Posted on 03/27/2015 7:59:10 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Bill O'Reilly, host of the Fox News program "The O'Reilly Factor," spoke briefly at the premiere of the new National Geographic mini-series "Killing Jesus," which is based on his best-selling book, and talked about his controversial decision to cast a Muslim actor for role of Jesus in the film.
During his speech, which took place before the series was shown to the audience in its entirety, O'Reilly explained his decision to cast young Muslim actor Haaz Sleiman for the role of Jesus.
He admitted to being concerned about some of the backlash that might come, but said Sleiman "was the best person for the job" and that because of this "Jesus would hire him."
O'Reilly also boasted that the semi-biographical series "is what actually happened" with the story of Jesus, and that its portrayal of the Son of God is "very different" from anything that has been seen in other films. He further noted that it's not a "religious film" and is intended to be more of a historical narrative.
And even though the film tones down the power and miracles of Jesus, which can be read about in CP's previous reports, O'Reilly joked about Sleiman turning his water into Zinfandel wine.
Sleiman described his experience as a Muslim man playing Jesus during a red carpet event that took place shortly before the screening, and commented on a few of the reactions he's received from both Christians and Muslims.
"On both sides [there's been] so much support," Sleiman told reporters. "There's some from both sides here and there that are just not happy about it, and I love that because it means we're doing the right thing. Whenever you create some sort of disturbance in the air, there's an awakening that happens. There's an opportunity for conversation and to build bridges. There's an opportunity to connect with one another, especially for different groups that usually wouldn't connect with one another."
Sleiman also talked about how he dealt with conveying Jesus' manhood and His divinity while playing the role.
"It's really to find that balance between humanity and divinity," Sleiman added. "I think, ironically enough, that is something that we all deal with. Every one of us. Because God created us. He breathed life into us. Inherently we have divinity in us, but we're human. And it's that journey. And I feel like I wanted to show that journey through Jesus so that we could all somehow relate to that and feel good about ourselves."
"Killing Jesus" premiers on the National Geographic channel on Sunday, March 29.
O’Reilly is so full of s**t that it is coming out his ears, and that is an awful lot of s**t as he has a head almost as big as Obama’s.
How nice that he downplays Jesus’ miracles. Only an ego like O’Reilly would downplay the Son of God and state that the Holy Spirit inspired him.
Bill O’Reilly Explains Why He Cast a Muslim Actor for the Role of Jesus in ‘Killing Jesus’
Because O’Reilly is a jerk.
I decided to skip it when they said they would downplay the supernatural aspects of the Passion.
So, the film only talks about the crucifixion and stops there? Nothing about the resurrection? No Easter?
If we lived in the biblically literate country we used to live in, you might have known what I was getting at. All Christians are to defend and contend for the faith. BOR insults it. He insults it by diminishing the fullness of Christ and that is a big deal, even if the TV critics and all his pals at Fox and clergy in his parish who benefit from his charity, tell him otherwise. If my post makes me a zealot, so what.
Zealousness and justice have a bad rap for being blind I guess. But you'll either figure it out here or learn about it later.
He aced the audition. Case closed.
If you have the National Geographic Channel it won't cost you a dime.
As a historic figure, which He was.
...said Sleiman "was the best person for the job" and that because of this "Jesus would hire him." O'Reilly also boasted that the semi-biographical series "is what actually happened" with the story of Jesus, and that its portrayal of the Son of God is "very different" from anything that has been seen in other films.Let me guess -- US servicemen captured a Nazi time machine at Malmedy, then went back and murdered the Lord.
I haven’t had cable since 2002 and had given up tv altogether in 2008. I have an antenna set that I turned on this year for the first time in 6 years.
I don’t care if the movie hands out $1000 per person watching. I won’t.
Guaran-damn-tee that ‘Killing Mohammed’ is not going to be written or made as a movie.
O’Reilly picking on the Christians like everybody else. Too bad.
I gave up on O’Reilly when he said he doesn’t take the Bible literally. All I need to know.
Just watched the movie. It is the worst depiction of the life of Christ I have ever witnessed in my life. O’Reilly completely managled the scriptures, leaving out the vast majority of the events in the life of Christ. Just a horrible movie. As far as learning anything new about the death of Jesus, absolutely nothing new, except O’Reilly put the blame on Pilate and let the Jews skate. But Lord, just a terrible movie. Don’t waste your time.
The actor muzzie is also a homosexual. The movie is on TV tonight. First time I had heard of it. I started seeing all those Moroccan people on there, and the looks of the people and the false beards, etc. I researched the movie on the internet and discovered he was a muzzie and a homo. I immediately turned it off. I will not watch any movie that has a homo portraying my LORD!!! No matter his religion, muzzie or Jehovah’s Witness, I will not watch it if he is a homo.
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