Off Topic — HabitableZone

Off Topic » in reply to Anyone seen the new Mel Gibson flick

Another opinion, from someone who's seen it twice
Fox — (archived)

And she's going back a third time, with friends, specificaly for the discussion afterward... My friend and collaborator "cyclopsgirl", who's posted here once or twice. With her permission (she begged off posting them herself: lack of time), here's what she had to say:

As a non-Christian -- I think it speaks to themes of the inhumanity of man to other men... how brutal we can be. And that sometimes there are incredible individuals who stand up in the face of that and try to make the world a better place... even at risk to themselves. Ghandi is a good example.

As a Christian -- If you believe that Jesus was the son of God who came to earth and died for our sins, it can be a powerful experience... to actually SEE the suffering Christ went through, all the while forgiving those who were hurting him, and loving them, admonishing his followers to forgive and love them too.

As a movie goer -- It was excrutiating to watch. There were parts I just could not look at. The second time was even harder, as I knew how bad it would be. I think overall they did a good job of being authentic and realistic about what it would have been like.

[on its powers to convert]

I doubt that. I think that if you already believe it may deepen your faith, but I don't see it converting anyone. I do see it though, as probably improving ecumenical relationships between Christian denominations. A conservative old-fashioned Catholic made the film, and here are all these evangelicals, who don't like Catholicism, raving about it. Maybe it will help Christians look more to the beliefs we hold in common than the piddly differences.

[on potential anti-Semitism]

Yeah, that talk is still rampaging through the media. I honestly don't see it blaming the Jews - and I have you and other Jewish friends; I'm sensitive to that. It was a group of Jewish leaders who fanned the crowd, but it shows some leaders walking out in disgust because of the travesty, and one saying, "Where are the other leaders? Why did you call this meeting in the middle of the night?"

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