The big five losers from 'The Passion'

Jerusalem Post ^ | 3.10.04

[truthandlife]

As Jesus said....

Luke 23:34 "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing."

[Puddleglum]

Argument #1 is absurd because the author does not consider whose point of view we are seeing the violence from or the framework it is presented within. Some violence in films requires that you feel nothing for the injured person and is dehumanizing (an I - It relationship, to borrow from Martin Buber - the victim is something gross to laugh at as it goes splat).

Violence that creates sympathy with the target but then still injures that character is likewise a waste if its only purpose is to generate some catharsis (again, I - It, with the "thrill" finally taking precedence over the relationship). That is hardly the case with this film. It presents the violence in the framework of an I - Thou relationship - we sympathize with/for Christ and in that sympathy feel some hint of the sympathy He must have felt for us, all sinners trapped in a world of violence devoid of meaning until His sacrifice.

[HighWheeler]

"SHMULEY BOTEACH"

Is that the lab name for some nasty STD that Clinton has?

Pronounced: "schmu-LAY BO-tee-ACK"

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Schmuley has been one of Michael Jackson's biggest supporters.

Link? Source?

You have GOT to be kidding me ambrose, you post one of the shrillest voices crusading against this movie, who earlier called for a boycott of the movie in a rant published before the opening....and don't know this wierdo's past?

Happy birthday little boys, I guess Jackon's use of "Jesus juice" is far less intolerable than this Evil film.

[Dr. Frank fan]

But can I ask Freepers what they think of the first point of this article -- about the breakdown of previous prohibitions on movie violence?

Actually I thought Mr. Boteach's first point was astute. I do think the existence of The Passion.. will (rightly or wrongly) lessen the ability of "Christian conservative" types to complain about movie violence.

I've never been all that bothered by movie violence per se, so I don't really have a dog in that hunt, but I think it's a fair point, which is why I really had nothing to add to it...

[RoseofTexas]

Utterly obsurd!!

[68skylark]

I think I catch your point. But maybe my question wasn't clear. What if some other movie maker wants to depict some other historical figure, male or female, being tortured to death? Seems to me that a movie studio might think about financing such a film. Call me crazy, but I bet a few movie makers will try it. And it seems to me Christians will have a hard time complaining.

[FreedomSurge]

the Jews felt that, in Christianity, their core teachings had been perverted and abused. They read some of the New Testament's insidious attacks against them and wondered how a book claiming divine authorship can be so blatantly anti-Semitic. Although Christianity stemmed from Jewish origin, it took the concept of the Jewish God and associated it with a man; took the concept of sacrifice and associated it with a human sacrifice. Christianity took their cherished Torah and said that it had been superseded by a new testament. And finally, it took the concept of the chosen nation itself, claimed that the Jews had been abandoned by God, and called themselves the new Israel. Jews reacted in outrage. The Jews withdrew from mainstream Christian society. Christians' burning Jews at the stake, as heretics would do little to make them draw closer. - Rabbi Boteach

Rabbi Boteach, like many other Jews simply hates Christianity.

[Steve Eisenberg]

Hold on freepers.......is this the same person who was a buddy of Whacko Jacko and said he would trust him with his kids?

Yep. He was originally a rabbi of the ultra-orthodox (but in a moderate way) Chabad grouping, and was more or less thrown out. (More or less because Chabad doesn't go in for defrocking.) I was wondering what a real Chabad rabbi would say about the movie. Not much, since they don't go to movies! I did find one article. This doesn't reach any real conclusions, but I thought was within yelling distance of being nice enough, when you take into account that the author comes from a tradition which regards walking into a church as forbidden:

Thank You Mel Gibson

I hope no Christians look at the above link the wrong way because the rabbi is really just talking to Jews -- as Mel Gibson is, I presume, primarily addressing Christians. As a Jew I really could not see myself seeing this film, but if it strengthens the faith of Christians I am all for it.

[gedeon3]

The writer is an ignorant idiot.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

1. Christian conservatives whose ability to protest violence in Hollywood films has now been severely compromised.

Idiots.

Conservatives of all stripes (not just Christians) have been protesting GRATUITOUS violence in Hollywood films for ages.

Hard to equate what was done to Jesus with a pimp poppin' a cap in some crack ho's head for holdin' out on him.

Nice try but no cigar on this point. Gad I hate it when people are intentionally disingenuous or worse, obtuse, to make a point.

[AMDG&BVMH]

Priceless!!

[HighWheeler]

"The Passion has forced upon politically conservative Jews like myself..."

Have you noticed lately the habit of Libs to cloak themselves as Republicans or conservatives before they spew some liberal bogus charge or other stupid remark?

They have to do that, it's the only way to seem like they are resonable, level headed, intelligent, respectable, thoughful people. Their next line, however, always shows they are knuckleheads.

[Plutarch]

As New York Times columnist Frank Rich writes...

Anyone quoting Frank Rich approvingly sacrifices any shred of credibility he may have yet remaining.

[VRWCmember]

1. Wrong, and I can prove it.
2. Wrong, and I can prove it.
3. Wrong, and I can prove it.

Did I miss 4 & 5? They were wrong too, though

At first I missed 4 and 5 as well. They were well camoflauged by poor formatting.

The author's Top 5 list:
1. Christian conservatives
2. Mel Gibson,
3. Jewish conservatives
4. Jews for Jesus
5. The Christian faith.

I also happen to think the author is WRONG on all five counts, but if he saw the movie he obviously saw it from such a different perspective than I that his perception of winners and losers would be understandably distorted.

[onyx]

What if some other movie maker wants to depict some other historical figure, male or female, being tortured to death?

No person has ever suffered the torture of Jesus.

I understand your concern also, but I say, 'let them make their disgusting movies --- we'll voice our objection with our boycotts.'

I'm sure Hollywood has made some truly violent and disgusting films, but I can't name them, because I don't watch them.

If Hollywood depended on me and folks like me, it would be a ghost town.

[AMDG&BVMH]

"I hope those who have seen The Passion and value it will not allow him to bait you to anger with his caustic rhetoric in this article."

Thanks for your voice of reason, af_vet.

[VRWCmember]

A much more insightful top 5 list. You are most likely a genius.

[Dr. Frank fan]

Have you noticed lately the habit of Libs to cloak themselves as Republicans or conservatives before they spew some liberal bogus charge or other stupid remark?

Yes, but not really in this case. I took, and still take, Rabbi Boteach at his word that he is politically conservative. My disagreement with him is limited to this one issue; I see no reason to draw partisan politics into it.