If he felt, simply, that PASSION was too mediocre for Oscar consideration, then I can see his point.
If, however, he disliked the film for its religious message, then he is being a hypocrite. He himself, by condemning what he sees as "zealotry," is promoting his own liberal views. (And most of the Hollywood films do.)
I'm a little awestruck that he would declare The Passion a "mediocre" film, when I was blown away by its cinematography. But then again, I never support any of the Academy's selections for Best Picture. I would have liked to see "Eternal Sunshine" nominated for Best Picture, but what do I know?