Mel Gibson’s
”
The Passion of the Christ
”
is a popular film, leading the American box office in gross
receipts for the last three weeks before dropping to number two
this week. And it is also very controversial, gaining media
attention around the world for its depiction of the crucifixion of
Jesus of Nazareth.
Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ” is a popular film, leading the American box office in gross receipts for the last three weeks before dropping to number two this week. And it is also very controversial, gaining media attention around the world for its depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth.
Last Sunday afternoon an interfaith group of South County religious leaders held a panel discussion on this movie moderated by Mayor Dennis Kennedy at Morgan Hill’s Community and Cultural Center .At the end the audience of nearly a hundred, some with Bibles in hand, were invited to pose questions to the panelists.
Each cleric was asked to respond to two questions: What impact did viewing the film have on him/her personally? What impact did it seem to have on the general public?
The Rev. Mike Burchfield of West Hills Community Church led off with the observation that the film was somewhat consistent with the Gospel accounts of the crucifixion and has done a good job of bringing the person of Jesus to the forefront of society’s consciousness.
Father Gene O”Donnell of St. Catherine Catholic Church said that while his parish had not taken the film as an opportunity for teaching, he and the parishioners who had seen it questioned the level of physical violence, having to close their eyes at some scenes. On the other hand, he mentioned liking the brief flashbacks to the earlier life of Jesus.
The Rev. Drake Fenn of San Martin’s Family Worship Center pointed out that the film shouldn’t be considered “entertainment,” but rather an emotional experience. He was left with the stunning impression that “This man made a difference in history.” Rabbi Yitzhak Miller of Congregation Emeth, the Reform Jewish Community, read a passage from the Yom Kippur service which narrated the violent deaths of ten Jewish sages at the hands of Roman Emperor Hadrian. He explained violence or the fear of violence is a historical part of Jewish identity and observed that since the Enlightenment people are slowly realizing that all the world’s great religions are “equally valid paths up the same mountain.”
The Rev. Ted Pecot of the Morgan Hill United Methodist Church also struggled with the movie’s violence. He was moved by the film, but hated it because it reflects the sickening violence we deal with around us today. He called attention to Mary, the mother of Jesus, who had to watch her son suffer and couldn’t help him but by “being with him,” suggesting that is a role we all can find ourselves in.
The final speaker was the Rev. Anita Warner of Advent Lutheran Church. She, too, found the graphic violence difficult and had to emotionally disengage during some scenes. She was moved by Mary’s connection with her son’s suffering, but was critical of the simplistic characterizations of the Jewish leaders, Pilate, and his wife. Warner suggested a non-Christian viewer might come away with a memorable image of a young leader suffering bravely without attempting to return evil to his tormentors.
The panelists seemed to share a consensus that the film doesn’t foster anti-semitism, despite the media emphasis on that aspect: “It depends on the attitudes you bring to it,” according to Father O’Donnell. The afternoon was lively and fast-moving. The panelists were good-natured, respectful, and articulate in expressing their views. The audience was attentive and posed some very thoughtful questions. I came away with the impression that we are fortunate to live where people can discuss publicly serious issues with civility in a healthy way.
The South County Interfaith Clergy Association, sponsor of this event, hopes to hold similar forums quarterly. The next one, tentatively, scheduled for July 11, will focus on the topic of “gay marriage.” If you would like to help underwrite the expense of these forums, please call any of the churches mentioned above to make a financial contribution.
Chuck Flagg teaches English at Mt. Madonna High School. Write him c/o The Dispatch, P.O. Box 22365, Gilroy, CA 95021.
