film unambiguously portrays Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob as the ones responsible for the decision to crucify Jesus," said ADL national director Abraham Foxman.

"We are deeply concerned that the film, if released in its present form, will fuel the hatred, bigotry and anti-Semitism that many responsible churches have worked hard to repudiate," he added.

The controversy began after an early version of the script leaked out in April and was critiqued by Christian and Jewish scholars, who said they found it anti-Semitic and historically inaccurate.

The "Braveheart" star spent nearly $30 million of his own money to make the film in Latin and the Aramaic language spoken by Jesus. Gibson, said to be a devout Catholic traditionalist who eschews the reforms of Vatican II, denied he's anti-Semitic.

A spokesman for the star said his intent was to combat hatred.

"Neither he nor his film are inspired by anti-Semitism, and he will continue to do whatever he can to combat hatred and bigotry," said Alan Nierob. "Mel Gibson, for his whole life and career, has been vehemently opposed to anti-Semitism and hatred of others."

[AppyPappy]

The hit dog always yelps

[danneskjold]

lemmings...

[freebilly]

The controversy began after an early version of the script leaked out in April and was critiqued by Christian and Jewish scholars, who said they found it anti-Semitic and historically inaccurate.

That's correct. Everyone knows it was white right-wing hetero males who handed Christ over to Rome....

[FreedomSurge]

What is going to be the reaction when the movie actually comes out and it turns out the movie is not anti Jewish?

Aren't people going to rightfully conclude that there was a deeper more sinister agenda behind the demonization of Gibson and his movie?

If anyone believes that the motivation behind the attack on the movie is anything other than an expression of hatred of Christianity, they are naive. Methinks the anti Christites are over playing their hand.

[Zavien Doombringer]

The film unambiguously portrays Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob as the ones responsible for the decision to crucify Jesus," said ADL national director Abraham Foxman.

Well, isn't that the way scripture puts it...I mean, It did happen that way. What are they trying to do, rewrite history?

You didn't see much of an uproar about William Wallace or the family of Tarleton (Tavington) in the Patriot...

[mewzilla]

Abraham Foxman, FOB. Oh, now there's someone I want to hear from on the subject of anti-Semitism.

[joesnuffy]

Anti-Christ league pans film
declares that Christ must be crucified (in absentia) for blasemphy
along with Mel Gibson (since we no longer have Romans to do the job for us)
ADL = modern day Pharasies (the high priests of atheism and the dogma of Darwin)

[presidio9]

[wolficatZ]

Blah blah blah... What tiresome whining.
Is it their intent to cut the film to ribbons, or completely destroy all the prints and negatives, eradicating the movie "The Passion" off the face of the aarth?
Sure seems like it.

[headsonpikes]

"Methinks the anti Christites are over playing their hand."

Agreed; I think the ADL's review was written weeks in advance of the screening.

[joesnuffy]

blasphemy
my lis dexie is showing

[RoughDobermann]

historically inaccurate

Besides the New Testament, what other works of 'history' are there detailing the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth? Josephus?

[MEG33]

I say the New Testament needs editing.That will please everyone.Instead of Jewish..what shall Jesus,Mary,Joseph,the disciples,and followers of Jesus be?What shall we make the crowds who listened to the sermon on the mount?What shall we make of those who took Jesus from the cross and laid him in the tomb?Hmmm?

[RoughDobermann]

Everyone knows it was white right-wing hetero males who handed Christ over to Rome....

Funny, I thought it was one of his disciples. What was his name?

[vigilo]

Funny, I thought it was one of his disciples. What was his name?

Judas handed Him over to the Jewish leaders. They handed Him over to the Romans and insisted He be put to death. Some people can't handle the truth.

[mr.pink]

Considering the criminality the ADL has engaged in under Foxman's stewardship, I find any carping done by that organization to be pretty humorous.

They should put ole Abe out to pasture and regain respectibility.

[mewzilla]

Click here to see more of Mr. Foxman's good works.

[Snuffington]

"The film unambiguously portrays Jewish authorities and the Jewish mob as the ones responsible for the decision to crucify Jesus," said ADL national director Abraham Foxman.

So Abe's big beef is that the film is faithful to the Gospel account. This is literally an attack on the gospels themselves. Gibson is only a convenient excuse.

Throughout the world radical Islamicists are murdering Jews, burning synagogues, and publishing "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion." So Abe Foxman decides to fight the real enemy - Christianity. Brilliant.

[AAABEST]

Screw the leftist Hyenas at the ADL. I know exactly what they're attempting to do with all of this over-reaction. They're trying to get people to hate them (the ADL) so they can say "see.... see anti-semitism abounds, now send us checks".