ArchivedMel Gibson Waves Olive Branch at ADLwww.newsmax.com/passion
Mel Gibson Waves Olive Branch at ADL
Embroiled in a swirling controversy over his new movie, "The Passion of The Christ," Mel Gibson has asked his main critic for a truce.
In a letter sent Friday to the Anti-Defamation League's Abraham Foxman, Gibson asked Foxman to join him in "setting an example for all of our brethren; that the truest path to follow, the only path, is that of respect and, most importantly, that of love for each other despite our differences," according to the Los Angeles Times, which obtained a copy of the letter.
As the Times reports, the letter comes on the heels of a screening of the film in Orlando, Fla., which Foxman and a colleague infiltrated. Foxman later issued a press release charging that the film is unflattering to Jews and asked Gibson to make changes in the still-unreleased movie, which is due to premiere on Feb. 25, Ash Wednesday.
According to the Times, Gibson told Foxman, "It is my sincerest of regrets that events conspired for us to just miss each other when we both recently happened to be in Orlando," at the time of the screening Foxman surreptitiously attended, and added that "I do not take your concerns lightly."
The Times was unable to reach Foxman for his comments about the letter but noted that earlier Foxman had said he hoped Gibson would tell people about the film: "I did this film because I believe I was inspired by the Holy Ghost. I believe that Jesus suffered for all mankind. Some people want to put the blame for his death on the Jews. Don't do that."
Gibson has repeatedly said that the film blames all of humanity for Christ's passion and death. He has also denied that the film is anti-Semitic.
Foes Plan to 'Mute' Film
Opponents of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of The Christ," along with their allies and those afraid to offend them (many of whom have never even seen the movie), are already planning to counter it.
Foes "are planning lecture series, interfaith talks and other programs to try to mute the film's impact," the Associated Press reported Monday.
'Pluralism'
"Do I think there will be pogroms as a result of this movie? No," said Rabbi David Elcott, American Jewish Committee's interfaith director.
"It's part of something larger, which is a hardening of religious conversation. It is such an absolutist movie. It undermines the progress that we've made in this country toward mutual respect and religious pluralism," he said.
As of now, opponents reportedly do not plan boycotts or protests outside theaters.
"Artists have every right to create any kind of movie they want, but an audience has the absolute right to pass judgment on that," said Rabbi James Rudin, an adviser for the committee.
American Jewish Committee is sending a 40-page "resource guide" to chapters nationwide on how to explain concerns about the movie. Rudin is urging Christian colleagues not to use the movie as an educational tool.
Leaders of Reform Judaism want members to "sit down with churches in your community" to "discuss" the film, said Mark Pelavin, director of Commission on Interreligious Affairs of Reform Judaism.
Boston College's Center for Christian-Jewish Learning has posted a study guide explaining Gospel accounts of the crucifixion and how Christian churches rejected accusations of deicide against Jews. The center plans a series of talks on the subject.
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops plans to reissue its criteria for dramatizing the crucifixion along with statements on Catholic-Jewish relations.
'Part Myth'
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is urging pastors to "teach boldly" that it does not "demean, malign or harm the Jewish people" when preaching the Gospel. The church's communications director, the Rev. Eric Shafer, saw the movie and said that it was not anti-Jewish but was "part Gospel story and part myth" and that viewers could assume it was based entirely on the Bible.
AP noted: "The campaign is being undertaken in the face of a massive evangelistic effort by many American churches in conjunction with the movie's release. Several prominent conservative Christians, including the Rev. Billy Graham, said the film was among the most powerful depictions they'd seen of Christ's last hours."
Of course, no such campaign is going on to "mute" Hollywood's recent string of dreadful and offensive movies.
I am so tired of this nonsense. It's insulting that some of the people who are condemning Gibson and his movie have never even bothered to watch the movie. They're perfectly willing to trash him, yet unwilling to sit down and give both Mel and his film a chance.
This is political correctness at its worst, folks.
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