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Bill O'Reilly Explains Why He Cast a Muslim Actor for the Role of Jesus in 'Killing Jesus'
Christian Post ^ | 03/27/2015 | BY VINCENT FUNARO

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.


TOPICS: History; Religion; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: billoreilly; haazsleiman; jesus; killingjesus; lietothekufir; muslim; nationalgeographic; publicitystunt; rino; usefulidiot
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To: El Cid
There is some historical research showing that Mohammed never existed as a real historical person. He was a myth created after the Arab tribes defeated the exhausted, from fighting each other, Byzantine and Persian Empires. The tribes resided in the borderlands of the two, and struck when opportunity presented itself. But as for the Mohammed story, historians do not have a Josephus to verify a historical figure. It is even postulated that the Koran itself was not even written until a century or two after the Arab Conquest.
41 posted on 03/27/2015 9:39:10 AM PDT by gusty
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To: SeekAndFind

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.


42 posted on 03/27/2015 10:05:30 AM PDT by CdMGuy
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To: Blood of Tyrants

Bill O’Reilly Explains Why He Cast a Muslim Actor for the Role of Jesus in ‘Killing Jesus’

Because O’Reilly is a jerk.


43 posted on 03/27/2015 10:49:05 AM PDT by minnesota_bound
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To: PeteePie
Where the money goes is pointless.
Gheeze, another FReeper blinded by zealotry.
44 posted on 03/27/2015 11:27:34 AM PDT by oh8eleven (RVN '67-'68)
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To: SeekAndFind

I decided to skip it when they said they would downplay the supernatural aspects of the Passion.


45 posted on 03/27/2015 11:31:36 AM PDT by mware
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To: mware

So, the film only talks about the crucifixion and stops there? Nothing about the resurrection? No Easter?


46 posted on 03/27/2015 11:36:04 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

http://www.christianpost.com/news/killing-jesus-portrays-jesus-as-man-tones-down-his-miracles-and-power-films-actors-explain-approach-136270/


47 posted on 03/27/2015 11:55:20 AM PDT by mware
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To: oh8eleven
While his money will certainly do some good for people this side of heaven, it will do nothing for BOR's on judgement day. We can't buy favor with God on good works. But I guess you'd rather take a shot at me than track with the whole of my post. Maybe your issue stems from an unwillingness to take God at His word, or an unfamiliarity with same? I'm just trying to live it out is all. As in Jude 1:3 "Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints."

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.

48 posted on 03/27/2015 12:03:05 PM PDT by PeteePie (Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people - Proverbs 14:34)
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To: SeekAndFind

He aced the audition. Case closed.


49 posted on 03/27/2015 12:10:13 PM PDT by JimRed (Excise the cancer before it kills us; feed & Ifwater the Tree of Liberty! TERM LIMITS NOW & FOREVER!)
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To: a fool in paradise
Sorry, Bill. Won't be taking the bait of your stab at Christian ticket sales.

If you have the National Geographic Channel it won't cost you a dime.

50 posted on 03/27/2015 12:12:48 PM PDT by JimRed (Excise the cancer before it kills us; feed & Ifwater the Tree of Liberty! TERM LIMITS NOW & FOREVER!)
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To: moovova
How can a movie about Jesus not be a religious film?

As a historic figure, which He was.

51 posted on 03/27/2015 12:15:09 PM PDT by JimRed (Excise the cancer before it kills us; feed & Ifwater the Tree of Liberty! TERM LIMITS NOW & FOREVER!)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; cardinal4; ColdOne; ...
WWJH?
...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.
52 posted on 03/27/2015 12:58:32 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (What do we want? REGIME CHANGE! When do we want it? NOW!)
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To: JimRed

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.


53 posted on 03/27/2015 1:55:28 PM PDT by a fool in paradise (Shickl-Gruber's Big Lie gave us Hussein's Un-Affordable Care act (HUAC).)
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To: SeekAndFind

I don’t care if the movie hands out $1000 per person watching. I won’t.


54 posted on 03/27/2015 1:57:54 PM PDT by combat_boots (The Lion of Judah cometh. Hallelujah. Gloria Patri, Filio et Spiritui Sancto!)
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To: Flick Lives

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.


55 posted on 03/27/2015 2:00:36 PM PDT by RinaseaofDs
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To: RinaseaofDs; Flick Lives
Well, there's a book that's even worse than KILLING MUHAMMAD.

The Book is entitled: DID MUHAMMAD EXIST, by Robert Spencer and purports to show that the so called Prophet himself was a fabrication of early Arab conquerors to unify their conquered lands under one religion.


56 posted on 03/27/2015 4:05:34 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
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To: SeekAndFind

I gave up on O’Reilly when he said he doesn’t take the Bible literally. All I need to know.


57 posted on 03/29/2015 11:56:05 AM PDT by ilovesarah2012
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To: SeekAndFind

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.


58 posted on 03/29/2015 8:18:23 PM PDT by NKP_Vet
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To: SeekAndFind

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.


59 posted on 03/31/2018 5:33:13 PM PDT by RetiredArmy (We are in the Last Days of human history. Jesus is coming back, & soon! Do U know Him?)
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