The Passion of the Christ   is not an anti-Semitic film.  But some people just won't leave it alone.

You have probably read about the early report of anti-Semitism by a group of Jewish and Christian scholars based on a stolen script. It’s likely that you have heard of the negative review given after a viewing of a bootleg copy of the film was arranged by The New York Post.  The story of Abraham Foxman of the Anti Defamation League [ADL] sneaking in to see the film in order to confirm his fears that the film will incite anti-Semitic behavior is also circulating.

Why won't they leave it alone? Anti-Semitism is a serious accusation and one that we should not dismiss lightly.  However, in the case of The Passion of the Christ, the accusation is unfounded.  The facts simply do not support it.

10 Reasons Why The Passion of the Christ does NOT promote anti-Semitism :

1] Respected Jewish authorities who are not part of the ADL have pointed out the hypocrisy of the ADL’s position.

2] Respected Christian leaders like Billy Graham, James Dobson, Charles Colson, Cardinal Francis George and many, many more who are supportive of  the Jewish people are unanimous in their praise of the film.

3] The involvement of the Jewish Pharisees in the plot to have Jesus killed is a biblical fact.

4] This biblical fact is verified by the Jewish Talmudic writings as pointed out by noted Jewish author and historian David Klinghofer.

5] Showing the involvement of Jews in a  first century event should have no bearing on treatment of Jews in the 21st century.

6] People seeing this film will not be motivated to hate the Jews since Jesus, while on the cross, said "forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."

7] In one of the flashbacks of the film, Mel Gibson shows Jesus teaching his followers to love their enemies.

8] The blame for the death of Jesus is not placed on the Jews alone.  In fact, Gibson skillfully shows the involvement of Satan, Judas, Peter, the Romans, God the Father, and you and me and the sins of the whole world.

9] The film shows that no one took Jesus' life from Him, but He freely gave it up for you and me and the whole world, including His chosen people, the Jews.

10] This movie does not inspire hatred, but love, appreciation and thankfulness.

The Underlying Reason Why They May Not Leave This Accusation Alone

Though the overt criticism of the film is potential anti-Semitism, a close inspection points out that the criticism is more a liberal agenda than a Jewish agenda.  Recent articles make it clear that the ADL are proponents of a pro-choice position, in favor of gay marriage, and want to preserve religious pluralism.    By religious pluralism they do not mean the ability to co-exist, but that all religions are basically equal and no religion should be able to make claims of absolute truth.  These are not Jewish positions but liberal positions.

The bottom line is that critics of the film are critical of the claim that Jesus Christ was and is the Son of God.  The Passion of the Christ clearly claims that Jesus is Lord.  The film should not be censored for that belief.

One Final Voice

In December, the Vatican news service Zenit interviewed Father Augustine Di Noia, Dominican priest, respected theologian and undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for the Doctrine of the Faith.  Asked about the charge of anti-Semitism he replied "as a Catholic theologian, I would be bound to condemn anti-Semitism or anti-Judaism in any recounting of the passion and death of Christ -- and not just because of the terrible harm that has been done to Jewish people on these grounds, but also because this represents a profound misreading of the passion narratives.  But let me answer your question plainly: There is absolutely nothing anti-Semitic or anti-Jewish about Mel Gibson's film."
There are a lot of opinions circulating about The Passion of the Christ.   For the latest articles, discussion and live chat go to www.thelife.com .   Explore The Passion of the Christ and decide for yourself.