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A new poll suggests fears that "The Passion of the Christ" would trigger anti-Semitism were unwarranted. A nationwide survey conducted for the Institute for Jewish and Community Research finds that 83 percent of Americans familiar with the film say it's made them neither more nor less likely to blame today's Jews for Jesus' crucifixion. Nine percent said Mel Gibson's film actually has made them less likely to blame today's Jews, while less than 2 percent said they're more likely to fault modern Jews or Jewish institutions. The Institute's president, Gary Tobin, added that discussion of the issue has probably been good for Christian-Jewish relations. Film Considered Godsend For Jewish Evangelism A leader of Jews for Jesus considers "The Passion of the Christ" a Godsend for Jewish evangelism. Susan Perlman is associate executive director of Jews for Jesus, whose mission is "to make the messiahship of Jesus an unavoidable issue" for the Jewish people. Perlman said she's confident that Jews are seeing the film for themselves rather than letting a few Jewish critics make up their minds for them. She added that blaming Jews, or anyone else, for killing Jesus is a non-issue because "He didn't stay dead." Perlman asked, "How can you be blamed for killing someone who is alive?" Pope Meets With Jim Caviezel The Vatican said Pope John Paul II has met with Jim Caviezel, the actor who portrays Jesus in "The Passion of the Christ." A Vatican spokesman said Caviezel had a brief conversation with the pontiff, who then blessed the devoutly Catholic actor. Italy's ANSA news agency reported that Caviezel was in Rome for a weekend screening of the film for the Legionairies of Christ, a conservative Catholic group. At Monday's papal audience, ANSA said Caviezel was accompanied by his wife and her parents. Mel Gibson's dramatization of Jesus' crucifixion has been a huge box-office success, earning an estimated $264 million in the United States and Canada after 19 days in theaters. Andy Rooney's 'Attack' Prompts Complaints "60 Minutes" curmudgeon Andy Rooney's commentary about "The Passion of the Christ" has prompted a record number of angry letters and emails. CBS said 30,000 complaints have poured in since Rooney called Mel Gibson a "wacko" and a "nut case" that God created by "mistake." The network said that's the most letters ever received in response to a segment on "60 Minutes" in the 34 years it's been on the air. Rooney read some of the letters on Sunday's program. One viewer said, "Andy Rooney is a nut case, and should be fined and removed for his obnoxious, sarcastic and vicious comments." xponent The Tide Maru rob _______________________________________________ http://www.mccmedia.com/mailman/listinfo/brin-l
