[Pharmboy]

If Rabbi Hier has spoken out against some of the anti-Catholic movies that have been made at times by Jews (Miramax for instance, Priest, Chocolat) then ok. But I do not remember him or any other Rabbis standing up for the Catholics (and I'm a Jew).

I beleive Gibson when he says he just wants to tell the story.

[TheAngryClam]

I find it funny that he fixates on the least probable reason for any Catholic's opposition to Vatican II, and one that is certainly not Mel Gibson's.

Most traditionalists upset at Vatican II are so because it marked the destruction of much of the tradition and beauty of the Church, and was, in fact, a quick road to the protestantization of the Mass. This is where Gibson's problems lie.

Seems like a rabbi just needed a headline, and possibly some donations.

[cyborg]

Jesus was a jew, his twelve disciples were Jews, his enemies were Jews.. so what is the issue? Up till about Acts 15, it was all in the Jewish family. What is this rabbi trying to say? And why when a Jesus movie tries to portray Jesus in a more realistic historical light, the rabbis come out of the woodwork? Was anyone protesting Last Temptation of Christ? Nah.

A good Jewish historian to read Alfred Edersheim, actually one more, Josephus. This is such a non-issue. Mel Gibson apparently as a conservative makes enemies everywhere he goes.

[TheAngryClam]

More on Mel Gibson's Catholicism.

[Gophack]

I don't know my history well, but it seems to me that Jesus died for our SALVATION, regardless of whether it was the Jews sending him to be crucified or not. Jesus would never have been crucified if it weren't for Adam and Eve's fall, and humanity's subsequent love-affair with sin.

And 11 of the apostles turned their back on Jesus during the Passion, I believe John was the only apostle there at the cruxificion.

We are all responsible for Jesus' death. His saving and selfless act ransomed us from our sins so that we might have eternal life in the glory of our Lord.

Frankly, the Jews conviction of Jesus was incidential. Besides, Jesus WAS a Jew; Mary, the Blessed Virgin, WAS a Jew. And John, and so-on.

Leave it to the media to twist Gibson's film to make it sound anti-semitic, and then have the Jewish community get up in arms about it, frankly for no good reason.

[denydenydeny]

As usual, liberal Jews leap at the chance to find antisemitism anywhere else than among Muslims.

[ApesForEvolution]

Barrabas!!

[carlo3b]

Here is more about it!

[Deb]

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.

Nobody goes to see them. They make no money. And they win every award the industry offers.

I can't remember a year when a holocaust feature movie, TV network/cable special, mini-series, or documentary wasn't produced, shown and nominated for every award there was. I think last year there was something like three different movies for TV about Anne Frank.

The last movie about Jesus was the hideous Scorsese film. Gibson has a right to tell his story without the usual left-wing harassment.

[Savage Beast]

Even IF "the Jewish authorities who presided over his trial" were to "blame for the death of Christ", those "authorities" and only "those authorities" were responsible. Certainly no one in the 21st century could believe that a group could bear the collective responsibility--and certainly not a group of people born 2,000 years later...! What am I missing???

[Texas_Jarhead]

IMO the Simon Wiesenthal Center has lost credibility

[Jael]

Ok, is the Godwin Law about to apply here?

:-)

[Jhoffa_]

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.

Jesus WAS a JEW you moron.. Is this guy suggesting Jesus committed suicide? Because that's the only way his comment makes any sense.

It was the Pharasees who plotted against him.

[NYer]

¥

[PhilDragoo]

For some reason when I saw the headline I heard Jim Morrison singing, "L.A. Rabbi".

Ye gods and little fishes, leave Mel Gibson alone.

He will do a fine film judging by Braveheart, The Patriot, We Were Soldiers.

I'm not particularly in the mood for more demands to genuflect toward Rome.

We're faced with a flesh and blood Satan in Saddam Hussein and the Pope just wants to get along.

You go, Mel.

[sheik yerbouty]

I do, as well. Hier is getting worked up on the wrong things. He ought to prioritizr more wisely.

[VOA]

I beleive Gibson when he says he just wants to tell the story.

Agreed.
He'll show how a small group of aristocrats did what they wanted when their
Roman sponsor let them "get away with it".

And that the founder of Christianity forgave anyone responsible for his physical
death...and his followers, after some hearty discussion, tried to maintain a friendly
link with Jews and Gentiles alike.
No use of Damascus steel blades to win converts in the New Testament that I can find...

If Gibson doesn't catch those major themes (or warps them)...I'll be suprised.

[Slyfox]

It would probably do this Rabbi a world of good if he read the writings that Mel is taking his cues from for this motion picture. I have read them and among my friends I am considered something of a neighborhood expert.

The writings of Anne Emmerich are like watching a video of scripture. The Holy Bible, compared to her writings, are like Holy Snapshots.

Her depictions of Jewish life across the board were not in the least demeaning, but made me understand the reason why the Jews were considered by God to be "The Chosen People". Particularly inspiring was the holiness of the family which produced Mary and Joseph. They all prayed a lot and very intensely.

In the three-year ministry of Jesus, he would visit village after village. He would preach from the Rabbi's chair, usually on a little hill outside the village. The people, being Jewish mind you, begged Jesus to not leave them. Tears were always shed when he left them.

These Jews were the very people who became the seeds of the Church, many becoming martyrs. The 'woman at the well', a Jewish woman, was so struck with this person who talked to her at the well that she went home and told all her friends and family. She made a lot of people aware of this special man called Jesus. When she was baptized she took the name of Dina and eventually was martyred for her faith.

Jesus had a lot to say about the Jewish leaders. His constant discussion of them is why he was eventually captured and crucified. Maybe that is what the LA Rabbi is really concerned about.

[jd777]

CRUCIFIXTION was a ROMAN method of execution. Employed throughout the Roman empire at the time. If Jesus did die this way(and I'm not saying he didn't) can you imagine why ROMAN Catholics, would have a conflict here. Perhaps they weould be eager to lay the blame for this murder at the feet of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem?

[DoughtyOne]

Sorry Rabbi, I'll stick with the Biblical account. I'm sure he's concerned there will be Anti-Semite backlash. I think people need to consider that anywhere Christ would have lived on this planet, he would have been rejected as "The Christ". I don't see this as a Jewish issue, but I acknowledge there are some just looking for a good excuse.

Go Mel.

It should be noted that there's about to be a hit piece on Mel by the New York Times. It sounds as if Mel's 85 year old father is a bit of a racist. Don't go overboardon that. I have no direct knowledge and only saw an interview on O'Rielly where Mel was discussin the NYT article to appear Sunday. Evidenty they are going to try to paint Mel as a bit of a racist too, mostly by inuendo if I understood correctly.

I guess some kid who's father owns property by a religious org set up by Gibson, is on a little bit of a vendetta. Sadly the NYT didn't ash-can the piece. It appears the kid weaseled a two day interview from Mel's dad. As I said he's 85. He's a little loopie and the reporter is going to try to make mileage off of him.

It's unfortunate.

Thought some of you might want to be looking for that article on Sunday. BTW, I'm almost certain it was the NYT, but there is a possibility that I'm wrong. I saw the report on Thursday evening and didn't take notes.

[Right to be Wrong]

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."

Mr. Gibson, you are very naive believing you are the one telling the truth. Read over the four stories in the New Testament referring to Jesus' death. They don't match, and the story tellers lived almost 2000 years closer to the Jesus' time than you do. The only truth about this movie, is your intentions to make money. Your TV interview proves so. Don't, for a second, believe that you are, regardless of your conservative views, whatever that means, called by God to revel the truth. I sincerely hope that you loose every single dime you invest into it, and you will, and you deserve to. By any chance, aren't you trying just to derail the focus of us Christians, from the real problems of the Church today, so we turn our rage at the Jews. It will not work, and your pact with the Satan, whomever that is, will fail. At the end, you will lose your soul to him, as many have before you. Do you dare to make a true movie about Mohamed, or you are not financed to do so....... Or are you scared?

If you want to make a movie about Jesus, try about his teachings. There are thousands of positive messages that are needed now more than ever to be told, messages that will help us maintain our sanity in this crazy world, messages that will prepare us and help us, and guide us to survive in the new world that is shaping before our eyes. The topic you are choosing is the dark side of Jesus life, and believe me, every amateur can play a roll of a sufferer as depicted by the passion story. What is the big deal, you just roll your eyes toward the heaven, spray your face with some ketchup, and have your stunt actor walk the way with a heavy cross.

You see, I am a Christian, and I have yet to find a Christian who is telling the truth. I don't believe you are the one, no after all the terror movies you played so eagerly. You are a joke! You are an actor, you are celebrity, you are greedy, you are.......