Clearly.

Clearly?

Clearly. And how could anyone not possibly understand that. And why might they not want to?...

Well, good for her, although I don't often look to actors as authorities on the heavy issues of the day.

I don't know. Something about all this isn't right and I can't decide why. All I know of this film I learned here. I assume it was made in total good faith, is accurate and theologically sound, and has nothing to do with blaming Jews for anything. Is that the end of the story? Is this all about who is right and who is wrong?

We are living in an era where anti-semitism is on the rise. This has very worrisome actual and potential consequences. If the film can reasonably be expected to strike fears or re-awaken dark memories in many Jewish hearts, then surely duties arise here that go beyond logic and reason. We have to expect, and therefore can't complain, that many of those fears will be based upon a less than perfect understanding of modern Christian theology. What is the point of all that atoning for past sins and our reassuring claims that we have moved beyond all that if we treat an issue like this like a blank canvass standing outside of history and start using "sauce for the gander" logic to defend our position?

Why did he make the film? Was it necessary? Is this art for art's sake or a spiritual mission? Maybe it is the aesthetics of it all that trouble me. It is one thing to summon up religious passions in your church in the midst of your supportive community and guided by a spiritual leader, quite another to do so in the Cineplex in a crowd of popcorn-munching strangers.

And, Orrin, I hope we are not going to slowly turn "anti-anti-semite" into a term of disdain, even allowing too many activists make a good but nebulous living out of it.

Very troubling issue.

Peter - Was Bach wrong to write religious music? What were his motives? He told us: “the aim and final reason . . . of all music. . . . should be none else but the Glory of God and recreation of the mind.” And if Mel Gibson aims to give glory to God -- cinematic glory -- isn't that the most easily understandable of motives?

It's unfortunate that Christianity strikes fear into the hearts of many Jews. But the solution to that isn't for Christians to cease being Christians.

The solution to anti-semitism is for us to go to war, if necessary, with anti-semites, not for us to cease believing, as Christianity teaches, that the Jews are our brothers and sisters in faith and children of the Most High. And this is not an issue of "modern theology," but of the essentials of the faith.

I apologize if I appear to be writing with disdain. If it were not important to me that Christians and Jews be on good terms, I wouldn't be arguing this so vigorously.

PJ

There isn't a hint of disdain in your persuasive argument. Maybe what is bothering me is the fact that this is coming out now. I doubt it would have bothered me as much in 1975 and I pray it won't bother me in 2025, but these are not good times and I fear the mob-especially the educated mob.

And, yes, that is a good motive, common among musicians but rare out of Hollywood. Perhaps it is the unfamilarity and popular culture aspect that troubles.

I wish I could turn my visceral misgivings into a cogent principle, but I don't think I can. But they won't go away.