Voices of 'Passion'

“Each and everyone in the human race bear the responsibility (of Jesus’ death). In no way do I hold the Jewish people responsible. Be assured that I will do everything I can to remind people of this fact.”
Franklin Graham, in a letter to ADL National Director Abraham H. Foxman

It does not mean that Mr. Gibson is an anti-Semite, as some have charged, but it does mean that he has approached the making of a film on such a sensitive subject with what many see as remarkable insensitivity.
Rabbi David Rosen, Congregation Beth Yeshurun, Houston

“Millions of Jews have, in fact, suffered death and persecution because of accusations that they were “Christ-killers.” If the movie irresponsibly recycled those old, poisonous accusations I believe that people of good faith would appropriately condemn it. It’s obvious, however, that Mel Gibson has tried to avoid echoing ancient charges of deicide and has gone to some lengths to stress that Jesus and his disciples, as well as his primary accusers, were Jewish.
Michael Medved, during online chat with Washingtonpost.com

While we respect the right of freedom of expression and the prerogative of any faith to reflect on its own religious writings, we are compelled to note that, in the past, emotions elicited by particular depictions of “The Passion” contributed to virulent animosity towards our faith. Indeed, given the sophistication of modern means of communication, and their wider reach, such films now have the potential to exert even more influence on viewers.
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism statement on the film

I thought Passion was a superior recounting of the ‘greatest story ever told,’ the last days of Jesus. There is in the film the gravity and seriousness it deserves. There are moments so heart-rending, the tears come easily. I cannot but believe that people of all religions will find this truly an impressive (and respectful) piece of art and realism, emerging from the New Testament. As a cinema artist, you have just reason to be proud of what you have done.
Jack Valenti, CEO, Motion Picture Association

The Passion tells the story of the 12 hours surrounding the crucifixion. While The Passion is only the latest in a series of films about Jesus, it stands out for two reasons: First, it is unsparing and unsentimental. In Gibson’s opinion, previous cinematic efforts had failed to capture the enormity of Jesus’ suffering on our behalf.
Chuck Colson, Break Point

I believe The Passion of The Christ may well be one of the most powerful evangelistic tools of the last 100 years, because you have never seen the story of Jesus portrayed this vividly before.
Greg Laurie, Harvest Crusades

The current controversy over Mel Gibson’s film is often treated as if it were exclusively a matter of disagreement between Christians and Jews. In fact, it is also a challenge to Christians—including supporters of Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ—to unite against the misuse of the good news of the Christian scriptures for hateful purposes. Christians share with Jews a stake not only in a general ethic of tolerance, but in faith-based values at the heart of both our religions. We owe it to each other and to God to work together so that the “Christ-killer” accusation and epithet have no place in the twenty-first century world.
Simon Wiesenthal Center statement on the movie

Mr. Gibson has attempted to painstakingly recreate the crucifixion of Christ, not to assail Jews, but to arouse in people a desire to understand the price paid for their salvation.
Dr. Jerry Falwell, The Liberty Channel

Published by Keener Communications Group, March 2004

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