When did this happen?

[Guest MikeSC]

OK, kids, what celebrity has been the most controversial this year? Which celebrity has generated the most negative press?

 

Best I can guess, it's been one Mel Gibson.

 

Why? Because he made a religious movie.

 

At what point in our history did people expressing their RELIGIOUS beliefs become so shocking? Why do some on the left view expression of religious beliefs as being offensive, while expression of POLITICAL beliefs are just peachy?

-=Mike

[Guest Brian]

Why do some on the left view expression of religious beliefs as being offensive

 

Muslim extremists.

[Guest Cerebus]

Why do some on the left view expression of religious beliefs as being offensive

 

Muslim extremists.

Gibson is a muslim extremist?

[Guest Brian]

No, but that's essentially why people are so up and arms. That and people take their religous view with such conviction, but the outgrowth of that is extremism. Are there any other set of views (or values) that are harder to change in the human psyche than those of religion?

[Guest Retro Rob]

Best I can guess, it's been one Mel Gibson.

 

Why? Because he made a religious movie.

I think there is just a little bit more to the controvery surrounding Gibson than the fact that "he made a religious movie". He turned the story of Jesus' death into one of the most graphic and repulsive films to ever get released, let alone under a R-rating. The man made a snuff film about religion. In addition, there is also that whole thing about the Jews being portrayed as horrible people in the movie and Gibson's father publically stating his views against the Jewish people as well.

[Your Paragon of Virtue 0]

I hated the movie (I suppose if I wasn't a Christian, I would have just been apathetic).

 

I don't hate Mel though, and don't know many that do.

[Hektik 0]

I think Mel was given a lot of negative press for making this movie. Nobody in America should be hated for just making a movie. They should not attack Mel Gibson, they should attack the bad movie that he made. Halfway through the The Passion I found myself yawning and bored. There were people in the theatre who were crying including a few children. I couldn't believe that there parents took them to this movie. To someone like me, who is not religious, it got very mind numbing and boring. What annoys me is people saying that "christianity is back." All it takes for people to reaffirm their faith is to watch an actor get crucified in a movie. That says a lot about christians and just reinforces my views on many of them.

[Slayer 0]

The man made a snuff film about religion.

You mean they actually killed the actor?

 

 

...I may have to go see that movie after all

[Guest Cerebus]

No, but that's essentially why people are so up and arms. That and people take their religous view with such conviction, but the outgrowth of that is extremism. Are there any other set of views (or values) that are harder to change in the human psyche than those of religion?

So people should be wavering and wishy-washy as opposed to being firm in what they believe in? You're saying there is no line between firm conviction and fanaticism which is just plain wrong.

[Guest MikeSC]

Best I can guess, it's been one Mel Gibson.

 

Why? Because he made a religious movie.

I think there is just a little bit more to the controvery surrounding Gibson than the fact that "he made a religious movie". He turned the story of Jesus' death into one of the most graphic and repulsive films to ever get released, let alone under a R-rating. The man made a snuff film about religion. In addition, there is also that whole thing about the Jews being portrayed as horrible people in the movie and Gibson's father publically stating his views against the Jewish people as well.

Thing is, there wasn't anti-Semitism to any degree in that movie. The criticism of anti-Semitism were vocalized long before the film was released.

 

I'm comparing the treatment "Passion" got in the press to the treatment "Fahrenheit 911" is getting. Both are, to me, equally inflammatory --- but only one got worlds of heat for it.

 

The political film wasn't viewed as negatively as the religious one. And, to answer a question from earlier --- some people hold political beliefs as fervently as religious beliefs. God knows the global warming crowd has a cult-like quality to it.

-=Mike

[Highland 0]

Political correctness reared its ugly head , which was why Mel Gibson was labelled an anit-Semite .

[NoCalMike 0]

I wasn't aware that the Passion of Christ has been the topic of any discussion since it has been released. There was so hub-bub for a week or so after, just like any other movie, then it died and no one cared anymore. Just wait till it gets a little closer to election time, and I am sure the next liberal actor/actress will be accused of commiting treason, hating america, aiding the enemy, bringing comfort to the enemy, rooting for america to lose, hoping more american troops die etc etc etc.......

[Jobber of the Week 0]

OK, kids, what celebrity has been the most controversial this year? Which celebrity has generated the most negative press?

 

Best I can guess, it's been one Mel Gibson.

Sorry buddy, but Janet Jackson. And THAT backlash was from both the left and the right, and that "OMG LOOK AT OUR FILTHY SOCIETY" backlash pissed me off big-time.

 

At what point in our history did people expressing their RELIGIOUS beliefs become so shocking? Why do some on the left view expression of religious beliefs as being offensive, while expression of POLITICAL beliefs are just peachy?

 

Traditionally, it's been the right that stands around outside protesting movies that they've never seen before. While it would not suprise me if Mr Gibson personally is anti-semetic from interviews he's given surrounding the movie's release, I haven't seen his film and I have nothing to say about it.

 

To me, I think the biggest connection between Passion and Moore's movie is that few people would have watched either of them if someone (Jews or Disney) didn't get their panties in a bunch about them.

[Guest Choken One]

I have to agree that Janet's Flabby titty was the bigger celebrity incident this year.

[Guest INXS]

I'm not religious and other people can praise bugs bunny for all I care as long as it's not in my face. Still haven't seen The Passion but have heard that it's a great piece of fiction....

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I'd have to say Janet was the most controversial celeb because her actions have actually resulted in real-world changes regarding broadcast indecency.

 

However, I think Mel got more negative press for his movie. Christ, I sound like John Kerry -- someone shoot me.

 

What I found interesting about Mel's film is that some media elites were "concerned" about the movie's violence, but yet showered the Kill Bills and Eminems with praise for artistic expression...

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

I'm not religious and other people can praise bugs bunny for all I care as long as it's not in my face. Still haven't seen The Passion but have heard that it's a great piece of fiction....

Get some original material kid.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I'm not religious and other people can praise bugs bunny for all I care as long as it's not in my face. Still haven't seen The Passion but have heard that it's a great piece of fiction....

Get some original material kid.

So Jesus didn't die on the cross?

 

And after all those years of Bible School I had to attend. LIES! ALL OF IT!!

 

Good thing I would steal money from the children's collection plate, go down to the nearest Dairy Mart, and buy pop and candy before the adult service. At least it made my time at that place somewhat worthwhile. Although getting a sugar buzz right before having to sit down for an hour's service maybe wasn't the best idea in hindsight...

[Guest Agent of Oblivion]

You're going to hell.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I already had my ticket to Hades before this.

 

And I was just a HELPLESS CHILD at the time -- it wasn't my fault...

[Guest Loss]

Kill Bill was nowhere NEAR as violent as the Gibson movie, for the record.

 

My main criticism with Passions was that they were preaching to they converted. I don't see how you could walk away from that movie knowing *more* about Jesus and his story than you did going in.

 

That, and that they took an easy route by having a handsome, white guy with long hair and a beard play Jesus. I've often wondered how the movie would have been taken if they would have actually made Jesus an ugly Middle Easterner.

[Guest Wildbomb 4:20]

My largest criticism of the Passion came to the portrayal of Pontius Pilate, who seemed far, far too nice for a guy who executed at least 10,000 people in his lifetime. Seemed to be placing more blame on the Jewish people, but hey, you know.

 

If you go into the movie looking for anti-Semitism, you'll find it. On the other hand, the movie is open to its own interpretations. Just like religion: controversial, has its own range of interpretation, and can breed hatred if interpreted the wrong way.

 

I'd have to say Janet Jackson is the one with the most negative publicity, and it really fucking irritates me with the FCC bullshit. The radio station I'm at received a $100,000 fine for replaying a clip from another station because it was considered indecent. And yet the station that originally played the clip received no fine. Gotta love that BS.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

Well that's what you get for broadcasting smut, hippie.

 

What was the clip, btw?...

[TheBigSwigg 0]

Halfway through the The Passion I found myself yawning and bored. There were people in the theatre who were crying including a few children. I couldn't believe that there parents took them to this movie.

I was apathetic through the whole movie, and I'm a Christian. I was amazed at how many kids were in the theater myself. I wouldn't let my kids see it and I believe in Jesus.

 

All it takes for people to reaffirm their faith is to watch an actor get crucified in a movie.  That says a lot about christians and just reinforces my views on many of them.

 

I go to a Christian school and some people were crying in class talking about how real it was and my first thought was "Shit, people are gonna treat this like this is exactly how it happened." I hate to admit it, but a majority of Christians are simple minded, gullible, and easily influenced. We're sheep.

 

And yes, I agree that Mel Gibson's getting more shit than Janet. The boob controversy is over and you can still hear people talking about Mel and his movie on occasion.

[kkktookmybabyaway 0]

I go to a Christian school and some people were crying in class talking about how real it was

And they would know how?...

[2GOLD 0]

The only reason I talk about Mel is because it's obvious he has snapped. Michael Moore can't ever hope the catch the insanity running through the mind of Mel right now. He is becoming Riggs from Lethal Weapon, only a helluva lot less funny.

 

As for the Passion, WOW A JESUS MOVIE DID WELL! I mean, come on. Mel Gibson + Jesus= Money. The thing that shocked me most is people treating the success of Passion as a big surprise. It was like a TBN movie hitting the big screen. All it needed as Kirk Cameron and Willie Ames running around in his Bibleman outfit to complete the package. It was a cute little film, a non-stop laugh riot.

 

Sorry, love Jesus but that was a movie. Not even a good movie. Just kinda there. If your life is changed by watching an actor pretending to be Jesus having his ass kicked for two hours then you have your own little S&M problems you need to look into.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

What I found interesting about Mel's film is that some media elites were "concerned" about the movie's violence, but yet showered the Kill Bills and Eminems with praise for artistic expression...

I guess you weren't reading the SF Chron.

 

For three days, they were doing hatchet jobs on Kill Bill. It actually got so bad that I wrote a letter to them and nearly sent it in before realizing that, yeah, I wasn't going to see the movie so I probably shouldn't care THAT much.

[TheBigSwigg 0]

I go to a Christian school and some people were crying in class talking about how real it was

And they would know how?...

That's my point.

[Jobber of the Week 0]

URLs to prove what I was talking about above:

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?...DTL&type=movies

 

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file...LVGQ82L4CU1.DTL

 

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file...EDG9P2GBAM1.DTL

 

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file...EDGB22EFFU1.DTL

 

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file...15/DD101138.DTL

 

 

That was much worse than anything Passion received. LaSalle gave Passion the "man sitting at attention" icon, which is a 3 out of 5. However, his hate mail on Kill Bill was pretty good if nothing else:

 

Dear Mick LaSalle: How dare you bash such a magnificent work ("Kill Bill: Volume 1")? Quentin Tarantino's masterpiece is amazing on so many different levels, levels that a certain hack writer did or could not perceive. I hope a pack of feral badgers rips you in two, you hack.

REN BERGMANN

Columbus, Ohio

 

Dear Ren Bergmann: Thank you for your incisive commentary about levels and all that. As for the badgers, they keep trying, but their teeth are so tiny.

[Corey_Lazarus 0]

"Dude, look, just give us back our $18."

 

I haven't seen Passion yet. I'm a Gibson fan. I'm a fan of Jim Caviezel, and have been since Frequency. I even watched a fucking ASHLEY JUDD movie because Caviezel is such a good actor. But Passion? I doubt I'll see it until it either comes on HBO or somebody I'm hanging out with rents it. Why?

 

Too much hype, and from every review I've read or heard from people I know that weren't Bible-thumpers said it was boring. I also want to know how people can say it's "so real" when Jesus, in actuality, was a Middle Easterner, and records were not kept of all of the things that actually happened to him.