Jews blamed more for death of Christ after Passion

Ekklesia ^ | April 4, 2004

[EveningStar]

The percentage of Americans who say Jews were responsible for Christ's death is rising according to a poll taken since the release of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ."

The poll released by the Pew Research Center in Washington is the first statistical evidence that the film's box-office success may be associated with an increase in anti-Jewish feeling, although social scientists cautioned that cause and effect are not clear.

As Christians prepare to celebrate Easter week and the Jewish holiday of Passover also approaches, the poll could sharpen the focus on what some perceive as the film's anti-Semitism.

Some say the film unfairly portrays the role of Jews in Jesus' death, while Gibson and others insist the film is not anti-Semitic and is faithful to Gospel accounts. A judge in France also ruled that the biblical text was not manipulated in the film but a catholic Bishop suggesting that it presented an "incomplete theological picture".

In a random telephone survey of 1,703 adults, 26 percent said Jews were responsible for Christ's death, up from 19 percent in an ABC News poll that asked the same question in 1997.

The increase was especially pronounced among two groups. The portion of people younger than 30 who say Jews were responsible for killing Jesus has approximately tripled, from 10 percent in 1997 to 34 percent today. The portion of African Americans who hold that view doubled, from 21 percent to 42 percent.

The Pew poll found a statistical link between Gibson's film and belief that Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus. But the correlation is not simply that a relatively large proportion of those who have seen the film hold Jews responsible. That view is also somewhat more common among those who plan to see the film than in the general public.

Researchers therefore say that it is unclear whether the change in attitudes is down to the film or the publicity surrounding it.

While attitudes toward Jewish responsibility are changing, the Pew poll found that Americans' views of the Crucifixion generally are not. Forty percent say the Bible is the literal word of God, about the same proportion as in 1996. Ninety-two percent believe that Jesus died on the cross, and 83 percent believe that Jesus rose from the dead - both essentially unchanged since 1997.

A poll last week suggested that people in the US are reading the Bible more as a result of the film. It also said 75% of people believe that the film was "very close" to the Bible's account of Jesus' death. 15 percent responded "somewhat close" and five percent answered "not close at all."

The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the views of Ekklesia

[EveningStar]

What do you think of this?

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[Warrant]

One can't discuss the Holocust without mentioning the German's. How can we discuss Christ's death without mentioning the Jews. Get over it, it wasn't the Irish!

[kdot]

I don't understand this. Was it ever in dispute that the Jews killed Jesus? Without the death of Jesus, wouldn't we all still be condemned? Wasn't the death of Jesus a loving gift from our merciful God?

When wrong seems right, and right seems wrong ...

[Xenalyte]

Get over it, it wasn't the Irish!

That's 'cause back then, no Irish need apply. {rimshot!}

[Caipirabob]

Get over it, it wasn't the Irish!

No wonder they haven't responded to my "reparations" claim.

Guess I'll have to go to work tomorrow...

[Senator Pardek]

The only reason the Irish left Paganism for Christianity was that "water into wine" trick. (knock knock - is this thing on?)

[Bommer]

It was a pre-ordained death, however facts are facts. Judas (a Jew) was paid by Caiphaas (a Jew) and the Jewish High Council (all Jews) to betray and hand over Jesus (a Jew). At a mock trial, evidence that could not be refuted as to who Jesus was, was ignored or twisted to suit the Jewish High Priests desire to get rid of Jesus. Pontius Pilot did not want him killed and found no guilt with him, Caiphaas did. The Jewish crowd could have released him, but wanted him crusified. Could have released him, but picked a murderer Baraabas instead. You make the call.

[Warrant]

Hey, you're not supposed to know about that.

[stocksthatgoup]

So after weeks and weeks of warning that Jews would be blamed for the death of Christ.........5% more of the public now thinks Jews were to blame for the death of Christ? Who would've imagined?

[A CA Guy]

I think it is well known that Christ died because of us all and not because of Jews.
Granted their were Jews among some of those that wanted him dead, but you have bad people among us in every culture as well as a vast body of good people.

I think all this means nothing. Maybe some people get to find out more about what happened regarding what Christ did for us,...not what some people did to Christ.

[dawn53]

The increase was especially pronounced among two groups. The portion of people younger than 30 who say Jews were responsible for killing Jesus has approximately tripled, from 10 percent in 1997 to 34 percent today. The portion of African Americans who hold that view doubled, from 21 percent to 42 percent.

So if I understand this right, the last time they polled for this info was in 1997, ONLY 7 years ago, LOL.

And in 7 years the numbers have changed, but they are attributing the change in stats to a movie that's been out for 5 weeks.

What a joke!!!

[Jaded]

I think it depends on what area code and exchange was randomly called.

Lies
Damn Lies
Statistics

[Xenalyte]

We'll be here all week, ladies and gentlemen . . . and remember to tip your waitresses!

[bayourod]

"The percentage of Americans who say Jews were responsible for Christ's death is rising "

Only because Jewish leaders having been repeating the lie for six months.

Jewish leaders want to blame all of their problems on Christians disliking them because they killed Jesus.

No different from the Muslims blaming America for all their problems.<

Where are the moderate Muslims and moderate Jews to speak out against the bigotry and hate of their radical brethren?

[EveningStar]

Where are the moderate Muslims and moderate Jews to speak out against the bigotry and hate of their radical brethren?

Some of them may post here. ;)

[bayourod]

"Some of them may post here. ;) "

That's odd, their names don't look jewish.

[EveningStar]

Some do, some don't. :)

[Senator Pardek]

So this Irish teen asks his grandfather "can I have 10 dollars to buy a guinea pig?"

The old man replies "here's twenty dollars - marry yourself a nice Irish girl."