The Passion of the Christ is scheduled to come out at the end of this month, August 31st so I've decided to write my thoughts. I've heard all the critics talk and I've heard both sides of the story but I needed to come to my own conclusion because I've never been someone who listens to critics. If I did then DEN OF HEATHENS wouldn't exist right now for all the people who bash me but keep coming back to read my words for whatever reason. I'm not going to review the movie. I've already done that. I'm going to criticize the critics but not in the way you think. Before the movie came out many people in the Church tried to ban this movie. Failing to do so they tried to edit it. STOP!!!
For two thousand years the Church has preached and tried to impose to the rest of the world of Christ's message and here was a movie with the exact brutality Jesus had to endure and they tried to ban it. Why does the Church have so much contempt for the truth that they often outlaw it? Was Jesus flogged with rose pedals? No. Did Jesus wear a crown of cherry blossoms? No. Was Jesus crucified willing? That's a matter of opinion. It depends on who you ask. The fact remains that Church leaders were so horrified by the images in this film that they tried to ban it. Isn't this the same as editing Church beliefs? Editing the Bible? Was Jesus severely tortured, yes or no?
Instead of attempting to ban the movie they should appreciate what Jesus had to endure for their beliefs, but they won't. The critics were wrong. Christ's message was in the movie in the form of flashbacks at key moments in his life.
People see this movie as being anti-semitic. I don't see the Jews as being responsible for killing Christ, but if Jesus wasn't killed then Christianity would not exist today so these people are looking to blame someone for bringing about the religion as it exists today. I don't understand that. Why are they so accusing? If the Jews accepted Christ then he would not have been crucified. If he wasn't crucified then he wouldn't have become a martyr. If he wasn't a martyr then we would see Jesus as nothing more than the last of the ancient philosophers being equal to Plato and Socrates.
The Pope loved the movie but his Spokesmen recanted. That's a contradiction of opinions. The Church opposed a movie based on historic truth which scared them to actually witness such horror. The Romans were brutal people. They used to burn Christians just to have some light after the sun set. When Jesus was tortured they didn't allow Jesus sympathy and the movie shows that. I'm beginning to have a different understanding of why the Church condemns people like myself for our magical belief. Not because it's a sin against God but because they're afraid to witness any truth which they cannot face outside of their belief system.
They often speak of the brutality Jesus had to endure saying, "Jesus died for your sins," but when they see it for themselves, even though they often spoke of it, they couldn't handle it. So why preach something and not be able to stand by your words? If you're a Christian and your reading these words, appreciate what that man had to endure in order for you to believe in your faith. If this was his destiny then the Jews only played a part in the Divine role and should not be blamed for what "God" had intended for them.
The Church is so quick to point the finger. This will lead to its downfall. It's own threads are starting to unravel. Jesus was meant to be an example for his disciples to follow. He never blamed anyone for the direction of his life, nor did he ever state that homosexual priests will molest little boys in God's name. The Church has always been a political faction. Not one of spirituality. The Church focus' too much on the outside and not with what goes on within, where the heart lies. Yes, the movie was the most violent act I have ever seen and I can imagine how close to the truth it must have been but most people can't handle the truth when they look at it. But yet, they preach to me about Jesus' message and how he was crucified for my sins. Take a look little Christian to appreciate what your Messiah had to endure in order for you to believe as you do, for without that sacrifice your religion would not exist. Reading about it is one thing but seeing it with your own eyes is entirely different. When you watch the movie keep in mind that this man had so much love for his people that he allowed himself to be tortured so severely, humiliated and then crucified, yet in the end, he forgave them for all they have done. His love was truly unconditional. This was Gibson's message. One more thing...
Mr. Gibson, if you ever read these words, I loved you in Braveheart.