February 17, 2004

Flare Up

I think all this hoopla over Mel Gibson's Passion of Christ is out of control. "Many Jews have expressed great concern that the film 'The Passion of the Christ,' based on gospel accounts but also on the visions of a 19th century mystical nun, may inflame anti-Semitism and set back Jewish-Catholic dialogue."

If the message in the movie is not hateful or aimed to cause anti-simitism, then I think the argument is lost.

To me, this is saying that if we review the history of the way that Christ was killed, and the truth makes people feel angry at Jews, then we should not review the history of the way that Christ was killed, because to feel angry at Jews is to feel anti-simitic. It would logically follow that we should not make movies where we review how the white man victimized the American Indians and how they brutalized the slaves, because that might just make people angry at white people all over again or inflame racism. Well there have been more than a few movies made that did do that. That did cause people to feel very angry or racially charged. But I don't see how it's wrong, if there is a historical basis behind this movie "The Passion of Christ," that it may get people worked up. It should get people worked up because that's the point. Otherwise, it's not very interesting, now is it? But you have to trust people to recognize that things have changed in 2000 years.

We know that the Jews of today did not kill Christ. We also know that white people in America no longer own slaves, (though they still have that which they stole from the Indians and the advantages that they gained from past barbarism). The fact that those events have long passed should not barr us from memorializing them in books and film, regardless of whether it might inflame or provoke indignance from some.

Posted by Maria at February 17, 2004 04:16 PM | TrackBack
Comments

I don't hate Jews or Christians.

I just hate Mel Gibson. What I saw on Diane Sawyer's interview revealed a very troubled man with control issue and an underlying current of Right-wing religious zeal.

When shown his own 1985 cover photo for "People Magazine" he pointed at it and said "I hate that guy". Issues Mel. Issues.

Better he should seek psychiatric attention than force-feed the public his interpretation of the last hours of the life of Jesus Christ.

... for Christ's sake.

Hey Maria!!
Our numbers need reinfocement at the old BH now renamed Right Voices. Come join in the volley.

Posted by: Chosesinconnues at February 20, 2004 07:33 PM

Hey Choses! Long time...

You know what I do think is outrageous? Mel Gibson's dad. He's a serious psycho too. And now I am really starting to question the sanity of both Sr. and Jr.. Nonetheless, I'm going to stick by my views about people getting their underwear in a bunch over the movie itself. As for the Gibsons, they sound like they definitely have some issues.

As for Right Voices. I have pretty much renounced any attempt to communicate via the internet with those types of assholes. It just gets me too wound up. I'm currently attempting to quit smoking cigarettes, so I don't need to get anymore wound up than I already am. It's doubtful that I'll join in, but you never know, my curiosity might just eventually get the best of me.

Posted by: Maria at February 21, 2004 04:43 PM