FEBRUARY 2004

THE PASSION


Since April, 2003, more than 300 Christian pastors in the USA have removed the crosses from their churches, not denying the central place that the crucifixion plays in Christian belief, but recognizing that the cross symbolizes a history of religious intolerance, forced conversions, inquisitions, and even racism as used by white supremacists. In May, 2003, 120 of these Christian leaders journeyed to Israel, in the midst of bombings and bloodshed, on a peace pilgrimage, and met with hundreds of rabbis, imams, and other leaders for reconciliation. An interreligious peace march of international clergy is planned in Israel in September, despite the terror.

Early February this year Beliefnet, a religious Newsservice reported New York, Feb. 2(AP) :
Jews and Christians who fear Mel Gibson's epic on the crucifixion of Jesus will fuel anti-Semitism are planning lecture series, interfaith talks and other programs to try to mute the film's impact.

Gibson has insisted that "The Passion of the Christ," set to be released Ash Wednesday, Feb. 25, does not malign Jews. However, the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee, whose representatives saw a version the movie last week, said it contained destructive stereotypes about the Jewish role in Christ's death.

In recent days the same Newsservice reports:
Gibson's Company Blasts Jews Who Saw 'Passion' Film 'in Stealth Mode'
By Kevin Eckstrom
Religion News Services
Officials from Mel Gibson's Icon Productions film company blasted Jewish critics who used a fake church name to sneak into an advance screening of "The Passion of the Christ."

Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, said he viewed the film "in stealth mode" at an evangelical pastors' conference in Orlando, Fla., last Wednesday. Foxman and Rabbi Gary Bretton-Granatoor, the ADL's interfaith consultant, registered as pastors with the fictitious "Church of Truth" in Brooklyn, N.Y. After the film, Foxman said the film's portrayal of Jews was "painful to watch."Foxman warned that the film threatens to stir up anti-Semitism by blaming Jews for the death of Jesus. Gibson, who has hosted invitation-only screenings around the country, had refused to show the film to Foxman.

A statement from Gibson's company accused the two men of "deceit." John Maxwell, chairman of the Global Pastors Network that sponsored the convention, said, "I am disappointed they lied to get in." Before seeing the film, participants were asked to sign a confidentiality agreement that stipulated they could speak only positively of the movie. Foxman did not sign the statement. Foxman said he had no choice but to lie. "I am sorry we had to engage in stealth tactics, but only because he (Gibson) forced us to," he told the Orlando Sentinel. Foxman told The New York Times he initially felt bad about sneaking in, but then changed his mind. "I decided yesterday, `Why am I uncomfortable? Let him (Gibson) be uncomfortable.' For him to say, `You can only see it if you love it'? I felt it was my moral duty to see it," he said.

Other Jewish leaders who saw the film last week said they went in openly. David Elcott, interfaith director for the American Jewish Committee, saw the film in Chicago and said he was "completely upfront" about his affiliation and was welcomed warmly. Rabbi A. James Rudin, the AJC's senior interreligious affairs adviser, saw the film at the Orlando screening by paying the $195 registration fee. Rudin, who accurately listed his affiliation as a visiting professor at Saint Leo University, also did not sign the confidentiality agreement.

Mel Gibson and the Judo-Christian myth
By Gilad Atzmon© 8.2.04                                                                    

"I hope and I pray that you will join me in setting an example for all of our brethren; that the truest path to follow, the only path, is that of respect and, most importantly, that of love for each other despite our differences."
(Mr. Mel. Gibson, Hollywood director, responding to a letter from Abraham Foxman, national director of the Jewish Anti-Defamation League who demands some cuts from so-called inflammatory scenes)

"Your words do not mitigate our concerns about the potential consequences of your film - to fuel and legitimise anti-Semitism." (Mr. Foxman's response to Mr. Gibson)

I find myself wondering whether it is possible that Mr. Foxman is really so concerned with the growth of anti- Semitism. In practice, it is his own reaction to Gibson's film that fuels far more anti Jewish feelings than the film itself. In a non-Jewish perspective, Foxman's intervention into aspects of the Christian historical narrative is pretty bizarre. Foxman should know from personal experience: he is far from being enthusiastic about 'holocaust revisionists' interfering with the Zionist official narrative.

From a Jewish point of view, Foxman's reaction doesn't look any better. Foxman's reaction leads towards an association between the contemporary Jew and the biblical mob that put pressure on Pontius Pilate to go ahead with the crucifixion. This is clearly a very dangerous
and irresponsible act.

The fears addressed by Mr. Foxman are confusing.  I would like to state clearly that I don't believe the majority of Jewish people associate themselves with their biblical ancestors. I do not think that gentiles tend to do so either. None of the Jewish people I know feel remotely responsible for Christ's death and what's more none of my Jewish friends have ever been blamed for the killing of Christ.  The majority of Jewish people would never consider exploiting the Israeli racist 'law of return' which welcomes every Jew, wherever he is and whoever he is (even alleged criminals) to settle in Palestine at the expense of the Palestinian people.

But the truth must be revealed; there are some Jews that happily endorse this Israeli open invitation. Those people regard themselves as the offspring of their biblical ancestors. Those Jews are called Zionists. Since the late 19th century they have migrated to Palestine, they have revived the Hebraic
language. They regard themselves as reborn biblical entities. So far it sounds pretty romantic and even heroic but some problems are entangled with this 'new' nationalistic identity. It is expansionist, racist, and fundamentally intolerant not only to its neighbours but to any realisation of peaceful existence. The Zionist endorsement of the biblical lesson is pretty narrow-minded. Somehow it ignores the spiritual and ethical teaching of the Jewish religion while blindly adopting the most brutal interpretation of the biblical notion of conquest.

It should be mentioned that the land of Zion has never been free of indigenous inhabitants, neither in biblical times nor in the late 19th century. This very fact didn't stop the Zionists. On the contrary, fuelled with missionary zeal, they followed their biblical ancestors in the conquest of the holy land. In their new reborn Hebraic terminology they named their violent assault 'redeeming the land', injecting their viciousness  with some historic content. As if an historic repetition is a form of moral justification.

And here we get to the core of Mr. Foxman concerns. Perhaps the Zionist tendency to associate themselves with their ancestors can help us to understand the oppression and the atrocities against the Palestinian people in terms of a repetition of Christ's via dolorosa, the way of suffering.
Apparently the Palestinian people are today's Jesus.

In the film Pilate, the Roman governor of Palestine, says, "Behold the man" displaying the broken and bleeding Jesus to the crowd. But the high priest insists, in Aramaic, "Crucify him." Pilate responds, "Isn't this enough?" The mob roars, "No," and only then does the Roman leader agree to the Crucifixion.

In today's reality the world says, "Behold the man" displaying the broken and bleeding Palestinians asking 'isn't it enough?' The Palestinians, the indigenous inhabitants of the land of 'milk and honey', are now reaching a level of starvation and malnutrition that puts them amongst the populations of the poorest African regions. But the Israeli mob do not care, they roar "No" to requests for mercy. If anything, they want more persecution and misery. Evidently, the popularity of the high priest Sharon rises sharply after each killing of Palestinians. Like their biblical ancestors, the image
of blood fills the Zionist with cheer.


So often the Israeli crowds shout 'death to the Arabs'. The Israeli 'democratically' elected 'priests' whether it be Sharon, Peres, Rabin or Ben Gurion, have managed to perfect the Palestinian's via dolorosa. Everything goes: massacres, legal persecution, financial pressure, continual humiliation, assassinations and now the  'Separation wall'.  From time to time the European community or even the American administration ask like Pilate 'isn't it enough?' but somehow they always give-in and allow the Zionists to continue the outrageous destruction of the Palestinian people.

Mr. Foxman realises very well that such an interpretation of Gibson's film will lead western people towards some rethinking. A pang of conscience towards the Palestinians misery is inevitable. I would guess that Mr. Foxman and his Zionists allies realise that the artificial myth of Judo-Christian
companionship is about to collapse.  Again, it isn't that surprising. A brief reading of the history of those rival beliefs reveals a story rich in bitter conflicts. We are talking here about two distinct worldviews. The differentiation is clearly reflected in the quotes above. While Foxman's reaction is pretty precise, addressing the favourite Jewish topic of economy of hatred, Christianity as it is reflected in Gibson's response is all about "love for each other".


It is more than likely that Gibson's film can lead towards a wide realisation of the role of the Palestinian people, the new Christ, in redeeming the world from its current evil, whether this evil is the Israeli State, the Zionist identity, Bush or Blair. When we acknowledge the crime against the Palestinians we will be ready to bridge the imposed gap between 'West' and 'non West', between 'us' and 'them', between the US and the Arab world.  It is clear that Foxman and his Zionist associates are not too happy about that. They feel far more secure in the corridors of evil, in the
kingdom of endless war and bloodshed.


http://www.gilad.co.uk

.LETTER FOUND IN RENSE.COM RE. TALMUD

Dear Jeff,

 

Mr Gibson has already mentioned the "dark forces" that are at work and it is

exremely likely that the "discussion" requested by the Rabbi and the

layman (read: ADLcorporate lawyer) is the beginning of the Talmudic

offensive...albeit shady and subversive.

 

There is another article on your site that connects to another site

where one has the 'opportunity' to discuss online: the Babylonian Talmud

with Rabbis and the owner of the website. I believe it was linked by

John Kaminski's 'Spiritual Gangsters'. Is this a coincidence??

 

Quite suddenly, we will find that 'they' will USE the Jewishness of Jesus

as a Semitic tool of defense and attempt to firstly pacify, then appease,

and then indoctrinate Christians with the "WE ALL BELONG TOGETHER" philosophy and a "it's just a form of textual misunderstanding" that separates them from the Christians. The 'Talmuddies' have 1971 years of "Devils Advocate" discussion and process argument...Christians have only their belief in the words of both Testaments as they were originally offered to them...notwithstanding interference by the clergy.

 

I think Pope John Paul realises this and that the differences that he has with Mel Gibson over Catholicism will be exploited by "THEM". Divide and Conquer scenario...The Foxmans of this world are running scared.

 

World population: 6,000,000,000

Jewish Population: 14,000,000 which equals (calculator please) =0.23333% or less than a quarter of one percent of the people on the planet.

 

Probably, the good Jews who want no part of "Foxman's Hell on Earth" policy will number over 13 million and these are the people that "The Passion" is NOT directed against. That is the real rationale for Foxman's Fury.

 

I seek no vengeance...just truth

 

Kieth Norman (WelshBrit)

Canada

Here follows a Jewish Christian who wants to continue the Zionist tradition of the claim that every word in the Bible is a historical truth....an outrageous text in my opinion, jocelyn braddell, editor

Take your kids to the movie

by Israel Shamir©Feb.2004

The film of Mel Gibson grows into an important, maybe the important event of the year. There are unpleasant rumours (in the New York Times) that Mr Gibson gave in and decided to censure the Gospel. I hope it is not true, for a man who can give in and cut the Gospel is not worthy to make a film about Golgotha. 'To change even one letter in the Bible is like to destroy the world', says the Jewish wisdom, and I concur: if the Gospel, the most important part of the Bible, tells us of the High Priest of Jews that he accepted his responsibility for the verdict, Mr Gibson is not entitled to change it, even he were to be crucified himself.

Naturally, the High Priest of antisemitism fighters, Abe Foxman, the guy who took bribe from Marc Rich the thief, is not worried about placid American Goyim attacking the innocent Jews. First, it is not bloody likely. Even if the Jews were to crucify Christ today in prime time on CNN, the Americans won't dare to object. Secondly, every attack on a Jew brings cash to Abe Foxman; he thrives on strife. He is worried about something else.

Foxman and other enemies of Gibson's film are worried that the young American kids of some Jewish background, like kids of Vermont Governor Dean, or many of our readers, will see the movie and never again will call themselves 'Jews' anymore. Foxman, Bronfman et al are worried that these kids - and grown ups - will take themselves to the church, while these leaders will remain with assorted retired folk in Florida. Their worries are our hopes.

There many good people who by mistake or by ignorance consider themselves 'Jews'. For this mistake they pay dearly: they are forced to fight against 'the Jews' while supporting the setup. I saw something similar in Russia, where many good people called themselves 'communists' in the days of Brezhnev. They had to justify or condemn invasion of Afghanistan from extremely uncomfortable posiiton. But they had no choice in the USSR of those days. But now, there is no need for any good person to call him/herself a Jew anymore.

The Church always welcomed these good people of Jewish origin to her bosom. They are welcome, and the film of Gibson hopefully will bring them - away from Foxman and Caifa to Christ. But this beautiful plan can’t be implemented by way of ideological and theological compromise. The Church is open for the good people, and the separation of lambs from goats is promised beginning of the Last Judgement. Now, appearance of the Mel Gibson's film provides us with opportunity to separate lambs from goats.
The Scapegoat W.Holman Hunt 1854
letter from Hunt:... The scapegoat in the wilderness by the Dead Sea..Leviticus 16.10.22. describes the Day of Atonement ritual..."and the goat shall bear upn him all their iniquities unto a land not inhabited" (a ritual accompanied by animal sacrifice.)

The Washington columnist Joe Sobran wrote to me:

‘the Mel Gibson's movie is being accused of "antisemitism" just for presenting the Gospel story.  Have you noticed that Christianity, the Catholic Church, the popes, Martin Luther, many of the most eminent Christian authors, and the Gospels themselves are constantly called antisemitic?  But not Jesus himself!  Why not?  Obviously someone is trying to tell us something with all these charges of antisemitism.  Here is a man who antagonized the Jewish authorities of his day, incurring all their fury, and who has inspired TWO THOUSAND YEARS of antisemitism! Why does He get off the hook?  Why don't they just come out and accuse Him?  That's plainly what they're driving at.  So let them say it.  Remember, when they talk about "antisemitism" they're really talking about Jesus Christ.  If they won't say it, we should’.

.Indeed, this film can wake up the American Christians to the supreme sacrifice and glory of Christ. It will bring American 'Jews' to the crown of their long assimilation process - to the Church. It will set them free - for Christianity is freedom, first of all. And then the Holy Land will remain the socle of the Cross, not the base of Antichrist.

ISRAEL SHAMIR