Shmuly = Samuel
Shlomo = Solomon
I saw the segment and Boteach acknowledged and embraced the support of Evangelical Christians. He also said quite pointedly and was echoed by a female film actress/producer that “Copolla, Scorcese, and Lucas” are not Jewish.
Here is a link to the transcript:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6685898/
Not to offend here but there are big differences in the attitudes of Christian Evangelicals and some Catholics towards Jews. For several reasons. Mr Donohue is part of a sect of traditionalists, as is Mr Gibson, that rejects Vatican II included in which is the “Nostra Aetate” which stated that the Jews of other times should not be blamed for the death of Christ in his own time. This collective guilt had historically been used as a justification for anti-semitism among Catholics.
Further as a general matter Catholic teaching traditionally de-emphasizes the Old Covenant/Testament and has historically at times been rejectionist of it. This relates to the centrality of interpreters of the text to Catholic doctrine. If you take away the OC the value and contribution of the Jewish people go with it.
Just as it is indisputable that there are many secular Jews in Hollywood, it is equally indisputable that the Jews have historically been victims especially of Catholic anti-Semitism, and particularly in the aftermath of Passion Plays and the sentiments they aroused. This is so much so that the Vatican has issued specific guidelines as to the content and presentation of Passion Plays.
As to the general issue Mr Buckley addresses –
is the problem religious differences or the differences between people of faith, any faith, and those who are “secular fundamentalists?”
I agree with his analysis. With religion itself under attack, believers have more in common with each other and preserving values than with non-believers. Charles Krauthammer made the same point in another article posted here this week. Per this article by the neo-liberal Mr Beinart, voters of all faiths in the current election view themselves as part of religious America:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A705-2004Oct26.html
The Jewish population in California as a whole is approximately 2.9 percent but they may make up Jews make up about 6 percent of the City of Los Angeles’ population. The population density will vary by neighborhood. Fairfax used to be the most Orthodox and Jewish neighborhood.
Or, maybe Donahue was merely referencing the New York Times -- of their more than 100 stories slandering Mel and Passion, a dozen by Rich and Waxman made quite a point of stressing that Hollywood was ruled by ethnic Jews who were planning to destroy Mel Gibson for daring to make Passion. Quite a number of them threatened Mel -- gutlessly, anonymously, off the record.
The Catholic League has maintained a catalogue of quotations for the past 2 years titled "Maligning Mel Gibson." Michael Medved has consistently stated that while Passion would cause no anti-semitism, the viciousness of these attacks, mostly with Jewish by-lines, would generate untold antipathy toward Jews. The blowback is obvious -- why do you think there have been all these cases of Christians fighting towns and parades and the ACLU to keep the symbols of Christmas in the public square this year -- why did Bill O'Reilly do "Assault Against Christmas" stories for one solid month -- why are people making such a point to loudly say "Merry Christmas"?
Dennis Prager interviewed this rabid rabbi tuesday morning -- Dennis and his producer laughed his anti-semitism claim off by naming all the Jewish heads of major studios and TV networks -- Prager felt that while Donahue wasn't exactly diplomatic, he was merely stating the obvious! A Jewish caller noted Bert Prelutsky's recent columns about how it's no longer possible for Christians to ignore the mostly Jewish named lawyers and donors in the anti-Christian ACLU. A later caller also blew the Coppola, Scorsese crappola out of the water by following the money trail -- did you know the vile Last Temptation of Christ was financed by a guy named Lew Wasserman? I didn't, but it's sad to me that people are now tracing Jewish money to almost all anti-Christian films. Dennis Prager knew all about this because he protested Last Temptation over 15 years ago.
You're repeating nonsense about that Vatican II statement -- nothing in Catholic teaching has ever allowed for anti-semitism -- it was merely a polite restatement of 2000 years of Catholic teaching that while some Jews were involved in Christ's Passion, not all Jews back then and certainly no Jews now could be held responsible. Mel Gibson made quite a point of affirming this in his Diane Sawyer interview. I hope you know that in the Passion readings at Easter, we in the congregation read the words of the crowds shouting 'crucify him' to signify that it was all our sins that nailed Christ to that cross. And, oh yeah, this nonsense about Catholics rejecting the Old Covenant -- every Catholic Mass has a series of Scripture readings which always begin with one from The Old Testament followed by responsorial psalms!
I live in a state that's 3% Catholic vs. 97% evangelical. It's pretty much impossible to avoid evangelical Christian radio around here. While I agree that they breathlessly support the state of Israel, they have no use for the likes of Boteach who offended most Christians by calling them "ignorant peasants" for not agreeing with his revisionist New Testament interpretation that no Jews were involved in the Passion -- if they call to support him, most of the time it's because he or they are bashing Catholics. I have a friend of 30 years who's Jewish -- his family came here 300 years ago -- he laughed about all these Passion related claims of past or future anti-semitism by saying the only religious bigotry he's witnessed in his lifetime have been by evangelicals against Catholics! He also said that if he ever had a problem late at night downtown, the first place he'd run for help was the 24 hour perpetual adoration chapel run by our Catholic parish!
So, I'd really appreciate it if you wouldn't be so quick to repeat exaggerated claims of evil Catholic history from secularists who want to remove Catholic morality from society or from evangelicals who incessantly slander Catholicism in their pulpits, papers, and radio stations. Always consider the source. That's why I no longer trust anyone who slandered Mel or Passion, especially the lying, viciously anti-Catholic Charles Krauthammer.