Posted on 04/04/2004 3:37:19 PM PDT by 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
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." -- John 14:6
It is better to say "I don't know if I am a Christian" than to dismiss Christ(ianity)...I implore you to look thoroughly before you leap.
After Abe Foxman's very effective Crusade to make "who killed Jesus" the number one topic of dinner conversation, I suppose this slippage is to be expected.
"Humanity" was not in control; besides, what of the OT verses I posted?
Do you NOT believe them?
Jesus was born a Jew and died a Jew.
Yisheyah 53
5 But he was wounded because of our transgressions, he was crushed because of our iniquities: the chastisement of our welfare was upon him, and with his stripes we were healed.
http://www.hareidi.org/bible/Isaiah53.htm#5
Tehilim 21 (Psalms)
16 My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my throat; and Thou layest me in the dust of death.
17 For dogs have encompassed me; a company of evil-doers have inclosed me; like a lion, they are at my hands and my feet.
http://www.hareidi.org/bible/Psalms22.htm#16
This is from the Jewish Publication Society of America and also matches the Hebrew version on this Israeli website (http://kodesh.snunit.k12.il/i/t/t1053.htm)
I don't think it is relevant.
What I think is relevant is what people do and say after having seen The Passion, or simply after having discussed it.
There were up to 6 million Jews spread throughout the Roman Empire at that time. About 3 million of them may have been in Jerusalem for Pesach when Yeshua of Nazareth was murdered. Perhaps some hundreds or at most few thousands were responsible for handing him over to the Gentiles to be crucified.
Do you consider Americans "As Individuals and as a Nation" as responsible for :
I admire your faith. You better hope so, because if you are wrong...eeeshhhhhhh. I wouldn't want to be you.
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.
Excellent post worthy of a repost.
Thanks for speaking the truth.
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