OT: Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ

Anyone making plans to see this movie? I am seeing it two days before my surgery, and so thankful that it will be released in time for me to see it before. Anyone else? Tammy

I have not heard about this movie. I have always enjoyed Mel Gibson and that sounds like a fun thing to do just before surgery. My date is the day before yours.

cool, we're almost WLS date "twins" The movie does not star Mel Gibson, but he wrote it and directed it. It is about the last 12 hours of Christ's life, and it is supposed to be awesome. Hope you get a chance to see it. Tammy

I had sneak preview tickets and gave them away. If I can't get in before surgery, it may be my first outing afterwards. I hear it is pretty intense and hard to watch--rated R for reality. Joy

Tammy, Yes I plan to see this movie next weekend when it comes out. My church has bought out an entire Theatre to enable us to see it together. This is possibly the most important film of the century. Yes I know it's only 2004 but this film is so powerful, so intense and has such a potential to be a catalyst for true personal change that an equal will be difficult if not impossible to find. It is said, you cannot see this movie, and exit unchanged. Va 13 sunrises until my new life begins!!

I definitely want to see this. Can't wait until it comes out. Hopefully I can drag my husband to see it as he doesn't have a religious background at all and doesn't really believe in anything... Dina

Oh, you BETCHA I'm seeing it. Matter of fact, I'm takin' my Mom (who's not thrilled about any kind of blood and gore in any way, shape or form, but has a yearning to see what her Savior went thru). She's the one who found the listing and said "We've gotta go see this, Dear..." It hits the Detroit area on Feb. 25th. There's a church that's bought an entire theatre's tickets for that nite, but I think they're already sold out. There are a few other theatres showing it...I'm calling Ticketmaster to see if I can get reserve tickets so I don't miss out: I have a feeling it's gonna be sold out straight thru. Did you realize that it's being marketed ONLY in areas that are "Jesus" friendly? They couldn't find wide-spread theatres to run the film. Some areas wouldn't 'touch it'. So the demographics ended up running it in areas where it wouldn't be highly controversial and possibly offensive. Cheez. I've always liked Mel Gibson (in fact, in his 'youth', my now-ex husband looked like a young Mel...now he looks old and worn). I've always sort of "followed" his life, and he's "had his times". But I was really impressed by his dedication to this movie. He's certainly gone through some CRAP for making it. It's become quite a controversy internationally. ACLU (and others) have said it's anti-Semitic, and on and on. (I'm sure the Romans would've filed an injunction barring it from being released if they were still alive...) All those groups fighting AGAINST it peaked my curiosity even more. But then when I read more about it, I knew I had to see it. It's a no-holds-barred rendition of what the Lord went through, and I hear it's just GRUESOME. I mean, we knew that, right? But to actually SEE it will, I think, be a life-altering experience. Gibson said that several of his crew have become Christians as a result...WAY cool! Besides obese people, Christians are the MOST persecuted group of people in the world. It's "fair game" to take swipes at us, and we're expected to turn the other cheek. If we don't, our spirituality is questioned. Hey, did anyone make THIS big of a fuss when Scorsese made "The Last Temptation Of Christ"? I didn't see it, never will. But it just proves that the REAL source of Christ-ianity and the REAL historically based story of His life is not something that this world wants to deal with. Why? It happened. Anyway, that's, of course, JMHO. And yes, I'll be there. I actually thought about seeing it AFTER surgery as I've been so positive in my lead-up to surgery that I didn't want to 'react' to the movie and chance being upset going in to surgery, having it replaying in my head, etc. But then I was ashamed that I'd even thought that. My Lord has given me so much and brought me so far, I can't trust that He's going to keep my mind where He wants it DURING the surgery? I'm such a scum! So that's when I decided that it was a "must-do". I hope Mel Gibson is blessed beyond his wildest dreams for doing this. What a strong man of faith to wager ALL to do this. THAT's what being a Christian is about! Kimmer Queen of the Niners, Instigator to all Marchers, High Priestess of Giggles Zero-minus-19 and counting!

Just got this in an email - I copied/pasted for everyone: Paul Harvey Comments on "The Passion" by Mel Gibson The majority of the media are complaining about this movie. Now Paul Harvey tells "The rest of the story" and David Limbaugh praises Gibson. Most people would wait and see a movie before giving the reviews that have been issued by the reporters trying to tell all of us what to believe. Paul Harvey's words: I really did not know what to expect. I was thrilled to have been invited to a private viewing of Mel Gibson's film "The Passion," but I had also read all the cautious articles and spin. I grew up in a Jewish town and owe much of my own faith journey to the influence. I have a life long, deeply held aversion to anything that might even indirectly encourage any form of anti-Semitic thought, language or actions. I arrived at the private viewing for "The Passion", held in Washington DC and greeted some familiar faces. The environment was typically Washingtonian, with people greeting you with a smile but seeming to look beyond you, having an agenda beyond the words. The film was very briefly introduced, without fanfare, and then the room darkened. From the gripping opening scene in the Garden of Gethsemane, to the very human and tender portrayal of the earthly ministry of Jesus, through the betrayal, the arrest, the scourging, the way of the cross, the encounter with the thieves,the surrender on the Cross, until the final scene in the empty tomb, this was not simply a movie; it was an encounter,unlike anything I have ever experienced. In addition to being a masterpiece of film-making and an artistic triumph,"The Passion" evoked more deep reflection, sorrow and emotional reaction within me than anything since my wedding, my ordination or the birth of my children. Frankly, I will never be the same. When the film concluded,this"invitation only" gathering of "movers and shakers" in Washington, DC were shaking indeed, but this time from sobbing. I am not sure there was a dry eye in the place. The crowd that had been glad-handing before the film was now eerily silent. No one could speak because words were woefully inadequate WE had experienced a kind of art that is a rarity in life,the kind that makes heaven touch earth. One scene in the film has now been forever etched in my mind. A brutalized,wounded Jesus was soon to fall again under the weight of the cross. His mother had made her way along the Via Della Rosa. As she ran to him, she flashed back to a memory of Jesus as a child, falling in the dirt road outside of their home Just as she reached to protect him from the fall,she was now reaching to touch his wounded adult face. Jesus looked at her with intensely probing and passionately loving eyes (and at all of us through the screen) and said "Behold I make all things new." These are words taken from the last Book of the New Testament, the Book of Revelation. Suddenly, the purpose of the pain was so clear and the wounds,that earlier in the film had been so difficult to see in His face, His back, indeed all over His body, became intensely beautiful. They had been borne voluntarily for love. At the end of the film, after we had all had a chance to recover, a question and answer period ensued. The unanimous praise for the film, from rather diverse crowd, was as astounding as the compliments were effusive. The questions included the one question that seems to follow this film,even though it has not yet even been released. "Why is this film considered by some to be "anti-Semitic?" Frankly, having now experienced (you do not"view" this film) "the Passion" it is a question that is impossible to answer. A law professor whom I admire sat in front of me. He raised his hand and responded "After watching this film, I do not understand how anyone can insinuate that it even remotely presents that the Jews killed Jesus. It doesn't." He continued "It made me realize that my sins killed Jesus" I agree. There is not a scintilla of anti-Semitism to be found anywhere in this powerful film. If there were, I would be among the first to decry it. It faithfully tells the Gospel story in a dramatically beautiful, sensitive and profoundly engaging way. Those who are alleging otherwise have either not seen the film or have another agenda behind their protestations. This is not a "Christian" film,in the sense that it will appeal only to those who identify themselves as followers of Jesus Christ. It is a deeply human, beautiful story that will deeply touch all men and women. It is a profound work of art. Yes, its producer is a Catholic Christian and thankfully has remained faithful to the Gospel text; if that is no longer acceptable behavior than we are all in trouble. History demands that we remain faithful to the story and Christians have a right to tell it. After all, we believe that it is the greatest story ever told and that its message is for all men and women. The greatest right is the right to hear the truth. We would all be well advised to remember that the Gospel narratives to which "The Passion" is so faithful were written by Jewish men who followed a Jewish Rabbi whose life and teaching have forever changed the history of the world. The problem is not the message but those who have distorted it and used it for hate rather than love. The solution is not to censor the message, but rather to promote the kind of gift of love that is Mel Gibson's filmmaking masterpiece, "The Passion." It should be seen by as many people as possible. I intend to do everything I can to make sure that is the case. I am passionate about "The Passion."You will be as well. Don't miss it! AND FOLLOWING: This is a commentary by DAVID LIMBAUGH about Mel Gibson's very controversial movie regarding Christ's crucifixion. It, too, is well worth reading. MEL GIBSON'S passion for "THE PASSION" How ironic that when a movie producer takes artistic license with historical events, he is lionized as artistic, creative and brilliant, but when another takes special care to be true to the real-life story, he is vilified. Actor-producer Mel Gibson is discovering these truths the head way as he is having difficulty finding a United States studio or distributor for his upcoming film, "The Passion," which depicts the last12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ. Gibson co-wrote the script and financed, directed and produced the movie.For the script, he and his co-author relied on the New Testament Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, as well as the diaries of St. AnneCatherine Emmerich (1774-1824) and Mary of Agreda's "The City of God." Gibson doesn't want this to be like other sterilized religious epics. "I'm trying to access the story on a very personal level and trying to be very real about it." So committed to realistically portraying what many would consider the most important half-day in the history of the universe,Gibson even shot the film in the Aramaic language of the period In response to objections that viewers will not be able to understand that language,Gibson said, "Hopefully, I'll be able to transcend the language barriers with my visual storytelling; if I fail, I fail, but at least it'll be a monumental failure." To further insure the accuracy of the work, Gibson has enlisted the counsel of pastors and theologians, and has received rave reviews. Don Hodel,president of Focus on the Family, said, "I was very impressed. The movie is historically and theologically accurate." Ted Haggard, pastor of New Life Chur*****olorado Springs, Colo., and president of the National Evangelical Association, glowed: "It conveys, more accurately than any other film, who Jesus was." During the filming, Gibson, a devout Catholic, attended Mass every morning because "we had to be squeaky clean just working on this." >From Gibson's perspective, this movie is not about Mel Gibson. It's bigger than he is."I'm not a preacher, and I'm not a pastor," he said. "But I really feel my career was leading me to make this. The Holy Ghost was working through me on this film, and I was just directing traffic. I hope the film has the power to evangelize." Even before the release of the movie, scheduled for March 2004, Gibson is getting his wish. "Everyone who worked on this movie was changed. There were agnostics and Muslims on set converting to Christianity...[and]people being healed of diseases" Gibson wants people to understand through the movie, if they don't already, the incalculable influence Christ has had on the world. And he grasps that Christ is controversial precisely because of WHO HE IS - GOD incarnate "And that's the point of my film really, to show all that turmoil around him politically and with religious leaders and the people, all because He is Who He is." Gibson is beginning to experience first hand just how controversial Christ is. Critics have not only speciously challenged the movie's authenticity,but have charged that it is disparaging to Jews, which Gibson vehemently denies. "This is not a Christian vs. Jewish thing. '[Jesus] came into the world, and it knew him not.' Looking at Christ's crucifixion, I look firstat my own culpability in that. " Jesuit Father William J. Fulco, whotranslated the script into Aramaic and Latin, said he saw no hint of anti-Semitism in the movie. Fulco added, "I would be aghast at any suggestion that Mel Gibson is anti-Semitic." Nevertheless, certain groups and some in the mainstream press have been very critical of Gibson's "Passion." The New York Post's Andrea Peyser chided him: "There is still time, Mel,to tell the truth." Boston Globe columnist James Carroll denounced Gibson's literal reading of the biblical accounts. "Even a faithful repetition of the Gospel stories of the death of Jesus can do damage exactly because those sacred texts themselves carry the virus of Jew hatred," wrote Carroll. A group of Jewish and Christian academics has issued an 18-page report slamming all aspects of the film, including its undue emphasis on Christ's passion rather than "a broader vision." The report disapproves of the movie's treatment of Christ's passion as historical fact. The moral is that if you want the popular culture to laud your work on Christ, make sure it either depicts Him as a homosexual or as an everyday sinner with no particular redeeming value (literally). In our anti-Christian culture, the blasphemous "The Last Temptation of Christ" is celebrated and "The Passion" is condemned. But if this movie continues to affect people the way it is now, no amount of cultural opposition will suppress its force and its positive impact on lives everywhere. Mel Gibson is a model of faith and courage.