Posted on 03/08/2004 2:26:43 PM PST by truthandlife
James Caviezel, who plays Jesus in Mel Gibson's blockbuster "The Passion of the Christ," has reportedly been assigned a security detail to protect him.
"There are some crazy people out there and everything is being done to protect Mel and Jim from physical attack," a source close to executives of Newmarket Films told the London Express.
The paper said Caviezel, a devout Catholic, was being guarded by a "protection squad" amid fears of attacks by "religious fanatics."
According to the report, a mob of protesters has already screamed "anti-Semite" and hurled a bucket of lamb's blood at Gibson in a New York street. Charges of anti-Semitism dogged the filmmaker for months prior to the movie's Feb. 25 opening.
The Express reports Caviezel, 35, and his wife, Kerri, are protected whenever they leave home. Studio executives reportedly are concerned the film's principal figures could be targets for assassination.
Caviezel, who has 20 movies to his credit, told the London paper: "Sadly, any threats have to be taken seriously. It seems a terrible irony to me that this movie has spawned anger and violence. The idea that actors need minders because they portray a man whose mission was to spread the love of God is awful."
As of yesterday, "The Passion of the Christ" had taken in $213,888,740 in U.S. ticket sales and likely is on its way to becoming the highest grossing R-rated film in history.
| *There is plenty of anti-Christian bigotry among Jews and it should be addressed honestly. Instead, it is ignored, as if it did not exist. **I'll address it. It is the result of many centuries of persecution culminating in the Holocaust. Most Jews perceive that Christianity and the Cross did this to us over and over again. How are Jews to discern the difference between a CINO and a genuine Christian ?
|
Huh? I thought it was supposed to be the other way around - that the people who saw the Passion were supposed to be attacking Jews and stuff. Guess we know who the real 'anti-somethings' are here.
On the other hand, acceptance, even without necessitating union, is usually impervious to stressors. Because to accept is to consider or hold worthy, and is usually presaged by a true exchange of arrangement, and as a consequence, understanding.
Believe it or not, The Passion of The Christ has made me feel more bonded to Jewish people, Jewish culture and the State of Israel. Because before The Passion I hadn't really been profoundly effected by Jesus' Semitism. Because of The Passion I began reading Scripture, and an historical account of the Life of Christ (Giuseppe Ricciotti), that references minutiae of Jewish Law, Jewish governance. All of this leaving me with the impression that God's Chosen are a fascinating, cerebral and energetic Tribe.
My point is really that my Faith in the Lord Jesus is secure enough (even as it vacillates between vigor, weakness and the pull of atheism) to accept Judaism fully, even knowing the essence of each are at odds.
Perhaps it is the Holocaust that colors everything for the Jew. I don't find that at all hard to understand or accept: it's a singular historical evil.
However, how and why Christianity is held largely to blame is not that clear to me. If Christianity, as it was practiced throughout Europe, was the Holocaust's driving force, what explains the virulent anit-semitism that has been spreading througout Europe in concurrence with its growing agnosticism, 'lo these 30 years now?
It would seem to me, that in the attempted call to arms against anti-semitism, it's very dangerous to misapprehend its locus.
Earlier today I visited Cella's Review (excellent blogspot), and discovered the following essay on Israel by P.J. O'Rourke. It's P.J. at his best, and very relevant.
http://www.theatlantic.com/issues/2001/11/o_rourke.htm
Please find a good priest or pastor and consult with him (or her) before you see the movie again. I would like you to show him or her this thread and everything you wrote to me. Then see The Passion again and seriously reflect on what impression you want to make in the world. I wish you well.
No I did not. You personally attacked me, called me this name, and then made up this story as if I agreed with you or the words you would like to use. You are emotionally angry because of this movie and acting out online against me personally. Please see your priest or pastor and show them this thread. Discuss it with him or her. Then see the movie again and see if you are motivated to modify your behavior and apologize. I wish you well.
Jews have an obligation before G-d to do good and not evil. Many Jews stumble. We are certainly not immune from sin.
No Jew should allow envy, anger, or hatred to rule their response to Mel Gibson. He should be treated fairly and justly. I've not seen a credible link to this rumor about spilling blood on Mel Gibson. If any Jew did such a thing it would be dishonorable and bring shame on G-d's name among the Gentiles.
What makes you think I've seen this film, or even plan to? How dare you demand I consult a Christian "priest or pastor"?
I would like you to show him or her this thread and everything you wrote to me. Then see The Passion again and seriously reflect on what impression you want to make in the world. I wish you well.
Oh, yes, of course. I'm just a knuckle-dragging Christian who only sees your anti-Christian BS because I saw an "antisemitic" movie.
Wrong, wrong, wrong.
Try again. This time, without your prejudices.
If Mel really believes this he'd be wrong. The Bible says nothing of the sort.
It also seems unrealistic that he'd have such a cavalier attitude toward his wife's salvation.
To sum up: smells fishy.
My dear af_vet, I would never ascribe fault where evidence is lacking. For instance, I wouldn't call someone antisemitic for seeing and agreeing with this movie. I don't know who did this, but I very much doubt Christians are to blame. I tend to believe the Left is more inclined to this kind of hatred because their purpose is to antagonize Jews and Christians, setting them against each other.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.