Jews and Gibson's Passion

[allymillie]

I truly do not understand why these detractors will not let up. Michael Medved accurately pointed out that the REACTION towards Gibson's film, rather than the film itself, would lead to antisemitism and I agree. These protests and denouncements have gone from offensive to downright annoying/obnoxious. I read that Tom O'Neil, another fool who makes inane points about the film, say that the Academy, which he points out is heavily Jewish populated, were cussing and swearing throughout a screening for the Academy Awards. I am very irritated that Bill Donahue got flack for candidly discussing the prevalance of Jews in Hollywood. Political correctness can hinder honest discourse. Weren't these the same people who were screaming "Artistic freedom" for "The Last Temptation of Christ"?? Some Jews need to learn to respect the Christian faith. Also, Rabbi Boteach needs to stop being such a hypocrite. He complained that Christians should "Get a life" instead of protesting the satanic marks and grafitti on the nativity scenes but also declared in the same breath that destruction to synogogues would be wrong. What is the difference? People like him and others are only preventing interfaith communication and respect - not Mel Gibson. Please don't censor this message - i would like to have an honest discussion on this.

Why 'The Passion' still troubles me By ABRAHAM H. FOXMAN

It is now some 10 months since Mel Gibson's movie The Passion of the Christ opened in the United States, and a week since its opening in Israel.

It is a good time to look back at the controversy surrounding the movie, which may be revived surrounding the lead-up to the February Oscar Awards.

We need to distinguish between the movie itself and its impact.

In its depiction of Jews and how it attempts to turn back the clock on the many positive changes the Catholic Church has made in the last half-century, the film could not have been worse.

Gibson not only blames the Jews for the persecution and death of Jesus, but along the way he plays into and reinforces the stereotypes of Jews that have haunted our people for two millennia.

At the core of anti-Semitism, and what makes it different from other forms of ethnic or religious hatred, is the image of the Jew as alien, conspiratorial and mystically all-powerful.

This is the thinking behind medieval charges of Jews poisoning the wells and causing the plague, of the infamous Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion, of Hitler's and Goebbels' propaganda.

In his depiction of the Jews as representing the devil, as being more powerful, somehow, than the Romans themselves, Gibson is doing exactly what the Vatican has been trying to get away from.

This is no accident since he is well known for opposing the major changes in Catholic teaching that emerged from the historic Vatican II meetings in the 1960s.

Gibson may well have the modern Vatican as his primary target but, as is often the case, the Jews pay the price.

So the film is what is.

I think it is useful for Jews, including in Israel, to see the film – despite the understandable feeling of not wanting to contribute to Gibson's overflowing coffers. Only by viewing it can one understand how offensive it is.

AS TO its impact, I never predicted that the film would lead to pogroms, of which I have nevertheless been accused.

I did express serious concern – especially at a time when anti-Semitism in the world was surging and where even in the United States one quarter of Americans held Jews accountable for the death of Jesus – that Gibson's movie would reinforce and rationalize old views about Jews that legitimize anti-Semitism.

I am thankful that there were few anti-Semitic incidents in America following viewings. It is rare, particularly in the US, where people are bombarded with untold numbers of cultural images, for any one event to set off bigoted or violent behavior.

The truth is that American attitudes toward Jews have significantly improved. Still, as I repeatedly said throughout the 1990s, when many people were challenging ADL's continuing focus on anti-Semitism as a potential threat, there is no reason to be complacent.

IT HAS been said that Gibson's film represents the greatest tool for evangelization that has ever existed. Indeed, more people will see it than all the passion plays from the Middle Ages to today.

With the release of the DVD, potentially millions of schoolchildren will – through the years – be exposed to the film's vile notions of Jews surrounding the death of Jesus.

Should attitudes toward Jews harden, which has happened before, the impact of the film could play a part.

Meanwhile, the vast majority of American clergymen chose not to speak out about the way Jews were depicted. I understand the reluctance to criticize a movie which deals with Christianity's sacred event, but I am far less patient with the absence of empathy for Jewish distress considering the history of Christian anti-Semitism.

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1104291022893

[XJarhead]

Well, in fairness, it appears from the context of the article that Foxman published it very recently. Can't tell exactly because there's no date, but he does state that it was ten months since the movie came out. So apparently, it was Foxman who chose the timing for this article.

I don't see any validity in drawing any conclusions about "jews" in general from anything Foxman said. He speaks for himself, and I suppose one could argue that on some occasions, he speaks for the ADL. But this appears to be something he wrote as an individual and does not constitute the "official" views of the AFL.

There is some value in commenting on it now because he apparently just wrote it. But the only conclusion I draw from what he wrote is that he personally is not someone I'd take seriously in the future. It's a comment on his personal credibility, IMHO. Nothing more, and certainly nothing that would justify any blanket assertions about people of any race or faith.

[dennisw]

Well, in fairness, it appears from the context of the article that Foxman published it very recently......

You are correct. He should shut up about this subject. He's said his piece.

[Just mythoughts]

"Chill baby. You still got the numbers and the power. There are only 12 million Jews on this planet and 1.5+ billion Christians. Stop getting so wound up when Jews don't toe your party line."


Really now, the Promise to Abraham was that his seed would be as the stars of heaven and the sands of the sea, now those are uncountable numbers.

Aside from that, what about those "10" tribes that Christ called the "lost sheep" that would not know who they were?

Now would you care to explain why this nation a Christian nation from it inception is the most blessed nation in all of recorded history. The blessings were promised and we today are witnesses to those very blessings.

AND even more to the point all those 12 sons are named and their inheritance is listed and there is more than one tribe Judah.

[Just mythoughts]

"Christians need to be more sensitive to that fact that "The Passion of The Christ" serves as a painful reminder to Jews that the Savior of the world walked among them preaching the Word of God. The Crucifixion of Christ was a major world event, culturally and religiously, that has impacted the lives of billions of people, in every corner of the globe, for generations. It happened in their presence.........but the learned rabbis and the Jewish people in Jesus' time failed to recognize its significance, and have a problem acknowledging it, even to this day."


Prophecy being fulfilled as Christ said "these things need be".

We Christians should not expect better treatment than Christ received. I think it is called sorting the chaff from the wheat.

[Hildy]

All I have to say is this: Today, I don't see Jews killing Christians. I don't see Christians killing Jews.

HOWEVER, I see Muslims killing Christians and Jews. Please let's keep our priorities and, yes, passion, in the right place.

Thank you.

[notigar]

"Christians need to be more sensitive to that fact that "The Passion of The Christ" serves as a painful reminder to Jews that the Savior of the world walked among them preaching the Word of God."

Obnoxious, to say the least. In case you didn't know, Jews don't believe Jesus was the savior.

[karenbarinka]

I've given up expecting decency or even sanity from members of a religion that sanctions the extermination of innocent, unborn children.

As they continue to cry wolf over imagined threats and grievances, they are contracepting and aborting themselves out of existence.

[Netizen]

With all due respect, the United States isn't a 'christian' nation it is a G-dly or G-dfearing nation, which is much better imho.

Those lost tribes are people that were exiled for going after false gods, taken into captivity and learneded pagan ways. Those that later adopted pagan ways from the Hellenized Romans and called themselves christians are still pagans under another name.

Anyone not adhering to the original faith, such as those taken into captivity were APOSTATE. The idea is that over the millenia, certain individuals would sense, and realize their need for something more and a return to their 'roots', their Hebraic roots no less and return home and not be lost anymore.

[Just mythoughts]

"With all due respect, the United States isn't a 'christian' nation it is a G-dly or G-dfearing nation, which is much better imho. "

Now before we go any further each individual has the right to believe whatever they choose.

Having said that, Christ was foretold through out the OLD and things happened just the way they were foretold. Psalms 22 for starters.

One cannot pick and choose select scriptures and Rebbecca was promised that within her womb were two nations. One child was loved by the Heavenly Father and another was loved by his earthly father. All the promises good and bad still hold to this day no matter what some claim.

This nation was founded upon that very principle and still does even though there has been a dash to make wrong right and right wrong.

It was from Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Judah, and Levi the lineage in which Christ was destined to come, and did.


"Those lost tribes are people that were exiled for going after false gods, taken into captivity and learneded pagan ways. Those that later adopted pagan ways from the Hellenized Romans and called themselves christians are still pagans under another name."

Those lost tribes are said to be numbered as the stars of heaven and the sands of the sea. You going to claim one promise and ignore the rest.

"Anyone not adhering to the original faith, such as those taken into captivity were APOSTATE. The idea is that over the millenia, certain individuals would sense, and realize their need for something more and a return to their 'roots', their Hebraic roots no less and return home and not be lost anymore."

We are specifically told that a remnant would be SET ASIDE in more places than one. And the two houses would not be rejoined in that land of Israel until the "real" Christ returns.

Paul tells us that these things happened for our warning as to what would be replayed again, so looks as if the captivity of the "APOSTATE" will happen again and they will be taking by the role players once again as it is written the Assyrian king and the king of Babylon.