Violence is Gibson's message

New York Daily News ^ | 3/02/04 | Richard Cohen

[kattracks]

I saw Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" the morning it opened. I thought it was tawdry, cartoonish, badly acted and anti-Semitic, maybe not purposely so, but in the way portions of the New Testament are - an assignment of blame that culminated in the Holocaust. But I wrote none of that because something else about the movie disturbed me, and it took days to figure it out. It is fascistic.

I don't know if I use the word right, but in Richard Evans' brilliant "The Coming of the Third Reich," it becomes clear how violence was so much a part of fascism. It was not merely that Hitler and, to a lesser extent, Mussolini used force to get their way, but also that violence almost became part of the ethic - "the cult of violence." After a while, Germans became inured. That, both precisely and surprisingly, is how I felt watching Gibson's disturbingly nondisturbing movie. I was bored stiff.

I abhor violence in movies and avoid films that have more than I think I can tolerate, so I approached the Gibson movie with some dread. I wished that the Anti-Defamation League and other critics had simply ignored it. I even joked with friends that the ADL's Abraham Foxman must be taking a cut (of the gross) for all the publicity. But my joking mood changed when I entered the theater. I became uneasy.

I need not have worried. The movie was inexcusably gory, but I found myself intrigued: Why wasn't I horrified? Instead, I was more like the Roman soldiers who tortured Christ. I did not laugh with glee as they did, but I did find myself at an emotional remove. There was so much horror that almost immediately I became inured to it all. I felt as a surgeon must in the operating theater. More work.

[dasboot]

Rich's world view is currency among his peers. Now that's scary. The Bible caused the Holocaust? Yeesh!

[teldon30]

ok...i give in...i will go and see the movie again...bring my parents also...i need to feel i did my part to rub it in Hollywood's face...it is bringing me much joy to see the light shined on all these people...i did not leave the theater the first time i saw it and think badly of jews...but i will be honest...the more articles written by prominent jewish columnist and movie critics that skewer this movie...well...it makes me wonder what do they really think of faithful Christians...i think i know the answer and it angers me a bit.

[.30Carbine]

The violence and hatred that is revealed by this article is that which is in the author's own heart. I feel sorry for him. Reading this piece is like to coming upon a rabid dog in its final, frothing agony, when it is way past the point of being able to inflict harm, consumed only with its own madness and pain. A horrific thing to witness.

[WaterDragon]

in Richard Evans' brilliant "The Coming of the Third Reich," it becomes clear how violence was so much a part of fascism.

Isn't it interesting how the liberals always use the Nazis as an example of bloody violence when Lenin and Stalin spilled the blood of millions more than Hitler ever did?

[MEG33]

That's different..or the historians ,professors,columnists,writers,artists would have you think so.

[Moby Grape]

Hypocrisy, and dishonesty is the left's real message......they hide behind violence and antisemitism to cloak their real concerns.

[Always Right]

I thought it was tawdry, cartoonish, badly acted and anti-Semitic, maybe not purposely so, but in the way portions of the New Testament are - an assignment of blame that culminated in the Holocaust.

Blaming the Jews for killing Christ is as hateful as blaiming Christians for the killing of Jews. Hitler believed in a superior race and hated everyone that was different. Hitler blamed Jews for a lot of the problems that Germany had. Hitler hatred of Jews had nothing to do with Christianity. But this author's hatred and resentment of Christians is quite clear.

[Tempest]

At this point I'm no longer convinced that the main grievance of Gibson's detractors are a concern or an offense towards the violence in the movie.

Perhaps they're just upset that the movie didn't have enough gays, gang violence, sex, drugs, and anarchy in it to suit the general mold of every other Hollywood movie.

The Hollywood elite shocked?!?!? That's what I find most shocking.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

The mindless, fictional violence of Hollywood perversion is completely OK. It's only violence with a divine purpose that is objectionable.

These people are self-absorbed, sick people who have no business dictating taste to anyone.

Behold the words of Satan coming from their mouths. Pathetic.

[Brilliant]

It's interesting that the media has finally found a movie in which they can criticize the violence.

[garylmoore]

Sorry, Cohen.....the Gibson Success Train has already left the station with a cargo of over a hundred-million clams.
Now be a good boy, go back to your barren cubicle, suck your thumb and have a good cry. You're so irrelevant

---

I like what you said.

[xsmommy]

Count the number of times the word "I" is used by Richard Cohen. I have never been able to stand him.

[.30Carbine]

Good one.

[bimbo]

I feel sorry for non Christians who don't get the message.

I feel more sorry for those non-Christians who DO understand Christ’s message of salvation … and reject it.

[Ronin]

At the English school I work at, more people were interested in talking about The Passion than were interested in the Academy Awards.

Everyone is shocked that it has done so well and already people are wondering when it will get to Japan. I doubt Mel had planned originally to distribute it here, but after that Blockbuster opening, he won't have a choice.

I expect this movie to result in a huge SURGE in interest in Christianity in Japan. Churches will be overwhelmed with visitors.

The naysayers and snide leftists can carp and complain all they want, but nothing succeeds like success and this movie is now hotter than a supernova on steroids.

[ThirstyMan]

Sorry, Cohen.....the Gibson Success Train has already left the station with a cargo of over a hundred-million clams.
Now be a good boy, go back to your barren cubicle, suck your thumb and have a good cry. You're so irrelevant.

Well said!
This guy Cohen, has worked hard at NOT looking for the message in Jesus' suffering. Claiming to be wise he becomes the modern day fool. The words of this false prophet attempt to distract and lead others astray.

But Jesus, the Holy One of God is winning many, revealing his great Love every time the story is told.
Sad that some say they only see the violence. The violence is after all, the joyous creation of evil men.
The wise person sees the Love of God, a Love manifest in the face of injustice, a Love demonstrated in the willing suffering and a Love that accepted death for the hope of a restored relationship with humankind.

God, as the repentant thief on the cross beside you said, Remember me and thank you for that walk to the Cross.

[Rightly Biased]

Me thinks his mind was made up before he even saw the Movie if he did see it.

[mr.pink]

At the English school I work at, more people were interested in talking about The Passion than were interested in the Academy Awards.

I tried to watch the awards, but it was difficult as the biggest event in film was happening simultaneously at theaters across America.

The show seemed smaller than usual.

[raybbr]

A left-leaning writer with vigorous skepticism, wit, and common sense. Twice weekly.

"I see myself as the reader's proxy, lucky enough by virtue of occupation to go where they cannot go," he says. "I can visit places they're not likely to go and under conditions they would probably avoid (the Middle East almost a dozen times, Africa, Central America, Asia and Europe over and over again) and, sometimes most perilously, the halls of Congress or the salons of Georgetown.

From here.

Does the bold part mean what I think it means?