Krauthammer: "Gibson's Blood Libel"

Washington Post ^ | Mar. 5, 04 | Charles Krauthammer

[churchillbuff]

Gibson's Blood Libel

By Charles Krauthammer Friday, March 5, 2004; Page A23

Every people has its story. Every people has the right to its story. And every people has a responsibility for its story. ...[snip]

Christians have their story too: the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. Why is this story different from other stories? Because it is not a family affair of coreligionists. If it were, few people outside the circle of believers would be concerned about it. This particular story involves other people. With the notable exception of a few Romans, these people are Jews. And in the story, they come off rather badly.

Because of that peculiarity, the crucifixion is not just a story; it is a story with its own story -- a history of centuries of relentless, and at times savage, persecution of Jews in Christian lands. This history is what moved Vatican II, in a noble act of theological reflection, to decree in 1965 that the Passion of Christ should henceforth be understood with great care so as to unteach the lesson that had been taught for almost two millennia: that the Jews were Christ killers.

[The Hound Passer]

"Since you addressed this to "All," I suggest you remove the plank from your own eye, and more thoroughly read the thread."

And I'd suggest that you take strong note that my post starts out:

"I think many of you are overreacting to the commentary and vastly misinterpreting it."

When I was in school I was taught that "many," does not mean all. There are some good posts here. I was not refering to them, and I only addressed my post generally to "all," because I didn't see the need to single out anyone in particular. Obviously, I stuck a nerve with you.

[SupplySider]

Looks like Jews are so self-centered...They cannot get beyond them,them,them,them.

Oh, I didn't know that. I'll have to keep that in mind when interacting with my Jewish friends. Do you have more helpful insights about any other peoples?

If you think that about Krauthammer or some other Jewish commentators, fine. No need to indict all the Jews.

[miloklancy]

Note: I stated it was patently to say Krauthammer is being anti-christian. What Krauthammer attributes to Gibson, is something attributed to ONE Christian. Again lets try to be objective here.

[wardaddy]

The other one that springs to mind is Islam--another offshoot of Judaism that just can't seem to coexist with Jews.

Islam is not an offshoot like Christianity is of Judaism. Christianity was founded by Jews in the Jewish homeland. Islam was not.

[miloklancy]

Patently false that is, sorry for the error.

[af_vet_1981]

What exactly is tolerance and sanity to you?

Let's start with the basics.
1. No profanity
2. No personal attacks
3. If someone purports to represent Yeshua of Nazareth and wants to claim the name of Christian, the least they could do, the very least, is walk in subjection to the rules laid out to them in the books of the New Testament regarding conversation and behavior.
4. I don't have the above expectations for the unrighteous and the unholy. They do whatsoever they will.

[Annie03]

Jesus said to be cursed and hated because of him is a blessing (paraphrasing). Every time I hear the slander and libel, I think of Satan screaming after Jesus has died on the cross as portrayed in the film. I'm not worried about Mel...I think he get's it.

[AlbionGirl]

What an absolutely heartfelt and beautiful piece of writing! God Bless you!

[Just mythoughts]

and what scripture would you use?

[DentsRun]

The Bolshevist Movement was a Jewish movement, but not a movement of the Jewish race as a whole. Most Jews were quite extraneous to it; very many indeed, and those of the most typical, abhor it; many actively combat it. The imputation of its evils to the Jews as a whole is a grave injustice ... "

I'm familiar with that quote and agree with it completely. But it doesn't contradict Solzhenitsyn's claim that, after the revolution, Lenin needed "intelligent, sober, and new clerks" who were dedicated to the communist system and so he opened the bureaucracies to Jews who "flooded and abounded in the lower layers of the party structure."

[rbmillerjr]

"Note: I stated it was patently to say Krauthammer is being anti-christian. What Krauthammer attributes to Gibson, is something attributed to ONE Christian. Again lets try to be objective here"

If we are being objective then we cannot ignore that Gibson actually took out the Word of God, "the alleged "blood libel verse, ....and His blood be on us and our children, out of the movie as an affirmative step to pacify Jews.

Hardly somebody who is guilty of perpetuating blood libel.

[wardaddy]

Looks like enough blood(blame) to go around.

[Sabertooth]

"Since you addressed this to "All," I suggest you remove the plank from your own eye, and more thoroughly read the thread."

And I'd suggest that you take strong note that my post starts out:

"I think many of you are overreacting to the commentary and vastly misinterpreting it."

When I was in school I was taught that "many," does not mean all. There are some good posts here. I was not refering to them, and I only addressed my post generally to "all," because I didn't see the need to single out anyone in particular. Obviously, I stuck a nerve with you.

You struck a nerve because "All" means "all." You wrote both "all" and "many."

You think your meaning or intentions are clear?

In a thread full of blood libels and religious smears, now including your own, you ought to do better than wade into it as indiscriminately as you did.

Yes, you do have an obligation to be specific and precise.

[af_vet_1981]

and what scripture would you use?

• And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab.
• And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
• And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
• But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
• And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
• And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
• And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
• And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
• And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
• And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
• Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
• And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
• And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.

[Just mythoughts]

So we are back to Balaam.

Shall we go to King Jehu and his story.

[Snuffington]

Defense of the film, Chiristianity, and Christians against those who would accuse us of anti-Semitism where it doesn't exist continues.

Eloquently phrased. Yes it does, and yes it will continue.

[juzcuz]

LOL, it is Krauthammer that slanders Giblson, and thus Christians as well. He accuses Gibson of "blood libel".
----

HUM--by Libel does he mean 'The publication of blasphemous, treasonable, seditious writings and pictures?Websters)'

Is Krauthammer a neo-Caiaphas?

[af_vet_1981]

In addition to the disdain and disgust eminating from so many toward Christians, there's also the added insult of condescension. Well, just because Christians support Israel doesn't mean that they're too stupid to realize the contempt in which they are held.

You seem to keep repeating this train of thought. There is no need to pretend to be a supporter of Israel. People are not that dense. Just declare yourself to be an adversary and move on.

[mercy]

****If you read it you will see that the Jews were calling for Jesus' death and that they even said "let his blood be on our heads and that of our children".****

"The Jews" This is what Krauthammer is saying. You hold yourself up as some kind of superior Christian. You have already denigrated my faith.

and then you say "The Jews'. It was SOME Jews. A corrupt leader and a rent-a-mob.

[af_vet_1981]

So we are back to Balaam.

We have been on Balaam for centuries and many Jews have died because of it.