LA Rabbi Asks Mel Gibson to Reconsider Jesus Film

Reuters ^ | 3-7-03 | Anon

[Pharmboy]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A prominent Jewish leader on Friday asked actor Mel Gibson (news) to make certain that his new film on the last 12 hours in the life of Christ does not portray the Jews as collectively responsible for the crucifixion.

Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, said he was concerned because an article to be published in the New York Times Magazine portrays Gibson as a traditionalist Catholic opposed to the reforms of Vatican (news - web sites) II.

Heir said, "Obviously, no one has seen 'The Passion' and I certainly have no problem with Mel Gibson's right to believe as he sees fit or make any movie he wants to. What concerns me, however is when I read that the film's purpose is to undo the changes made by Vatican II."

He said that Vatican conclave was convened to deal with several critical issues, including the rejection of the notion that the Jews were collectively responsible for the death of Jesus.

"If the new film seeks to undo Vatican II ... it would unleash more of the scurrilous charges of deicide directed against the Jewish people, which took the Catholic Church 20 centuries to finally repudiate," he said.

Gibson is completing the self-financed film on the last 12 hours in the life of Christ and a friend of the Gibson family is quoted as telling the Times that Gibson will graphically portray the intense suffering of Christ, "perhaps as no film has done before." Gibson is directing the film.

The friend, Gary Giuffre, a traditionalist Catholic, also said that the film will lay the blame for the death of Christ where it belongs -- a reference that some traditionalists believe means the Jewish authorities who presided over his trial, the article said.

A spokesman for Gibson had no comment, saying he had not seen the article. Sources close to the actor said Gibson's religious views and those of his family were known.

Discussing his film in a recent TV interview, Gibson was asked whether his account might particularly upset Jews. He said, "It may. It's not meant to. I think it's meant to just tell the truth."

[montag813]

Somebody might want to ask the good rabbi how Americans of German descent feel about the never-ending cavalcade of holocaust movies that Hollywood churns out year after year.

True, the policies of the current German goverment are disgraceful enough.

[Gophack]

Mel will surely lean the film heavily towards a Catholic view of the death of Christ.

How does the Catholic view differ from other Christian denominations? It doesn't. All Christians agree that Jesus died on the cross for our Salvation, freeing us from eternal death, so that those who repent have the chance to go to Heaven. The Passion of Christ is one of the common denominators that unites all Christians.

[Gophack]

Catholics have nothing to "get over" ... we agree with all Christians that Jesus died for our sins, that we are ALL culpable in the crucifixtion, and that while the Jews may have been instruments, Jesus' entire life and death was as God planned.

[Robert Drobot]

Mel Gibson is a good man........the highest complement I can think to make of another human being.

[Jael]

Good post, thanks.

[Robert Drobot]

I agree with you.

[Dr. Frank fan]

The only thing Gibson should change is the stupid no-subtitles idea.

[Jhoffa_]

The only thing Gibson should change is the stupid no-subtitles idea.

I think it's a unique idea..

It would make for either a terrible or a really powerful presentation.

Going to take allot of work to keep people interested this way.. I think he's up to it.

[wardaddy]

It's a good book....wish King Harvey would read it and take a few cues from it. I miss the old bosses and their sensibilities.


What I'm noticing more from La La Land today is the plethora of stories told from an obvious homosexual perspective rather than from a Jewish/Humanist/Relativist/Liberal/Red Diaper Baby perspective.

American Beauty (barf) is a great example of that and the "play make believe" for a living crowd fawned all over it.

I don't think laying Jesus's crucifying at the hands of the Pharisees is anti-semitic. From what we can gather, they felt he was a threat to their power. It's simple history from what I've gleaned.

[Jael]

If they had a clue, why did Joseph want to put Mary away at first?

None of those things you mentioned are contained in Scripture.

[kstewskis]

How about the Rabbi reconsider his position on Christ?

Touchee' and Amen!!

[kstewskis]

LOL!!! Now we ladies can relax. And DROOL.

God bless you lorrainer!

[montag813]

Catholics have nothing to "get over" ... we agree with all Christians that Jesus died for our sins, that we are ALL culpable in the crucifixtion, and that while the Jews may have been instruments, Jesus' entire life and death was as God planned.

Exactly my point, although put less crudely than my words.

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[Pharmboy]

They're not that smart.

[Slyfox]

It is quite tiresome talking to people who have no grasp of history.

[Pharmboy]

How do you know he [Rabbi Hier] didn't [speak out against anti-Catholic movies made by Jews]?

Please provide some quotes from the good Rabbi condemning anti-Catholicism in the movies. I HAVE heard Jews (like me) speak out against that, but they were conservatives (like me).

[lodwick]

Perfectly well stated - thank you.

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

Jews didint start getting killed until Catholicsm emereged.

Just want to make sure your stupid a#% statement isn't overlooked by anyone.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

..'MEL GIBSON - America's new JOHN WAYNE under attack...

http://www.TheAlamoFILM.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=604