Posted on 03/01/2004 11:54:22 PM PST by JohnHuang2
It's open season on Christianity
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
Mel Gibson's film, "The Passion of the Christ," has launched onto thousands of screens across the country and is expected to make $80 million this opening weekend more than any Christian film ever.
I saw the film with some family and friends on opening night, but words can't really describe the movie and its impact. The fact that this film stayed true to history, was recorded in original biblical languages, beat all the odds and has swirled in controversy for so long has allowed it to hit a chord with millions of viewers.
Unfortunately, these truths, along with how Mel Gibson poured his life, money and reputation into this project, was just too much for some people to handle. Specifically, it has been, over the past year, too much for foes of the Christian faith to handle. The secular, liberal media and some organizations just can't stand the idea of a passionate portrayal of the focus of the Christian faith.
"The Passion of the Christ" has now become a catalyst for secularists to express their rage. It's been apparent to most that the media is filled with elitists who thumb their nose at Christians, but this film has allowed critics a free shot at Christianity without specifically attacking Christians.
Under the guise of "reviewing" and "opining" on a movie, it's been a field day for any bigot to take a free swing at Jesus. Coupled with that and their disgust at the idea of Christ's passion being brought out into the public eye, the passion against "The Passion" has flooded newspapers and various media outlets.
It all started with the ardent criticism of Mel Gibson, his family and his film by some Jewish groups, claiming anti-Semitism. It was rather puzzling to see a group of people attack Christianity, the Jewish faith's closest friend, under the excuse of "The Passion of the Christ."
That excuse is the gateway to many in attacking Christianity.
Frank Rich wrote an op-ed in the New York Times, fanatically bashing Mel Gibson, his faith, his family, movie and expressing his opposition to anything of which Gibson has been a part.
Salon.com also had a terrible review of the film, saying that Christians, Jews and Arabs should be worried about its impact.
Newsweek Senior Editor David Ansen compared the film with pornography and rape: "I found myself recoiling from the movie the same feeling I had watching Gaspar Noe's notorious 'Irreversible,' with its nearly pornographic real-time depiction of a rape."
One reviewer in the Fort Worth Star Telegram wrote, "The message that if you do not embrace Jesus Christ, you will go directly to hell could not be presented any more oppressively. 'The Passion of the Christ,' finally, is an invitation-only affair if you're not a believer the way Gibson thinks you should believe, you have no place at his (or His) table."
The truth of "The Passion" is revolting to many opinion-givers, including the increasingly senile and committed secularist Andy Rooney, who called Mel Gibson a "real nutcase." He won't see the Passion because, he says, "I'm not going to spend $9 just for a few laughs."
Christopher Hitchens wrote a review of the film in the UK's Mirror, titled, "I detest this film with a Passion." In it, Hitchens says the film was marketed toward the "gay Christian sado-masochistic community." He calls Mel Gibson a "sicko" and generally fabricates details about the movie.
In addition to these critics, reviewers around the country, in radio, television and print have expressed their hatred of this movie. It's interesting how general condemnations of Christianity can be excused under the banner of "entertainment review."
Still, "The Passion of the Christ" is not above reproach. There certainly are sincere writers and pundits who have a real problem with the film for various reasons, as well as Christians who oppose the idea of a movie depicting Jesus. Even so, in mainstream media, secularists either don't know how to manage this movie, mock the entire idea or spout off their opposition to "The Passion."
"The Passion of the Christ" is a blockbuster, underdog hit. The idea of making a historically accurate depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ was a completely absurd idea to most in the industry. Now, millions are seeing it and being changed by it, and media figures don't understand, nor do they know how to handle it.
Bigots who poured their hatred into opposition of this film have failed. If they accomplished anything, they propelled this film to the national spotlight.
This film will still not achieve what many hope: an acceptance of Christianity in mainstream media. If anything, secularists will intensify their attacks and condescension toward Christians.
I thought the New Testament was written in Greek and the Old Testament in Hebrew.
Some of the minor prophets wrote in Aramaic but it was a drop in the bucket compared to ancient Hebrew.
I don't believe that there is a single word of the Bible that was first written in Latin.
-ccm
Catholic Ping - let me know if you want on/off this list
It did make me wonder how many spontaneous conversations -- not so much about a movie but about Jesus -- might have happened in the past week or so. If the movie is causing people to think seriously about Jesus, no wonder it is reviled in the politically-correct media.
The more the gang of leftout wannabes howls, the better it gets for Gibson.
I enjoyed talking with people while we waited in line at the movie. One man shook hands with us, introduced himself and his sons, and other people were checking that they had enough tissues with them!
It always has been, as the bible says, and we are to rejoice.
That's a start. Now, Mr. Ansen, make the important connections. What happened in the movie that you recoiled from was made necessary by the sinful nature of all mankind. The sacrifice in the movie atoned for all sins, past, present and future. He did it for you.
And if the production with subtitles is a success in America, it can succeed worldwide. O me of little faith! I started out hoping it would gross $100 million!
One interesting thing about doing this movie in ancient languages is everybody gets to see and experience it with subtitles. This will not be seen as an "American" movie dubbed in "Japanese", or whatever the language is in the particular country.
We all know how distracting dubbing can be, or subtitles which stunt the dialogue. Instead, the technical impact will be the same in all languages, and it can be easily translated into them all. The impact should be universally similar.
It's a masterful concept if one can pull it off, and apparently Gibson has!
The worthless priests, pastors, and reverends in the Christian faith have witnessed a whole year of attacks on Mel Gibson just because of his religion. Just as if we were taught to respect everybody's religion except Christianity. These worthless leaders of the Christian faith in this country should have been mobilizing their followers in their churches to write editorials, and threaten to discontinue subscription to papers, magazines, and CBS. If the FULL wrath of the more than 200 million Christians was exercised, we could have closed down any business establishment regardless of its size. But there was practically no mobilization among the ranks of the followers of Christianity. A couple of days ago a Catholic priest came out to criticize the movie too.
As the saying goes about the Nazis, first they came after the gypsies, so I was not one, I did not care, then they came after the Jews, so, I was not one, so I did not care, then they came after the Catholics, I was not one, so I did not care, then they came after me - there was no one left to care. The policy of increment is alive and well, and we are felling its byproducts today as the majority of the population is powerless towards head on insult to their faith. Here we have a majority Christian population, and still are unable to have equality and freedom of speech.
I saw the movie last Friday with my daughter and was supposed to see it again this weekend but I did not end up going. I have a pull to see it again that I can't explain, it's almost a part of me or something.
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