I DETEST THIS FILM ..WITH A PASSION [Christopher Hitchens on the Passion of the Christ]

The Mirror ^ | February 27, 2004 | Christopher Hitchens

[Sam Cree]

it was YOU and ME and all of us.

That's what I see as the main point. Thanks.

[Katya]

Regardless of whether one agrees with him on this film review or not...Hitchens is an honest writer. This is after all just a movie, which I plan on seeing. Reading some of the commentary posted here, it's starting to sound like people hear think Mel is a prophet.
Let's be clear, Mel Gibson is an actor and director, who to some has made a very moving film.

[Qwinn]

Erm. I challenge that. I've read his screeds against Mother Theresa, and the last thing that I thought was "this guy sounds like an honest writer". What I read was "Oh, MAN, does this guy have a freaking agenda".

Qwinn

[Americathy]

Keep in mind that there are tons of historical "facts" that we know only by a single record. Much of our understanding of ancient Mesapotamia for example, or the Minoans. Some of our records are copies of copies of copies, hundreds of years from the original writings. Our copies of the NT are only a few years old, some of them known to be direct copies of the originals. The dead sea scrolls proved how accurate the Jews were in making copies. Just something to think about.

Also as C.S. Lewis pointed out, Jesus called himself God. He couldn't be a great teacher only because we would then have to admit He was crazy "or something worse." Or He was truly what He said he was.

[nmh]

I just bought my ticket for Saturday at the 12:30 noon showing. I wanted to avoid the LONG line.

[highpockets]

Of what relevance is it to point out that they were Jews?

Is there a part of the bible that says "Jews"?

Those individuals acting as group may have been Israelites but who cares.

What purpose does it serve to illuminate their faith?

If not to somehow place blame?

More importantly does anyone really believe that Jesus would have had it matter to us?

[Austin Willard Wright]

I must say it is a amusing to see all the pro-war freepers who loved Hitch because of his stand on Iraq to suddenly and violently turn on him. All was forgiven then about his articles on Mother Teresa. Now....he is back in the anti-Christ category. I was not a Hitch fan to begin with. I much prefer his more sensible conservative antiwar brother, Peter Hitchens.

[nmh]

Bet this author is supportive of abortion and even considers it "comPASSIONate". But this - too violent and shows death. Go figure. Then again don't. The ungodly do not possess logic.

[carton253]

Sam...But they make me very very uncomfortable.

I've been thinking about this... let me try to answer it.

I happened to be listening to an Australian speaker, who was flabbergasted by American duplicity when dealing with the Plain Indians. He remarked over and over again how the American Government broke treaty after treaty with the Indians. I squirmed in my seat. It was uncomfortable, but what he was saying was true. I had nothing to do with it... not being alive at the time... but it is a legacy of this country.

I happened to be watching the Oscars when Schindler's List won... I was watching with a diverse group of people... one of them from Germany. We were cheering the win (most of us had just arrived back from Israel)... when the German got really upset and stormed out of the room... we had upset her... she was uncomfortable with her past. No one blamed her for anything... yet, the legacy of her country is one of horrendous cruelty and mass murder against the Jews.

In the past, the Jews have been the victim of intense persecution from Catholic/Protestant alike. They have been the victim of state governments as well. They have been the scape goat of generations for the ills of the society. This is the legacy of Europe and Russia... As a Christian, the intense persecution of the Jews is my history (even though I had nothing to do with it).

If one believes the Gospel are true and historic and factual...then one believes that the a certain segment of the Priesthood arrested, tried, and convicted Jesus of the crime of blasphemy. Because they lacked the authority to kill him - penalty for blasphemy - they took him to the Romans to do it for them. It was a political move... and those same chief priests exerted political pressure on a weak-willed, position conscience Roman Procurator named Pontius Pilate.

As a Christian writer (writing plays) I have told that story over and over again. I cannot suddenly remove the Chief Priests from my play...no more than I can remove the Romans... no more than I can remove the Nazis from the Holocaust...no more than I can remove the Catholics from the Inquisition, etc. etc. etc.

I have read and listened to all the rants and fears and lies written about this movie... I understand Jewish fears. I sympathize Jewish fears. With antisemitism on the rise in Europe... I understand it.

But, as a Christian, I can't rewrite the history of what happened that day in Jerusalem. No more than I can rewrite 2000 years of history because I am uncomfortable with it. I believe that a small part of the Jewish leadership played a role in the crucifixion of Jesus. What I can do today... is not hold you or any other Jew personally responsible. No more than the Australian can hold me responsible for the treaties my government broke with the Indians...no more than I held the German responsible for the Holocaust.

[Qwinn]

Just for the record, since I threw out that recent challenge... I was never a Hitchens fan. As I said near the beginning of this thread, I thought there was -hope- for him as a result of his anti-war position, but that hardly counts as having loved him, and my current posts are hardly a flip flop.

Qwinn

[Americathy]

Opinion pieces still have to be accurate. In Journalism they used to teach that opinion still must be based on facts, so there is a reporting element. The NYT doesn't care about that anymore, why their opeds are so full of factual inaccuracy and no one cares.

[50sDad]

Fundamentalist Christians believe that the Jews are the "first chosen", and those Christians are the best friend Israel's got. When my Savior gets back, I want him to know I did everything to protect His people. The Jews who think that this movie will produce anti-Semitism need a big look at exactly who is threatening them worldwide. It's not the Christians.

[VRWC_minion]

it's starting to sound like people hear think Mel is a prophet. Let's be clear, Mel Gibson is an actor and director, who to some has made a very moving film.

THe gospels are very powerful in themselves. Thru them the holy spirit changes people. Mel is "mail carrier".

[Tribune7]

Remember this is from a guy who wrote a book claiming Mother Teresa to be a fraud.

[carton253]

What do you want... a literal rewriting of history?

[Americathy]

The Jews who think that this movie will produce anti-Semitism need a big look at exactly who is threatening them worldwide. It's not the Christians.

EXCELLENT!!!

[Austin Willard Wright]

Perhaps it was a typo, but Hitch is pro-war. You wrote antiwar. If that is what you meant, we completely agree.

[Sam Cree]

Thanks Carton, well said. I appreciate it.

IMO, that Jews paricipated in the Crucifixion is no more relevant to the message of Christianity than that Christ was born a Jew. Therefore, when people bring it up, it raises my hackles.

Admittedly, in this case, the ADL was the first one to make a fuss over it.

Gotta run.

[VRWC_minion]

Of what relevance is it to point out that they were Jews? Is there a part of the bible that says "Jews"? Those individuals acting as group may have been Israelites but who cares. What purpose does it serve to illuminate their faith? If not to somehow place blame? More importantly does anyone really believe that Jesus would have had it matter to us?

Besides historical, its important because Jesus fufills hundreds of specific Jewish prophecies. The meaning of his death can only be understood and appreciated when one understands Jewish understanding of sin and redemption. The authority of the witnesses has power because they are members of God's chosen people. That is just for starters.

[marshmallow]

At least Hitchens is consistent. His spiritual compass is frozen on due south.

He hated Mother Teresa intensely and accused her of all manner of evil. Now this.

A sad, bitter man.