wow what a movie..

[christdriven]

Everyone has their own opinion towards this movie. Personally, I really loved it. I cried non-stop from the start to the end. But I also know someone who has seen it, and didnt like it. He didnt agree with my view on the film, and hes a believer as I am, I value his opinion and he values mine. God just captures our attention in different ways. And I believe that God will use the film in each persons life in a different way. That he will speak to you through it or not. One of my non-christian friends saw it and didnt understand, he thought it was useless violence. He asked questions and thought that there was more need of an explaination of who Jesus really was, since he really had no idea. Yet my other non-christian friend said that she cried through the whole thing and left the theatre with the mentality of wanting to be "religious", she asked a whole bunch of questions with such curiosity. God will use the bible, he will use creation, music, missions trips, situations in life, testimonies and I do believe this film to his advantage to get peoples attention. People react to different things in different ways. Obviously God knows this. What would be greatly moving to one person, would not effect another. Lets just be thankful that the Lord allowed this movie to be made, that hes used it to touch peoples lives and has grabbed the worlds attention, even with the intense violence. We cant escape the fact that Jesus Christ was beaten, carried his cross and was nailed upon it to die. This is violent, it cant be sugar coated, and maybe believers and non-believers need to see, a visual dipiction of it. Maybe many dont really realize the level of brutality he really went through. I mean, I honestly believe that if this film wasnt going to do any good for Gods kingdom, than he wouldnt put the desire so deep in Mel Gibson to make it. But honestly I have no idea what Gods opinion is on the film, and I have no right to judge the motives Mel Gibson had to make it. But if this film has brought so many to Christ, and challenged so many to come back to him. Than I dont see its harm.

 

[Catherineanne]

i am so sorry ..but this post has gotten me kicked off of the forum.. by catheranne.. i wont be back..but i know that there is some people out there that are from God..keep up the faith be aware of wolfs in sheeps clothing.

I am not aware that this person has been kicked off anything, but if so, it is because of the 2 vitriolic PMs I have received, and which I have passed on to admin as unacceptable.

Anyone who thinks I overreacted, and wants to see them, I can send a copy. But I will not publish them for all to see. Any decision about who is or who is not part of this forum is nothing to do with me.

Pax vobiscum.

 

[Catherineanne]

How can you give your opion based something you have not seen? Does'nt make sense to me.

If this were an issue of personal taste such as eating chocolate bars, then you could say I ought to try it before saying I did not like it.

Sadly for your argument, morality does not work that way. Are we all supposed to try watching pornography before saying it is not acceptable in a Christian home?

I am not saying that this film is pornographic, but it is certainly very violent, and verging on sadomasochism. I object to gratuitous violence in films of any kind. I do not have to see a violent film every time in order to know that it is not acceptable to me.

C

 

[throwingbones]

To make money?

He funded the movie out of his own pocket... $14 million. That's a huge investment. He had no idea that he would make as much money as he did, for all he knew, he could have lost that money.

Because he has homo-erotic issues of his own, which come out in several of his films, not just this one?

I've never picked up on an homo-erotic issues in his movies. But your statement does sound like your own opinion and defamation of character. A personal attack so to speak. And what homo-erotic issues were in the Passion? How would you even know if there were, since you won't see the movie?

the stirring of emotions of hatred, make me very angry with the film-makers. This is emotional manipulation of the very nastiest kind, and I am angry that they have used Our Lord in this way.

What about the stirring of emotions of love?

Very valid point. And if you look at the very first message in this thread, what I objected to initially was that the film stirred up feelings of hatred. That is bad fruit, imo, and is not justifiable. Not in any way. I cannot see that Our Lord would approve, because he was not - and is not - into emotional manipulation.

Do you think the movie intentionally stirred up feelings of hatred? No, it did not. The point of the movie was to emphasize the amount of suffering that Christ went through for us. Yes, the four gospels are adequate, but the movie was based very strictly on those four gospels. Most people don't have an understanding of what was involved in a crucifixion. Especially people who don't read the Bible. "the Passion" was simply a tool used to help spread the gospel to many people who may not have heard it otherwise. Also, if some people react with hatred, that is their issue... not the movie's. By your logic, I could say that you initially posting in this forum produced bad fruit because some people reacted with hatred to your post. Therefore, your post was "horrible."

Why does everyone find it so hard to understand that not every Christian thinks this film is good?

So far, you are the only one on this post that has that opinion. So far, you are the only Christian that I have heard of that has that opinion. Well, not if you count the Catholics. So far, I have only heard how great a tool of God the film has been and how many people have been reached. So far, I have only heard about entire churches buying out movie theater tickets for entire showings.

 

[fishstix]

I am not saying that this film is pornographic, but it is certainly very violent, and verging on sadomasochism. I object to gratuitous violence in films of any kind. I do not have to see a violent film every time in order to know that it is not acceptable to me.

C

I fail to see how the crucifixion could be sadomasochistic except in the mind of some very sick and perverted person. (I'm not saying that you or anyone here is such a person, I'm trying to say that a person in general would have to be really sick in the head to get any sadistic pleasure out of watching something like that)

As far as whether the violence is gratuitous or not, I think one would have to objectively compare how much violence likely occurred in real life when the crucifixion happened. As long as the violence depicted in the movie doesn't go over and above what is likely historically accurate, I don't think it could really be classified as gratuitous violence. Inappropriate for some audiences such as small children, yes, but still not gratuitous.

 

[BarbB]

My brother-in-law was saved after seeing "The Passion of the Christ". My sister-in-law won't be able to ignore our prayers for her salvation much longer!

Catharine - you have made your point; it's now time to let it go. This thread is for those who appreciated the film and what it's done in their lives. Not for debate! Start your own thread for that, if you will. Thanks and God bless you.

 

[Catherineanne]

My brother-in-law was saved after seeing "The Passion of the Christ". My sister-in-law won't be able to ignore our prayers for her salvation much longer!

Catharine - you have made your point; it's now time to let it go. This thread is for those who appreciated the film and what it's done in their lives. Not for debate! Start your own thread for that, if you will. Thanks and God bless you.

Where does it say that I cannot contribute to this thread any more?? Good grief. You are the second person to tell me not to continue. As long as what I say is respectful and decent, why should I stop?

If people make comments I am entitled to respond to them.

 

[Catherineanne]

I've never picked up on an homo-erotic issues in his movies. But your statement does sound like your own opinion and defamation of character. A personal attack so to speak. And what homo-erotic issues were in the Passion? How would you even know if there were, since you won't see the movie?

These issues were discussed at length in several film reviews, and the brutal scenes were compared with other similar scenes in other of his films. I have not made this up. It is in the public arena already. And I made no defamation. I asked a question. One which Christians should not be afraid to face, if this film - and its maker - is so wonderful.

 

[whatseekye]

As for stirring up feelings of hatred, I think that is more or less media hype. If I hated anybody after seeing this movie, it was myself for putting Him through that. MY sins put Him there. MY sins stripped the flesh off His back. MY sins gave Him that agony. When He said "Father, forgive them, they know not what they do" I feel it was for us here and now that he was interceding.

That is so true. The only thing I can criticize the movie for was for perhaps not being longer and including more of the teaching of Jesus. It seems like it was possible for a person to walk away from the movie with the idea that "those people" who killed Jesus were awful. But the truth is that Jesus went to the cross willingly, as shown by his behavior in the garden of gesthemene, where he prays to God that if there is any other way, that he could be spared the cross...yet he goes because there is no other way. We sinners can't be redeemed any other way than by the blood of Jesus Christ. I loved how the movie depicted the garden of gesthemene. It was really wonderful. An olive grove, and Jesus under the terrible burden of all the weight of our sin coming to crush him, that he sweats blood like the juice of an olive. I love that my Savior is fully man, as well as fully God, so that he is an emotional being who cries out and feels the full burden.

I think we need the garden of gesthemene experience where we understand the pain that we all put Jesus through. We tend to not fully comprehend or feel the enormity of what God did for us. I know that myself, I watched the movie and kept thinking, everytime they hit him in the head, that it was a terrible exagerration and that nobody hit him in the head that much. But then as soon as I got home, I opened my bible and read it all..."they hit him in the head...", "they hit him in the head...", "They hit him in the head..." WOW! Thank you Mel Gibson. I'm so ashamed that I read the account of the crucifixion and minimize or overlook all the Jesus went through for us. Sin is very serious indeed. We need to realize that Jesus took upon himself the wrath of God for Sin, and take seriously our own continuing desire for Sin. We need to hate Sin. Thinking that "those people killed Jesus, and I hate them for it" is to miss the point altogether.

 

[Anna N. Amos]

I know the movie touched many people deeply and it was with a heart of love. I saw the film. I did not like it. That does not mean I do not love Christ.

I did not like the whole subtitle thing and found it very hard to follow even though I know the story. I wish it were done in English.

IT was awful what was done to our lord, but the truth and needed for the integrity of the film, but I also wish they had gotten into some of the miracles Jesus did and a few happier times -- I loved the part where he was making the table and leaning as if there were chairs... It captured the heart of Mary with her son very well. And made the painful times even more painful.

I, personally, wish it was done without subtitles and that there was more of a mix of the miracles and ministry of Christ mixed in rather than just from the Garden, all the torture, then a flickering minute where he walks out. (Praise God for the resurection)

MEl Gibson used his own money and that film was not about money, it was to show what Jesus went thorugh and I think Mel accomplished it well. It did NOT stir up hatred for Jews in it as the media hyped but an understanding of what Jesus had to face.

Again, I love Jesus, I hate subtitles. I think we all need to understand what Jesus went through -- but I wish it had more shots of happier times... But the "passion" is about that horrible time where Jesus suffered. It did realsiticly capture it. Hopefully, Mel will do the "Resurection"

Does anyone know why Mary was wiping up Jesus's blood? I did not know if that was a custom at that time, or symbolic as the woman who washed Jesus' feet in her tears.

Another side note, I thought it historically accurate when they showed the people with the bad teeth. The guys flogging him... I could almost smell them in the theater and thought how can these dirty creeps touch our lord... Again making what he did for us very vivid.

Did anyone else feel like jumping up and grabbing that whip/flogging thing and ripping from their hands? I just wanted to pop them in the nose and free Jesus (but he had to go through it) but anyone else FEEL like that?

 

[Evie]

I know the movie touched many people deeply and it was with a heart of love. I saw the film. I did not like it. That does not mean I do not love Christ.

I did not like the whole subtitle thing and found it very hard to follow even though I know the story. I wish it were done in English.

IT was awful what was done to our lord, but the truth and needed for the integrity of the film, but I also wish they had gotten into some of the miracles Jesus did and a few happier times -- I loved the part where he was making the table and leaning as if there were chairs... It captured the heart of Mary with her son very well. And made the painful times even more painful.

I, personally, wish it was done without subtitles and that there was more of a mix of the miracles and ministry of Christ mixed in rather than just from the Garden, all the torture, then a flickering minute where he walks out. (Praise God for the resurection)

MEl Gibson used his own money and that film was not about money, it was to show what Jesus went thorugh and I think Mel accomplished it well. It did NOT stir up hatred for Jews in it as the media hyped but an understanding of what Jesus had to face.

Again, I love Jesus, I hate subtitles. I think we all need to understand what Jesus went through -- but I wish it had more shots of happier times... But the "passion" is about that horrible time where Jesus suffered. It did realsiticly capture it. Hopefully, Mel will do the "Resurection"

Does anyone know why Mary was wiping up Jesus's blood? I did not know if that was a custom at that time, or symbolic as the woman who washed Jesus' feet in her tears.

Another side note, I thought it historically accurate when they showed the people with the bad teeth. The guys flogging him... I could almost smell them in the theater and thought how can these dirty creeps touch our lord... Again making what he did for us very vivid.

Did anyone else feel like jumping up and grabbing that whip/flogging thing and ripping from their hands? I just wanted to pop them in the nose and free Jesus (but he had to go through it) but anyone else FEEL like that?

argh! that whip/flogging thing is what made me cry uncontrollable during this movie. Argh! and the sound of it and how it stuck in his back.Oh yes I feel the same way you do about this thing.I wish that He did not have to go through all that,but He did and we would not be saved. Thank you Lord!

 

[Anna N. Amos]

Yeah, it tore at my insides. I wanted to jump up and stop them.
It was painful in my core to watch what happened to Jesus... Painful yet grateful all at the same time.

 

[forgivenmuch]

when i watched the movie.. i wept alot.. the pain and agony that jesus went thru .. was ever on going until his death. there was never a break. he done something that no man could of. although he was made flesh.. he endured the most pain that one could ever bare. i guess .. i seen more into this film than some... it touched me so much that my lord and savior would die such a horrible death like that just for me. he paid the price for my sin. and i am not perfect. however.. to call this film disgusting .. did hurt me ..so i got upset at a certain person. i said things that should not of been said. forgive me to the one i said it to. you never seen the movie.. so dont bash it.. thats all i will say.. .God bless you all

 

[bkg]

I find it somewhat bothersome that judgement has been cast on Gibson for making this movie by persons who have not seen the movie. I find it sad that there is a desire to HIDE the hideousness of the abuse that Jesus accepted FOR OUR SINS by many in Christian circles. I also find it sad that people would call this bad fruit because it stirs up emotion - I can't think of a single person on Earth who stirred up more emotion than our Savior Jesus Christ!!! To say that that stirring up ill feelings, hatred is the term used, in this movie makes it less than blessed is absolutely false and wrong.

More than anything, it shows that even demons cower in the presence of the sound of His name - How much of the hatred that was brought forth was spewing out of the mouth of satans armies? How much of the ill emotion was from the cries of the enemy? Jesus angered a lot of people - people who chose to follow satan rather than God. This film, like all TRUTH, brought out anger in people who don't want to hear the truth. And frankly, I think that is a good thing.

Someone made the comment about good and bad fruit... I agree with this statement. This is the single most powerful visual depiction of the death of our Savior ever recorded. If it wasn't as vivid, if it was watered down, if it wasn't graphic... people would not have been saved... Period.

As for the rest of Jesus' life, I agree that I would love to see other aspects of His life captured on film in this same manner. One can only hope that Gibson will be moved in the spirit to capture on film the rest of the life of Jesus.

 

[Evie]

I find it somewhat bothersome that judgement has been cast on Gibson for making this movie by persons who have not seen the movie. I find it sad that there is a desire to HIDE the hideousness of the abuse that Jesus accepted FOR OUR SINS by many in Christian circles. I also find it sad that people would call this bad fruit because it stirs up emotion - I can't think of a single person on Earth who stirred up more emotion than our Savior Jesus Christ!!! To say that that stirring up ill feelings, hatred is the term used, in this movie makes it less than blessed is absolutely false and wrong.

More than anything, it shows that even demons cower in the presence of the sound of His name - How much of the hatred that was brought forth was spewing out of the mouth of satans armies? How much of the ill emotion was from the cries of the enemy? Jesus angered a lot of people - people who chose to follow satan rather than God. This film, like all TRUTH, brought out anger in people who don't want to hear the truth. And frankly, I think that is a good thing.

Someone made the comment about good and bad fruit... I agree with this statement. This is the single most powerful visual depiction of the death of our Savior ever recorded. If it wasn't as vivid, if it was watered down, if it wasn't graphic... people would not have been saved... Period.

As for the rest of Jesus' life, I agree that I would love to see other aspects of His life captured on film in this same manner. One can only hope that Gibson will be moved in the spirit to capture on film the rest of the life of Jesus.

yes.you hit it right on the nail. It wasn't about hatred,He is not about hatred. Oh yeah, and might I say"it wasn't about he Jews either." This movie was about Christ. It again was made for a tool and a witness to those who need salvation. Those like you and I who need to draw closer to our savior and appreciate His love for His people.

 

[forgivenmuch]

everyone has thier on thoughts on the movie. and i understand that. i could only watch the movie once. its very brutal..but yet passionate, it helps you get a idea of what it would of really been like when he was cruxified. i think mel done a excellent job in the making of the movie. the sub-titles never bothered me. mel had a vision to do it like that. it made it more real, the movie was very powerful.

 

[Evie]

everyone has thier on thoughts on the movie. and i understand that. i could only watch the movie once. its very brutal..but yet passionate, it helps you get a idea of what it would of really been like when he was cruxified. i think mel done a excellent job in the making of the movie. the sub-titles never bothered me. mel had a vision to do it like that. it made it more real, the movie was very powerful.

I also agree it was brutal. It was a movie that will never let us forget His pain and suffering though. Mel Gibson made one great movie,for me it will stay with me my whole life.

 

[forgivenmuch]

yes he did.. that movie was very powerful and mel was used by God to make it.

 

[Law & Order]

Yes it is an awesome film! Mel Gibson did an amazing job.

 

[homewardbound]

I am not against religious films per se. I am against gratuitous violence in any guise.

I'm glad you mentioned this because your original post led me to believe that the gospel narratives are sufficient, thus rendering all religious movies unworthy. I personally was moved by how powerfully this movie demonstrated the extent of Jesus' love for us. You do have to have a bit of a strong stomach to watch a couple of scenes because they are heart-breaking.

If you define gratuitous as "unwarranted" or "unnecessary", I don't think it's a fair label. Sadly, our society has been numbed by daily doses of violence, much of which includes strong imagery. I think the film's makers depicted Christ's violent suffering in a way that can get the attention of today's filmgoers without overdoing it (e.g. today's "slasher" flicks). If you're a sensitive soul, it's probably not a film for you, but I wouldn't be too harsh on it if you haven't seen it.