AlanBarber.Org
Sunday, February 29, 2004
The Passion of Christ
I went and watched The Passion of Christ Saturday with my girlfriend. You hear lots of people describe it as powerful and there's good reason they do. It's hard to find any words to use to describe to people what it's like.It's a very gruesome movie from the get go. Although being how I'm a heartless monster it didn't bother me. Maybe it's that I've just been desensitized with all the violence in the world. Perhaps that as a Roman Catholic I've been told the story so many times I went in knowing how violent the torture of Jesus was going to be. Mel Gibson sure didn't leave anything to the imagination that's for sure. You see every swing of wooden rods bruise and metal teethed whips tear flesh from the body. You watch as blood is sprayed from his body as nails are driven through his hands and feet. If you are even the least bit weak in the stomach it will be horrific to watch. Mel Gibson wasn't just trying to tell you the story of the last day of Jesus, he wanted to you feel it.
Anyways, as to the claims of anti-Semitism. Well I walked out of the movie without any feels of hate toward Jews. Just like I didn't have any hate for the Japanese after watching "Pearl Harbor" or Germans after I saw "Saving Private Ryan." It was pretty clear in watching it that not all Jews hated Jesus. Several of the leaders were shown as being against the actions being taken but the other leaders had soldiers haul them away. The movie made it pretty clear that the leaders whipped the populous into a frenzy and used the mob mentality to influence the situation. The fact of the matter is that corrupt minds can see anything as a sign that they're ideals and beliefs are right. No one in their right mind is going to come out of the theaters pounding their fists screaming, "lets go find some Jews to beat up."
It's a very good movie and well worth anyone's time to go watch it. If you're a Christian you've probably already seen it so I don't had to bother talking to you. However, for all those anti-religion types out there, please go see it. If you go in with a clear and open mind, you might just come out with a better understanding of what the Christian and Catholic religion in particular are about. During the weeks leading up to Easter we are told the stories of the events that the movie portrays. This is the core of the religion and what we focus on. During the Christmas season when we are told the stories of the events that end with the birth of Jesus. It's pretty clear for followers that the Christmas season is just about setting the stage for Easter. While the birth is important it's not the birth we are really celebrating. We're celebrating the eventual sacrifice for all men, even those that had a hand in the sacrifice.
I'll be honest and say I'm a bad Catholic. I never go to mass. In the last several years I've just hit Christmas and Easter masses. The movie is powerful and has got me to think about religion and not be focused on scandals or other crap happening in the church. However, it's no life-changing event and won't do much in the long run to change my views. I'm not about to go and join the priesthood or travel third-world counties trying to convert heathens.
I'd say in the end the best this movie will do is give people a good excuse to talk about religion again. It's not about to start some new resurgence of religion in American, even if there are people that hope it does or fear it might. Neither side needs to get all worked up because it's not going to happen. Just relax and see the movie for what it is, the telling of a story.
on 02/29/2004 at 11:08 PM