Hating Mel (Bill O'Reilly's take on the passion over The Passion)

bill oreilly web sit ^ | Feb. 19, 04 | Bill O'Reilly

[churchillbuff]

Hating Mel By: Bill O'Reilly for BillOReilly.com Thursday, Feb 19, 2004

Here's a no spin review of Mel Gibson's movie "The Passion of the Christ," which opens on Ash Wednesday. First off, the film is a faithful rendition of the execution of Jesus according to the four Gospels. [snip]... ...[snip]

...The story line does not depart from traditional Christian teaching. Yet the movie and Gibson himself continue to be viciously attacked. Why?

Even Abraham Foxman, the militant leader of the Anti-Defamation League, now admits the film is not anti-Semitic. Yet Foxman continues to object to it on the basis of what it might do. And that's the crux of this matter. ....[snip]

So fair-minded people can understand the emotion that some Jews feel when they hear that a Jewish character, Judas, betrays Jesus and another Jewish character, Caiphas, who agitates for his death in the movie. The apprehension is real and understandable, but it is wrong to use it as an excuse to vilify a man who wants to tell a scriptural story that he believes illustrates his faith.

As the Muslim killers on 9/11 and the pedophile Catholic priests prove, there are bad people in all religions. Rational individuals understand that although evil has many faces, it does not reside in any particular race. ...[snip]

People who hate Jews don't need a movie to fuel their neurosis. ...And ironically, Mel Gibson's movie is about love. Christians believe Jesus loved mankind so much that he was willingly gave up his life to give human beings redemption from their failings. Also, please remember that Jesus, above all, was a Jew.

The brutal attacks on Gibson may themselves create bad will. Most Americans who see this movie, I believe, will respect Gibson for making it. They may well see the defamation that has been heaped on him as grossly unfair. .... [snip]...I know [Gibson] a bit and I know his passion is to persuade people that Jesus was a man to be admired and imitated. It is Gibson's prerogative to use the Gospels to make that point. It is also the prerogative of his critics to frown on the project.

But trying to destroy the man's reputation is something else. It reminds me of Roman justice: guilt or innocence really didn't matter as long as the harsh punishment set a frightening example. Ad hominem, indeed.

[Paul Atreides]

Even Abraham Foxman, the militant leader of the Anti-Defamation League, now admits the film is not anti-Semitic.

When did he admit this?

[PoisedWoman]

The brutal attacks on Gibson may themselves create bad will.

Yes, of course.

The movie is headed for blockbusterhood. Attacks on it and on Gibson are only driving audiences into the theaters.

[Nov3]

The movie is headed for blockbusterhood. Attacks on it and on Gibson are only driving audiences into the theaters.

It is. I am considering going to the movies myself and I make it a rule not to go to movie theaters. The theaters and most importantly the crowd (and associated cell phones) SUCK here in Memphis. I went so far as to add a digital projector and sound system to my family room so I did not have to suffer that BS. We are well on our way to recouping the cost in dinners, tickets, and babysitter fees/

This movie will be like the epics from Charlton Heston. I can't wait!

[Nov3]

When did he admit this?

I believe he modified his position to the film will cause anti-Semitism.

[risk]

Vatican II on the Church's relationship with the Jews: http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/v9.html -- from http://www.christusrex.org/www1/CDHN/v1.html

Notice how it doesn't say that the Church ever had anti-semitic doctrines. Would it be fair to say that it was individual Christians who allowed themselves to misinterpret Christianity's story? There is more than one way to look at this.

I don't see Gibson's film as anti-semitic, but I think it's important for Jewish people to have their say about it.

[MSSC6644]

In the interview with Diane Sawyer, Foxman said that Mel Gibson is not an anti-semite. He said his fear is that the movie has the potential to stir up anti-semitic feelings.

I believe he also said he was still concerned about the portrayal of some of the Jewish characters being shown as urging the crucifixion of Christ.

[Norman Conquest]

So is the argument that Christians should delete these passages from their holy scripture? Or just ignore them?

[Dave S]

When did he admit this?

I saw him admit it on TV. I think it was on O'Reilly's show or maybe it was on Capital Report or Hardball. Upon hearing it, my reaction was gee if you are worried about what anti-semitism actions might result from the film maybe you shouldnt have given it so much publicity. I doubt many would have heard about or had much interest in seeing a violent religious movie that was filmed in aramaic and latin.

[RenegadeReporter]

I'm probably the only Christian in American not going to see this movie. I try to articulate my reasons: http://lashawnbarber.blogspot.com//archives/2004_02_01_lashawnbarber_archive.html#107718805765142519

[Mamzelle]

Once you set up even a farily modest home theatre, as I have (and the costs get less all the time), it is very hard to go back to the public theatres. I don't know why people behave as they do in movie theatres...although one of my theories is that the individuals in the audience are seized with the need to divert attn from the screen to themselves, to become an alternative performance...an exercise in vanity.

[Miss Marple]

No, what you are seeing is the result of two generations of television. I have seen the same behavior in live performances and speeches. My sister was once at a training meeting and while the trainer was speaking, the young gal next to her just blurted out to my sister "I like your shoes. Where'd you get them?" They were sitting in the front row.

I have seen this behavior in churches as well, where people get up and go to the restroom during the sermon and people bring doughnuts and coffee into the sanctuary.

[Heyworth]

Notice how it doesn't say that the Church ever had anti-semitic doctrines. Would it be fair to say that it was individual Christians who allowed themselves to misinterpret Christianity's story? There is more than one way to look at this.

You're not trying to deny that the Roman Catholic Church has ever engaged in anti-semitic policies at the highest levels, are you? Because I can cite examples all day long, starting with the 1715 "Edict Against the Hebrews" issued by Pope Pius VI.

[Dr. Scarpetta]

BUMP

[Psycho_Bunny]

Seeing A Bridge Too Far or Saving Private Ryan didn't stir up any anti-German sentiments in me so why are all these liberals worried about Passion bringing up a minor wave of anti-Semitism?

Oh....I know why: transference.  

It never ceases to amaze me how much liberals hate Jews.  Sure, the right has its' anti-Semites, but by and large they're confined to the fringe.  The lefts hatred of Jews is mainstream....they don't often talk about it, but it amazes me when I hear lefties start spewing hatred of Jews.

I'm not saying I'm perfect....I have my prejudices:  I can't say I'm all that fond of Arabs right now.

But I'm certainly not going to couch my prejudice in accusations against others.

[kcvl]

"Over the last 2000 years, four words have fueled anti-Semitism: 'The Jews killed Christ.' We are concerned about this message wrapped up in a popular film that's couched as gospel truth and produced by a popular, creative genius." -- Abraham H. Foxman

http://www.adl.org/adl.asp


Abe Foxman is an EVIL MAN. I hope his FUNDRAISING is going well. He thinks he should have a say in Mel Gibson's INTERRUPTATION of the Scriptures. I don't remember him wanting to rewrite "Schindler's List". I also didn't realize how many Jews hated Christians (behind our backs). I am SHOCKED!

[risk]

I didn't know about any of this. Thank you.

[gatorgriz]

"This movie will be like the epics from Charlton Heston. I can't wait!"

Like you, I tired of the movie theatre scene, and I spent a considerable amount of cash on my home theatre system; which I enjoy immensely…

Having said that, this is one movie I’m going to the theatre to see, and I can’t wait! The Passion of the Christ, is going to be a blockbuster; and those on the left know it, that’s why we’ve been hearing all this carping and whining for lo these many, many months.

And when The Passion comes out on DVD I’ll be placing it right alongside all of the Charlton Heston epics currently in my collection… I look forward to seeing the movie in the theatre and owning the DVD.

[LA Conservative]

"I also didn't realize how many Jews hated Christians (behind our backs). I am SHOCKED!"

Let's not overreact here. I think that it is more accurate to say how liberals hate Christians. It is unfortunate that many Jews are Liberals, but it would wrong to single out Jews in this regard. True Christians are well aware of the divisions within Christianity.

What is needed is for Conservatives to unite together, both Christians and Jews, to be agents of change for good and start to illustrate how liberalism is a poor and dangerous ideology, based on false beliefs and bigotry.

[kcvl]

Maybe you should read some of the things that have been said on this website about Christians from "our friends" the Jews. I doubt most of them are liberals. I can't believe some of the things that have been said. It was a wake-up for me.