'Passion' is really pro-Israel

NY Daily News ^ | 2-29-04 | Zev Chafets

[Naomi4]

It is a pleasure to read a carefully reasoned, historically factual commentary.

Thank you for posting.

[kjam22]

I saw the movie yesterday afternoon. Powerful. I didn't think it was anti-semetic. But then I know all of the "players". It accurately depicts the pharisees. I've read the bible for 45 years... and it depicts them exactly as I had it reasoned in my mind. BTW... it didn't make ROMAN guards look to good either.

Will some who "don't get it".... or don't understand who all the players are have negative feelings toward jews? Maybe.

But that's not the issue. The issue is that the biblical story was told in a very POWERFUL way. And in light of the controversy... we as christians should be prepared to discuss it with those who aren't but happen to see the movie. Because they will have a lot of questions due to the nature of the movie.

[Sender]

What a wonderful article. This is exactly the truth about this movie, it is not antisemitic, if anything it is a bit overdramatic at times and shows the Jewish Pharisees as dour-faced and grim, and shows Pilate as perhaps a bit more democratic than he may really have been.

But anyone who sees this movie and then feels hatred for modern Jews is merely revealing what was in his heart all along. Christians believe that it is our guilt that Jesus died for, not just for the guilt of a handful of priests 2000 years ago, not just for the guilt of a sadistic band of Romans and not just for the guilt of any group of people alive today. This movie also leaves us with a great hope and a positive outlook for the future, so I would say to any Jews who are worried, don't worry. God loves you and so do we. Our Manager is Jewish, so He keeps us from any thoughts of antisemitism :)

[Valin]

Bump

[far sider]

Most Christians are smart enough and reasonable enough to understand the distinction between Caiaphas and Jerry Seinfeld. It is insulting to suggest otherwise.

Good line.

[AFPhys]

Perhaps the author does not care to reflect on the fortelling in the Old Testament that the Messiah would be disfigured beyond recognition, and does not care to reflect on the fact that the resulting bloody mess from a "stoning" is not discussed in the Scriptures.

He has chosen to ignore the contemporary historical descriptions of typical Roman torture and its effects.

In the end, however, he comes to a reasonable conclusion about where the true Enemy lies.

[AFPhys]

The movie portrays that Jesus' fellow citizens and neighbors, including those in his own church, as well as the local government, killed him. Anybody who bothers to see this a second time will be able to take note of those many who would have loved to know a way to defend Jesus that Gibson made sure to be a part of the crowds.

That those persecutors happened to be Jews and Romans is quite incidental to the story, in many ways. I certainly was not dwelling on the nationality or faith of his persecutors while my tears were falling. I was instead saying, "Lord forgive me."

[Salem]

Great article! Thanks for posting it!

If you'd like to be on or off this
Christian Supporters of Israel ping list,
please FR mail me. ~
    
There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had
spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:45)
Letter To The President In Support Of Israel ~
'Final Solution,' Phase 2 ~
Warnings ~

[Victoria Delsoul]

Besides, there is a pro-Israeli message in Gibson's movie. Lately, Yasser Arafat has taken to declaring that the original inhabitants of Israel were Palestinians. But there are no Palestinians in Gibson's Jerusalem, just as there were none in the Gospels. Jesus and his disciples are as Israeli as Ariel Sharon.

The Arabs are still 600 miles and 600 years from the Holy Land.

If the Anti-Defamation League were smart, it would stop bugging Mel Gibson for an apology and ask instead for a couple hundred copies of the movie.

Great article, Jackson. Thanks.

[Afronaut]

"I don't believe Jesus was resurrected, that he was the son of God or the Messiah."

If this were the case the whole New Testement is a waste of time. I would never "Wish I wrote this", this movie is total waste if you think Jesus was just a nice crazy guy who thought he was the son of God. And someone just though up the resurrection for Bible filler.

[af_vet_1981]

Perhaps the author does not care to reflect ...

He seems to have made a decision to find allies where he can.

"This is reminiscent of recent American efforts to convince the world's Muslims that their reading of the Koran is incorrect."

He asserts Foxman is wrong to argue about the film, not on the merits, but because it is pointless to try and there is already a common enemy.

[happygrl]

After all, if Jesus was divinely sent to die for mankind, then the high priest Caiaphas was God's instrument.

Absolutely.