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The big five losers from 'The Passion'
Jerusalem Post ^ | 3.10.04

Posted on 03/10/2004 2:42:00 PM PST by ambrose

The big five losers from 'The Passion'

SHMULEY BOTEACH Mar. 10, 2004

Rather than being a wild triumph for Christianity, The Passion of the Christ has created a long list of losers. Here are the top five:

1. Christian conservatives whose ability to protest violence in Hollywood films has now been severely compromised.

The Christian community in the US earned my abiding respect for serving as the foremost guardians of the morality of the American nation. There are literally hundreds of Christian organizations in the US devoted to enforcing standards of decency in Hollywood, strengthening marriage, and teaching young teens to abstain from sex rather than use a condom.

But the Christian community's enthusiasm for The Passion has dealt a catastrophic blow to its credibility in condemning violence in films and squalid video games such as Grand Theft Auto. Gibson's movie is one of the most brutal and bloody in the history of film and rivals The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for sheer gore.

No doubt my Christian brethren would argue that the violence in The Passion is warranted, given the fact that the subject matter is religiously inspiring. But I predict that Hollywood directors famous for gratuitous violence, such as Quentin Tarantino and Oliver Stone, will now find convincing arguments that violence in their films also serves an important social purpose.

2. Mel Gibson, who emerges as a talented fanatic at best and a full-blown loon at worst.

Yes, I know, every commentator has painted Mel as the big winner in this brouhaha since his Aramaic movie defied all expectations and so far earned him a cool $200 million. But money is not everything, and Mel must now contend with his new reputation as a violence-obsessed religious fanatic who said that all Protestants, including his own wife, are destined for hell, who claimed that the Holy Ghost helped him direct his film, and who has a Holocaust-denying anti-Semitic dad to boot.

Mel's violent streak has also been much in evidence. As New York Times columnist Frank Rich writes, "If he says that he wants you killed, he wants your intestines 'on a stick' and he wants to kill your dog - such was his fatwa against me in September - not only is there nothing personal about it but it's an act of love."

When the hoopla is over and Mel is searching for a new project, he'll be hard-pressed to find another controversial biblical story that guarantees controversy and profit. After all, you really can't much improve on the charge that the Jews killed God.

3. Jewish conservatives, many of whom now feel alienated from their Christian colleagues and are wondering who are their authentic allies. The Passion has forced upon politically conservative Jews like myself a horrible choice: either betray Jewish interests by pretending that a movie making the charge of deicide is no big deal and playing sycophant to the much larger Christian market by praising the film - a choice all too many high-profile Jewish conservatives have made; or be told that you are endangering Israel by undermining Christian support for the Jewish state.

But I reject the choice between the interests of the Jewish people versus the interests of the Jewish state. Any Christian friend whose support can so quickly evaporate when we object to being falsely portrayed as god-killers in a movie is hardly an ally.

PASSIONATE ADMIRERS of the Christian community, like myself, now feel distant from and disillusioned by our Christian counterparts. Where is Christian sensitivity to an allegation that has led to the death of millions of Jews throughout the ages?

I have been attacked by Franklin Graham on US television for opposing this film. His father Billy, one of America's finest sons and its foremost evangelist, has - for all his greatness - labeled Jews "devilish" in a secretly taped conversation with Richard Nixon.

If such an educated man can develop a negative view of Jews based on the gospel's depiction of Jewish culpability for the death of Christ, what conclusions will the less educated draw as they are shocked by the bloody images of Jews demanding the crucifixion of Jesus? 4. Jews for Jesus.

I have thrice debated leading Jewish-Christian missionary Dr. Michael Brown on the messiahship and death of Jesus. People like my friend Mike must now defend a deeply anti-Semitic film that portrays his own people as devilish murderers who crucified the Creator, thus giving the lie to Jewish-Christian's central argument that believing in Jesus is not a betrayal of the Jewish people. 5. The Christian faith.

The biggest loser of all, tragically, is the Christian religion, which is now portrayed as a religion of blood, gore, and death rather than of blessing, love, and life.

Judaism and its daughter religion, Christianity, were a radical departure from the pagan world's earlier cults of death. Both emphasized the idea of righteous action on this earth and both were based on the Hebrew scriptures' demand for moral excellence and the need to perfect the world in God's name. Even in the New Testament, the passion of Christ occupies at most a chapter or two in each of the gospels, while the life of Jesus is spelled out more than 10 times that number.

But Mel Gibson, in his wearisome, monotonous, and numbing depiction of endless blood and gore, utterly ignores things like Jesus's beautiful ethical teachings from the Sermon on the Mount, focusing entirely on the horrors of the crucifixion.

Gibson tells us that what made Jesus special was not that he lived righteously but that he died bloodily. Mel Gibson - who told interviewers that he contemplated suicide before making this film - is clearly obsessed with violence and death.

The Passion is an evangelical tool. Is that really Christianity's central message - not that Jesus lived an inspirational life by which the faithful should be roused but that he died a horrible death for which the sinners should feel responsible? Indeed, the only winners emerging from The Passion are Islamic extremists who will no doubt take pleasure in seeing Jews and Christians squabbling at a time of considerable danger to both Israel and the United States.

But rather than blame the Jews for simply defending themselves against Mel Gibson's attack, let's place the blame squarely where it belongs - on Mel Gibson, who could easily have made an inspirational movie about the life and death of Christ without blaming the Jews for Jesus's death and without mixing in enough blood to fill the Jordan River. Instead, he decided to protect his investment by courting controversy and has made hundreds of millions of dollars.

Will he put some of that money toward educating Jews and Christians about their common heritage and kinship? Only time will tell. And in that telling, we will better be able to gauge Mel's motives and sincerity.

The writer is a nationally syndicated talk radio host in the US and author of 14 books.


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To: Pan_Yans Wife
Schmuley has been one of Michael Jackson's biggest supporters.

Link? Source?

21 posted on 03/10/2004 2:53:40 PM PST by ambrose ("John Kerry has blood of American soldiers on his hands" - Lt. Col. Oliver North)
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To: ambrose
‘Passion’ Making Believers of Many

"The Passion" is not only filling theater seats, but church pews as well.

CBN News - Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ" appears to be drawing people, not just to theaters, but to churches. Pastors around the country are reporting an increase in visitors and new members since the film's release.

Gibson's "Passion" seems to be rubbing off on moviegoers, who say:

"It's disturbing, but people need to see it."

"I believe God instructed Mel how to make this movie."

And, it appears many are so deeply touched by the film they are recommitting their lives to Christ, or at least heading back to church.

For example, according to The Washington Times, 3,000 people visited the evangelical Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California. That is on top of their average 20,000 Sunday attendance. More than 900 people at Saddleback signed a card indicating they had become new converts over the last two weekends. And churches across the country are using the movie as a springboard for sermons, Bible studies and small group discussions. While evangelicals see "The Passion" as a great tool for evangelism, others see the movie, which so far has grossed nearly $219 million, as more for those who already believe in Christ. Either way, "The Passion" is not only filling theater seats, but church pews as well.

These Christians are too stupid to even comprehend that they are losers according to Shmuley. Apparently Shmuley has taken some time from backing up his buddy, Michael Jackson to write this.

22 posted on 03/10/2004 2:53:49 PM PST by stands2reason
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To: ambrose
"But I reject the choice between the interests of the Jewish people versus the interests of the Jewish state. Any Christian friend whose support can so quickly evaporate when we object to being falsely portrayed as god-killers in a movie is hardly an ally."

I just have to say it: "this is a Jew without a clue!"

He needs to log onto Rabbi Lapin's web site and read what he says about the movie and about the true Christian-Jewish relationship. As Rabbi Lapin says: "America's Bible-belt is the Jews safety belt." I think this guy is trying to stir up non-existant anti-Semitism or is really hoping that some materalizes.

23 posted on 03/10/2004 2:54:50 PM PST by KriegerGeist ("For the weapons of our warfare are not fleshly, but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds")
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To: ambrose
Did you read the article? The author is not of the "left".

Certainly not. Michael Jackson has many supporters on the right. (/sarcasm)

24 posted on 03/10/2004 2:55:11 PM PST by stands2reason
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To: ambrose
He forgot all about loser numero uno - The Hollywood anti-Christian elite!

They certainly have become the biggest losers of all due to the overwhelming popularity of "The Passion".

I certainly hope Mel uses the money earned from "The Passion" to continue his spiritual, artistic vision and makes many, many more movies outside of the Hollywood system...
25 posted on 03/10/2004 2:55:26 PM PST by 21st Century Man (When ambushed in a circle jerk, do an about-face & double-time it for high ground!!!)
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To: ambrose
http://www.cnn.com/2001/WORLD/europe/UK/03/04/michael.jackson/
26 posted on 03/10/2004 2:55:33 PM PST by Pan_Yans Wife (The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals. --- Kahlil Gibran)
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To: ambrose
This is too silly to post a reply.

The movie has been out for two weeks. Get WAAAYYY over it already! It has made it's mark on history and nothing can be done about it. All the slander in the (devil's) world won't put it back in the can.

No true Jew is threatened or even dismayed by "The Passion of the Christ". It is the fake Jews, born of no belief, that howl like stuck pigs. They don't know anything about the hearts and minds of True Jews or Christians. They worship something so removed from God they have become truly blind.

I feel great sorrow for the pain this movie has caused these devils, but sometimes they will be on the receiving end.
27 posted on 03/10/2004 2:56:12 PM PST by whereasandsoforth (tagged for migratory purposes only)
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To: ambrose
Without the US and we Christians, the Jews of Israel would be a footnote to history. Mel Gibson is the best friend Jews have but they are too leftest and myopic to see this.
28 posted on 03/10/2004 2:56:12 PM PST by vetvetdoug
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To: ambrose
The author obviously spent no time thinking about this article. He (she?) just took the contrarian's view on everything that we know to be obviously true. Next time you write, try using your brain!
29 posted on 03/10/2004 2:56:38 PM PST by Kirkwood (Its always a good time to donate to the DAV and USO.)
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To: ambrose
Christian America to Shmuley: STFU
30 posted on 03/10/2004 2:56:57 PM PST by SauronOfMordor (No anchovies!)
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To: ambrose
2. Mel Gibson, who emerges as a talented fanatic at best and a full-blown loon at worst.

I would love to be the kind of loser Mel is.

31 posted on 03/10/2004 2:57:20 PM PST by VadeRetro
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To: ambrose
The author of this piece is in this picture... I'll leave it to the reader to determine which one he is:


32 posted on 03/10/2004 2:57:21 PM PST by So Cal Rocket (If consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, John F. Kerry’s mind must be freaking enormous)
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To: ambrose
"Did you read the article? The author is not of the "left"."

Hint --- The Jews don't like the New Testament period (non any movie that attempts to depict it)
33 posted on 03/10/2004 2:57:30 PM PST by TRY ONE (NUKE the unborn gay whales!)
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Comment #34 Removed by Moderator

To: ambrose
Hold on freepers.......is this the same person who was a buddy of Whacko Jacko and said he would trust him with his kids? Pleeeeeeeze tell me I'm wrong! I humbly stand corrected if he's not the one.
35 posted on 03/10/2004 2:59:27 PM PST by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: Dawgreg
The one and only.
36 posted on 03/10/2004 2:59:49 PM PST by Pan_Yans Wife (The soul unfolds itself, like a lotus of countless petals. --- Kahlil Gibran)
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To: freebilly
Hey SHMULEY:


37 posted on 03/10/2004 2:59:54 PM PST by Mike Darancette (General - Alien Army of the Right (AAOTR))
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To: Pan_Yans Wife
Pan, sorry I posted to ambrose and all before I read your post.............he IS the same one!
38 posted on 03/10/2004 3:01:17 PM PST by Dawgreg (Happiness is not having what you want, but wanting what you have.)
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To: ambrose
The real 5 big losers:

  1. Radical ADL-type "Jews": those whose cultural identification far exceeds any religious inclination -- people who are generally more anti-Christian than they are pro-Judiasm -- tried to prevent people from seeing this movie. In essence, however, they did more to promote the film than anything Gibson could have done alone.
  2. Film reviewers: hypocrites who adore senseless violence in films hated this movie because the violence had a purpose
  3. Political pundits: many became amateur film reviewers but still wrote "reviews" completely slanted by their political positions taken before they even saw the film -- if they did at all
  4. Hollywood producers: they failed to support the film on political grounds and are being left out of its success -- they are also now subject to accusations of "black-listing" Gibson in the future and will have to choose between alternatives that all expose them for being hypocrites
  5. The rest of liberal Hollywood: The Passion overshadowed everything else in this year's Oscars (with the possible exception of LOTR) -- combined with the Super Bowl fiasco, they were forced to face an audience expecting higher standards of decency and couldn't get away with using the awards show as a political platform... and in an election year to boot!

39 posted on 03/10/2004 3:01:36 PM PST by kevkrom (Ask your Congresscritter about his or her stance on HR 25 -- the NRST)
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To: Dawgreg
You simply have to scan the dedication to one of his latest books, Dating Secrets of the Ten Commandments. "To Michael," it reads, "who taught me of humility." Michael, of course, is none other than Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, and Boteach manages to slip references to their relationship into most of his interviews and writings. The rabbi is currently co-authoring a parenting book with the blanched superstar and sponsoring a Jackson-led charity dedicated, unbelievably enough, to ensuring that children receive appropriate amounts of affection.
40 posted on 03/10/2004 3:01:50 PM PST by So Cal Rocket (If consistency is the hobgoblin of small minds, John F. Kerry’s mind must be freaking enormous)
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