Denver Synagogue Vandalized(Passion of Christ Blamed)

9News .com (Denver) ^ | 3/6/2004 4:44:35 PM | Paola Farer

[woofie]

DENVER - A Denver synagogue was damaged with graffiti overnight. Swastikas were drawn on the synagogue on south Monaco Parkway.

The graffiti was in the doorway and across a sign. There were also several symbols drawn on the back wall of the building.

A holocaust survivor who saw the graffiti says it was almost too much to take. There was no official response available from the congregation Saturday, although several people who called 9NEWS to report the damage said that they blamed Mel Gibson’s movie “The Passion of the Christ” for rekindling anti-Semitism.

Members of the congregation will gather Sunday morning to start cleaning off the graffiti.

[DentsRun]

What particular thing do you think the members of this synagogue did to bring this on themselves?

I'm wondering how the people who reported the crime to the news media (presumably members of the synagogue) knew the crime was inspired by "The Passion of the Christ."

Yesterday I posted a message here saying that sooner or later someone would do something to a synagogue because someone always does, but now that "The Passion of the Christ" was playing in theaters, this time they'd blame the crime on the movie. And so they have.

[babygene]

" More than one description says the torture scene is almost gothic."

As a 58 year old Vietnam vet., I don't get choked up about a lot. But I cried during this movie. For me it was not about the brutality. It was about the subject of the brutality.

It's kind of like the difference between driving by an accident along the highway and seeing someone dead... It's different when it's someone you love.

[PleaseNoMore]

that's child-abuse . These pictures (and on top without any knowledge), create psycho logic problems, they will stay with them all their lives. Nightmares are a mild form what will happen to them,

What a load...

[Dataman]

If we can keep the term "antisemitism" to the real, gut wrenching hatred it originally referred to, and not try to apply it to every percieved insult, THEN it will truely have meaning again.

You are correct. Unfortunately for civilization, it will be a term used by men without consciences to destroy anyone of whom they disapprove, much like "racist," "sexist," and "homophobe."

[Cold Heat]

True enough, the emotional introspection that I experienced was due to the subject matter being cinematic enhanced.

The effect was to cause a much stronger and deeper understanding of the sacrifice.

This is what I experienced.

I plan to see it again so that I may see much of the detail that I certainly missed while I was engrossed in thought..

[PleaseNoMore]

You offered more than mere "opinion". You actually called parents who allowed their children to see the movie child abusers and declared that those children who did see the movie would be mentally damaged for life. Where is your proof of this?

[af_vet_1981]

How about the persecution of Christians in the Baltic's. That is what brought me in this direction when my Grandparents immigrated.

Did the communists persecute them ? I probably left out Orthodox Christians persecuted by the communists. Westerners would tend to do that.

[Cold Heat]

Did the communists persecute them ? I probably left out Orthodox Christians persecuted by the communists. Westerners would tend to do that.

Yes, for the most part.

There was also some Islamic overtones.

The commies were probably worse.

[patriciaruth]

I didn't know if I would be able to manage to go to it and endure the first viewing and thought there was no way I'd want to go more than once, so I sympathize with anyone who opts out.

And it was hard. Yet I found a few days later that I wanted to go again. It was evocative and I felt a connection, and that is what may draw me back

[Dataman]

It makes little sense to diss your friends

Liberal Jews make little sense period.

[gonzo]

We had a building over here in Dunedin on the left-coast of Florida that was vandalized by people with sling-shots and ball-bearings. They shot-out the windows that seemed to show the 'Virgin Mary' each sunset. I had seen it, and it was quite striking!

Destroying religious artifacts is a common socialist function, and sometimes just a 'stupid-vandal-that-needs-to-be-killed' thing. ..............FRegards

[Cold Heat]

and besides that I don't care what your opinion is. BigMack

Well, I'll be damned sure to remember that.

[babygene]

"Since one era of the unpleasant past described is within the first hand memory of people living today (it's not ancient history), it is frightening to witness a similar possibly inciting phenomenon today. These are patriotic, grateful Americans who have seen for themselves that civilized, cultured societies can turn on a dime and become violent quicker than anyone would have imagined. They are speaking out about the danger because they don't want to see the U.S. become susceptible to this evil. The U.S. has been a blessed society with highminded standards of fair play, ethics, and tolerance and good people of all religions pray that it stays that way."

What the hell are you talking about? Who was it that kicked Germany's ass in WW2 and freed the Jewish people from the concentration camps, if not my dad and my uncles and other brave Americans. Do you have any Idea how many gave their lives? Give me a break.

[ApplegateRanch]

I probably should *not* have said it was "meaningless"; but that it is BECOMING meaningless from overuse in inappropriate circumstances.

As it is, it is being overused and watered down, and is fast losing the horror of what it really was; as that happens, the meaning also becomes lost on those hearing it.

I do NOT want it erased from memory; I want it PRESERVED AND RESTORED to its full horrific meaning.

I thought that when you include the **not all Jews are Semites, and not all Semites are Jews**, you meant that needed to be answered also, and I took that as *the first statement*.

[Cold Heat]

When you get intellectual on a emotionally charged thread, you will get some serious misunderstandings.

Been there, done that.

[Dave Olson]

My gut tells me this thing was staged. By whom? I don't know. But with all the intense criticism of the movie, the resentment about its success and its critics clamoring to show evidence of antisemitism, it would be awfully easy and tempting for someone to desecrate a synagogue just to tarnish the movie.

[ApplegateRanch]

I know better, I still try now & then.

Thanks.

[Cold Heat]

No prob................

[patriciaruth]

Holy Spirit inspires, and may have inspired Mel. Can't ever say for certain who is called to do what.

Still, Mel is a gifted film maker. His Hamlet was the best I have ever seen, and his Braveheart was excellent. And I loved We Were Soldiers.

The cinematographer and set directors for The Passion should be nominated for Academy Awards, and I think Mel deserves a nomination, although I doubt he'll get it.

Actor James Caviezel is an interesting actor. I first saw him in Frequency with Dennis Quaid, a very fine little film. Saw him on Jay Leno and he is quite a cutup and impersonator and got his start in acting doing comedic plays. If he hadn't done this turn as Yeshua, he might well have been up in the future for an Award. Now he'll probably have a rougher time with his career.

There is definitely anti-nonliberal as well as anti-Semitic bias out there.

[Dataman]

The Jews invented THICK SKIN.

Liberals, Jews or not, are characteristically hyper sensitive.