Tuesday, March 02, 2004

The Passion of Jesus Christ

When I saw The Passion of the Christ last Saturday, along with a predominantly Catholic audience, there were an audible sadness and praise for this powerful movie. Even coming from a Buddhist background, I confess that the suffering that Jesus of Nazareth could even be felt in the pit of my stomach. I have read numbers of article on the film, critics calling the movie Anti-Semitic, the movie is too violent, etc..

But unless you have read the Christian scriptures and seen the movie, you can’t really judge the movie. Yes, the movie is violent. As a avid fan of bloody action, I can say I no problem with violent on screen, but the violences shown on the film, is not only about physical violence this character is subjected to, but it is the pain and suffering experienced by other characters. The emotional battle of Pontius Pilate (the Roman Overseer whom sentenced Jesus), the look of betrayal on Peter (the disciple whom denounced Jesus 3 times) and most of all the anguish felt by Mary (Mother of Jesus). I think the actress who portrayed Mary, is just amazing, she really showed the pain a mother would experienced.

Is the movie Anti-Semitic?
Personally, I don't think so. The story comes straight out of the Bible. The Passion (ie 12 hours before Jesus's Death) has been played by every Church and every year on Easter!
Nobody is claiming that the Bible is Anti-Semitic.
Nobody is claiming that Jesus did not get prosecuted by the Jewish people.
Nobody is claiming that Jesus did not get punish viciously by the roman.
Nobody is claiming that Jesus did not get crucify by the roman.

People forgets that Jesus himself was a Jew, he was actually considered a Rabbi! So therefore the Passion is about a Jew getting prosecuted by his Jewish peers and some people think that it is Anti-Semitic?... I just don't get it.

Anyway that’s enough of my 2 cents worth. So as for the general Agnostic movie goer, word of warning, if you have never read the book called "Bible" then be prepared to be lost in the movie sequence. The movie is slow and it assumes that you are a faithful christian and you know your gospel. If you are a sadistic bastard, than you would love the blood and gore, if you like a period piece or you just enjoy to tell people that you have ignore the words of critics and judge the film by yourself, than you might appreciate the film.

It is a movie, which will make you contemplate about your faith if you are a believer and if you are not a believer you may get a little more understanding on the Christian faith. So my suggestion is go out a see it, and make your own mind up.

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