Gibson's passion film 'too Catholic'

Belfast Telegraph ^ | 19 March 2004 | Alf McCreary

[presidio9]

THE controversial Mel Gibson film 'The Passion of the Christ' has been dismissed by the Evangelical Protestant Society as a 'Catholic' interpretation of events which "does not present the Gospel".

Wallace Thompson, secretary of the Evangelical Protestant Society, said the film displayed "an un-Biblical fixation on Mary, the mother of Jesus. None of this should surprise us, for both Mel Gibson and Jim Caviezel, who plays the part of Christ, are enthusiastic devotees of the traditional teachings of the Church of Rome."

He further claims that Mel Gibson "belongs to an ultra-conservative Catholic group which does not recognise the reforms of Vatican II, and celebrates Mass in Latin".

Mr Thompson says that "this malign influence of Rome ought to cause all evangelical Protestants to reject The Passion of the Christ" and refuse to be swayed by the subtleties of the alleged arguments in favour of it.

Sadly, however, it will be welcomed and praised by many who ought to know better."

Mr Thompson also says that the film is "extremely violent", and that "anyone who watches it will be shaken and possibly terrified by its graphic and bloody scenes."

[Desdemona]

Are you sure about this?

Well, as sure as I can be while trusting those who teach about indulgences. There is a book out on indulgences and exactly what is taught and what isn't. I don't remember the title off the top of my head, but a good explaination is here:

http://www.catholic.com/library/primer_on_indulgences.asp

[B-Chan]

Just because you say a question has a simple yes or no answer does not make it so. Write back when you're ready to discuss the truth.

[redgolum]

Check ou the thread

http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/1098898/posts

Granted, it came from a Protestant source that isn't to fond of the pope. Yes they were sold, and yes the sale of indulgences was abused. It is in the Council of Trent.

[Thorin]

Where do I speak as if there is no Catholic hostility to Protestants? I'm sure there is, but I don't see any evidence of it here. What I do see is the same, tired assortment of second-rate minds and third-rate pens attacking the beliefs of Catholics, and then acting shocked when Catholics fight back.

That is the pattern I've seen time and time again: a handful of fundamentalist zealots intent on trashing Catholicism. I've seen very few Catholics going on threads discussing Protestant issues intent on trashing Protestant beliefs.

[Desdemona]

What I saw on that thread was donations expected at the time of sacraments, which is not correct, but that has nothing to do with indulgences. Indulgences are, for lack of a better word, earned. By the church's own teaching they cannot be bought or sold.

I think the bigger thing is the resentment over using funds to finance the building of great cathedrals and financing art. Well, in the gospel, when Mary Magdalene poured perfumed oil over Christ's head and she was admonished by Judas, Jesus admonished Judas. He said, the poor you will always have with you. I will not always be among you. And so we follow suit. Only the best for God.

[presidio9]

Absolutely.

[presidio9]

I'm surprised you did not choose Screwtape.

Nice.

[TRY ONE]

"Praying for others is just fine. It's when you violate God's statutes and start trying to communicate with the bodily dead that you go off the plantation. And OT scripture addresses this issue DIRECTLY."

Also, when King Saul went to a medium to help him pray to the DEAD Samuel. (1 Samuel 28: 8-16) And King Saul was cursed for doing so.

Maybe King Saul should have prayed to a dead Mary instead? (Sarcasm off)

[presidio9]

Whomever delibrately changed that prayer felt the need to be dishonest to make his point. Doesn't that tell you something?

[presidio9]

Please. As I have pointed out several times, you are choosing to be led by dishonest people. We both know the Father of All Lies, and his mission.

[presidio9]

One of the most touching scenes for me was the flashback when she ran to Him as a child and said, "I'm here." speaking those words again during the torture.

That's where i lost it. At that point it became the best film I ever saw.

[presidio9]

You are an excellent and articulate witness to the Catholic faith! All of your replies really hit the nail on the head! Bravo and thank you.

Thanks. I believe that is the best compliment I have ever received.

[presidio9]

The film never made her appear as a goddess figure, just as a concerned and heartbroken mother.

The film was exactly in accordance with Catholic doctrine. That's the way we see her. Protestants can't see to get a handle on this...

I think Morganstern deserves the Oscar she will recieve. It will, however, be the only major one, and Hollywood will give it to her because she is Jewish. The other Oscar that this film will have to receive will be "Best Foreign Language Film."

[presidio9]

Like the previous poster I don't believe the Bible teaches anywhere to pray for the dead.

Maybe that's because you are reading one of the New, Improved Bibles, instead of the one that was given to us.

[TRY ONE]

"In Matthew 17:3, Elijah and Moses appeared on earth in triumphant heavenly form to Jesus, Peter, James, and John, and conversed with Jesus. “Suddenly Moses and Elijah appeared to them; they were talking with Him.” Do you think Jesus was just putting on a laser light show......"

....In a few verses over (Matthew 17:9) Jesus said "TELL THIS VISION TO NO ONE UNTIL.....)

Do you think you have the power to call up Elijah, Moses or Mary????

Go back to the Old Testament ---I Samuel 28
King Saul was having a hard time and his mentor Samuel had been dead for a short time. So King Saul tried (successfully) to call up Samuel and Samuel's spirit came alive and appeared to Saul and said "WHY HAVE YOU DISTURBED ME BY BRINGING ME UP?" (I Samuel 28:15) Then Samuel cursed King Saul by saying this time tomorrow you will be dead. (vs. 19)

If King Saul had been able to bring up a physically dead Mary would it have been any different?