'Passion' Needs Postscript

ADL ^ | Feb 3rd 2004 | By Abraham H. Foxman and Rabbi Granatoor

[missyme]

In a recent interview for a Christian television network about his film "The Passion of the Christ," director Mel Gibson, complaining about his critics, repeated the following phrase four times: "He is an anti-Semite" - suggesting this was the accusation repeatedly being made against him.

We have never accused Gibson of being an anti-Semite. But judging from the E-mails and letters we have received since we spoke out after seeing the film last month - some blatantly anti-Semitic, many more suggesting our criticism was somehow dishonest - there is a need to clear the air.

First, let us repeat that we do not believe that Gibson intended his film to be a passion of hate. Our concerns stem from history. For nearly 2,000 years, Jews have been the victims of persecution and pogroms fueled by the age-old canard that Jews bear responsibility for the death of Jesus for all time.

The charge of "deicide" or of Jews as being "Christ killers" has persisted through the presentation of Passion plays despite the Catholic Church's historic Vatican II pronouncement in the early 1960s. It denounced anti-Semitism and stated clearly that the Jews of the past, as well as the Jews of today, bear no responsibility for Jesus' death.

Gibson's film rejects the modern church reforms. We were saddened and pained to find that "The Passion of the Christ" unambiguously portrays Jews as being responsible for the death of Jesus.

We are shocked that Gibson has not fulfilled his promise to remove the most troublesome aspects of this film. We are especially concerned with a scene in which a mob of Jews who are present when Pontius Pilate condemns Jesus to death calls down a blood curse (Matthew 27:25). This scene so far remains intact, even though Gibson indicated that he was removing it.

Even if that particular scene were removed, there would still be ample material in the film to reinforce the image of Jewish responsibility.

We are troubled that Gibson continues to spurn our requests for an audience and that he feels the criticism of his film is part of a campaign to label him an anti-Semite. Gibson's only response to our numerous requests for a meeting was a brief letter, sent last week, in which he failed to address any of the concerns we have raised.

Our concern is that the images could be used by those who are disposed toward hatred to harden their hearts.

Jewish and Christian leaders have not given up hope. We have urged Gibson to consider adding to the movie a postscript with him coming on screen at the end to implore his viewers not to let the film turn some toward a passion of hate.

[Lunatic Fringe]

I'm really troubled by movies about the Civil War that portray the South as racist, slave-owning rebels, intent on waging a destructive war in order to protect their financial interests.

[missyme]

:Jewish and Christian leaders have not given up hope. We have urged Gibson to consider adding to the movie a postscript with him coming on screen at the end to implore his viewers not to let the film turn some toward a passion of hate."

NOW THIS ABOVE STATEMENT BY THE ADL REALLY TAKES THE CAKE. YES CHRISTIANS REALLY LOOK AT THE CRUCIFIXCION AND THE PASSION WITH HATE?????????FOXMAN IS MIXING UP CHRISTIANITY WITH ISLAM....

[ALOHA RONNIE]

.

Praise GOD that...

LOVE is the Only Reality and that...

GOD is LOVE.

.

[Arpege92]

"FOXMAN IS MIXING UP CHRISTIANITY WITH ISLAM...."

That goes ditto for me!

[SerpentDove]

When I saw "postscript" I thought they meant the film needed to include the Resurrection.

Does it? Anybody?

[lady lawyer]

I have never been the slightest bit anti-Semitic. But it really irritates me when someone like Foxman starts telling which parts of the New Testament I can believe, and which I cannot.

[Frank_Discussion]

Foxman and the ADL are absolutely blind. Yes, the Jews present at the time were responsible. That was the point - they did not see Jesus for what he is, and were threatened by his teachings. They called for his death, despite being offered an alternative, and it's not at all vague in the Bible history.

I have serious doubts that Mel Gibson would paint the jews of the present with the brush of hate in a similar circumstance. This is not an issue of hate for Jews, it's an appeal to the world to truly understand what Jesus went through for humanity. Foxman and ADL are being arrogant for assuming it's an attack of some kind.

[Spok]

Why is the media and the left only concerned about anti-Semitism when discussing Mel Gibson but not when they are supporting the Palestinians?

[missyme]

Foxman wants Mel to make a cameo appearance on screen after the movie, preaching that this movie is not about HATE? what the heck, does Foxman think CHRISTAINS are a bunch of idiots that do not know the story of Jesus Christ?

This guy is a nut he might need to understand the GOSPELS, and his croonies, but we don't need him to teach us about the GOSPELS....This guy has some nerve....

PLEASE SUPPORT THE PASSION IT'S GOING TO GET BAD IN THESE LAST DAYS...

[Ciexyz]

I don't remember the ADL issuing similar statements when the anti-religious film "The Last Temptation of Christ" came out approx. 15 years ago, with Hollywood's blessing. Christ and Joseph were portrayed as working in their carpenter shop, hammering out crosses for Roman crucifixions, and Jesus had a salacious dream sequence where he lusted over Mary Magdalene. But when Christians protested, they wer branded by the media as right-wing idealogues. By the way, I did NOT see the movie. So I'd say the same thing to the protestors today: If you don't think the movie is your thing, then don't go!

[L,TOWM]

A most inciteful comment. Mr. Foxman would probably shocked if he heard what most of us "wild eyed fundies" really believe about who is responsible for Christ's death.

I see every morning, when I am combing my hair, the man that condemned Jesus to death.

[SerpentDove]

If these yoyos haven't gotten any traction thus far, I don't think they ever will.

Mel is not some lightweight who's going to roll over; he's already proven that.

I can't wait to see it.

SD

[trebb]

These guys don't seem to understand that Jesus' whole purpose was to die for us and that the Jews were merely the vehicle used.

When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
John 19:30

When He said the words "It is finished", He was referring to his purpose to God. Without it, we would all be doomed. It seems that the Jews would be glad that they had a part in our salvation...

[TexasRepublic]

But it really irritates me when someone like Foxman starts telling which parts of the New Testament I can believe, and which I cannot.

Amen to that. Israel is mired in an undeclared war with muslim suicide bombers and this schumck is harrassing Christians? Oy vey!

[missyme]

No matter how many people have told him that Christians are not going on a witch hunt agaisnt THE JEWS and the story is of love, forgiveness and hope..He does not listen because he does not care!!!

He wants to cause trouble and he does not want Jesus Christ to be the center of anything!!

He wants the GOSPELS to reflect what he thinks happened....SOME BIG FAT LIE...

[pgyanke]

When I saw "postscript" I thought they meant the film needed to include the Resurrection.

I hear it's a trilogy:

Passion of Christ: The Messiah Strikes Back

Passion of Christ: Return of the Messiah

[Spok]

I've always felt portrayals of Jesus were very risky and haven't seen any of the anti-Christian hate films like the Last Temptation. One movie I felt did an excellent job was Ben Hur, where His face was never shown but only the reactions of those who saw Him.

[robertpaulsen]

Ditto The Priest, an equally anti-religious movie.

[missyme]

THIS IS THE RECENT LETTER FOXMAN SENT TO MEL GIBSON:

Icon Productions, Inc.
808 Wilshire Blvd., 4th Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401

Dear Mr. Gibson:

Thank you for your kind words. We welcome your expression of faith and are encouraged that you take our concerns seriously. We agree that respect is a good starting point toward dialogue and mutual understanding.

Unfortunately, your letter does not address any of the issues we raised in our most recent correspondence, and the concerns that we have been raising all along since we first reached out to you in March 2003.

Your words do not mitigate our concerns about the potential consequences of your film, "The Passion of the Christ" to fuel and legitimize anti-Semitism. Nor do they address the questions we raised in our letter and in our public statements following the screening of your film in Orlando. How will the film be viewed by others? Could the images of your film be used by those who are disposed toward hatred to harden their hearts? And you do not address our hope that as a responsible filmmaker you might take steps - such as adding a postscript - to ensure that your audience does not walk away from the film convinced that Jews bear responsibility in the Crucifixion.

So far you have not responded to our request of 11 months for us to meet. We look forward to having the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss our concerns.
Sincerely,

Abraham H. Foxman
National Director

cc: Alan Nierob, Rogers & Cowan