'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.

[djf]

Absolutely!

(24) And Pilate, when he saw that it availed nothing, but rather that tumult was produced, took water, and washed his hands before the eyes of the multitude, and said: I am pure from the blood of this just man: see ye to it.
(25) And all of the people answered and said: His blood be on us, and on our children.
Syriac Peshito version, trans. James Murdock, 1851

It is interesting to note that neither Christ or the apostles ever condemned the ordinary man, at that time, his invectives were against the priests and scribes and lawgivers.

The condemnation in verse 25 came from the words of the people themselves.

[missyme]

You know The BIBLE was written and inspired by men obviously...G-d is a spirit we both agree on that I'm sure.

But if we get down to facts as Evolutionists do, then we are in trouble..As modern people we have a BIBLE that is the center of our belief as well as FAITH which involves prayer.. Sure we have some ancient sites or some ancient writings, but if your looking for solid proof? isn't that questioning G-d?

As a child I studied the BIBLE regretfully at that time..Adam Eve Cain Abel, NOAH Soddom and Gommorah all the stories, TEN COMMANDMENTS, and although they were intersting at times it really had no impact on my life, because I wasn't in search of G-d, not until my search and faith and prayer directed me to JESUS CHRIST I wasn't truly inspired by the BIBLE. It's FAITH and JESUS who brought me closer to G-d and to the BIBLE as a means of favor and closeness to the Almighty.

If I did not have Jesus in my life the Holy Bible for me would just be a big book of stories...

[philetus]

Yes, the Jews present at the time were responsible.

The dictionary describes a Jew as:

1 a : a member of the tribe of Judah b : ISRAELITE
2 : a member of a nation existing in Palestine from the 6th century B.C. to the 1st century A.D.
3 : a person belonging to a continuation through descent or conversion of the ancient Jewish people
4 : one whose religion is Judaism

If you go by definations 1,2 or 3, then yes, the Jews were responsible.

The Pharisees

1 capitalized : a member of a Jewish sect of the intertestamental period noted for strict observance of rites and ceremonies of the written law and for insistence on the validity of their own oral traditions concerning the law were the Jews

were the specific individuals who brought the charges against Jesus, but Jesus describes these accusers in :

John 8:19 ...Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.

John 8:23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world.

John 8:39 If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham.
John 8:44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

[dangus]

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

Moving on to broader themes, are we? :^D

[Dataman]

1. The Gospels were not written during the events. They were written latter [sic].

Show me a history of WWII that was written during the events. Your point is pointless.

2. As any writter [sic], Jesus's disciples wrote from a perspective of assumed knowledge.

Another pointless point. Name one person in the history of the world who did not have a perspective of assumed knowedge.

[dangus]

Yes... CC'ing it to their lawyers: defensive
Publishing the fact they CC'd it: hostile, passive-agressive, and purposefully threatening.

[BibChr]

I wonder what you think you'd lose if you just admitted you were talking baselessly and out of your hat, and simply revised your position? You're just sounding sillier and sillier as you keep digging. Look:

1. The Gospels were not written during the events. They were written latter. [sic]

1. How do you know that? Was the art of note-taking only invented recently? (Hint: think "no")

2. Can you name any event, the history of which was not written later than the event itself? (Clue: 2 seconds later is still "later")

2. As any writter, Jesus's disciples wrote from a perspective of assumed knowledge. In their case, they were writting with a knowledge of Jewish law and custom, not held by the average Christian (or even Jew) today.

The relevance being...? They wrote what they heard people say. Are you saying mobs never say insane things?

Reread my comments. I have done no such thing. Calling a recollection 10% innacccurate, does not negate 90%.

Not quite apposite. You dismissed the record, for which you have as of yet not provided one rational reason that will stand up to examination.

If Jews are not monolithic, then the mob had no right or reason to proclaim a blood curse. My whole point is that Jews like all peoples are not monolithic, which is a reason why we never support blood-curses!

The whole point is that they said what they said. The report is a report.

Now, if you're looking for someone to defend the rationality of their screams and chants, or to assign current guilt to anyone on the basis of what that particular mob said, you'll have to find someone else.

My point (or one of them) is simply that no one has the right to change history because he doesn't like it.

Dan

[dangus]

>> By being so open with their hatred of Christianity, they risk Christians seriously reconsidering their support for Israel. <<

Quite probably their intention... The atheist/nihilist Jewish Left hates the fact that there is alliance growing betwen Christians and Zionists.

[exmarine]

The Gospels were not written during the events. They were written latter.

It is now believed by the best scholars and evidence (various papyri) that the gospels were ALL written by 70 AD - within one generation of the Resurrection.

In addition, the gospel account is given by Paul in 1Cor 15 - and no one disputes that 1 Cor. was written in the early 50s A.D.

As any writter, Jesus's disciples wrote from a perspective of assumed knowledge. In their case, they were writting with a knowledge of Jewish law and custom, not held by the average Christian (or even Jew) today.

. The writers - Matthew, Mark and John - were eyewitnesses to the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. It was not assumed knowledge but FIRST-HAND knowledge.

[dangus]

>> By being so open with their hatred of Christianity, they risk Christians seriously reconsidering their support for Israel. Without American Christian support Israel does not continue to exist.<<

Probably exactly Foxman's goals... The atheist/nihilist Jewish left hates Israel and hates the coalition forming between Christians and Zionist/Religious Jews.

Ya think maybe Foxman could make his point any plainer if he showed up to the premiere shouting out about Mel Gibson: "Crucify him! Crucify him!"

And for the record, Mel might dissent from many features of the post-Vatican Church, such as Novo Ordum masses, but that interview with EWTN is a perfectly correct, and, yes, perfectly modern (timeless? purified?) understanding about who's culpable for the crucifixion.

[robertpaulsen]

Exactly how I read it.

[exmarine]

The atheist/nihilist Jewish Left hates the fact that there is alliance growing betwen Christians and Zionists.

I find it HIGHLY IRONIC that many jews have forgotten what persecution was like for the jews, and now encourage and support it against Christians - not just with regard to Mel Gibson but across the cultural spectrum. It is the jewish communities in Palm Beach that discriminated against a nativity scene on public grounds even though a Manorah was allowed; it was the jewish community in NYC that banned Christmas decorations while allowing jewish and muslim decorations.

Apparently, these people have learned NOTHING. Their campaign against Gibson is scurrilous slander, and anyone who takes hearsay as fact and runs with it is also a slanderer. So, anyone on this thread who claims Mel Gibson is anti-semitic, I demand that you provide evidence for this right now - evidence from Gibson himself, not from the hateful ADL or liberal media.

Since the phonies at the ADL demand to know if Mel Gibson is anti-semitic, then they should be prepared to provide proof that THAT THEY ARE NOT ANTI-CHRISTIAN BIGOTS. An anti-Christan bigot is just as bad as an anti-semite any way you look at it!

[missyme]

Does the ADL want to Pit Christians agaisnt the Jews? I don't understand there agenda? The only group of people that stand in the corner of the Jews are the Christians?

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? what is his motive?

Who is he the Devil in disguise?

[SJackson]

Yes... CC'ing it to their lawyers: defensive Publishing the fact they CC'd it: hostile, passive-agressive, and purposefully threatening.

Since this is the third of forth time on the thread I've noted this comment, I'm curious. Can you all expand on the significance of Abe Foxman copying in his lawyer, Alan Nierob. Seems perfectly normal to me.

[philosofy123]

Never mind what happened 2000 years ago. Today, I have many Jewish friends who I know damn sure had nothing to do with Christ’s death 2000 years ago. I am sure my own great grand parent could have been Jewish, and could have participated in sentensing Jesus, but who cares. Jesus ACCEPTED DEATH TO SAVE US! After I see this movie, and so are millions of other Christians, we will all think about the suffering of our lord on the cross TO SAVE US. No one is going to say; hey 2000 years ago some Jews killed this Jew Messiah! It is paranoid and borderline retarded to keep worrying about a movie in a land that is so proud to be the beacon of the freedom of opinion, press, and expression. Stop the hostility towards Mel Gibson, and let him be free to make whatever movie he wants. The market will judge if it is good or bad.

[missyme]

Gibson sent FOXMAN a compassionate letter like friend to friend regarding his concerns and FOXMAN sends him a letter totally opposite, Did ICON cc: There Lawyers?

[ArrogantBustard]

to include the Resurrection.

I seem to recall reading that he ends it with the Apostles at the empty tomb, or something on that line.

[missyme]

I know there are plenty Threads on "The PASSION" lately, it is just important for us supporters and beleivers not to let the LIES permeate the public that a Movie about our LORD and SAVIOUR has anything to do with Anti-Semitism....

[veronica]

Since this is the third of forth time on the thread I've noted this comment, I'm curious. Can you all expand on the significance of Abe Foxman copying in his lawyer, Alan Nierob. Seems perfectly normal to me.

Alan Nierob is a Hollywood PR person. Gibson's PR person in fact.

[autoresponder]

-2% attacking 77%

Attacking their only true friends and allies

A dangerous folly that will incur massive longlasting, if not more likely permanent, repercussions

A high %age of American Jews choose to marry Christians now

I find it quite odd that some like Foxman and the ADL would find it beneficial in reinforcing negative stereotypes

It appears they write a self-fulfiling prophecy of doom and ethnic suicide

When they lose the respect and support of American Christians they will become invisible

This is not about religion

This is Foxman's ADL agenda for power thru intimidation and blackmail

Foxman and his looney ADL lackeys are demanding censorship, banning, and book/script burning using Hitler's 1930's NAZI template

Foxman hatred of Christianity and Christians is doing more to destroy Jews than the PLO and HAMAS and Al Quaeda ever can

He is a divisive and psychotically insane small man

As Jews have done for centuries evil persons, Foxman and his ADL whackos will be shunned by over a billion of Christians worldwide

As my Jewish Uncle Leon used to say "Jews are often their own worst enemy."