'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.

[syriacus]

Gibson's film rejects the modern church reforms.

Gibson's film strives to be historically authentic.

Re-enactments, which look to the past, are usually considered a good thing. People get accolades for producing re-enactments.

If people weren't inherently interested in the past, we wouldn't have museums, archeological digs, musical performances with old-style instruments, genealogical societies, historical societies, battle re-enactments, etc.

Remember how upset everyone was when the artifacts were missing from the Museum in Iraq? Did people say, "It's all right that the ancient pottery is missing. Corning ware bowls are better than those old bowls anyway."?

Try telling these folks to get rid of the old-style housing, artifacts, clothing and way of speech.

Plimouth Plantation

[MissAmericanPie]

The Jews were responsible, there is no way, nor need to spin the truth of it. Christ himself said, I came to my own knowing they would reject me, if I had come to the gentiles they would have believed.

So does this justify some morons hatred of the Jews? Never in a million years. Christ said on the cross, "Forgive them Father for they know not what they do". Who dares then condem whom Christ has forgiven? Not me that's for sure. In fact the proper attitude for a Christian is to be willing to fight to the death for his Jewish brothers.

These people were told to marry within their own race in order to bring forth the Messiah from a pure blood line, they were told to hold the Old Testament in their charge unchanged and unchallanged. In that day they were faithful to that duty even though their religious leaders were far more corrupt and self serving than faithful to God's contract with them.

God calls them "The apple of my eye". Not a thing has changed His mind about that, this is their status to this day. There is no need to undermine the truth of the gosple account. The truth of the Jews standing with God should, at this time in history as no other, be shouted from the mountain tops.

[missyme]

My point exactly...This world was corrupt when Jesus entered the world. Our loving G-d could of just killed everyone off and started over, but he didn't he sent a Saviour that whoever beleifeth in him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Should I be so arrogant to deny Jesus Christ just because I do good deeds once in awhile and for the most part obey the Ten Commandments, no I admit I Sin in my heart for what I have done and for what I have failed to do.

Liberal Jews and Christians are very ARROGANT they don't need G-d unless it is convienent. They defy and crucify Jesus any time they have a chance. They did it 2000 years ago and there doing it now. What has changed in the hearts of man? from what I see today not to much...

[MissAmericanPie]

Amen sister.

[HamiltonJay]

Sorry, you say it is fear, I don't agree. You cannot "fear" the reality of events over 2000 years ago... when they are portrayed in screen as they are written in the texts of the New Testament.

None have called for vengence against the Jews, none have left the theater calling for the genocide of their race, at least none who were not calling for it before they saw the film.

When Jewish law could not condem Jesus to death, Jewish leaders took him to the Romans, when the Romans told them they don't want to deal with him, you deal with him by your laws... their response was their laws did not allow the penalty of death... when no guilt could be found, Jewish leaders still called for him to be put to death, he was sent up to Pilate who also concluded he could find no fault with this man, yet Jewish leaders still pushed for his execution....

That's how the story is written, you don't have to like but it is written that way, and any portrayal of it that is based on the text will also show these facts, for as it is written those are the facts.

The false indignation by a small group of activists that this movie is some sort of antisemetic passion play is preposterous claptrap. Its the same nonsense thinking that says America can't handle seeing the 9/11 tapes or they'll all go killing Muslims...

The death of Christ was preordained and all had their parts to play. His death, ressurection and ascention were absolute and could no more be stopped than the tides.

NOw, as to your claim that he claimed to be the Mesiah, but failed to live up to the role... I certainly do not see that as I see the story of a man speaking of Salvation as the abstract kingdom of God, to a crowd and people who repeatedly failed to understand that that kingdom was not a nation on this Earth.

Jesus was persecuted for being a threat to the powers that be within the structure of the Jewish heirarchy, he was a revolutionary that was a threat to those who held power... and eventually was killed, by proxy of course wouldn't want their own hands to get dirty, to protect their status quo.

[dangus]

"Does the ADL want to Pit Christians agaisnt the Jews?" Yes

"As they say Anti-Semitism is rampid in the ARAB nations and now growing through-out Europe, does FOXMAN want it to grow in the USA?" Yes

"What is his motive?" The destruction of Christianity, the destruction of the state of Israel, and the destruction of the Jewish religion.

"Who is he the Devil in disguise?" Aint much of a disguise.

Don't forget: Abe Foxman is not a Jew. He is a rabid, Jew-hating, Christian-hating person of Jewish descent.

[missyme]

Yet was is so sad is there are people falling for his BS.

The Liberals always making there case agaisnt G-d it's really old maybe we just have to wait until there dead and gone beofre we have any PEACE of mind....

[missyme]

I don't know if you received my posts on that ADL posting but I could not find the Author's name? it is on the of the posts in The Passion of Christ? do you know if that is not allowed if you cannot find the author's name?

[Hildy]

I didn't say it wasn't allowed. I wanted to point out it was written on a USER'S FORUM. If people just looked at the link, they would think that Mel Gibson's COmpany put that statement out, and that would not be right.

[missyme]

OK I am not familiar with a Users form..I will try and have more info on the Thread before I post...It is just FOXMAN is slamming Mel and this movie causing so much divide it really is about time someone reveals who this man is? his agenda? and his motives which to me is less than a honorable man...

[Imal]

If you wish to post smears against Foxman, I recommend that they be clearly attributed. Otherwise, it would just make you a rumormonger, and I'm sure you don't want to be one of those.

When impugning someone's character, it is wise not to abandon your own in the process.

[Imal]

"Don't waste bandwith on this guy, madison -- he's a hater (see his post dismissing the christianity of the American and Brit soldiers who fell fighting Hitler)."

Exodus 20:16.  Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

[Imal]

It is important to remember that Jews who honor the Torah (I'll call them "Jews", but there are many Jews who do not) cannot accept the idea that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God or part of a trinity and effectively God himself. To do so would be to renounce the teachings of the Torah and to violate the First Commandment. There are tremendous and insurmountable disagreements between the Torah and all of those things. Arguments which assume Jesus is the Messiah are meaningless to Jews.

A key point that seems to be lost in this discussion is the fact that Jews do not accept the Gospels as being historically accurate or sacred and inviolate. Rather they are viewed, with significant historical justification, as slanderous, hurtful and dangerous to Jews. Arguments based on the Gospels as historical truth are meaningless to Jews.

But I think it is important for Jews to recognize that the Gospels are sacred to Christians, and outline the foundations of their faith. To ignore that, even in light of key conflicts between Christianity and Judaism, undermines attempts to foster mutual understanding and respect. That is wrong.

For my part, I disagree with Abe Foxman and the ADL in their approach, but that does not inspire me to defame and attack them. They have legitimate reasons for concern, as this thread and other public discussions amply demonstrate. But their concerns do not trump Mel Gibson's right to express himself freely in any way he wishes, especially where his religious beliefs are concerned.

Would Mr. Foxman and his associates stand idly by if Christians and Muslims insisted on dictating changes regarding important details of a movie about Moses and Mount Sinai if it was being made by a Jewish producer/director? I think not, and I would not want them to. But the hypocrisy of going after Mel Gibson in light of such a thing should be obvious to anyone, regardless of faith.

I hope Mel Gibson will present the movie he wants to present, free of external tampering and pure to his vision.

I hope Abe Foxman and the ADL will come to recognize the fallacy of attacking the religious beliefs of others, even those which may be seen as hurtful, while seeking to defend Jews and Judaism. Such an approach ultimately will put Jews at odds with everyone else, and is not consistent with long-established Jewish tolerance for the non-violent religious practices of Gentiles. Disagreement need not mean conflict.

I also hope that those who call themselves Christians while indulging in the spread of lies, hatred and evil (you know who you are) will stop to consider who such endeavors really serve, and remember that such roads unfailingly lead away from God. If you truly embrace the teachings of Jesus, then live by them.

[churchillbuff]

Exodus 20:16. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.

Thank you for reminding us all of that divine injunction - - - The anti-christian and anti-mel gibson posters especially should take heed before continuing to try to tar christianity, the gospels, and any effort to dramatize the gospel passion story, as somehow connected with the outrages of naziism.

[Imal]

It is an injunction we would all do well to heed.

[missyme]

One of the biggest problems I see is that this is not a debate on TORAH vs. Jesus Christ or TORAH vs. Judiasm. The attackers on Christianity are not coming from an Orthodox view they are not true to the commandments of G-d by what is written in TORAH this is a secular attack that is why it is so infuriating.

A sincere religious debate would be with individuals highly educated in TORAH, ancient writings, biblical texts, and archaelogical findings is one thing but that isn't part of this paticular problem...

There is things within both faiths that are missing, I do believe that the early Christians of whom were Jews never intended for some of there doctine to be mis-used by the Christian Church, I also believe that some of the Jews missed the gospel message of Jesus do to arrogance and complacency within ancient Judea. The world was just in turbulent times back as it is now.. Men still have hardened hearts that is still alive and well in 2004.

I would object to any movie made about MOSES, ABRAHAM, NOAH if it was not from the TANAKH, I do not beleive we should be blasphemous when making a movie about G-d's Holy Bible that's what was so offensive about "The Last Temptation of Christ" No one has a right to dispute the GOSPELS unless it is G-d himself.

If the Christians believe a big lie as some claim it's not in there job description (Human Being) to tell us it's wrong. it's G-d's job and from my knowledge he hasn't given his job away.

[Imal]

If you are unable to accept the freedom of others to hold their own beliefs, discussions of your beliefs are irrelevant.

[Liberal Classic]

I am perfectly willing to accept the truth that some Jews were responsible for the betrayal and death of Yeshua of Nazareth. They were either willingly involved or did nothing to stop it. I hold the Romans primarily responsible for the deed but the Jews should have protected him and never delivered him to the Gentiles.

Thank you for this reply, and please forgive my Christian brothers. They way I see it, Christians are defensive about this film in much the same way as Jews are defensive about the responsibility of Yeshua's execution. I say this because of a trend of general hostility towards religious faith from secular circles. Personally, I can see how Jews are made nervous by a highly-publicized Passion play, because it often stirred up emotions of those Christians watching and that lead to trouble. On the other hand, I believe supporters of the film neither mean to inflame hatred against the Jews nor see the film edited due to political correctness.

As a general sentiment, few nations have embraced Jews as a people and Judaism as a faith with as much brotherly love as the United States. Though there are a few crackpots out there, but the vast majority of Christians in this country will not carry torches and pitchforks down to the neighborhood synagogue. That having been said, I can make no such claims about other parts of the world. It may be possible for terrorists to use it as a propaganda tool, but I speculate this would be limited in scope. There are plenty of other anti-semitic sources far more effective on radical audiences. I would guess the the impact of this film where Judaism is concerned will be to stoke the desire for conversion among American Christians, especially among those who are already so inclined.

This is getting off the topic of the thread but from my personal upbringing I understand that Judaism cannot accept Yeshua as Messiah for the simple reason that we do not now have peace on earth. My family is religiously split between Jewish and Christian but we are not divided as a family and therefore on a personal basis I believe Jews are brothers, both in faith and in heritage. I do not easily stomach Christians who believe Jews are ripe for conversion. Indeed I get the more I lean towards Judaism for a number of lengthy and complex reasons not the least of which is that Yeshua was Jewish and taught the Torah and observed Passover. Though this may seem to be heresy to some, I believe that Christians should be more Jewish, not less. How can someone claim to follow in the footsteps of Jesus yet at the same time reject Judaism?

[af_vet_1981]

Thank you for your well thought out comments.

How can someone claim to follow in the footsteps of Jesus yet at the same time reject Judaism?

I think the principal reason was something akin to replacement theology. An attempt to replace another group competing for the same truth by persuasion, and when that failed, coercion, and when that failed, compulsion, and when that failed inquisition, and when that failed, torture, exile, and death.

[af_vet_1981]

At least that is what historically went wrong. There are many men and women of good will who do not believe that must be the paradigm, among them John Paul II.