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re: Anyone seen the new Mel Gibson flick
SDG — (archived)

Speaking as a christian. I think this film has much value. Too many Christians IMO view Jesus as only the nice hippy Jesus and forget about the fact that he chose to be killed. Then there are the Catholics who go overboard on the execution. When I lived in Germany, I was a bit appalled at the bloody crucifiction scenes I saw in their cathedrals. Perhaps Catholics already get too much exposure to the goriness of the crucifiction as Mary Anne pointed out. As a mormon, I have been a bit sheltered from this aspect of Christendom. Yes, we believe Christ was crucified. We don't however use the cross as a symbol, and a crucifix certainly can't be found in our worship places. I'm sure this has led to the widespread belief that mormons are not christians, but it is false. We don't exactly view the crucifiction in the same light as the catholics or other christians. The crucifiction was the method of execution preferred by the Romans. The jews preferred stoning. Had the jews been the executers it would have been a stoning. In other places it may have been by burning or beheading. The method of execution is really only important in the light that the method was prophecied by Isaiah and other prophets long before Christ's time. To Mormons the really important parts of the story came just before the crucifiction in the Garden of Gethsemene when he suffered for the sins of the world to satisfy the demands of Justice and on Sunday Morning when we believe he was resurrected to overcome death. That Jesus was cruelly tortured and executed is awful. But Christ knew what was happening and would not stop it. That is the true passion of the Christ.

I haven't seen the movie, and likely wont. I don't need the movie to deepen my religion. I think the movie has value for those christians who feel they need to see it to come to terms with Christ's sacrifice though. I'm glad Gibson had the guts to finish this film in spite of all the flak he took and continues to take from Hollywood.

As far as the controversy goes, I think much of it is propelled by the media. It has an R rating for a reason. This is not a kid's movie, so don't take your kids. I very rarely see R rated movies myself. If my kids don't need to see it why should I?

-Steve G.

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