A Beetwasher Prediction: Re: Gay Marriage and "Passion"

[Beetwasher]

My prediction: There will be some very high profile hate crimes against jews, gays or minorities (or all three) in the very near future (within the next couple of weeks). The fundamentalist/racist homophobes are being whipped into a bloodlust frenzy and they will act on their bloodthirsty homicidal fantasies. The film "The Passion" and the rightwings' overt assault on the freedom of gays are essentially tacit approval for the lunatic fringe to let their raging id's go wild and to act on their violent impulses. They will act on these cues given to them by these recent events. It's all part of the purity crusade.

[BR_Parkway]

1. First they came for the gays, and I said nothing...

Isn't it ironic that shrub had to announce this proposed amendment just as the movie was ready to open?

[orwell]

3. The Band Plays On

It isn't ironic at all. It was well orchestrated.

O

[Maeve]

2. Beet, you don't need a crystal ball to make those predictions

First, there are hate crimes occuring all the time--check out the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center
http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intpro.jsp

And the media will finally go looking for the crimes, as well--sharks biting, 2004.

Sigh...feeling very discouraged right now.

[Beetwasher]

4. Oh, I know!

I make no claims to be psychic.

I know hate crimes happen all the time, I'm talking about something major though...

[wellstone_democrat]

5. What a timely post because:

a colleague just related a story to me from lunch. Seems that those who saw the film yesterday were talking about Herod and Satan's portrayals. One and all (pro and anti-gay rights) thought both were "effeminate"---the two pro-gay rights attendees shut up then and listened. Seems the other four (hostile to gays) talked about how this was another example of how the Bible is against gays.

Insane? Yes, but this was a group of four adult men with (minimum) college degrees who own businesses and are active in politics.

Its only a movie???? Sure. But as I've said before, its what some of them act on when they leave that is always the problem.

[forgethell]

7. is it any more of a problem than

when someone sees, oh, 'Natural Born Killers', or a good slasher movie, or that cult classic, "Snuff"?? Freedom of speech, and all that? Can we have it both ways??

[Beetwasher]

10. Yes, it is different

and I'm not calling for censorship. I'd fight to protect Gibson's right to make and market this film, but I'm just calling it the way I see it.

It's different because the subject matter is accepted as "real" by many people. This is being hailed by many believers and Gibson himself as the ultimate and true portrayal of the crucifiction. The film gives way to violent emotional responses after being viewed by frothing true believers who feel they've just witnessed the brutal murder of their savior. Many will feel the need to act out on those violent, personal emotions and some will do so. Coupled with the tacit approval by the rightwing to bash gays recently, you've go yourself a recipe for disaster.

[wellstone_democrat]

12. I agree completely

My husband, who saw the film thought that Satan was portrayed in an interesting (and he added disturbing) way: "was the Devil a woman or a homosexual or...some sort of creature that frightened people conjure up from their fears of both?"

I couldn't answer but I thought that there are things in this film that have a credible "deniability" or else can be seen as "subjective" but there is no ambiguity on the "positive" things and characters. I wonder if this is an accident?

[forgethell]

14. Many will feel the need

to act out on those violent, personal emotions and some will do so?? I doubt it seriously. Some people will do violence, perhaps, but it will be because of their own evil hearts, not the film. That will be just their excuse, not their reason. They could always find another excuse, or use none at all.

[PurityOfEssence]

8. Herod is indeed portrayed as homosexual

Yet it's done in a carefully modulated way to allow for plausible deniability. You'll also note that Satan is a female.

Continuing on, the only "decent" Roman Soldier has blue eyes.

On the other hand, I'd say that this is not an anti-semitic movie; it's a hysteria-whipping movie to absolutely demand acceptance that he's the only way. It offers nothing new, and doesn't answer any of the interesting questions about the whole thing.

Truly, there's no there there.

I posted a thread about this, but I unfortunately got locked for being a little wild with my diction...

[nostamj]

13. uh, "Satan" is played by a woman....

otherwise I concur with beetwasher.

voting against * is voting against GOD. that's the message. and the right is empowering them with pure HATE, FEAR and IGNORANCE

[forgethell]

6. of course there will be hate-crime against the Jews,

but this is probably not the right forum to discuss it. Has nothing to do with the 'Passion', however.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. joy!

i am gay and a minority with a minority gf...

OBVIOUSLY SARCASTIC BUT FELT I MAY NEED TO CLARIFY

[ninkasi]

11. As sad as it is, I agree

Too many people are attracted to the Repukes because that's the party that legitimizes their hatred of minorities and gays. That's also the reason they are attracted to the far out fundamentalist sects, regardless of which religion they are.

They can feel that their spite and hatefulness is condoned by their politicians and spiritual leaders. When you combine religious fervor with homophobia, you come up with a dangerous mix.