'Protection squad' for Gibson's Jesus (Security detail hired for James Caviezel)

World Net Daily ^ | 3-8-04

[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.

[Saundra Duffy]

Good Heavens

[hellinahandcart]

I live in New York City and you'd think I would have heard something about Mel Gibson being covered in blood by protesters. I don't know how reliable the London Express is as a source, or if the story was embellished at World Net Daily, but this just doesn't sound like something that really happened (or really happened *as described*).

[hellinahandcart]

"Mutton for Punishment". OMG that was funny.

[Hildy]

There's something a little bit too convenient about this. I truly hope this wasn't set up from the Gibson camp. I can't imagine this happening from the Jewish Community. Words, yes...attacking the actors? Come on.

[twntaipan]

It is ironic, but it shouldn't be, at least for Christians. Jesus said we would be hated because of our love for Him, and the early believers regularly faced persection and even death.

The same occurs today, from Christophobes in America, to ChiComs persecuting house church Christians in China, to Muslims enslaving and murdering thousands of Christians in Africa (and countless other examples). Liberals and other Christophobes probably enjoy the bloodletting--as long as it is Christian blood.

BTW, David Barrett, one of the most respected of researchers concerning worldwide Christianity has said that as many as 200,000 Christians a year are martyred for their faith. Somehow Reuters manages to miss those stories, and Abe Foxman doesn't lose a bit of sleep over it.

[mware]

I agree with you. I want corroborating information to back this story. The last thing I want is to libel someone for something that didn't happen.

[don-o]

Idiot alet, if it don't get pulled.

Poster is "isthisnickcool"

Point is that FR haters mine this place for such spew.

[Aquinasfan]

This is amazing. The people who decry anti-semitism feel free to practice hate. I guess that proves they are liberals.

That's it. Thinking isn't their forte.

[mware]

Sean Hannity announced on his radio show this afternoon that he will be having Mel Gibson on his show sometime in the future. Maybe he can ask him about this story.

[don-o]

JOOS RAMPAGE AFTER NOT SEEING GIBSON MOVIE!!

Dime dropped on this mess.

[nutmeg]

Unbelievable ping!

[small voice in the wilderness]

BWHAHAHAHA!!!! OMG, that was funny!

Personally, I would consider packing a concealed leg of lamb for my own protection.

[Alouette]

I don't know how reliable the London Express is as a source

Or for that matter, the Howard Stern Show featuring The National Enquirer

Is it on Snopes?

[pax_et_bonum]

ping

[wimpycat]

The London Express is basically unreliable as a source, although I don't doubt Gibson has some security assigned.

On a second reading of the story, I'm pretty doubtful of the details, too.

I can't remember what the story was, but sometime last year Drudge had something from the London Express that turned out to be completely bogus. NO other news source had the story.

[hellinahandcart]

Snopes doesn't have it.

[spacewarp]

12?

[hellinahandcart]

I can see a protest happening outside of a TV studio, but the "bucket of blood" is right out of Carrie, and I wasn't born yesterday...

[AlbionGirl]

I'm not surprised at all.

A couple days after the opening of The Passion a woman in NYC dressed up in Holocaust garb with some sign or was quoted as saying The Passion is not a whole lot removed from Auschwitz (sp?). DERANGEMENT, PURE AND SIMPLE!. And throwing lamb's blood on Gibson? Well, you tell me!

Again, DERANGEMENT, PURE AND SIMPLE!

Wonder why this isn't being reported in the NY Times? </sarcasm till I hurl>

[AlbionGirl]

Take back almost everything I said, pending corroborating evidence from a more reliable news source.