The Passion

[Yorick]

Originally posted by The Hierophant: </font><blockquote>quote:</font><hr />Originally posted by Yorick: She plays Mary MAGDALENE, not Mary, mother of Jesus. Many scholars equate Mary Magdalene with the adulterous woman, though the adulterous woman is unnamed. Some also insist Mary was a prostitute, but this too is speculation. In any case, Magdalene was one of Jesus female disciples, and Mel went with the adulterous woman theory. Was a very poignant scene for any female who feels new, who feels the mistakes and emptiness have washed away from them through knowing Jesus. I know many women who lost it totally when the scene of his forgiveness and defense of her played. If any man calls a woman "whore" or "slut" or whatever, the woman knows Jesus would be there loving them for who they are without a word of condemnation. It was an incredible scene, recalled with particular poignancy during an emotional moment of the film.

Indeed, the image of Magdalene's traditional slutty whorishness (is that even a word?) may well have been an attempt by the Catholic Church to distract worshippers from her role as Jesus' wife and bearer of his children. Bishops lose alot of credibility as God's representatives when people believe that the decendents of the holy bloodline are alive and well.

But of course this too is speculation [img]smile.gif[/img] </font>[/QUOTE]I'm referring to historical analysis and comparitiver reading of the gospels, not mere Catholic dogma.

[Sir Taliesin]

Originally posted by The Hierophant:

Indeed, the image of Magdalene's traditional slutty whorishness (is that even a word?) may well have been an attempt by the Catholic Church to distract worshippers from her role as Jesus' wife and bearer of his children. Bishops lose alot of credibility as God's representatives when people believe that the decendents of the holy bloodline are alive and well.

But of course this too is speculation [img]smile.gif[/img] [/QUOTE]

<font color=orange>Beleive it or not I tend to be of open mind about this particular point.

My understanding is that one of the popes (the name escapes me but it seems like a Leo and my dates may be wrong as well) in the 400's is the first to portray Mary Magdelene as a prostitute and a whore. He basically rolled about three or four individual women into the same woman and said it was Mary.

I alway found it interesting that Jesus first appears to Mary Magdalene first among all others (Mark 16:9) or at least is one of the first to see him in all of the Gospels.</font>

[Cerek the Barbaric]

<font color=deepskyblue>I saw the movie again yesterday. Even though I knew what was going to happen this time, it still touched me deeply the second time around.

It is - without a doubt - the greatest movie I have ever seen.

I'm glad to see it doing so well at the Box Office. That is going to make it very difficult for the Oscars to ignore it next year - though I'm sure they'll try.

As for Mary Magdalene being Jesus wife....well, that's a new one on me. I've debated theology with atheists for about 4 years now and I thought I had seen and heard just about every attack on the Bible that was out there, but this is the first time I've heard this one.

In respect to the moratorium (and the feelings of others), I will simply say that I respectfully disagree.</font>

[Yorick]

I thought this guys arguments were good. Especially 'The graphic depiction of the scourging of Jesus was difficult to watch, but violence is and should be difficult to watch and accept."

Exactly the point. Reviewers in slamming the passion, were ignoring the INTENT of the filmmaker.

From here

The Anglican Bishop of Birmingham has defended Mel Gibson's The Passion of The Christ against charges of anti-semitism. The Rt Revd Dr John Sentamu (pictured) said claims that the film was anti-Jewish had made it imperative for him to watch the epic depiction of Christ's last hours on earth. Dr Sentamu, who viewed the movie twice before coming to his conclusions, said: "I can honestly say that I did not gain the impression that it promotes anti-Jewish attitudes. "The Passion of The Christ produced the same reaction in me as when I watched Schindler's List, The Diary of Anne Frank and Cry Freedom. "No one ethnic group stands condemned. "Furthermore, in The Passion of The Christ Jesus himself is a Jew - a victim of an illegal judicial murder meted out by a ruthless, violent and vacillating Pilate. "Nevertheless there is a need to be vigilant that the film is not misused for anti-Jewish purposes." The Ugandan-born clergyman, who saw torture and murder and was badly beaten while working as a barrister and magistrate under Idi Amin's regime, also addressed the film's graphic scenes of violence in a review published on his diocesan website. "Whilst in Uganda under Idi Amin I saw individuals treated with real violence even worse than that shown in the film," the bishop said. "Whilst it's true to say that there are scenes of graphic violence - prolonged bloody beatings, whippings and nailings - Mel Gibson, by consciously conflating the four Gospels' account of the last twelve hours of Jesus' life presses the viewer to imagine historical unhappiness. "The message is clear: ponder the immensity of Jesus' suffering undertaken willingly for all. "Let the heart and not just the head respond. "The graphic depiction of the scourging of Jesus was difficult to watch, but violence is and should be difficult to watch and accept." * The Bishop's full review can be read at: ]www.birmingham.anglican.org

[ 03-31-2004, 01:51 AM: Message edited by: Yorick ]

[The Hierophant]

Still havn't seen it yet (but want to), but overheard a humourous conversation between a barman and the lead singer of a satanic death metal band earlier today.

Barman: seen 'The Passion of Christ' then?
Huge, bearded, skin-head, satanic death-metaller: Why the f**k would I want to watch that?
Barman: Well, even if Christianity isn't your cup of tea, at least you get to see Jesus get raped for 2 hours.
HBSHSDM: yeah, now THERE'S something I can get passionate about!


.... guess you had to be there

[Bahamut]

I won't argue with anything about this... I know you all have your points.

With all the fire this movie has brought up it has helped me see it in another perspective. I was able to watch the movie earlier, and I was deeply touched. What amazes me is that it didn't strike me as I thought it would. It didn't make me feel guilty and such like some of my friends did; rather, it gave me the strength to stand up and embrace more my humanity and my appreciation of life. My natural fear has been naturally reduced by this movie, by Him.

My only comment here is that why is it PG-13 on where in my opinion this movie would be a great nightmare for kids...

[Yorick]

That's awesome Ryan. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[TAOWolf]

I haven't seen this movie yet, but living in Arkansas there is BIG controversy about showing it here. I don't understand why they are making such a stink about this.

[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by TAOWolf: I haven't seen this movie yet, but living in Arkansas there is BIG controversy about showing it here. I don't understand why they are making such a stink about this.

<font color=deepskyblue>The "Big Controversy" is that the movie centers around the capture and trial of Jesus by the Pharisees - who were the Jewish religious leaders at the time. There is one scene in particular where the Pharisees have gathered the in the courtyard of Pilate (along with several of the "congregation" from the temple) and they demand that Pilate crucify Jesus. They even go so far as to have Pilate release a convicted murderer (Barrabas) rather than let Jesus go free. And they again demand that Pilate sentence Jesus to death by Crucifixion.

While this is a very authentic adaptation of the Biblical version of events, some Jewish leaders are concerned that the scenes might cause a rise in anti-Semitism.

So our Political Correctness has gone from criticizing a film that does offend a certain group or culture to criticizing a film simply because it [/i]might[/i] cause offense. We have now reached to point of Pre-emptive Political Correctness", if you will.

As for the movie itself, most Christians find the movie to be a very powerful testimony to the Love that Jesus Christ had for us. The graphic illustration of the torture he endured emphasizes how deep and unconditional that Holy Love is.

For non-Christians, the film often seems to be over-the-top with gratuitious violence and there have been complaints that the REASON for Jesus' suffering is not sufficiently explained for the non-religiuos viewers (which may be true).

The film IS very graphic and extremely difficult to watch in some places - but it also has some very warm and uplifting parts too (very few, but they are there). You will have to decide for yourself if the movie will be worth the price of admission for you.</font>

[Sir Degrader]

Satanists are funny for all the wrong reasons.