Film about Christ raises concerns of anti-Semitism

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, WI ^ | 8/11/03 | AMY WESTFELDT

[DPB101]

Film about Christ raises concerns of anti-Semitism

But Gibson defends 'Passion' as an
authentic crucifixion account

By AMY WESTFELDT
Associated Press

New York - Those who have seen Mel Gibson's film about the final hours of Jesus Christ have called it beautiful, magical, and a great and important work.

Those who fear "The Passion" could fuel anti-Semitism, however, until this weekend hadn't been allowed to see the film. Seven months before its release, this extraordinary vanity project is stirring passions over Gibson's exclusionary screenings and the potential for a negative depiction of Jews.

On Friday, it was shown in Houston to an audience that included for the first time an official from the Anti-Defamation League, which fights anti-Semitism. Audience members signed confidentiality agreements before attending the screening.

"We still have grave concerns," Rabbi Eugene Korn, director of the ADL's Office of Interfaith Affairs in New York, told the Houston Chronicle in Saturday's editions.

Not just Jews are concerned. The film was first questioned by a nine-member panel that included Christians. Gibson is a member of a Catholic movement that rejects the Vatican's authority over the Catholic church.

The action-movie star and Oscar-winning director of "Braveheart" has spent nearly $30 million of his own money to produce, co-write and direct "The Passion," starring Jim Caviezel as Jesus and Monica Bellucci as Mary Magdalene. Filmed entirely in Aramaic and Latin, it has yet to secure a distributor.

According to the official Web site for the film, "The Passion" may not reach theaters until June.

In recent weeks, the actor-director had been building support with invitation-only screenings for film industry insiders, conservative commentators, evangelical Christians and sympathetic Jews.

Ted Haggard, president of the National Evangelical Association, saw a screening in June with about 30 evangelical scholars. The scholars are very strict about adherence to scripture, so Gibson "had no assurances that we would be friendly toward that movie."

But Haggard loved it. "I thought it was the most authentic portrayal I've ever seen."

However, critics of "The Passion" - who have not seen the film - worry that it will attract millions to see a violent, bloody recounting of the crucifixion that portrays Jews as a frenzied mob eager to watch Jesus die.

"For too many years, Christians have accused Jews of being Christ-killers and used that charge to rationalize violence," said Sister Mary C. Boys, a seminary professor on a committee that read an early draft of the script. "This is our fear."

While Gibson said "The Passion" will be the most authentic account ever of the crucifixion, Boys said the script presented the Jews as more culpable than the Romans who executed Christ.

It only recounts the last 12 hours of Christ's life, she said, and therefore lacks the context to explain the Jews' portrayal.

In a June statement, Gibson denied that he or the film were anti-Semitic: "My intention in bringing it to the screen is to create a lasting work of art and engender serious thought among audiences of diverse faith backgrounds (or none) who have varying familiarity with this story."

[ultima ratio]

I don't associate anti-Semitism--which is a prejudice that does not usually involve hatred--with Hitler's genocide. Those who do so attempt to link ordinary Christian-Jewish conflicts to Hitler's hatred. This is ridiculous.

[veronica]

Discussions about this movie sure brings out the anti-semites. Mel Gibson's deliberate slow "rollout" of his film is having the unintended (I hope) consequence of fomenting animus against Jews, mostly among those so inclined already. A shame really. Why doesn't he just premiere the movie when it's done, like most directors do?

[Eternal_Bear]

Rewrite the script with Nazi Germans as the villains. That will make everyone happy.

[veronica]

I don't associate anti-Semitism--which is a prejudice that does not usually involve hatred...

Then what is anti-semitism about, in your opinion, if it's not about hatred of Jews? You don't associate the Holocaust with anti-semitism? Are you daft? Have you ever read the writings of the Nazis?

[SJackson]

I don't associate anti-Semitism--which is a prejudice that does not usually involve hatred--with Hitler's genocide. Those who do so attempt to link ordinary Christian-Jewish conflicts to Hitler's hatred. This is ridiculous.

The idea that antisemitism doesn't involve hatred is ridiculous (as well as factually incorrect-check a dictionary), unless the expulsion of Jews from Europe, as proposed in the late 1800s by the Antisemitische party in Germany and France is an ordinary Christian-Jewish conflict.

It's odd you seem to view anti-Semitism as a Christian-Jewish phenomenon.

[veronica]

Hitler exterminated 6 million Jews, but he didn't hate them. He just disliked them alot.

[ultima ratio]

I focus on the Christian-Jewish clashes because that is what is usually cited by some Jewish scholars as giving rise to Hitler. They charge the Catholic Church with historic anti-Semitism and claim its policies led directly to Hitler. This I reject for the following reason.

For every action there's a reaction. Freemasonry and Bolshevism were historical movements in which Jews were heavily represented in leadership roles and which directly attacked Catholicism. Of course there was a reaction to this by way of a rise in prejudice. But this is not the same uncaused psychopathology that Hitler represented.

[Prolixus]

The pre-emptive strike was on the part of the ADL and the Boston College professors who charged anti-Semitism. ...

Qui bono?

[Cachelot]

I don't associate anti-Semitism--which is a prejudice that does not usually involve hatred

That's as delusional an argument as I've read anywhere, and I've seen some bizarre spins on this.

Go read up on Wilhelm Marr. And blood libel, while you're at it.

[veronica]

For every action there's a reaction. Freemasonry and Bolshevism were historical movements in which Jews were heavily represented in leadership roles and which directly attacked Catholicism. Of course there was a reaction to this by way of a rise in prejudice. But this is not the same uncaused psychopathology that Hitler represented.

Ah so now we get to it. Hitler didn't hate Jews, he was just trying to rid Germany of Bolsheviks and Freemasons, and rightfully so, eh? (In other words the Jews deserved it.) Seen that argument before, at such lovely venues as LF and Stormfront. Hitler's Final Solution was only a reaction. I wonder what Mel Gibson would think if he knew a portion of his defenders hold such loony views.

[ultima ratio]

Is anti-Catholicism genocidal? Neither is anti-Semitism per se. Same difference.

[veronica]

Anti-semitism has lead to mass murder. Anti-semites throughout history have tended to take action against Jews. If one denies that one is ignorant, or willfully ignorant.

[ultima ratio]

I never said that. I said that there was sound reason for Catholics to resent Jews who led movements in Europe which were anti-Catholic. This is historical fact. I also said that brand of anti-Semitism was of a different order from what Hitler did. If you can't follow an argument, then but out.

[ultima ratio]

Bull hockey.

[verity]

This subject is wearing thin.

[veronica]

Are you a Holocaust denier? Only a Holocaust denier would reject the notion that Hitler committed mass murder because of his pathological hatred of Jews.

[SJackson]

Ah so now we get to it. Hitler didn't hate Jews, he was just trying to rid Germany of Bolsheviks and Freemasons, and rightfully so, eh? (In other words the Jews deserved it.) Seen that argument before, at such lovely venues as LF and Stormfront. Hitler's Final Solution was only a reaction. I wonder what Mel Gibson would think if he knew a portion of his defenders hold such loony views.

Well, Hutton Gibson is of the opinion that Vatican II was a fraud perpretrated by Freemasons and Jews, and it's my understanding Mel rejects that, so he'd probably just consider them, in your words, loony. so I presume he'd consider them loony.

[ultima ratio]

Here is the slander you just addressed to me: "Ah so now we get to it. Hitler didn't hate Jews, he was just trying to rid Germany of Bolsheviks and Freemasons, and rightfully so, eh? (In other words the Jews deserved it.) Seen that argument before, at such lovely venues as LF and Stormfront. Hitler's Final Solution was only a reaction. I wonder what Mel Gibson would think if he knew a portion of his defenders hold such loony views."

I NEVER SAID THIS. Reread my post. You owe me an apology.

[Freakazoid]

Those who fear "The Passion" could fuel anti-Semitism, however, until this weekend hadn't been allowed to see the film. Seven months before its release, this extraordinary vanity project is stirring passions over Gibson's exclusionary screenings and the potential for a negative depiction of Jews.

All in the second paragraph. Way over the top. Not worth reading further.

[ultima ratio]

Can you read English? I said just the opposite of what you are accusing me of. I said Hitler's pathological hatred caused him to commit genocide. I said this hatred was different from routine anti-Semitism which flourished in Europe prior to his rise. Again, you owe me an apology.