Frank Rich: The gospel according to Gibson

New York Times/International Herald Tribune ^ | 8/01/03 | Frank Rich

[Rightly Biased]

"Jews didn't crucify Christ alone, it was 50-50 with us gentiles."
Basically we crucified Christ because we sin and God the Father knew there was no way we could get to His prescence without the shedding of innocent blood.And who more innocent than God himself in the form of man as Jesus.How Jesus got to the cross 2000 years ago and who did the deed is just...well....... The way God had it planned to save us from our sins.To keep me on the right track I tell myself I crucified Christ because of my sin..
Regards

[veronica]

Took the liberty of changing a few words in a Chomsky rant to make it apply to The Passion. Forget what he was talking about. There is a footnote link at the end which takes you to the original rant. All the same thing with him tho...everything is evil.Everyone is stupid. Except Chomsky.

Not even close. Why don't you address, specifically, the issues Frank Rich raises in this column? Can you? Or do you just post articles on this subject as bait, to engender animosity toward Jews? By the way, are you aware that Frank Rich is very good friends with Cal Thomas, the Christian Conservative icon? That is not to defend everything Frank Rich has written, but he's no Noam Chomsky. Now how about some thoughtful debate regarding this column, and not just mud-slinging...

[veronica]

And further, why is it you focus only on Jews who have written about this movie, but none of the Catholics who have raised concerns?

Why not a debate about Mel Gibsons enemies in the Church, and his opposition to Vatican II? I guess the next thing that will happen is you attempt to connect Jews who have raised concerns about this film to the Russian mafia, eh?

[Cachelot]

Geez... we all know that this critter is LarryLied, down to the minutest idiosyncrasies. So does the admin, I think, despite his protestations. But like the last go-round, there seems to be some sort of protection in place.

It'll break sooner or later, of course. In the meantime, it's pretty ugly.

[DPB101]

Mud-slinging? Frank Rich is a Bush-hating, Republican-despising liberal lunatic. Everyone knows that. I don't care who he is friends with. My position and I believe the position of most who reply on these threads is that Mel and anyone else should be allowed to make a movie about their faith in peace. Mel didn't start this. He told everyone that if he ever offended anyone, he would like to know so he can make amends. The liberal media swoons over movies and art which mock the Christian faith. We heard over and over how trying to stop an exhibit depicting the Virgin Mary smeared with dung was "censorship." Now that a movie made by a person of faith is produced, the media trashes it.

Btw...Mel's father is a nut. But I would never had known that had you not mentioned it on almost every Passion and liberals in the media reported it.

EOM and end of discussion.

[sakic]

If certain Jews do not want the story of Christ's death told for fear of putting them in a bad light. Then shut the hell up and bombarding us every other week by broadcasting a new or old take on the Nazi holocaust.

Please print up a set of rules for us Jews to follow so that we don't offend you.

[AAABEST]

Now how about some thoughtful debate regarding this column....

First I see many thoughtful comments on this thread. Second, there's nothing thoughtful about this POS column or Rich himself. He's a poisoned little moron.

[veronica]

End of discussion...

Not. :)

Mel Gibson, like any other artist, must, eventually, face the public and the critics. There is nothing sacrosanct about any movie, book, painting, etc. all of which are fodder for debate and criticism, unless of course you are a Stalinist, and don't appreciate that in an open society, debate is healthy. You a Stalinist? Martin Scorcese did not escape scrutiny when he made a movie about Jesus, and he didn't whine about it either. He defended his point of view, and let his work stand on it's own.

Once this film hits the marketplace, and non-handpicked audiences have a look at it, we'll all know what it is and isn't. In the meantime, it appears to have been adopted by anti-semites, who seem to be panting with the hope that the film will be anti-semitic.

[Diago]

If certain Jews do not want the story of Christ's death told for fear of putting them in a bad light. Then shut the hell up and bombarding us every other week by broadcasting a new or old take on the Nazi holocaust. It too is ancient history and makes the Germans of today look bad and prejudices the world against them.

Interesting.

[sakic]

Why do Jews try to pretend they didn't murder Jesus?

Why do Christians pretend that they didn't put Hitler in power?

Who were those Roman fellows?

I don't know any Christians who would hate the Jews for doing what was God's will to save all of humanity.

Read some history books and maybe you'll be able to find some.

[Iowegian]

This just proves the old saying: "If you go looking for something to be offended about, you'll always find it."

[sakic]

If he genuinely wants people to stop "hating" Jews, he would do well to keep his own nasty mouth shut and stop provoking such a reaction!

There's a familiar refrain from history. "They bring it upon themselves".

[veronica]

Then shut the hell up and bombarding us every other week by broadcasting a new or old take on the Nazi holocaust.

This is the sort of comment that anti-semites hope will be elicited by a discussion of this movie.

[sakic]

I'm sorry, but other than to say that Rich and his group wrote the book on being victims, and the truth is the truth, I'd better just shut up.

Shutting up after spouting is not really shutting up.

[AAABEST]

...it appears to have been adopted by anti-semites.

I knew there was a reason why I never took you off of my a-hole list. I'm starting to think you're a Palestinian who uses this forum to engender ill-will towards the stiff necks.

[lisaann8]

Let's keep the petition to support Mel's film going. So far we've had signers from all over the world.

You can sign the petition here - Mel Gibson Petition - To Support The Passion

[veronica]

It's unfortunate that you and a couple of others here are not capable of having a rational, adult, debate on this matter, but choose instead to hiss. Oh well. :)

[tictoc]

It isn't ancient history for Holocaust survivors. Nor for their children. Nor for many others who have met survivors and spoken with them.

[DoctorMichael]

The 'Editorialist' has some deep-seated problems which he should deal with.

[HISSKGB]

Do a search and see who is leading the attack on Mel Gibson. The NYT started it. Abe, the ADL and TNR qickly piled on to create this mess.

According to Medved the only 'Catholic' scholars who objected were those at the Anti Defamation League.

It is unfair of you to divert attention away from those who are causing this big stink.