[E. Pluribus Unum]

And yet, Hollywood, going against its own business interests, is reportedly set to blacklist Mel Gibson. The New York Times reports that the powers that be in the movie industry—those defenders of artistic freedom who bewail the blacklisting of Hollywood's communists decades ago—are going to punish Mr. Gibson for making this movie.

With $200-$300 million profit eventually sitting in his bank account, Mel is now his own studio.

He has no further need of the homosexual Hollywood mafia.

[buffyt]

"Both sides should realize that if all Jews really were personally responsible for the crucifixion of Christ, then every Christian should love every Jew, since without Christ's death, God's wrath would have fallen on each of us instead."

EXACTLY! And while watching the movie THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST they never make it look like the Jews are the ones killing him. Satan is weaving in and out of the mob. To me it was more like Satan was trying to temp Christ to give up, instead of going to the cross. He tried beating, and everything he could, to physically stop Christ. Christ called on supernatural strength to make it through, to the cross, where He died for all of us. Then He rose again. He won the battle. The fight is over, the victory won! Even Judas, helped, in his own sad vile way, because Jesus had to do what He did that day.

The only person named as a Jew in the movie was the big strong man who helped carry the cross. I didn't see any evil Jews in the movie. Growing up Christian I have NEVER thought for one moment that Jews killed Jesus.

I have always thought it was sad that Jews didn't acknowledge Christ as the Messiah, knowing that will bar them from entering Heaven... but then again... I know that my parents taught me Christianity. I think whatever my parents taught me I would believe, whether it was the Christian faith, Islam, Jewish faith. I believe in the faith of my grandparents. I wonder how many of us do?

[freekitty]

One's faith is very strong, indeed.

[Jaded]

Our evangelism had become reduced to "ask Jesus into your heart," without sometimes even mentioning who Jesus is and what He paid for our salvation. This movie, for all its faults and limitations, has reminded Christians of the magnitude of the cross.

So many people miss this. Society wants a sin-free, guilt-free, touchy feely kiss and hold hands Christianity.

[buffyt]

This was in our Sunday newspaper... letter to editor.

CHRIST SUFFERED UNIMAGINABLY

“The Passion of The Christ” only gives a small idea of the truth and just how brutal was the beating that our Lord and Savior willingly went through.

In the first parts of Psalm 22:14-17, Jesus tells us that all his bones were out of joint, every joint dislocated. In the book of Isaiah, 52nd chapter, verse 14, we are told that Jesus was beaten beyond human likeness and was disfigured beyond the likeness of any man.

People need to realize that Jesus Christ suffered well beyond our imagination and that he willingly allowed this to happen to him, to be brutally nailed on a cross, for all of mankind, that through His death, burial and resurrection, mankind would have a way back to a personal relationship with God. Jesus, who was perfect and sinless, yet tempted in all ways we are tempted, gave his life for you and me.

So when you keep hearing just how graphic “The Passion” is, just remember that it isn’t as graphic as it really was over 2,000 years ago. Jesus paid a tremendous price for the debt we owed.

Harvey Holcombe, West Columbia

[EdReform]

BTTT

[newgeezer]

Found this online yesterday (emphasis mine):

... [The film suggests], without serious evidence, historically or biblically, the cross on which Christ was to be crucified was made in a Jewish synagogue.... [T]here is no indication in the gospels that the cross was made in a synagogue. Perhaps that is one of the excuses that the Jews are taking to accuse the film of "anti-Semitism". There is no historical reason to believe this either. Romans were known to make crosses outdoors, not indoors. Furthermore, a Jew would not let an instrument of execution, especially one that is made from a tree, which is considered cursed according to the Law, to be made in the synagogue or anywhere considered holy.

I do not currently intend to see this movie.

[Savage Beast]

"Hollywood...is reportedly set to blacklist Mel Gibson."

I thought Hollywood was opposed to blacklisting.

[spatzie]

mark to read later

[wjcsux]

You just have to love watching the left spin out of control over this movie! Watching the "Hollywood Elite" frothing at the mouth is very entertaining in itself.

[aruanan]

Both sides should realize that if all Jews really were personally responsible for the crucifixion of Christ, then every Christian should love every Jew, since without Christ's death, God's wrath would have fallen on each of us instead.

How do people manage to write such absolutely moronic things as this?

[MissAmericanPie]

I would never have believed that such an artistically beautiful movie of such quality could have been shot for a mere 30 million. I really wasn't expecting the quality of camera usage and artistic bent when I read the cost was 30 million. I expected the grainy footage and poor camera and sound quality that is typical of low budget films.

Gibson has proven himself a savvy and talented producer/director as well as a great actor. He squeezed the most bang from each buck that any producer has ever managed.
It's a film I think must be seen twice, I certainly intend to before it's run is finished.

[LiteKeeper]

THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

[kittymyrib]

Gene Veith is a very astute observer of modern Christianity. He also has published some excellent work on post-modernism. Thank you for posting his take on The Passion, on the mark as usual.

[A. Patriot]

"but to those who are called" (1 Corinthians 1:23-24)


Gee, sounds kind of Calvinistic, doesn't it.

[tekriter]

For evangelicals, the center of their devotion is the Scriptures, something traditionalist Catholics tended to keep away from the laity...

I wonder what the basis in fact is for this statement.

[sweetliberty]

"the powers that be in the movie industry—those defenders of artistic freedom who bewail the blacklisting of Hollywood's communists decades ago—are going to punish Mr. Gibson for making this movie."

The hypocrisey of Hollywood liberals magnified in living color.