I have just returned from watchin g"The Passion

[forgethell]

of the Christ" directed by Mel Gibson. This is the most emotionally stunning movie that I have ever seen. There was not a sound from the audience throughout the movie, or leaving the theater.

The visuals were also stunning. Yes, it was violent, but unlike so much violence that you see on movies, every bit of it was pregnant with meaning. Every stroke, every blow. Whatever you thinnk of Mel Gibson, he is a great artist.

There was no hate, no anti-Semitism in this movie. Yes, some of the Jews were evil. It was a mob. The Romans were also brutal. Any one who sees anti-Semitism in this movie is seeing it because they are looking for it. There were also some Jews who did not call for Jesus' death, who tried to stop it.

I am no scholar. I will not pretend to get into the discussion about when the Gospels were written, or their historical accuracy, or the agenda of their authors. I will say this: I am a believing Christian, and I do know what the Gospels actuaaly say. This followed them very closely, although Mel Gibson filled in some details. None, I believe that contradicted the message of the Gospels.

There are those that do not like this movie because they do not like the New Testament. That is fair enough, but I think that they should be aware, and I think others should be aware, of their worldview.

What else? Some people have complained that the movie did not go into Jesus' teachings. Well, the death and resurrection of the Christ is the whole point of Christianity, and this movie was made for Christians. Without the resurrection, Christianity is not different from any other religion with their message of doing good. The resurrection makes Christianity unique, IMO.

I am just emotionally destroyed right now. The movie was that powerful. Christian or non-Christian, do ourself a favor and see this movie. Something that is going to be this culturally important should be seen by both its friends and its enemies.

God bless you all.

[David Dunham]

1. Aren't Jesus' teachings too socially conscious and liberal for Gibson?

They are a key to the Christian faith, not just the Resurrection. Can anyone imagine Bush or Gibson really taking seriously the lessons of the Sermon on the Mount? The right wing would have boycotted this movie if Jesus' teachings were included.

[forgethell]

6. Well, now,

the Sermon on the Mount was actually included in the movie. Anyway, the point of the Gospels is that all the good works, or efforts for social justice, is NOT enough

[cally]

19. I'm glad you had a spiritual experience to the movie

I do hope you know that your interpretation about the meaning of the Gospels is not all Christians. I'm a Christian because of Jesus' message and the understanding about God's grace. I don't need to see the suffering to believe.

[Raenelle]

2. Non-Christian here. No interest, and I can't see why I should have any.

[forgethell]

7. Fair enough.

However, this will be a major cultural phenomenon. I would want to see it, even if I disagreed with it, just like any other important message. But everybody has to make that choice for themselves.

Peace

[muchacho]

14. uh....no!

>>However, this will be a major cultural phenomenon.

Wow, how much did Mel pay you to say that? To say that this movie is a "major cultural phenomenon" is like saying Howard Stern is the cause of the downfall of Western society.

It's a freakin MOVIE!!

[forgethell]

28. So was Star Wars n/t

[muchacho]

13. I gave up religion....

for Lent.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

3. We know the story very well and those of us here who are.....

Christians have a very strong understanding of what occurred.
There is no reason to go and see one man's interpretation of
what occurred. I can figure it out for myself!

[DrWeird]

4. Oh, silly me.

"the death and resurrection of the Christ is the whole point of Christianity"

Here I was thinking it was about Christ's teachings. Off to hell with me.

[Oilwellian]

8. Hehehe

I guess I'll have to join you in your thinking. Come, we go get a handbasket.

[DS1]

12. By way of Virginia I hope!

:hi:

[forgethell]

9. Hope not.

But the teachings about social justice are no different from any other religion's. The Resurrection makes Chritianity different.

[MsUnderstood]

5. If I were illeterate

And could not read the bible for myself, the I would get audio tapes. . .oh wait, if I were illeterate, I couldn't watch the movie either.

What I want to know (please forgive me if I ruin the movie by getting this question answered, but since we've either already read the book or don't care lets figure this out) is DOES THIS MOVIE SHOW THE CRIME JESUS COMMITTED BEFORE BEING SENTENCED TO DEATH.

Jesus went into a Jewish temple turned over tables and caused a ruckus. Do you see that in the movie? Do you see a clear correlation between COMMITTING A CRIME, GETTING ARRESSTED, and GETTING PUNISHED?

[forgethell]

11. Whoa, the Death Penalty

for vandalism. Boy, you are tough!!

But that is not why Jesus was executed.

[homelandpunk]

10. when will Gibson make 16 more movies about

the other sixteen crucified savior myths? You know, the ones that predate, yet are identical to the Jesus myth? I mean they must be historically accurate too.

[qanda]

15. My husband and I went to see this movie

And neither of us was very moved. I am a Christian. I was raised in a Pentecostal church. Right now, I don't belong to any church, but it's not because I no longer believe. That being said, I thought the movie lacked much of what Christianity is all about and that, for me, is forgiveness, faith, hope and love.

I spoke with a friend from my prayer group and she saw it last evening with about 30 people from her church and most of them were as equally unmoved as my husband and me. I thought there was a serious personal disconnect from what was happening on the screen and how all of that suffering and dying related to the redemption of mankind.

I'm not sure why some people find the movie to be so moving and powerful. For me, there were parts that I thought were very good and then there were parts that were downright cheesy-- they were just that bad.

Anyway, I don't need a movie to reaffirm what or how I believe. My faith sustains me and as Jesus told Thomas, blessed are those that have not seen and yet have believed.

[VOX]

16. So I guess that, without belief in the Crucifixion and Resurrection...

one is separated from God for eternity. With this black-and-white view, all other world religions (note that Islam, like Christianity, also teaches that is the only "right" path to God), are, in the end, erroneous.

I supposed, too, that in being aware of this, and not accepting it, that I am consigning myself to the fires of hell.

Damn, but Hell must be overpopulated.

[muchacho]

17. mmm......damnation

>>Damn, but Hell must be overpopulated.

Yeah, but I heard they have HDTV!!

[Arugula Latte]

18. No way will I see this film.

I'm not putting any more $ in Mel Gibson's pocket. He disgusts me.

[shanti]

20. no thanks, i'll pass

not into the group think thing.

[brokensymmetry]

21. Thank you for the review.

I compliment you for the strength of faith required to post your views - pro-Christian views are not always treated gently, IMO.

[forgethell]

26. Ah, well,

it requires neither courage nor faith to post anything on the internet. It's anonymous, don't you know. That being said, you're right, pro-Christian views are not treated very well. There are a number of bigots on this site. Others have sincere, well-thought out objections, or their own faith. All well and good. Is this a great country, or what?

[Darranar]

22. Interesting, thanks.

[Tinoire]

23. Thank you for the review!

I plan on seeing this movie and no anti-Gospel propoganda is going to stop me. Your review has only confirmed what all my research uncovered- there's nothing wrong with the movie except that it's based on the Gospels & reminds people of what God did for man-kind. I believe in God, I believe in Christianity, I believe in Jesus' sacrifice and am going to see this movie.

If I had $42,000 to spare, I would start a few threads about God & Jesus, rent out a hall, and invite every interested DUer to come see this movie after, and only after, understanding who we believe Jesus was & what the sacrifice was all about.

Peace to you & thank you.

[shugah]

29. i guess people do need reminding

of all god did or has done for mankind.

[izzie]

24. I have seen so much art to do with this I do not wish to see it,

Some paintings are just awful in a way you can not get them out of your mind and have read how they killed people in those days. I guess I will not see it.

[GreenPartyVoter]

25. His death was not the only point, though, of His life, by any means.

Read Marcus Borg's "Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time" and get to know Him better. :)

http://www.geocities.com/greenpartyvoter/liberalchristians.htm

[forgethell]

27. Thanks,

I'll read it.