Times like this I wish I had a political blog so I could say more about this, but Dennis Prager says many of the things I’ve been wanting to say about “The Passion” in his new column, The Passion: Jews and Christians are watching different films. Prager’s commentary is so eye-opening, I felt compelled to pass it on. Considering this is a follow-up about movie news that we’ve been covering on Monitor Duty, I think it’s relevant.
I’ve been a bit dismissive of the antisemitism angle because I think any story of the crucifixion could be seen as anti-semitic from those narrow-minded people who already bring that bias with them. Here’s where Prager says something I’ve been thinking for months:
…a Christian who hates Jews today for what he believes some Jews did 2,000 years ago only reflects on the low moral, intellectual and religious state of that Christian. Imagine what Jews would think of a Jew who hated Egyptians after watching “The Ten Commandments,” and you get an idea of how most Christians would regard a Christian who hated Jews after watching “The Passion.”
However, Prager points out that this movie will be viewed NOT just by modern American Christians who have little if any hostility to modern Jews; it will also be attended by many people around the world who have zero interest in Jesus but love a good incendiary film that promotes violence against Reed Sea Pedestrians. That’s a very good point I hadn’t considered.
This is a movie which has been geared towards an international audience, since the movie is done in ancient languages and is equally approachable by people of any culture.
To follow up on Prager’s title…this is a film that will not only be seen two ways but could play two ways. In America, it may be seen as a deeply moving, eye-opening spiritual experience, and in France the exact same film could result in more Jew-beatings, smashed synagogues and burning Israeli embassies…all of which have been happening frequently in the last year. I sincerely hope not.