Reasons Not To See "The Passion"

[Jeffrey H]

I have not seen the movie yet. It sounds exciting with alot of fanfare among evangelicals as an evangelistic tool. Still, the question remains, should I see really go see it?? I would like to see some viewpoints that actually discourage attending this film.

The Passion of The Christ is rated "R" for excessive violence and graphic images. The fact that it's about Jesus does not automatically make it right for Christians to view it. I'm very curious to see it, but I have my reservations and I'm not sure that it would be profitable to view this adaptation of Jesus' suffering. Do I need to see two hours of Jesus getting graphically tortured to fully understand his love for me?

I do believe that we need to be ready to answer the questions that this film will create and be prepared to tell others about the HOPE that is in us (I Peter 3:15). We don't have to see the movie in order to do this.

 

[ScottEmerson]

It is rated R, Jeffrey, and for very good reason. There are several snippets that are VERY hard to watch. Overall, though, the message of his suffering and dath are very powerful. The people who I sat next to yesterday put their hands over their face during the worst scourging part, and they still left the theatre profoundly affected by what they saw on the screen. I would definitely warn people about this movie - don't go see it just because of the hype around it. If you're squeamish around blood at all, maybe just skip the movie.

 

[Brother Adam]

Anyone under 14 or anyone faint of heart should not watch the film.

 

[Hardsheller]

I saw the movie yesterday and would not hesitate to take my grandson age 10 if he wanted to go and if his parents were ok with it. I would however talk to him about it first and afterwards.

The brutality is not the worst I've ever seen in films.

 

[vaspers]

A lady from my church, who is being bullied by the Higher Ups into seeing it, told me today "I don't know how I'm going to take it."

she looked shocked when I said, "you don't have to go."

Like the thought of not going was an intimation of radical mutiny, rebellion, independent thinking. She's not going to go, now that she realizes not going is a viable option.

 

[GrannyGumbo]

My trust & belief is in the REAL Jesus. Here's one pastor's thoughts on the movie paving the way for the antiChrist:

"The Cathlolics continue to kill Christians just as they did back in the Dark Ages, only this time it is being done spiritually instead of physically. The Passion of the Christ should be called the Passion of the Antichrist or at least the Passion of the Christ and Mary. When one compares the details of this movie to the truth of the Scriptures, one will find out that the details clash. This movie is putting forth a portrayal of the antichrist and Mary, not the Christ of the Scriptures.

Where is the shame of a true believer? Why must we suddenly 'see' in order to 'believe.' The crucifixion put Jesus Christ into open shame, as the Scriptures state - why is it needful to portray His shame again? In this movie, what one sees is not the truth. The media argument of the movie being anti-Semantic is just a smokescreen for the real issue - it is a movie that lifts the Catholic Christ and hides the true Christ. If anyone 'receives Christ' because of this movie, they will receive the spirit of antichrist, again as the Scriptures state in I John 4:1-3.

I know there will be those many who think my comments are shameful, and these same folks will disagree with the Scriptures as well. But it is my job as a Bible believing pastor to try to warn the sheep of the wolves dressed in sheep's clothing. Will anyone take heed to these warnings? What has happened to God's Words - why must we allow Hollywood to be our final authority? Is it the lazy way out or is it just because of how folks have been prepared within their local churches these days.

When a nation takes away the words of God, then the nation no longer knows the difference between right and wrong, nor do they eventually even want to know".

 

[BrianT]

Very amazing, how that pastor is able to determine (limit?) how can God work in the hearts of others. Someone needs to write an article called "Reasons not to read reasons not to see The Passion".

 

[gb93433]

We have perfect theology and call ourselves conservative but in reality so many live like atheists. So the movie might jar them a little. At least it will give them a picture in their mind of the Jesus that was executed.

 

[dianetavegia]

Isn't that amazing Brian. I'm just amazed how people think God can't use a movie, a tract, the Roman Road, modern versions to reach the unsaved. Seems to me we quench the Spirit when we weaken His power to convict. N'est pas?

Diane

 

[dianetavegia]

'I'm not going to spend $9 just for a few laughs' -- CBS's Andy Rooney to Don Imus on why he won't see PASSION OF CHRIST....

www.drudgereport.com

 

[drp737]

How many stories in the Bible would not be rated R. The Bible never watered down stories in order to make them age appropriate. Why should Mel have to water it down if Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John didn't. Also remember what stories were told in the Old Testament by Moses, David, etc. They didn't water down their stories either and some of those are much worse than the crucifixion in terms of controversial material.

 

[donnA]

I wonder if the people who are 100% against this movie have ever seen any of the other so called christian movies?
Which ones and what did you think of them?

 

[mioque]

"It sounds exciting with alot of fanfare among evangelicals as an evangelistic tool."
I seriously doubt it is truly suitable for this role. Passion plays are squarely aimed at people who are already practicing christians. They leave much unexplained that isn't obvious to outsiders.

"it is a movie that lifts the Catholic Christ and hides the true Christ."
I suspect this pastor wouldn't notice the true Christ if He walked up to him and kicked him in the privates.

 

[Servent]

To all those who oposse the move. Like it or not the movie is here, like it or not people will go see it, Like it or not GOD can and will use it for his on purpose. Like it or not stop complaining and get onboard and do something posative with it that will bring people to Christ.

 

[vaspers]

Granny Gumbo, that's Hebrews 6:6 that says crucifying Christ again exposes Him to open shame. Few seem to care, tho.

They want an action-packed movie to stun them and make them cry.

They won't care what your spiritual concerns are. But let's calm down and let other Christians do what they believe is right, just respectfully disagreeing with it.

Stick to the Word, forget the apostasy, which is only going to get worse as the end times come.

 

[GrannyGumbo]

Just quoting that pastor, that's all, vaspers; but thanks. I really hope those who are so stirred by the "movie" of the cross are just as stirred by the "preaching" of the cross on Sunday.

 

[Mitsy]

I think Andy Rooney's comments about Gibson were downright mean-spirited. I personally will not be going to the movie, since I do not attend violent or bloody films. I had a church friend who also insinuated that she thought it would be good for most "christians" to view. I set her straight that this "christian" was not going to view it, but wouldn't it be great if a few non-christians went to see it?

Also read somewhere the Gibson was involved in a fringe-type off-shoot from the Catholic faith, but the Catholic Church did not recognize his church as a part of the Catholic organization. I'm going to try to find more info on that.

 

[vaspers]

Go to www.odan.org for info about Opus Dei, a secretive group that Mel's assistant director Jan Michelini is involved in (don't know if Mel is or not).

Mel's fringe church (www.foxnews.com "Mel Gibson: $5 Million to Fringe Church, 2-20-2004 article) is allegedly Latin Rite catholicism which rejects Vatican II and its statements on anti-semitism among other things. Mel's fringe church is allegedly into self-mutilation as penance, self-whipping, etc.

For sure tho, his inspiration is masochist mystic Emmerich. Read her troubled extra-biblical nonsense at www.emmerich1.com.

 

[dianetavegia]

Originally posted by vaspers:
Mel's fringe church is allegedly into self-mutilation as penance, self-whipping, etc.

Please provide proof or links to prove such allegations!

Diane

 

[just-want-peace]

I have thought much re: this film, and there is so much opposition to it from the "masses" that it makes me think that there is something of value there.

That being said, as of now I do not plan on seeing it; why? Simply because I have this problem with any movie that I get "into" that I cannot let it go once it's over. I go to sleep thinking about it, and wake up thinking about it, and think about it off & on all day. This will continue for some 2-3 days.

Also, I have absolutely no desire to see Christ(?) or anybody else being tortured; in fact I am repulsed by such, and just because it really happened, does nothing to calm the internal emotional tornado that it causes inside me.

Jesus Christ HAS died for me, and I don't need a visual corroboration of this fact.

My wife wants to see it, and I did tell her that I would take her if she insisted, but if so I'll probably just try to "doze" through this film.

Am I against this film? Absolutely not, as it has the potential to be a fantastic witnessing tool for the unsaved, as God can use the "red clay and gumbo" as well as the fertile ground to nurture His word.

My take is that this flick is going to have the greatest impact on the lost that are searching, rather than Christians who already believe what being shown, so it' sorta like "preaching to the choir" to me (us)!

Anyway, each person should be led by the Holy Spirit as to their approach here.

I'm OK with my choice, are you?