Copyright 2004 Ben S. Pollock
Tuesday, March 9, 2004. "The Passion of the Christ." I have not seen the movie, though it’s been out a couple of weeks. I am not curious about it, the way I have been about other movies about Christianity, and so may not see it anytime soon. It’s not the old ultra-violence, nor this one’s particular selectiveness on which parts of which narratives to include. It’s a matter of, will I learn anything or be inspired.
All art is entertainment, high-, low-, middle- or non-brow. But when art inspires to instruct or, oh well, inspire, then it raises its own stakes. Not we consumers, the artists are responsible.
A religious movie serves no one but the devil (in whatever form that takes) if it moves people away from lovingkindness. Whether "Passion" or "Jesus Christ Superstar" (and no one who enjoys its tunes in church now should forget the claims of sacrilege hurled at it in the early 1970s) persuades people to become Christians is immaterial if it does not also move people toward the Golden Rule.
Two earlier controversial movies about Christianity serve the cause of peace better. One believe it or not is Monty Python’s "Life of Brian." Jews and more traditional Christians (Catholics and Anglicans (because I don’t want to spell Episcopalian)) know laughter can be instructive. "Life of Brian" points out human nature foils most good intentions. Fortunately, its purpose is not to instruct so relax. Yet in its late-1970s day, Jews as well as Christians protested it. A campus rabbi told us, however, the Jewish infighting embarrassingly depicted did happen; it’s why no revolt against the Romans was successful.
The second flick I recommend is Martin Scorsese’s "The Last Temptation of Christ." This considers the Passion but more importantly it recalls what Jesus taught and the times these people lived in for context and perspective. The soundtrack’s cool, too.
"The Passion." Two points: Jews should not call wolf in America. Real hate is coming, and we will need the loving support of other groups at that time. Let’s not waste ammunition. In a better world, people and especially the media would understand contemporary Jews have neither leaders nor spokesmen so those who claim that would be automatically suspect. (2) Christians who claim the controversy comes from anti-Christian sentiment are idiots or liars. In America, Christians are not persecuted in any honest sense.
That controversy is good for box office should be obvious; there’s centuries of evidence. If I had a movie in subtitles and wanted it to do well in every American market. … But marketing is not wrong, it’s American capitalism. Mel Gibson seems like a good guy, always has. Thus, everything about his "The Passion of the Christ" deserves all benefits of all doubts. Where its furor eventually leads will tell us if it’s a Christian movie leading us to greater peace. -30-
