Cardinal gets preview of controversial film [Mel Gibson's "The Passion"]

Chicago Sun Times ^ | August 3, 2003 | JANET RAUSA FULLER

[Bobby777]

that Christ died for our sins, all of us, and so therefore we all caused (the need for) His death

this is the 100% correct interpretation of the New Testament ...God Sacrificed His Perfect Son, presenting Him for Sacrifice during the Passover Week ... This is the Finished Work of the Messiah ...

it should never be twisted to support anti-Jewish attitudes ...

[King Prout]

"We believe this film in its present form has the potential to set Catholic-Jewish relations back decades with one brush stroke," said Richard Hirschhaut, Midwest director of the Anti-Defamation League. "It is clear that the characters who are the Jews are cast as . . . distrustful, scheming and evil."

What... ALL of them? Including the Disciples, the friends and family of Jesus, and Jesus himself?

I have not yet seen The Passion, but I somehow doubt that Jesus & Co. are not among the characters, are cast as anything other than Jews, or are cast as "distrustful, scheming, and evil." Something just makes me shake my agnostic little head in doubt about this contention, and the furor from which it stems. It seems to me as if some folks are just looking for issues that really are not there.

[DPB101]

And tomorrow we will discuss if the entire Christian faith or just Catholics are responsible for the murder of Matthew Shepard, the dragging death of James Byrd, the Bubonic plague, WWI, WWII, sexism, racism, AIDS, the heartbreak of psosoris, the fall of the Roman Empire, Octupus seat and global warming.

[Bobby777]

are you sure you're answering the correct person or issue?

[Bonaparte]

He's right on target. Christians are villified every day in the media. Gibson's film is bringing out their guilt and paranoia. They see an attack where there is none. Bad conscience will do that.

[DPB101]

Nothing to answer. This is all nonsense. The assumptions made by the critics do not deserve a reply.

[Ant_biter]

Jesus was a Jew who lived around Jerusalem. Naturally, the people he encountered with were mostly Jews and some Roman authorities. The Pharisees who wanted to silent him through his death and the apostles who spread his gospels were all Jews. If Jesus were an Indian or a Chinese in his respective land, then those who responsible for his rise and fall would also be Indians or Chinese. I just do not see the logic of depicting the life of Jesus according to the witnesses of his Jewish disciples would be anti-Semites. Just like Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by his fellow American; telling the story of the last few hours of Pres. Lincoln is not offensive to Americans at all. It would be worse if the truth is distorted for the sake of harmony just like the fairy tales. We are mature enough to know and accept reality as part of life’s learning process. Besides, Jews should be proud of Jesus just as Americans are proud of Pres. Lincoln for being admired by all people regardless of races around the world. Please do not act like the Pharisees to silent or censor the real Jesus. Better act like the apostles to spread his messages.

If we commit sins like abortion, fornication, dishonesty, killing or harming others …, we are there among the crowds shouting “Crucify him! Crucify him!”

[ex-Texan]

GOOD *BUMP* !

[reloader]

What is "Octupus Seat" ?.

[Theo]

The controversy has centered largely around a committee of Roman Catholic and Jewish scholars who have not seen the film but read a script version

It's my understanding that "the script version" of this movie would be ... um ... the Bible?

I think it'd be valid to review this movie based on the director/producer's "interpretation" (seen by camera angles, cuts, who the camera puts in the focus, etc.), but "the script" would be just the Bible, I believe. I suppose it's understandable that those scholars are upset about "the script." Those who crucified Jesus were upset about "the script" as well....

[DPB101]

Thanks. Gibson needs to expand his private showings. Reach out to the beautiful people, the movers and the shakers, the avant-garde. How does this list sound? I leave anyone out?

Rosa DeLauro, Barney Frank, Al Sharpton, Richard Simmons , Patricia Ireland, Noam Chomsky, Meathead, James Carville, Maxine Waters,Leslie Feinberg, Norman Lear, Louis Farrakhan, Abe Foxman, Pat Schroeder,Robert Reich, Lyndon LaRouche, Phil Donahue, Alan Dershowitz, Pee-Wee Herman, Susan Estridge, Kweisi Mfume, Marvin Hier, Maureen Dowd, O.J. Simpson, Ralph Nader, Charles Schumer, Kobe Bryant, Jocelyn Elders, Ted Kennedy, Sandra Feldman, the San Diego Chicken, Barbara Boxer, Cher, Bill Moyers, Jerry Springer, Gloria Feldt, Chelsea Clinton, Dan Rather, Gray Davis, Major Owens, Ted Koppel, Jesse Jackson, Molly Ivins, Sally Struthers, the Barbie Twins, Joe Lieberman, Cynthia McKinney, Barbara Streisand, Michael Moore, Arthur "Pinch" Sulzberger Jr. and Mumia Abu-Jamal .

[Chewbacca]

The script version was a stolen copy of an early script.
I don't know why these people aren't prosecuted for possession of stolen property and taken to court for its return, but they should be. Especially since they will not reveal who stole it and gave it to them to read.

[DPB101]

What is "Octopus Seat"?

Not sure. There was a guy at the Las Vegas Swap meet who sold Sarsparilla Soda out of an old time Medicine Wagon.He claimed his elixir cured "Octopus Seat". Among other things.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

"For people who think that the passion narratives are themselves anti-Semitic, well then, it's a presentation of those narratives.

People who think that the New Testament is anti-Semitic are basically anti-Christian.

But it's okay to be anti-Christian.

[joesnuffy]

The ADA and the ACLU the Southern Poverty Law Center People for the Separation of Church n State
Dont really believe for one minute that "Movies cause violence" they've preached that a million times...in defense of pornography causing rape for example...

Naw...they are the "new breed" of secular pharasies and saducees...

Who is gonna be affected by this movie?

Surely not the atheists of the ACLU or the ADA or those who have no belief that Christ is God or the Messiah heck I doubt most of them believe in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

Quite a few people who would say that they are Christians dont actually believe in the divinity of Christ, or the Virgin Birth, or his death and resurection..

The people who will be most affected will be those who already believe or who will as a result of this movie will believe..

The spririt of Christ has NEVER moved anyone to violence against Jews or blamed Jews whole cloth..
You would also have to equally "blame" Romans..(Italians..oops probably many of the POPES)

IMO- These organizations "hide" behind "good intentions"...their hidden agenda in this has been the same one for generations..tracing its roots back to the crucifiction murder of Jesus

Their duty (as they see it) is to prevent "The Good News" of Christ- Messiah brought to "the people" who might be converted by the Holy Spirit..it is what they are really afraid of...

If they were true "Liberals" they would simply allow each person to see it and make up their own minds...IN FREEDOM OF CHOICE...

Like most of those who call themselves liberal or enlightened there are "some choices" that are off limits..the open discussion of Christ-Messiah one of them...they spend most of their energy trying to make it LAW that one cannot discuss ,preach ,pray, worship, Messiah-Christ...in Public...(they hope to someday be able to go after those who worship Christ in private..they bide their time over this one imo)

Their hearts are as every bit as black as their predecessor's..
Somethings never change..

The modern day Saducees and Pharasies those "Learned Men" are now hold Phds and JDs-they are learned atheists and the State their god...and they need to protect their god from the true Savior of mankind.. Jesus Christ..and stop anyone from telling others the good news...

That whoever was involved in the death of Christ was predestined by God to do so...
They did their part...they as individuals must answer for it...there is no "collective guilt"

Without the death and resurection of Christ NO ONE would be saved...from the judgement and punishment yet to come..

He is Risen -and that No one comes to the Father but by Him- Jesus is Lord

[veronica]

Are you sure you're answering the correct person or issue?

Good question. :) The response is rather odd, and perhaps designed to steer the debate in another direction entirely.

[veronica]

Do you believe in free speech? Are you aware that eventually, this film will be widely viewed? Do you have a problem with that? Do you think something innoculates any artist against having his vision critiqued by the public at large? This isn't Cuba you know.

[King Prout]

Is that truculent grease-spot Michael "I'd lie about my momma's chastity to get an Oscar" Moore on your list?