Watched "The Passion..."

[Tarryk]

One thing is sure: I expected something different. I'm glad I didn't get what I expected out of it. Every reaction I've seen so far is, in my eyes, flat out wrong.

Media-hyped reaction of many jews: Anti-semitism.

I say: Not at all. It happened to be jewish people in this story who were the primary antagonists, but what does that say? That because of Hitler's army we should hate all germans? Any jew actually seeing antisemitism in this movie is a rabble-rousing fool out to persecute with no cause but for self-importance.

Media-hyped reaction of many christians: Cinematic proof that they're right. Churches began buying the DVD's en masse.

I say: It's proof of nothing, not even on a cinematic level. It does not make me feel any closer to God simply because the story of an altruistic man was told. Even with the events that occured in the movie, I could still say that Jesus was a madman for believing himself to be the son of everything. In fact, the movie did not really touch me on any religious level at all.

Media-hyped reaction of the anti-christian: It's a hogwash movie that's not worth much more than the comedic parodies that have been made of it.

I say: You're focusing on your animosity towards christianity, and not toward the central intent of the movie.

What they all saw: Confirmation of belief, denial of belief, reason to hate, reason to promote, proof for, proof against. All political religious hogwash.

What I think they should have seen: A man who gave his life, not for what he believed, but for what was already apparent. That everyone is entitled to have and share their beliefs, so long as love for each other remains. He didn't say "follow me or burn in hell", he said "love thy enemies, for if you only love those who love you, what reward is there?"

Believe what you want and when you want, but Jesus, as portrayed in that movie, was on the mark with eyes open. Were he to have performed any sort of retribution, he would have set an example by that. But in a cloud of people who only saw retribution, he gave nothing but love and forgiveness.

That's not christianity or judaism. It's leadership by example.

The tragedy is not that he died, it's that no-one got it.

[Ichyro]

How the Christians in the years after Jesus (If he existed), interprited his lack of violent retribution and use of loving forgiveness, for reasons to go and smite the unbelievers in Jerusalem and abroad, is beyond us.

Congrats Tarryk. I had not seen anyone write and look at The Passion this way, especially in the ending remark. The targedy lives to this day, as well. Weren't we all taught about heaven and hell, something that contrasts to the ideals of love and forgiveness shown and symbolized by that sacrifice?

Well written.