Steve Persall's column quoting extensively from the opinions of Rabbi Daniel Lapin calling protests of the Mel Gibson film "morally illegitimate," shows Persall's lack of historical understanding of how in ancient and modern times Passion Plays have incited otherwise upstanding citizens to go out and victimize Jews, less in the United States than in Europe. This is not a matter of opinion, but historical fact.
To call any dialogue morally illegitimate is somewhat bewildering to me. Interfaith dialogue can only help Christians to understand Jewish concerns and Jews to understand the Christian perspective.
In the Feb. 19 Weekend section of the Times, Persall says of all this talk, "Enough already." It seems Persall has dismissed the very legitimate concerns of many Jewish and some Christian leaders about the slant of this movie and the fear that many have that without proper context that perhaps new incidents of anti-Semitism will arise - especially in Europe and Asia where there have been more overt acts of anti-Semitism than any time since World War II.
To so easily dismiss Jewish fears is to underestimate the extraordinary power film has over us and to dismiss the potential this film has - both for bad and for good. No, Mr. Persall, it is not "enough already." I hope it is just the beginning of open interfaith dialogue.
-- Susan Segal, Palm Harbor
Jesus gives us the answer
The new movie by Mel Gibson on The Passion of the Christ has raised the question in some people's minds as to who was responsible for the death of Christ. Jesus himself gives us the clearest answer. He says, "Therefore my father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again." (John 10:17-18).
Jesus explains his complete control in another passage in a similar manner. He said to his disciples when the soldiers came to arrest him, "Do you think that I cannot now pray to my father and he will provide me with more than twelve legions of angels? How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" (Matthew 26:53-54).
It was his love that prompted Jesus to give himself to save others by his death. This is the trust that we should focus on. We should be intercessors for all and accusers of none. We should live in total gratitude to our creator.
-- James P. Gills, Tarpon Springs
A reminder to be accountable to God
Given that this is a film labeled as anti-Semitic, I was curious why it was not touted as anti-Roman, or anti-Italian, for that matter. The film is simply neither.
There was a preponderance of great Jewish people, as well as great Romans. However, the film poignantly shows a dark side to humanity where the subterfuge of politics and gossip lead to murder. It seems to me that every nationality or ethnic group has been tainted by those of lesser spirit.
As a former pastor in the Greek Orthodox Church, I have seen how this dark side of humanity manifests itself today by cliques that casually assassinate the characters of their presumed rivals with gossip. I have also seen high-placed church leaders look the other way, if not participate, as a politically or monetarily affluent group destroys the character of someone. I will confess that I may have also compromised my priesthood and character by doing the same thing, and succumbing to my imperfect humanity, by looking the other way. Margaret Thatcher put it this way: "Consensus sometimes means an absence of leadership." To put it differently, violence is often perpetuated by a mob mentality.
In modern times, we still struggle with basic innate human shortcomings. No matter what our role in society, or any church, synagogue, temple, etc., the most heinous of sins is the malice of gossip and political subterfuge. This behavior continues when the perpetrator(s) can get away with it without fear of accountability. Perhaps it is this notion of accountability that places this movie in a bad light by reminding us to be accountable to God.
When I first read the title I was impressed by the implications. I have heard many immigrants structure their sentences differently than we who were born and raised here. In this context, I have heard pronouns placed unnecessarily before a noun, like the "the" before the proper noun "Christ." Then I realized this might well not be by accident. Okay, so I can be slow. It dawned on me the bold statement that this title makes. It is a strong proclamation. It is tantamount to stating, "He is the Messiah, he is God."
The movie then continues to vividly and violently illustrate how this God and Messiah knows pain, and still loves and forgives. Perhaps if I, and we, realize the need to temper our impulses by placing our every action as being accountable to God, maybe the occurrences of violence, malice and gossip might be minimized. In a secular society where truth is diminished by becoming relative, are we repeating the rejection that humanity made about 2000 years ago?
-- George N. Patides, St. Petersbur
Too drained to cast blame
Re: Reaction to The Passion of the Christ.
I always empathized with Mary, the mother of Jesus. Like Mary, I was unwed and pregnant at an early age. My terror was unbearable when my son went missing. I ached when he was ridiculed and rejected by peers. And I watched loved ones die painful cancerous deaths. I thought my life paralleled Mary's in many ways.
My naivete now amazes me. After experiencing The Passion, I realize the true anguish of Mary and the suffering of Jesus are incomprehensible. My thoughts are consumed with how Jesus suffered and died for my sins. I am too emotionally drained to point the finger of blame at anyone else. Not Jews. Not Romans. Not Herodians. Just me. So let it be with all Christians.
-- Dianne Dupre Zalewski, Palm Harbor
We should be teaching tolerance
Re: The Passion of the Christ.
As your coverage has aptly suggested, this movie is produced by and intended for those who can stomach sadism and masochism. The results of intolerance of Jews will be devastating, and reasonable persons should take actions to promote tolerance in our world.
For myself, there will be a check (in the amount of a movie ticket to this reprehensible movie) sent to the Teaching Tolerance program at the Southern Poverty Law Center in Birmingham, Ala. I would not spend any money toward the pockets of one who would derive profit from Christ's crucifixion.
-- Carol Ackenhusen-Barker, Thonotosassa
Bigots don't need a reason
Re: The Passion of the Christ.
I will not be going to see this movie as by all accounts it is way too gory for my taste.
Will it cause anti-Semitism? Of course not. That presupposes that bigotry is based on information, knowledge or well thought out consideration. Nothing could be further from the truth. There is no rationale necessary for hatred. Bigotry and racism are all about the person who owns them. They are not about their target. It is (in my opinion) their own fears and demons being released. I have rarely seen an anti-Semite or any other bigot with only one hatred.
This movie may well be a catalyst for some to be able to say those things that are unacceptable in other circumstances. But it will not "cause" anti-Semitism.
-- Doris Whelan, St. Petersburg
Powerful film can restore faith
I've seen The Passion of the Christ. After leaving the theater I found myself ill to know how many "media people" attacked Mel Gibson for various reasons, saying he was anti-Semitic, or questioning the research he did on the actual 12 hours of Christ's crucifixion and asking how did he know how cruel his torture was? These questions are irrelevant mainly because no artist such as Mel Gibson would allow anything less than to research to the fullest.
The movie is powerful and, yes, quite descriptive in areas of his torture. During the movie, there was absolute quiet! Mel Gibson has shown strength and courage to bring out a movie such as his Passion when our society is so full of hatred and lies, people not caring for someone else and, above all, killing.
Your faith becomes restored and when you leave the theater you are "speechless."
-- Deme Varidin, St. Petersburg
Religion too often divides us
The current excitement about a movie with an overtly religious subject prompts me to share some thoughts about religious belief and its effects on our ability to live in peace with each other.
First, if there is a "higher power," I think it is very unlikely that any person or group of people has the exclusive, true insight into this phenomenon. Using Christianity as an example, current beliefs have been filtered through many other people such as the early church underground in the Roman Empire, the early Catholic Church, the various reformers of the church, the various translators of the Christian religious texts, etc. Given the evident human propensity for error, none of these interpretations could be completely correct.
Second, so what. More precisely, people will usually believe what they are exposed to earliest or at a vulnerable time in their life. When we allow religion to influence and even dictate our actions toward each other, the result is divisiveness and frequently violence. There are far too many painful examples, currently and in history: The Crusades, the Holocaust, the longstanding situation in Ireland, in Israel and Palestine, in Indonesia, in Tibet and in the Mideast. I am sure each reader can think of further examples.
Perhaps those who are inspired by Mel Gibson's film can use the insight to increase their tolerance of other points of view, realizing that others may also be inspired by their religious stories. Perhaps they will use this as a springboard to explore other aspects of Jesus' life and teachings, including those on inclusion and tolerance.
-- Susan J. Kane, St. Petersburg
Strike a balance in film viewing
Re: President wants to see Gibson's film on Jesus, Feb. 21.
President Bush's lack of interest in the written page notwithstanding, we should laud his interest in movies. In this case, he has the opportunity to perform a great public service.
Understandably, a certain minority is concerned by the potential backlash from this violent film. Throughout the centuries, and even today in this so-called enlightened world, these people are afflicted and maligned by individuals who lack love and fellow feeling for their neighbors. Differ from their beliefs if you may, as I do, but live and let live.
Though it may not occur to him, President Bush could rise up and propose an antidote or countermeasure to what this minority may view as poisonous or defamatory to them. Encourage others to take the time to view again one of the greatest films ever made prior to watching The Passion of the Christ.
I speak of Fiddler on the Roof, made some 30 years ago, and replete with some of the finest acting, songs and choreography ever to grace a Hollywood film. At the end, when an entire Jewish village is uprooted by the hated scourge of anti-Semitism, viewers should examine their feelings. Could anyone follow with a viewing of The Passion of the Christ and feel a bit of malice toward the Jewish populace of today? Hardly.
-- Leonard A. Peterson, Holiday
Share your opinions
Letters for publication should be addressed to Letters to the Editor, P.O. Box 1121, St. Petersburg, FL 33731. They can be sent by fax to 727 893-8675 or through our Web site at:http://www.sptimes.com/letters/
They should be brief and must include the writer's name, address and phone number. Please include a handwritten signature when possible.
Letters may be edited for clarity, taste and length. We regret that not all letters can be published.
