Is PASSION more about Jesus or Mel Gibson?

[Paragon]

[morgan2]

1. s/Mel/Republicans

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. jesus

would cry if he could see what his faithful did these days :puke:

[Paragon]

3. To those who voted "Jesus"

Why tell only this part of the story? Jesus is not unique because he was crucified, but because he rose again three days later -- and most of all, because of his teachings.

[arewethereyet]

16. lots of reasons

its the normal focus of thos point in the chuirch year,
it was requested to be thought of by Christ Himself as rememberance of Him in the Mass,
there is a rite commonly called the Stations of the Cross that specifically reflects on this.

There are other focus points at other parts of the year. The Resurrection and Asscntion are coming up etc.

This is very normal.

His sacrifice IS unique. He alone chose mortality as a perfect gift to redeem our sins. He DID die and, as you point out, rose again. But don't gloss over Him, an immortal, choosing a horrible death and not for show but so that you, I and everyone else might gain the Kingdom of Heaven.

The others crucified at the time were just criminals.

[PurityOfEssence]

17. That's in there

There are plenty of flashbacks with his teachings, and the rising part ends the flick.

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

22. true enough.

That doesn't reduce the movie any though.

[DuctapeFatwa]

4. you didn't put a "marketing" option

you need one.

[glarius]

5. Here's a review from a Chrstian who wanted to like it but.......

Although I don't particularly like this guy, he has a TV show too, I think he pinpoints what's wrong with the movie quite well...
http://www.canoe.ca/Columnists/coren.html

[WhoCountsTheVotes]

6. Mel Gibson thanks DU, the Jewish Community, and anti-Christians

for all this controversey and publicity! So far, he's playing everyone like a well tuned fiddle!

Instead of being an obscure art film (not even in English) it's become a cultural touchstone, thanks to the relentless attacks by various groups. Gibson is obviously a marketing genius.

[anti-NAFTA]

8. Yes, he is. eom

[DuctapeFatwa]

12. not Gibson. the Anti-Defamation League

(insert your preferred offensive joke about Jewish PR firms here)

[anti-NAFTA]

7. I've changed my mind on the film

even though I haven't seen it yet. A few weeks ago I wrote about how it would inspire anti-Semitism and that it's dangerous. But now, seeing the ADL go to the Vatican and things like that, I think the film should just be released. Making a big deal out of it is just going to inspire more anger. I think my fellow Jews should just calm down.

[californiahippie]

9. IF it was about Jesus...

he would have given the twenty million to make it to charity instead.

[Blue_Roses]

15. I agree

n/t

[Protagoras]

10. Some sobbing lady on CNN

Just said after *seeing* HIS SUFFERING she KNEW he was the lord.

Um..it was a movie...how is that anyone doesn't understand this? That's not Jesus, it's Jim Caviezel. That's not blood...it's stage makeup. That's not the light of god it's a damn spotlight!

I'm absolutely not trying to undermine anyone's faith...believe whatever book you want, but...IT IS A MOVIE! It scares the crap out of me that people are somehow confusing what Mel Gibson produces with lighting, makeup, and editing with some sort of proof or validation for their religious beliefs.

Edit addition: And yes...seeing people react like that to a movie does make me worry about anti-semetic backlash. If they can't distinguish between a movie and reality...then I fear they won't be qualifying much else either.

[glarius]

11. I agree with you and I'm a Christian nt

nt

[drewb]

13. Well... I actually took the 2.5 hours to watch it...

And I think it was about Jesus. The only time I saw anything about Mel Gibson was after the movie was over and the credits rolled.

I left the theatre hating no one, I actually felt very peaceful, very solemn, and very moved...

:loveya:

[PurityOfEssence]

19. but don't say nothin' bad to the J-man, or I'LL PECK YOUR EYES OUT!

Certainly, it was from the heart, but there was also plenty of "the only way you get to know dad is through me" and the general I'm it, that's that, and the subject's closed.

The lurking Satan with the monster baby was a bit much, as was the severed ear miracle and the big whopper earthquake.

To a great degree, the movie was a lot like listening to someone who has a great interest that isn't yours: they scream louder and louder, just KNOWING that you'll finally get it. It's fanatacism.

The NPR critic called it the Jesus Chainsaw Massacre, but after all the hype, it wasn't quite the Grand Guignol spectacle I was expecting.

More than anything else, it was just a travelogue of the main points of the story. It didn't explore anything new, and all it did was try to overwhelm you with the pain so you absolutely had to buckle in its presence, KNOWING that he had to be his very own dad.

More than anything else, there wasn't any there there. (I wonder what else Gertrude Stein would have said...)

[Mari333]

14. $$$

http://landoverbaptist.org/news0304/passionflyer.html

[Ksec]

18. Just wondering here. Were you folks this passionate against

the Shlindlers List movie maker?

If not , why not?

[Bridget Burke]

20. What's your problem with Shindler's List?

You're the first one to make a comparison.

[Lone_Wolf_Moderate]

21. Jesus.

[roguevalley]

23. one reviewer worried more about anti-semitism being fanned

by this movie in Europe because of the history
of it there.

[VOX]

24. Gibson. Take a good look at the characters he has played over 25 years...

Many of them have been beaten to a pulp, disfigured, disemboweled, psychologically traumatized, executed, etc. It's as if Mel has been building up to this ejaculatory experience for some time.

Of all the many facets of Christ's life and teachings, Gibson chooses to focus on "The Passion" -- the arrest, torture and execution of Christ. Yes, there are some flashbacks, but it's obvious that Mel is really interested in the physical degradation and destruction aspect.

Mel has used such punishingly repetitive graphic imagery (and earsplitting sound) as to turn his audience into a pack of lab animals forced to respond after having such an intense sensory experience.

This isn't about art, it's about having Mel's perceptions rammed down your throat.