'The Passion' & the tar baby

Jerusalem Post ^ | Feb. 28, 2004 | Jonathan Rosenblum

[Alouette]

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[A. Pole]

Religion is drained of all its power and majesty when its adherents witness its sacred texts and thousands of years of exegesis adjusted in accord with the demands of the local thought police. Recently, I was asked by a BBC moderator of a discussion of the Women of the Wall: "But don't you think that a religion must update in accord with the times?"

"Not unless it wishes to be as irrelevant to the lives of believers as the modern Church of England," I replied.

Thank you for the post!

[Jeff Chandler]

Didn't Mel Gibson's decpiction of Herod's court bear an uncanny resemblance to the Clinton Whitehouse?

[Torie]

The charge against the film, is that the Roman Pontius Pilate (sp) was depicted as a restraining influence on the blood lust Jewish mob (albeit an ineffectual one). Who knows if that is an accurate depiction of history, although I heard that Pilate was removed from his a few years later for excessive cruelty. Of course, anyone who views Jews of today through such a lense, just has another agenda.

But, without seeing the film, it seems to me, the biggest flaw is that it fails to give enough focus on the lyricism of Jesus's message of trying to transcend hatred, and live a good life, respectful of others, in hopes of an eternal reward (in other words, a just pluralistic process on this mortal coil). That message was revolutionary. Rather the emphasis was on blood and guts, and suffering, and almost a celebration of the blood letting as a cleansing event.

But I have not seen the film. But I will. Maybe I will change my mind.

[Jeff Chandler]

The film was a faithful representation of the Passion, hence the title. Don't believe the critics.

[Qwinn]

"Passion plays, even without the mesmerizing effect of the big screen and Technicolor special effects available to Gibson, have a long and ignominious history of inciting pogroms."

Erm, it seems to me that this statement is quite misleading. I believe the facts show that there has -never- been a murder of a Jew following a Passion play in the United States, and with a single exception in Germany in the 19th century, there hasn't been one in Europe since the Middle Ages either.

I certainly don't dispute that there were pogroms in the past, but this article attempts to draw a direct historical link between pogroms and passion plays that simply isn't backed up historically.

Qwinn

[squarebarb]

Can't any of these people think? The ones that accuse The Passion of exciting 'anti-Semitism'. Since when have American Christians --- in more than two hundred years --- rushed out and gone howling through the streets of a 'Jewish quarter' (there aren't any in America) burning and killing?

Never!

Not even during the Great Awakening, the evangelical fervor of pre-Civil War times.

Are they nuts? Do they know nothing of American history?

Never mind, sorry I asked.

[South40]

[Maynerd]

This is so Sept. 10th.

When will the ADL crowd wake up from their liberal fundie loathing stupor? Devout Christians are Israel's greatest spiritual and political friend and ally.

The world is full of antisemites. 99% are Muslims and secular Europeans.

[NewYorker]

"This is my command: Love each other." John 15:17

Doesn't leave much room for anti-Semitism.

[Snuffington]

Whew! A lot of blather which comes down to a basic worry that traditional Catholicism is something Jews should fear. (Look out Jewish children or Hutton Gibson will get you!!!)

Incidentally, what the heck is that ridiculously obvious attempt to slander Mel with his father's silly statements coming from? It's starting to get to the point where anyone who mentions Hutton Gibson stands primae facie condemned of demogoguery. This article is no exception. It contends that unless Mel rejects his father, he's evil. Let's go the other way. Anyone expecting Mel to reject his father is advocating evil. Nyah. Nyah.

[ahadams2]

worth reading for the very last line Ping.

[HiTech RedNeck]

The Catholic Church cannot be terribly enthusiastic about a cinematic presentation of a theology that rejects current papal teaching on the Jews. Can any Catholics help clear up exactly what the film shows that contradicts the pope? I would've thought Rome would be up in arms about it, if it did. Even the pope himself reportedly paid it a compliment.

[HiTech RedNeck]

The Catholic Church cannot be terribly enthusiastic about a cinematic presentation of a theology that rejects current papal teaching on the Jews.

Can any Catholics help clear up exactly what the film shows that contradicts the pope? I would've thought Rome would be up in arms about it, if it did. Even the pope himself reportedly paid it a compliment.

[ahadams2]

as the resident Anglican Ping list holder here on Free Republic I've gotta say that the last line if this article is the best testimony yet as to how the fruits, nuts, and flakes we have in some leadership positions are perceived by non-Christians.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Incidentally, what the heck is that ridiculously obvious attempt to slander Mel with his father's silly statements coming from?

Yeah, G's Louise! "My dad never lied to me" doesn't equate to "my dad never told me anything that was ignorant."

[Bob Eimiller]

it's amazing how non Christians have so much knowledge about the 4 Gospels... especially their authoritative "critique" of the "so called" contradictions.

The Pope did say... after he saw the film, although the Vatican had to disavow any hint of endorsement of a commercial venture... "IT IS AS IT WAS" I'm sure he was as moved as the rest of us and made the comment as a personal reflection.

[BradyLS]

Erm, it seems to me that this statement is quite misleading. I believe the facts show that there has -never- been a murder of a Jew following a Passion play in the United States, and with a single exception in Germany in the 19th century, there hasn't been one in Europe since the Middle Ages either.

The Bavarian German city of Oberammergau stages an amatuer production of The Passion every four years or so. None of the actors are professionals and they spend the interim between seasons building the sets and costumes.

Though the play is the same, it is always a fresh performance with different actors in the roles. It draws crowds whenever it is performed. I used to have a fantastic picture book of performance from the early 80's. Don't know where it went...

[Salem]

'Ping'!




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