The Passion of the Christ

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Registered: 07-25-2003
The Passion of the Christ
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Thu, 02-26-2004 - 12:58am
Has anyone been able to see it yet?

I knew it would be opening big, but I was surprised to find out this morning that one of the local 20-plexes was showing it to sold out crowds on every screen from 6:30 this morning to around 11:00 when their usual lineup started and The Passion only continued on a few screens.

I've been reading incredibly moving reactions to it like this one in National Review--

"THE PASSION IN HARLEM

I just got out of a screening at the Magic Johnson Theatres up at 123rd and Frederick Douglass in Harlem. The theatre was packed, with an audience that was about 85 percent black, and included many seniors (of course: daytime). The response to the film was just about universal: Loud applause at the end, and vocal endorsements of the movie as we exited. One sweet elderly lady, I’d say about 80 years old, was shaking her head on the way out, saying: “If you read the Bible, that’s exactly what happened.” Another woman, in her 30s, was brushing away tears. “It’s not the movie,” she said,” it’s the reality of the thing.” During the screening, the man I set next to—a guy in his 20s, tall, strong, and vigorous-looking, nobody’s wimp—gasped at some of the cruelties inflicted on Jesus. (When Jesus’ cross is turned over on its face so He can be nailed to it more securely, this man blurted out, “Oh, s***, that’s too much.”) Before the movie started, there was a little film in which Magic Johnson explained the rules for his theatres: “No talking. . . . No hats or colors . . . . If you have a problem on the street, don’t bring it inside.” I couldn’t help thinking: There is a problem on the street, every street, and this movie is about the solution."

I wanted to see it this weekend, but now the local news is reporting that virtually every showing in Dallas through the weekend is already sold out, so now I have to wait til next Saturday.

Renee

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iVillage Member
Registered: 07-25-2003
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 7:40pm
I'm protestant, too, & aware of some of the theological differences, but I'm not sure that, in the context of this film, they really matter.

Of course, you're right in that the resurrection is the whole point of Christianity; that's why our church displays an empty cross. The resurrection is Jesus's triumph in all of his supernatural glory, and is a wonderful end to the story of salvation, but I don't think that considering a different period of Jesus's life takes anything away from it.

In fact, I've always thought that the passion makes the resurrection more personal and meaningful. As God, he didn't have to become a man to save humanity. He could have saved humanity with no effort or cost to himself. The true beauty of the resurrection is not that he loved us enough to save us, but that he loved us so much that he paid the biggest price to save us.

I think that the focus of this movie on Jesus the man when he was spiritually alone for the first time in his life, when he had been rejected by God, and had to endure a torturous drawn out death that was as painful and horrific a death as anyone has ever suffered. This is not Jesus the God, or Jesus, the 'God-in-waiting' teaching the lost about love and salvation (in the movies, usually with a few rays of sunlight forming a halo around his head). This is Jesus showing his love and paying the human cost of salvation.

This isn't a movie that I 'want' to see, but one that I feel I must, but I recognize that there are lots of people who feel differently.



Renee

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2004
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 9:58pm
Hi Everyone,

This is my first posting ever to this board. I logged on to see what you all thought of the movie. I saw it Wednesday night, and felt like it was a truly religious experience for me. Since I am a practising, life-long Catholic who seeks out Christian literature and enjoys two Scripture Study group (1 Catholic and 1 interdenominational), I expected to be moved and engaged -- not blown away.

I think everyone over age 12 should see this film. Especially if they are Christian and believe that Christ died for us. Actually, we should take it very personally -- if we each realized that He would have done that for us on an individual basis, we'd all be better people. I hope that's clear.

I disagree that Catholics think that the Passion is the most important part of our religion. Many times I've heard priests and religious educators say, "We are an Easter people." But the only way our Messiah could defeat death, was to die! Graphic -- yeah. But how many violent movies have been made that was senseless violence -- not a depiction of the most important event in the the history of the world?

This movie wasn't about the violence -- it was about what Jesus endured because of His love for us.

And it isn't about the Jewish people -- it's about "our" Jew! I don't mean "our=Catholic", but "our=all people, believers and non-believers".

Andy Rooney -- who's he? I haven't watched 60 Minutes in years. What a nasty commentary that certainly doesn't strike me as humorous. But he's entitled to his opinion.

That's MY opnion of the movie -- and of Andy Rooney.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-27-2004
Fri, 02-27-2004 - 10:51pm
I Saw the Diane Sawyer interview and Mr.Gibson came of as an arogant know-it-all. This Idea of his that he decided to throw out in to the world should have been created more tactfully, and all the attetion that this movie is atracting is very convinient for him. I'm sure he's very happy with all the money he's making of this sacred religous matter.
Avatar for katmandoo2001
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 1:55am
I saw the movie on Thursday and I found it to be the most inspiring movie I've ever seen. Hard to watch, definitely, but the torture, scourging and crucifixion of Christ shouldn't be easy to watch, we SHOULD feel every stripe and blow along with him. I'm a Christian though, so I went in knowing and believing the story. Not sure how nonbelievers or people of other faiths will receive it.
Avatar for katmandoo2001
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 1:58am
Well, frankly, after enduring a year's worth of criticism and character assasination heaped on by critics who hadn't even seen the movie, I think Mel had a right to feel a little defensive, don't you? And since it WAS his money he spent on the production of the film, then why shouldn't he make it back?
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2003
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 1:59am
Mel Gibson got a revelation to depict what Jesus really went through for us. It was not "his vision." If you study what scourging actually is and the history of the way they crucified people in that time, you would see that this was not anyone's "vision." Actualy, the bible says that Jesus had been so badly beaten and tortured that he was unrecognizable as human (Isaiah 52:14-15) Mel Gibson couldn't even go there.
iVillage Member
Registered: 09-16-2003
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 2:20am
Didn't Jesus want the world to know Him? He said "go into all the world..." what better way to do it? Those who don't read the bible were spurred by the curiosity of all the publicity to go see the movie. I already know of several people who have seen it and are re-examining their lives as God sees them.

I saw James Caviezel's interview--they faced life threatening ordeals making the movie. People were converted on the set. Was all this for money?

But why shouldn't Mel Gibson make money? Didn't he do the work? God is not cheap and he does not want His people to be poor he wants them blessed. Mel Gibson has blessed millions of people by making this movie. God says "give and it shall be given back to you good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over shall men give into your bosom." If Mel is getting millions it's because God is not a liar. He does what He says he'll do and Mr. Gibson is wise enough to believe it.
Avatar for janbea
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 8:27am
I saw the movie--twice.

Like one of the previous posters, I felt that I needed the second time to absorb more of the actual "message", other than the raw violence.

I am a Christian. I felt compelled to see the movie....and I haven't seen a movie in years ("Dance's With Wolves"--my LAST movie--sorta dates me, huh?)

When I saw the movie, the place was packed with what appeared to be mostly college age kids. Before the movie, there was your expected high volumn of talk/laughing/kidding around........comming out, there was silence, as each tried to absorb what they had just witnessed.

The biggest thing that I got out of this movie was the fact that "I" did this to Jesus......He willing died for "OUR" sins, and that includes me. You hear that all the time at church, but this brought it so much closer to home. I think sometimes we get so used to hearing the crucifixion story that it is almost not real in our minds---and after seeing this movie, I doubt that there will ever be a time in the rest of my life that it isn"t VERY REAL in my mind.

The other thing it left me with was a desire to leave that place and to be a BETTER Christian. It was like "If Jesus could do that for me, then surely I can do a better job as a Christian living my life to please him."

But of course, that is just my opinion.

iVillage Member
Registered: 02-28-2004
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 8:45am
I have yet to see the movie, not because I don't want to but because I am 39 weeks pregnant and feel that in my emotional state I just couldn't really sit through this movie. I am prepared for the violence and the message of the movie, and like a previous poster I will be seeing the movie twice.. I also wanted to say that I believe that Mel Gibson has made this movie for the sole purpose of identifying the biggest thing Christ could do for US. Yes, the movie may bring about finding the lost and bringing them into God's family ( and that is great) but I think that from what I have read and heard about this movie it was made to show believers exactly what was given to us at a huge cost to Christ. He gave up his seat next to his father to save US from OUr sins... When I go to view this movie I will remember that and hopefully come out from the film a much more responsible christian then when I went in.

Always charge for God xx Kim xx
iVillage Member
Registered: 01-11-2004
Sat, 02-28-2004 - 9:07am
Hi, everybody.

I have not seen the movie yet. However, as a recent born-again Christian, the images from the movie so far have made me very sad.

I believe it was Gibson's intent to show what Jesus went through for all of mankind, all of the violence was part of that. It's just so upsetting to know that's what happened. How could He have done that for us?

I know the answer, but for some reason, it's still hitting me really hard. Has anyone else felt like this?

Jill and Grace

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