the passion of the christ...

[saturn]

For a few weeks now, I've been reading articles about Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" and each one leaves me more unsettled.

It frightens me when a movie of this scale, backed by Mel Gibson, clearly portrays the Jews as the killer and betrayers of Jesus. Prior to it's release, evangelical groups are already referring to this movie as an outreach opportunity. My qualms aren't with evangelical movements as an entity but with the use of propaganda that promotes hate. Jewish groups are already being criticized for railing against this film despite the fact that an equal portion of non-Jews are offended by the themes, as well.

I'm all for free speech and freedom of expression. I love the opportunity to debate and discuss. But it frightens me when a movie of this magnitude has the ability to spread misinformation and perpetuate hate. For as many people as will openly and honestly discuss the merits and validity of the the film, an even larger number will take it as face value.

And I must note that this movie wasn't created as a fictional depiction of the death of Christ, it was created as an accurate representation of events.

It's alarmingly reminiscent of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion which spread from Czarist Russia to Nazi propaganda and is still in prevalent in the middle east, despite the fact that it's been undoubtedly revealed as a hoax.

My family often criticizes me for rationalizing away acts of anti-semitism. I, on the other hand, think it's too easy to see things that aren't there. But I see the potential power of this movie and, if the many reports are true, I understand why the Jewish community is ill at ease.