The Passion
Forum
I think people should stop critizing someone for trying to spread God's word. Just because you may not have got much out of it doesn't mean that it didnt change someone elses life. Maybe there is just one person in the world somewhere that God wanted to reach and this is the only way to do it. God will do amazing things for just one person. Jesus would have died on that cross even if I was the only person on earth. That is how powerful his love is. So maybe for one second you could stop thinking about how Mel Gibson did it for himself and think about the millions of people reached out to because of a 2 hour movie. (By the way Gibson spent something like a couple million of his OWN money to make this movie) All he wanted to do was reach people. No one held you down and made you watch this movie so stop complaining and start sharing Jesus with the lost.
>>By bloodbought11602 (Friday, 26 Mar 2004 02:51)
I didn't watch the movie. And so what if he spent his own money. If he is so charitable maybe he should give away the profits. I'm sure that if that couple million he used to make the movie was all the money he had, he wouldn't still have made the film.
And what makes you think you need to share Jesus with "the lost"? What makes these people lost? Because you were born into a christian family and brought up to believe in religion the way you do, you feel like you are obligated to make everyone else believe the same way as you?
>>By tooloot (Friday, 26 Mar 2004 04:29)
if mel gibson really wanted to reach out and touch ppl, i'm sure there must be some other way without stirring up contraversy and making ppl feel uncomfortable. seriously. that would just defeat whatever saintly purpose he had in making this film in the first place. and this film HAS to be watched with an open mind. otherwise...we already have so many problems to deal with. we dont need another.
>>By eatengold (Monday, 29 Mar 2004 08:38)
I dunno if Mel intended it to be an evangelical device.
But Christians will appreciate the movie more than non-Christians.
Still, it was very realistic but not that emotional really. Yeah I felt sorry that he went through all that (especially the torture scence which was worse than the nailing scene). But you can only feel sorry for so long. Not for 2 hours.
The best bits were the biblical quotes.
(Dying on the cross)
"Why have you forsaken me?"
"Forgive them Father for they know not what they do"
and
(something along the lines of)
"Love your enemies... for if we love only those who love us, where is the reward in that?"
I wish there were more parable flashbacks. Parables are where the real lessons are learnt in Christianity.
I'm not really sure what that hooded devil-like character was meant to be for.
>>By ftad (Monday, 29 Mar 2004 08:53)
i dont think he meant it to be an evangelical thing either. but that devil-like character is really confusing. but i like the fact that some of the flashbacks showed the 'human' side of jesus, coz most ppl forget he was on earth lliving as a person. i'm a christian myself, and the film is soooooooo gory. there are parts where u wonder if its really necessary to depict such painful scenes, but overall...its a good film. touching. i cried watching it while eating noodles. thats how touching it was.
>>By eatengold (Monday, 29 Mar 2004 10:31)
Reading this discussion is like watching an episode of Father Ted. Get down off your crosses guys...we could use the wood!
>>By Crick (Wednesday, 31 Mar 2004 13:31)
lol very true crick
>>By Billy Pilgrim (Thursday, 1 Apr 2004 01:16)
This is one dead discussion, Billy. So it goes.
>>By Crick (Thursday, 1 Apr 2004 16:12)
The hooded character was death and if you payed close attention, death even followed Judas.
>>By Fantomas (Thursday, 1 Apr 2004 20:38)
I saw The Passion two weeks ago. I was curious, because there was so much controversy about it. I'm sure there are a lot of people like me who just went to see what all the fuss was about. I think the critics, especially Abe Foxman, shot themselves in the foot. All their attacks just gave the movie more publicity.
I can understand why some people had concerns. Historically passion plays like the one in Oberammergau have incited hatred and violence towards Jews. Unfortunately, Christians in Europe have a long history of persecuting Jews. However, now having seen the film, I have to say that I didn't notice any antisemitism. Gibson's movie is very different from a passion play. It's made quite clear that Gibson believes Jesus died for all of our sins.
It seems to me that whether you like The Passion or not depends a lot on your religious beliefs. There are some exceptions but most conservative Protestants and Catholics find the movie moving, while most people who aren't Christian see it as just senseless violence. It seems to me the Passion is aimed at an audience that already understands the theology.
I'm Catholic myself, but I have a lot of disagreements with the Church. I have to say I was disappointed by the film. In my opinion, it didn't live up to the hype. It wasn't a bad movie, but the violence is so relentless that at times it became boring for me. After a while, violence loses its shock.
I liked the opening scene in the Garden of Gethsemani where Jesus is agonizing about doing his father's will and allowing himself to be crucified. I've always found that a moving part of the Gospels. I like the flashbacks: the Sermon on the Mount and the scene where Jesus kisses Mary after showing her the new table he's making.
Leaving aside the complicated question about how much actual history there is in the Gospels, I don't think the movie was historically accurate in its portrayal of the period. First of all, Palestine was located in the eastern half of the Roman Empire, which means the Roman soldiers would probably have spoken Greek not Latin. The historical Jesus may well have spoken some Greek, but it's unlikely he knew any Latin. (In the movie Jesus speaks to Pilate in Latin.) The use of Latin probably reflects Gibson's traditionalist Catholic upbringing. In the film, Jesus carries the whole cross to Calvary. In reality, condemned prisoners only carried the cross-beam. Also, the condemned were crucified naked. They didn't wear a loin-cloth. It's interesting that an X-rated film avoids male nudity. Violence is ok, but nudity isn't. Also, the position of the body on the cross would have been different. As I understand it, prisoners were put on the cross in a crouched and twisted position so that they would suffocate.
As I said, it's not a bad film, but I was expecting something better.
I was tired when I saw the film so I'm going to see it again.
>>By Mikey_Canuck (Sunday, 4 Apr 2004 22:29)
All I have to say is that The movie must be pretty damn good if Mel Gibson made it, He is the man.
>>By RammsteinLiebe (Friday, 23 Apr 2004 04:47)
Have you seen it or are you just guessing? I thought it was ok, but I don't think it lived up to some of the glowing reviews I read.
>>By Mikey_Canuck (Saturday, 24 Apr 2004 00:04)
I havent seen it, I want to though. I heard it wasn't very good, but I think Mel Gibson is kickass and knows how to make a good movie.
>>By RammsteinLiebe (Saturday, 24 Apr 2004 03:05)
I think it's one of those movies people either love or hate. I'm glad I saw it, because now I know what everyone is talking about.
>>By Mikey_Canuck (Saturday, 24 Apr 2004 04:14)
The hooded character is death? But Judas doesn't die in the movie does he?
Maybe the hooded character just is the Devil. The devil tries to temp people. He (or she) tempted Judas to betray JC (Jesus Christ) for money. Whereas that hooded figure turned up at various points along JC's journey. I think this could mean that the devil was trying to also temp JC to use his powers (for JC has the power to do anything because he can perform miracles).
I have to agree though that this movie seems to have assumed knowledge of the bible. Imagine you didn't know about JC's resurrection. You'd be like "how the hell (excuse the pun) did he come back to life?" at the end.
>>By ftad (Monday, 26 Apr 2004 20:50)
Bring back Crick, I'm still laughing at the Father Ted comment!
Who you calling 'lost' bloodbought1602? Thou shall not judge got ripped from your Bible did it? I dont need you, Gibson or anyone else to share your religious fanaticism with me. I have my own system of values which is not coloured by religious belief and it suits me just fine. What you'd preach - I already do. But inlike you, I don't need some all-mighty spiritual being to guide me through life, I'm clever enough to figure it out on my own.
On a more serious note, bring back Crick!
>>By muse junkie (Thursday, 29 Apr 2004 01:58)
To ftad: The hooded character is Satan. Judas hangs himself.
The Passion is a good Rohrschach test. Everyone looking at it seems to find what he wants.
It'll be interesting to see what people make of this film five or ten years from now after all the controversy has died down. Will anyone even remember what the fuss was about?
>>By Mikey_Canuck (Thursday, 29 Apr 2004 05:21)
to muse junkie: ok i am not saying that anyone in particular is "lost"... that is what non-Christians are. They are lost, they don’t know the real light that Jesus shines. And obviously if you are offended by it then Jesus is trying to speak to you, so maybe you should stop talking and listen. By the way I am not judging anyone. I think Mel Gibson is an awesome person for making this movie and I will stand boldly behind my beliefs and how I feel toward something. If Jesus calls me to say something I am going to get persecuted for then I am going to do it. All believers are called to go and make disciples.
Luke 11:33
"No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead he puts it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light.
I am going to shine my light no matter what anyone says, Jesus went through some major persecution and I am called to be just like him so why don't you think I will deal with it?!?! I will pray for you.
>>By bloodbought11602 (Friday, 30 Apr 2004 03:10)
This isn't the right place for preaching.
>>By Mikey_Canuck (Friday, 30 Apr 2004 04:03)
I get the creeps of people telling me they know the 'real light' and everything someone else thinks or believes is not the 'true faith'. Please cut the crap. There is no one truth, simply because no two people are alike and we all need to fight our own battles and walk our own path. As long as you respect and love those around you, I'll think you'll deserve your 'heaven'. But saying that Jesus or Mohammed or Buddha or whoever next is the only true Messiah and everyone who doesn't subscribe to this view is lost, is dangerous and fanatical preaching. Towers get flown into by people like that ...
>>By Aywin (Friday, 30 Apr 2004 09:30)
Film was jsut crap... How can people not understand that it's all about making money ? Passion my a** ... You don't measure "passion" with tons of hemoglobine. Jesus Christ is claimed to have been tortured : SO WHAT ?
Mel Gibson is re-writing history (as in most Peplum Hollywood films...)
Besides, the Latin sounds like Italian and the Arameic sounds way too americanized.
>>By EhhhRight (Friday, 30 Apr 2004 19:40)
Honestly bloodbought you make my argument for me. I have to admit that your response concerns me, you truly show all the signs of a religious fanatic. No one is gonna persecute you, you are entitled to your views and beliefs. But open your mind beyond what your pastor tells you and beyond what your Bible preaches. You'' then see that all you believe you can find in places other than your church and amongst people other than your congregation. Do you honestly think that anything you said is something new, something unique, something enlightening? Wrong. I've heard it a thousand times from people just as lost as you. Nothing you say impacts upon me; not because I'm "lost" but because I need more intellectual stimulus than what your religion offers. Sorry if that makes your crusade somewhat ineffective.
Dont pray for me - I'm not in need of salvation.
>>By muse junkie (Thursday, 6 May 2004 07:24)
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