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

The Mirror ^ | February 27, 2004 | Christopher Hitchens

[DameAutour]

Then he ran a series of screenings for right-wing fundamentalists only, and refused to show any tapes to anyone who wasn't a religious nut.

That is a blatant lie. Is he calling Michael Medved a right-wing fundamentalist religious nut? Matt Drudge? John Paul II?

[atomicpossum]

So....

...three stars from Mr. Hitchens?

[thathamiltonwoman]

Since Hitchen has a problem with Christians this reaction is to be expected.

[Fitzcarraldo]

Mel Gibson got himself into an argument after uttering a series of crude remarks that were hostile to homosexuals.

He was probably just quoting Scripture on the subject:

[samtheman]

Ok, Qwinn, you don't want to agree with me, don't agree with me. That's cool. I'm not trying to "prevent Jews from being killed in the wake of a passion play". I'm trying to use this as an opportunity to demonstrate to the whole world (and the Islamic world in particular) how a truly GOOD religion reacts to extremists in its midst. But if you think I'm wrong --- if everyone here thinks I'm wrong --- fine. I've typed enough for one morning. My fingers are tired.

I have get going to work and, in my off time, get back to concerning myself with what I think really matters: the re-election of W.

[Kay Syrah]

Right you are. Hitch is a good man, but his mother's suicide marked him and his chosen response to it is his atheism, I think. Anyone who reads him knows this about him and shouldn't be surprised. In a way, I think the fact that he chose to review the film, shows his battle isn't completely surrendered. His "passion" to deny his own impulse to faith I would say drives his hostility. I don't think it will disturb the faith of those who have it, but maybe will disturb their sense of comfort enough to pray for a soul not completely lost. I would prefer to think that the case.

[samtheman]

another analogy is ... blaming all whites for slavery

Thank you.

[leadpenny]

Thanks. Tammy Bruce just came on C-SPAN for the next 45 minutes.

[Caipirabob]

That's my boy, you go, Hitchens...

[leprechaun9]

I enjoy Hitchens, but apparently he can't understand anyone having a religious belief that is different than his!

Chris, stick to political issues, you are much more acceptable (although I disagree with some of your points of view).

[Sophie]

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength" (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

[Sophie]

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written: 'I will destroy the wisdom of the wise; the intelligence of the intelligent I will frustrate.' Where is the wise man? Where is the scholar? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man's strength" (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

[LadyDoc]

conservatives who liked Hitchens for his opposition to Clinton forget he wrote "the missionary position" that ridiculed Mother teresa...

I always pray for him.

Once in an interview with Judith Regan, he described how unhappy his family was (his father came back a broken man from WWII--in the navy protecting supplies into the Arctic ocean to Russia, a job where many many British sailors lost their lives and a horror to those who lived thru it). His mother stayed with the father during and after the war but had a long lived affair, and then killed herself with her lover when Christopher was a teenager, devestating him. (his much younger brother Peter, a conservative writer, was less affected, since he barely remembers his mother).


So when I read such screeds, I just present Christopher to the Lord, and ask that the Lord send him mercy to heal his broken heart...

[elli1]

Fine, if he thinks they spoke in Greek, make a version in Aramaic and Greek. Big deal, most folks (in case this idiot didn't realise) don't really speak ancient Aramaic or Latin or Old Greek and that's a pretty big majority in the English speaking world.

I wonder if Gibson's choice of languages was for the Biblical era scholar community?

What is noteworthy is that Gibson did not film the movie in the English language, meaning that most of the world will have to suffer thru subtitles in order to understand the dialogue. And my understanding of Roman culture at the time of Christ is that many ''Romans'' were bi-lingual, speaking both Greek and Latin. I think that Gibson was aiming for a feel of authenticity by using Latin & Aramaic. As you pointed out, the ancient versions of Greek & Aramaic would almost certainly be unintelligible to modern speakers of the language anyway. Basically, I think Gibson took a big risk by not filming the movie in English. But then, he's on record as saying he didn't make the movie for commercial reasons.

All said & done, this article by Hitchens says more about Hitchens than either the film or Mel Gibson. And what it says is not pretty.

[Sam Cree]

I saw posts on one of these threads talking about the Jews eyes being veiled, so they can't see the truth, followed by generally unfavorable biblical quotes by the same poster about unbelievers, referring to Jews specifically. No one contested it.

I see this posted on this thread: "However, who lead Jesus to the Roman authorities?"

I'll stop short of calling these things anti Semitism.
But they make me very very uncomfortable.

[Woahhs]

Okay...it's wrong!

Now your turn. Tell everyone child molestation is bad.

[rudy45]

I wonder if we should be keeping two issues separate. First, did the Jews at the time of Jesus kill Jesus. Second, what should our attitude toward Jews today be? I would submit that EVEN IF we believe issue 1 (and the answer there is far from certain), that it should have no bearing on issue 2. For this reason, the "anti-Semitism" argument for me has no weight.

[proud American in Canada]

"Lord, forgive them. They know not what they say. They know not what they do."

I couldn't agree more.... this article is stunning in its viciousness.

[twigs]

He is a pre-Christian. True Atheists don't normally carry this much interest in Christianity. He's a Seeker. Been there, done that.

Interesting perspective. I would never have thought of it like that. You could be right. So I need to add him to my prayer list? I particularly like Hitchens. He's an excellent writer and thinker, but just like we see here, he's just not always right.

[Mr. Bird]

That belief should be loudly and massively denounced, by Christians everywhere.

Hear, hear!