Holocaust denial is relevant here because of Gibson's father, Hutton Gibson. A prominent member of the "traditionalist" Catholic movement which split off from the Catholic Church over the 1965 reforms of the Second Vatican Council (which, among other things, rejected the doctrine that the Jews were guilty of "deicide") is also known as a Holocaust denier. Of course Gibson shouldn't be blamed for the sins of his father; but in an interview with Peggy Noonan, forthcoming in the March issue of Reader's Digest, he says, "My dad taught me my faith, and I believe what he taught me. The man never lied to me in his life."
I agree with the author's premise. It is Hutton Gibson's published comments and Mel's reluctance to criticize them publicly that touches a raw nerve. To his credit, in his latest interview "Gibson insisted on Primetime he is no anti-Semite, and that anti-Semitism is "un-Christian" and a sin that "goes against the tenets of my faith."
I agree that Mel has a right to make a movie. "This is my version of what happened. According to the gospels and what I wanted to show. The aspects of it I wanted to show," said Gibson.
I agree that everyone should be civil to one another and refrain from profanity and religious or ethnic insults.