I think they're both important. So does Mel. After all, he included the words of the ancestors in his film, didn't he?
Enough to say that if one simply tries to tell the story of what some Jews did to Jesus, the Foxmans of the world squawk "Anti-Semitism!"
Well, the Foxmans of the world earn their money by whining about anti-Semitism. It is a cross we Jews have to bear (pun intended).
I'd rather talk about whether or not the descendant (Foxman or Gibson) shares the views of the ancestor(s) ("Crucify Him!"/"Holocaust schmolocaust").
OK, let's chat about it. In another post on this thread I compared and contrasted the views. In the case of the father who disclosed his genuine feelings unaware that it was being broadcast, it's Holocaust revisionism/denial. In Mel's prepared interview, Jewish suffering is relegated to an afterthought and is considered part of all the suffering during the 20th century, i.e., not unique. If that's what he says in a prepared interview, one wonders what he would say if he were unaware his views were being broadcast. I'm not accusing Mel of anything and I'm not saying anything against his movie. Nor do I expect Mel to have the same views about the Holocaust that I have. After all, he is a Christian.
And it is of no relevance to this discussion, but no, I do not at all question the Holocaust.
Yes, your feelings about the Holocaust aren't relevant at all to the discussion, but it's nice to know anyway.
As to your feeling that you "must" reject the New Testament portion of our Bible, it's a feeling without rational basis.
"not rational"? How is it "not rational"? I am a practicing Jew. You think it's rational for me to accept something I don't believe in?
It was written almost entirely by Jews, about a Jew.
That's what you believe and I respect your beliefs. I just don't share them and hope you can respect that.
As a Christian, I find I believe more emphatically in the divine nature and authority of the Torah than virtually every Jew I've ever had the pleasure of talking with (except Jews who affirm the Messiahship of Jesus);
Perhaps you haven't talked with Jews who actually practice authentic Judaism.
there is nothing in affirming the one that requires a rejection of the other.
I beg to differ. The basic concepts of Christianity are diametrically opposed to Judaism.