[Fury]

n.b. -

"In their coverage of The Passion, the predictably contrarian website Salon.com turned to the Rev. Mark Stanger, one of the pastors at the trendy Grace Cathedral, an Episcopal church in San Francisco. "100 percent Hollywood trash," is how he described it. What was his advice to moviegoers? "I'd say don't bother. I think it's a big bore. I think a 5-year-old who has to get cancer surgery and radiation and chemotherapy suffers more than Jesus suffered; I think that a kid in the Gaza Strip who steps on a land mine and loses two limbs suffers more; I think a battered wife with no resources suffers more; I think people without medical care dying of AIDS in Africa suffer more than Jesus did that day. I mean, I don't want to take away from that, but this preoccupation with the intensity of the suffering, I think, has no theological or spiritual value."

God help Rev. Stranger. I fear for the flock that this man tends to. Absoluteley breathtaking his comments.

[Fury]

Stranger = Stanger

Mea culpa

[DameAutour]

This is one of the better Passion articles that I have read. Thanks for posting.

[miltonim]

Bump

[the lone haranguer]

Thanks, Fury. That is one of the better-written articles I've seen. As more and more people become aware of the film's true message of love and redemption, I hope we see more like this one. My gut tells me, though, that we will see fewer, unfortunately. Thanks again!

[Mike Darancette]

God help Rev. Stranger.

God help us all.

Had Jerusalem been peopled by the likes of the good reverend, NCS types and NYT movie reviewers the crowd calling for the Crucifixion of Jesus would have been half again as large.

[trebb]

I agree:

Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
Romans 1:17

Sounds like the flock needs to look for a new shepherd...

[FreedomSurge]

"It is fair to say that anyone leaving the movie theater with anti-Semitic fervor would have to be deranged and morally warped — or they didn't watch it. "

The question people should be asking is "Why are people making accusations of anti-Semitism when they know there is no anti-Semitsm?"

For some, they make the charge because they are simply ignorant.

For some, they repeat the charge simply because they have heard someone in their desired social group make the charge.

For most of the others, they make the charge due to their hatred of Christianity. Instead of labeling all of the haters as liberals, Christians should take a closer look at who actually is making the charges and understand where the hatred arises.

[EagleMamaMT]

"I'd say don't bother. I think it's a big bore. I think a 5-year-old who has to get cancer surgery and radiation and chemotherapy suffers more than Jesus suffered; I think that a kid in the Gaza Strip who steps on a land mine and loses two limbs suffers more; I think a battered wife with no resources suffers more; I think people without medical care dying of AIDS in Africa suffer more than Jesus did that day. I mean, I don't want to take away from that, but this preoccupation with the intensity of the suffering, I think, has no theological or spiritual value."


God help Rev. Stranger. I fear for the flock that this man tends to. Absoluteley breathtaking his comments.

---

My jaw literally dropped when I read this "man of God's" comments. If this "reverend's" "church" was truly serving the Lord Jesus Christ, the members would meet en masse and kick this guy out as their pastor TODAY! Instead, they'll probably call him up and fawn all over him for his "enlightened and cogent" comments. God help the body of Christ with wolves like these tending the flock! But, what else can one expect when a church begins to preach the social gospel, instead of preaching Jesus and Him crucified.

[AnnaZ]

You must not miss out on this quote:

In their coverage of The Passion, the predictably contrarian website Salon.com turned to the Rev. Mark Stanger, one of the pastors at the trendy Grace Cathedral, an Episcopal church in San Francisco. "100 percent Hollywood trash," is how he described it. What was his advice to moviegoers? "I'd say don't bother. I think it's a big bore. I think a 5-year-old who has to get cancer surgery and radiation and chemotherapy suffers more than Jesus suffered; I think that a kid in the Gaza Strip who steps on a land mine and loses two limbs suffers more; I think a battered wife with no resources suffers more; I think people without medical care dying of AIDS in Africa suffer more than Jesus did that day. I mean, I don't want to take away from that, but this preoccupation with the intensity of the suffering, I think, has no theological or spiritual value."

[LiteKeeper]

INTREP - THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST

[Keen-Minded]

I saw the film last evening. It was a great and vivid portrayal of what Christ willingly went through for us. It is not anti-Semitic!

Critics that take a political view miss the whole point of the film. It wasn't meant to be a stereotype movie, but a graphic display of sacrifice. I encourage everyone to see the film before passing judgement. Would I have done some things differently? Maybe, but not much! Mel Gibson did a great job.

[af_vet_1981]

That crowd standing before Pontius Pilate screaming for the head of Christ in no way convicts an entire race for the death of Jesus Christ any more than the actions of Mussolini condemn all Italians,

Italian Fascists received 7% of vote in the last election in 1921. The Acerbo Law (July 1923) allowed Mussolini to consolidate power 2/3 of the seats in parliament. In any case we are looking at millions of Italians who chose Mussolini at one time or another. For example,

Reasons for the rise of the Fascists (1920-22)
1. Disgust in Italy at the terms of the peace treaties (didn’t obtain A.H. territory)
2. The Fascists represented a means to stop the socialists and the communists (in the eyes of conservative politicians, who sought to moderate and control Fascism to their purposes)
3. Mussolini was backed by wealthy industrialists and landowners (b/c of their fear of socialist reforms) Support from Pope Pius XI and the Vatican (who saw the
4. Fascists as an opportunity to normalize State-Church relationships)
5. Lack of faith in Italy’s institutions (failures of WWI, post-war violence, high U…)
6. After the March on Rome (October 22) the King offered the post of Prime Minister to Mussolini
7. The violence of the Fascists (i.e.: blackshirts) intimidated opponents
8. The complicity of the police and the army (who didn’t suppress Fascist violence)

That level of complicity is hardly commensurate with some hundreds of Jews (or what a thousand or so) appointed by Rome and involved in the trial and execution of Yeshua of Nazareth. They were occupied by the brutal Romans.

I do agree that the race cannot be blamed for the sins and crimes of one generation. Those who were too young or not even born in Italy could in no way be held responsible for the deaths.

[NYCVirago]

"In their coverage of The Passion, the predictably contrarian website Salon.com turned to the Rev. Mark Stanger, one of the pastors at the trendy Grace Cathedral, an Episcopal church in San Francisco.

It figures that he'd be from Grace Cathedral. Anybody who's read the Tales of the City books will know what I mean!