[Diago]

From today's David Briggs' article:

The Diocese of Cleveland sent a February memo to all its parishes asking Catholics to be aware of the potential for anti-Semitism.

On Friday, a trio of prominent Jewish, Catholic and Protestant leaders sent a letter to 300 of their colleagues urging them to ad dress the issues raised by the film in their churches and synagogues.

"As fellow clergy and people of faith, we call upon you to be aware of the dangers the Gibson film poses. We urge you to address these risks forthrightly within your denomination and institution and to educate and sensitize those who may see the film so that they do not take away from it the wrong message," the letter said.

The plea was signed by the Rev. Joseph Hilinski, interfaith director of the Catholic diocese, the Rev. Louise Westfall, pastor of Fairmount Presbyterian Church, and Rabbi Richard Block, senior rabbi of The Temple-Tifereth Israel.

[Thorin]

I am embarrassed that my diocese's only reaction to Gibson's film is to issue a warning (from people who haven't even seen it) about its potential to incite anti-Semitism. Disgusting.

[Barnacle]

This is just another BS article attempting to distract Christians and non-Christians from the true nature of the great film.

[Jeff Chandler]

This memo shows that the liberal clergy believe that we are idiots and bigots who will be turned against the Jews. Like all liberals, they are stuck in the sixties with their liberal templates of what people in general and conservatives in particular think. We are all racist, bigot, misogynist morons to them.

[Ronzo]

"John Hexter, director of the Cleveland chapter of the American Jewish Committee, said Friday his organization is concerned the movie damages Jewish-Christian relations "in its unnecessary and destructive imagery of Jews."

My goodness, the pre-emptive attack on Mel's film continues. Couldn't they at least WAIT until some sort of anti-semetic activity develops after the film comes out, rather than ASSUMING that the film is anti-semetic and that everyone who goes and sees it will automatically hate Jews for "killing" Jesus?

I guess this is a one-way street. It's OK to label a person or a film anti-semetic or a "probable" anti-semetic, but there is obviously no such thing as an anti-Christian. Yet these attacks on Mel and the film are DEFINATELY anti-Christian, in form as well as substance.

If there is going to be a rebirth of anti-semetic attitudes amongst Christians, it won't be because of people watching "The Passion," but because of the incredibly biased and unsubstanitated claims of certain very loud Jewish people AGAINST this film. Rather than preventing anti-semetism, they are, in fact, manufacturing it. "What you fear will come upon you..."

What's even worst, is the horrible theology that is being used to defend this film. No where in the Bible does it state that "we nailed Jesus to the Cross." While it may sound very pious, it is actually very boastful. However, you will find many, many references to the person who really does take FULL RESPONSIBLITY for the death of Jesus: God himself.

"But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished— he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Ro 3:21-26). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions —it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Eph 2:1-9). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."

The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Mt 26:36-42). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

It was God's idea to sacrifice His son for our sins. He did not have to do it. He did it out of His love for us, while we were still sinners. We had nothing to do with it, other than being the objects of God's love. The only thing that sins did and still do is condemn us to everlasting destruction. Only faith in Jesus can wipe away the stain of our sins.

The Romans (Gentiles) put Jesus to death at the accusation of the High Priest and his minions (Jews). But it was God's plan they were fulfilling, no matter what their evil motives were. It is a mistake to say that the Jews were not involved in Jesus' death, as the gospels make it absolutely clear they were, and they must take there fair share of the responsiblity, just as we, the gentiles, must, as reprsented by Rome's role in the crucifixion. No one gets a free pass.

So why aren't the Italians worried about an anti-Roman backlash? If anyone has something to fear from this movie, it would be them...

[ultima ratio]

What's next--a ban on the reading of the Gospel on Palm Sunday? Is that also anti-Semitic?

[NeoCaveman]

Bad bishop ping.

Also he happens to be my bishop. 3 years 8 months until he is 75 and has to offer his resignation.

[truthandlife]

'Passion' ping

[man of Yosemite]

Acts 2:22-24, Ye men of Israel, here these words; Jesus of Nazereth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.

Acts 2:36, Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

It looks pretty clear to me that Israel was declared to be guilty of killing their Christ. Now, that has turned out to be a fortuitous event, freeing everyman who believes from his sins, but let us not hear any nonsense now about them not being responsible.

The only persons who would be anti-Semitic upon seeing this movie would be the ignorant and hate-filled. The movie is about the love of God demonstrated in his Son, not about the sin of those who rejected him. It is the story of God's answer for our sin, his remedy for our wickedness. If you are focused on how bad Jews are portrayed in the movie, then you have missed the point completely. The answer for their sin is the main character in the story.

Acts 2:37-39, Now when they heard this,they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.