Regarding the Newsweek “Who Killed Christ?” piece on Mel Gibson’s new movie:
I didn’t pass along that link before and I’d meant to. It’s an odd article written from a very strange perspective, where the writer clearly knows something about religion and talks to a number of scholars but seemingly hasn’t encountered any actual Christian believers before.
The second-to-last paragraph points out, as though imparting a little-known-fact, that Jesus himself was a Jew. Now, for months, Christians have been pointing this out as the obvious reason that audiences won’t go into an anti-semitic fury upon seeing the movie. And Mel Gibson is the first director to actually cast Jesus, his family, disciples and followers with actors that look Jewish. The article also helpfully ends by noting that Jesus did not encourage violence.
Such statement of the obvious is infuriating, but I think I’ve figured it out. Writer Jon Meacham must be the guy who comes up with all the dumb labels such as “toaster should not be used as a ladder” and “lawn darts can cause injury”.
Bah! I can’t wait until the actual movie is out and this stupid controversy can be put to rest. If I’m wrong, and the day after the movie comes out New York and Florida are in flames as newly-recruited KKK members roam the streets, I will apologize for dismissing this.