[section9]

In defense of Hitch, he was one the the few prominent Leftists at The Nation who broke with the editorial staff over the War on Terror. He "gets it", unlike the Michael Moore/Noam Chomsky crowd. He has remained a resolute supporter of the war and plans to vote for Bush in November, and he stopped being a Communist years ago. He remains a leftist, however.

He is an atheist, however, and remains a passionate partisan of that belief. This review should surprise no one who has read Hitchens for many years. Knowing all this, I can forgive him, because he understands the big issue this year. He just doesn't get the One Big Thing, that's all.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[AppyPappy]

He is an atheist, however, and remains a passionate partisan of that belief.

Negative. He is a pre-Christian. True Atheists don't normally carry this much interest in Christianity. He's a Seeker.

Been there, done that.

[Austin Willard Wright]

Not a defense for me! I much more prefer Hitch's more sensible, realistic, non-Wilsonian brother who opposed the Iraq. BTW, Mel Gibson is also antiwar and has poked fun at the failure to find WMD.

[LucyJo]

I think you are right about Hitchens. I feel very sorry for him. Christ died for him, as well as for all of us, of course. I pray he comes to recognition, acceptance, and obedience of the Savior before it's too late.

Regarding this film: I think it is very sad that it has taken a movie to stir "Passion" for Christ, when we've had His story revealed to us in the Holy Scriptures for generations. I heard a sermon by a gospel preacher named Neil Pryor when I was much younger that transported me - heart, mind, and soul - to that chain of events in history, and made me vividly experience many emotions that must have been coursing through those who were there and loved the Lord during that time, and perhaps through those who watch this film, but it wasn't something that I had not already known from reading it for myself. When all is said and done, this isn't about a movie, or entertainment, or emotions, one way or another. It comes down to individual acceptance and obedience to the truth that will determine where we each spend eternity. If it takes a movie to motivate some to pick up the Bible and read the inspired words that lead to salvation, then more power to it, and to Mel Gibson for making it. May he work out his own salvation as well.