'The Passion' & the tar baby

Jerusalem Post ^ | Feb. 28, 2004 | Jonathan Rosenblum

[HiTech RedNeck]

You don't honor a parent by lying. I think Mel was parsing rather carefully to avoid direct criticism of his dad's frankly looney ideas. He clearly enunciated that he acknowledged the existence of the Holocaust and that it was horrific. It wasn't just an expedient of "a nation at war trying to do the best it could" or such bullhockey.

[HiTech RedNeck]

Isaiah said 'by His stripes we are healed'. It counts for something significant theologically, it isn't just another indignity heaped upon Him.

[Burkeman1]

Tough call. Is Mel supposed to debase himself before the media and denounce his father? Or should he just shut up about it and let people draw their own conclusions? At first I wanted him to say his dad was "old" and "out of it" and to do a few mea culpas before the media. But- after seeing the viscious misrepresentations of Pre Vatican II thought and the Catholic Church Mel should ask them for an apology.

[HiTech RedNeck]

The ADL should spend more time condemning miscreants like Hutton rather than doing movie review.

But then, like cops whose work load falls when citizens are allowed to carry, they would be in danger of being out of work.

[Burkeman1]

But then, like cops whose work load falls when citizens are allowed to carry, they would be in danger of being out of work.

Oh my Frigg@n- thank you! Spot on. Nothing brings in the dollars than scaring eldery Jewish Americans about this "hate filled" film! Abe Foxma wants Jewish Americans to be persecuted. What did the ADL do anyway before this film?

Jews are about as persecuted in America as are the Irish- which is to say- not at all! Get over it!

[formerDem]

"It all gets back to what Jesus said "What is the truth?".

Actually, Pilate says this. Jesus knows and says the truth. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life...."

Pilate is shown a number of times in the movie asking about truth. He sees it as relative (a liberal, that Pilate).

Cheers, deborah

[formerDem]

me again.

I forgot this part: ..."The truth to one group of people might be different to another...I watched "Schindlers List" and was moved I watched this movie now twice and was moved...what's the truth?"

I used to think that each person had their own truth. I think I was mistaking experience informing one's conclusions as the truth (or 'my' truth). I then realized that my experiences altered (either for the good or the bad) how I viewed truth----sometimes making it seem clearer, sometimes more difficult to see. I found that it takes constant vigilance (and sometimes I'm TOO TIRED!) to try and keep focused on an objective truth (even if I don't always understand, or it is painful, or it comes from people with whom I usually don't agree). But, that's just my...er...experience.

[SJackson]

But then, like cops whose work load falls when citizens are allowed to carry, they would be in danger of being out of work.

That's true. Here in Illinois though they'd have plenty of work disarming the gangbangers, no need for anyone to lose their job.

[agrace]

The same people in the press who are worried about violence against Jews because of this film ignore the murders of Jews by Arabs and become catatonic if a Palestinian brakes a nail.

Excellent point.

[Burkeman1]

After having done some research and reading other reviews I agree with you that the scourging scene was not too long or unnecessary. The violence is at the heart of this film- it is the heart of The Passion actually. I can't really describe why I think you are right- but you are.

[gitmo]

He was crushed for our transgressions.
Bruised for our iniquities.
And by His stripes we are healed.

[caprock]

As a Christian, I don't BLAME the Jews...I THANK the LORD!!! Jesus' death and resurrection are the BEST things that have EVER happened! And we should all be THANKFUL that God is so loving, thoughtful and full of grace that He provided a way back to Him.

AMEN! I must compassionately dismiss all of the rhetoric form the Jewish community against this movie because I realize history has taught them to trust no one. Instead of answering hysterical claims of antisemitism with counter arguments forged in a heated debate, each Christian must show the same compassion he/she received at the point of conversion. The objective is to win a friend for eternity not the debate.