WHO CRUCIFIED JESUS CHRIST?
WELL, IT WASN'T MEL GIBSON

By: Jim Moore

Passion is making the big news again. Not the orgy kind of passion, the biblical kind. I refer to Mel Gibson's soon-to-be-released movie, "The Passion and the Christ."

Although this Bible-inspired extravaganza depicts mostly the last 12 hours of Jesus' life, it practically guarantees the most gripping 3 hours of blood, sweat, and tears that movie audiences have never experienced since Bible stories hit the screen .

Ah, but it also guarantees one other thing: a mind-blowing controversy that began on Day One of Gibson's script idea right up to the day the movie was in the can, and may well be talked about well after the "Passion" has run its theatrical course.

Why am I bringing this up this morning? Because the "chosen people" are beating their anti-Semitic drums again. This time they're complaining about Gibson's insensitivity in the movie's portrayal of Jews in a negative manner. Once again, they say, Jews are being stereotyped as collectively responsible for the death of Jesus.

Gibson, a Catholic, a talented actor, and a prolific movie producer and director, is recognized as a straight arrow when it comes to transferring his perception of monumental events to the screen. Authenticity is Gibson's first priority. Acting as if you were the other person, is second. A realistic environment of the times, is third. With integrity and respect being the guiding principle behind it all.

You can see Gibson's priorities manifested in "Braveheart", in "The Patriot", and soon, in "The Passion of the Christ." His research for those films was considered impeccable, and his film direction was of high caliber.

There is, therefore, no reason even to suggest that Gibson had anything other than a desire to reveal the truth of Jesus' "Passion", and bring that truth to the screen to the best of his ability.

Others, unfortunately, see Gibson's movie in a less illuminative light. They consider it anti-Semitic and unflattering to Jews.

This shop-worn criticism began, with the reaction to Gibson's words about his father: "My dad taught me my faith," he said, "and I believe what he taught me. The man never lied to me in his life."

Gibson's dad, however, happened to be a Holocaust denier. Which prompted interviewer Peggy Noonan to say to Mel: "You're going to have to go on the record. The Holocaust happened, right?" As if the Holocaust has anything to do with Christ's life, or the movie. As if Mel Gibson is obliged to take responsibility for anything his father says or does. As if Gibson is obligated to go on record for anything he didn't say. And as if Gibson should feel pangs of guilt for anything he did say---which was nothing derogatory about the Jewish people

C'mon, Peggy, get real.

Meanwhile, Abe Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League, doesn't see it Gibson's way. He says Gibson is "ignorant, and at worst, insensitive." And Rabbi Marvin Hier, Dean of the Simon Rosenthal Center, after viewing a take of the production, suggested that Gibson attach a cinematic postscript to the film "rejecting any anti-Semitic interpretation" of the movie. Like, giving it a rating, I suppose.

Nothing was said, however, about the audience being able to make their own judgment of the film.

If Mel Gibson is being taken on the all-to-familiar, anti-Semitic guilt trip, I find smearing a little truth over this half-baked idea irresistible.

To begin with, if you don't know by now that Jews were indeed responsible for Jesus' crucifixion and death on the cross, maybe the Torah left that part out.

But one book didn't. According to the Bible, Judea was under Roman rule, and it was Roman soldiers who crucified Jesus and did the killing. BUT, they did it at the behest of the Jewish population .

A group of Jewish leaders had conspired to put Jesus to death because he had gotten too popular, hence too powerful. But they had to do it secretly so as not to risk the anger of the people. One dark night they captured Jesus and brought him before Pontius Pilate, the procurator of Judea.

When Pilate asked the gathered crowd, "Whom would ye that I release unto you, Barabbas (the criminal) or Jesus which is called Christ?" The chief priests and the elders persuaded the multitude that he should release Barabbas, and destroy Jesus.

Pilate said, "What shall I do with Jesus which is called Christ?"

They all answered loudly, "Let him be crucified."

The governor asked them, "Why, what evil hath he done?"

But they cried out again, saying, "Let him be crucified."

Pilate had to accede to the people's wishes, and he washed his hands of the whole affair. Then Jesus was scourged, and crucified

So, now, who were these people that cried so loudly for Jesus' blood? They were the elders and scribes; they were members of two ancient sects, the Pharisees and the Sadducees; and they were the townspeople themselves. And all were Jews, because the population of Judea was predominantly, if not all, Jewish.

One must concede that the Jews have every reason to continue playing this game called anti-Semitism. After all, if everything people innocently did tended to remind you of something you wanted to forget, wouldn't it make you a bit paranoid too?

"Published originally at EtherZone.com : republication allowed with this notice and hyperlink intact."

Jim Moore is a free-lance political writer and is a regular columnist for Ether Zone. His new "Flag Waver" CD is now available. A wonderful collection of patriotic essays complete with musical intros. The CD is $12.95 (includes shipping and handling) If you would like one, or as a gift, send check or M.O. to:

Jim Moore
PMB #2113
3111-20 Mahan Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32308

Be sure to include your name and address.

Jim Moore can be reached at [EMAIL PROTECTED]

[news] Who crucified Jesus Christ?

Reply via email to