posted
There have been several good posts in this thread attempting to explain both (or actually, four or five) different sides of this issue, including the different fears of the different people involved.
Are you saying you don't need to try to understand others' fears?
posted
I'm on a mailing list for a privately owned and state of the art theater in Abingdon, Virginia. It's a complex that has many screens, a restaurant, laser tag, bumper cars, etc. It's really cool and If I still lived close enough, I'd go see all big action flicks there. Lots of times a member of the family that owns the theater even addresses the audience before big openings, to tell them of the theater's latest improvements and plans for upgrades, etc.
If there was anything else interesting for 50 miles, I'd have had WenchCon there.
In any case, I just got this rather puzzling email that was sent to the list. I found it disturbing. I mean, this is the most interesting entertainment complex for probably a few hundred miles. They have free children's movies on Saturday mornings and show art films that the typical rural moviegoer wouldn't care to see (albeit on special "Arts Array" showings) which is more than the local chain theaters do.
But the community IS very religious, so maybe it makes sense. Anyway, here it is:
quote: SPECIAL BULLETIN:
DUE TO THE CRITICAL IMPORTANCE OF 'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST', ABINGDON CINEMALL HAS BEEN AWARDED MULTIPLE COPIES OF THE MOVIE. PLEASE CHECK OUR MULTIPLE SHOWTIMES LISTED ON OUR WEBSITE. NO ONE WILL BE TURNED AWAY.
IN ADDITION, THE OWNERS OF THE CINEMALL HAVE BEEN IN COMMUNICATION WITH THE PRODUCTION COMPANY OF 'THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST' AND HAVE REQUESTED THAT A MEMBER OF THE CAST OR OF THE PRODUCTION TEAM MAKE A PERSONAL APPEARANCE AT THE CINEMALL. MORE TO FOLLOW ON THIS SOON...
quote: Woman Collapses During Showing of "The Passion Of The Christ" Wichita KAKE News
A woman collapsed in an East Wichita theatre this morning, during a showing of "The Passion Of The Christ". Peggy Law apparently suffered a heart attack. She was pronounced dead a short time later at a Wichita medical center.
Peggy Law, also known to some by her married name Peggy Scott is a respected figure in the local broadcasting community. The tragedy has hit some here at KAKE especially hard. She was a former employee.
People viewing the movie at the Warren Theatre East say Law collapsed during the portion of the movie where the crucifixion of Christ was shown.
A few off-duty doctors and nurses who were in the audience tried to revive her. But when she was taken away in the ambulance, authorities say Law still had no pulse.
The movie has been criticized for it's graphic portrayal of Jesus' death. Religious leaders around the country and here in Wichita say people need to be prepared for the graphic brutality.
Whether Law's death and the timing in the film are related, we will never know, but religious and medical officials stress this film is not for the faint-hearted.
posted
Is it true that the film depicted the cross being made in the temple, or was that just buzz? I still don't plan to see the movie because it doesn't sound like it addresses the spiritual atonement in Gethsemane and doesn't emphasize the resurrection enough. I mean, if they really emphasized the resurrection a lot of Jews would just treat this as science fiction. Which it is, if you don't believe in the resurrection. (but I do)
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posted
Why do you single out Jews in that statement, pooka? Not that I agree with it in general terms either . . .
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posted
Not that I remember, pooka. I just seem to remember the cross somewhere in the outdoor vicinity the Roman Consul.
And the way I reconcile the small part of Gethsemene is thinking to myself "this stuff that happened right before the crucifixion was gross, bloody, and painful, but NOTHING compared to what He went through in Gethsemene." Mel Gibson wouldn't agree, but there you go.
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posted
Actually, Gethsemane as depicted in the film was pretty intense. The way they handled the "beads of sweat" was...well done beyond my expectations. He was obviously suffering A LOT there. And you'll notice it's the only time in the film where the Satan persona makes physical contact... and that's when Jesus makes his major physical act against Satan as well. The Gethsemane opening was amazing, in my opinion. As was the rest of the film. Due to the aspectre's of the world, I actually went into the film with some reservations, wondering exactly how brutal and graphic it would be. and while it was, it was in a way more 'tame' than I had been led to believe. Oh, yes, it's brutal. Heart-breakingly brutal. But people like aspectre who would call it 'snuff porn'? It's an accusation nearly as ridiculously unfounded as the accusations of Anti-Semitism. This is not a film about hate, it's a film about deep deep love. And I was moved to tears at several instances.
posted
I think I have mentioned that one of the women in my Torah study class is Catholic. She has an article on Christian reactions to Jewish reactions to the movie in the current Christianity Today.
quote: Like commentators before me, I also believe that the highly publicized nature of the charge of anti-Semitism relative to this film was brought about in error. My experience in both Protestant and Catholic circles in Texas and California has been one of witnessing the power of Christ's Passion to inspire sincere individuals toward repentance and love–certainly not hatred toward Jews. So I too have winced when I've read what sounds like over-the-top predictions of violence against Jews come Ash Wednesday.
On the other hand, through my learning and teaching within the Jewish community and being a guest at many a Shabbat table, I've heard worries honestly expressed and am therefore moved to plead with my Christian brothers and sisters to respond with compassion when Jews raise questions about the net effect The Passion will have on their welfare.
Those who defend The Passion seldom take these fears to heart. Worse yet, I've witnessed in these months leading up to the film's release a persistent tendency by writers who profess to be Christians to write off "Foxman and company" with such words as "kibitzers," "leftists," and "opportunistic fundraisers."
quote: It's not enough to say, "I saw the movie, and it's not anti-Semitic. And besides Jesus was a Jew and so were his disciples. Get over it!" Rather let us speak with assurance that anti-Semitism has no place in our churches and will not be tolerated should this sin rear its head. It is in this manner that we can guard against evil people using the film or the controversy surrounding it as reasons to target the Jewish community.
posted
Sorry if I singled out Jews, rivka. Muslims and professed atheists as well don't believe in the resurrection. The idea of the cross being made in the temple seemed the most far fetched anti-semitic aspect, but it seems to have been a rumour.
I don't mean to say belief in the resurrection is a default state that only Jews don't share. A lot of Christans struggle with it. Some think of Christ more as a great teacher than of the atonement.
I guess the dilemma of seeing this movie if I merely wished the resurrection were real would be much greater.
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