Wednesday, March 10, 2004

‘Passion’ not test for Christians’ true faith

I was very disturbed by the column David Epps wrote about the movie, “The Passion of the Christ.” He makes the assumption that criticizing the movie is equal to hating the source material. I disagree.

As a Christian, I reject the movie for three reasons. First of all, the movie focuses on the wrong aspect of the crucifixion.

As an act of love, God gave us his son, Jesus. It was his destiny to die for our sins, set in motion by the Holy Father. The method of his death bears less significance than the fact of that death, and the symbolism surrounding His death.

To focus solely on the torture and pain is a ghoulish exercise in self-flagellation. Last time I checked, the New Testament didn’t have whole books dedicated to Jesus’ suffering.

The most disturbing part of this is when I hear parents talk about taking their kids to see the movie. If I were a kid, this type of movie would make me have nightmares about Jesus, but maybe that was Mr. Gibson’s intent.

Secondly, I reject your notion that all true Christians must feel as you do, Mr. Epps. And you are not the only one who feels this way. Many Christian leaders have expressed the same view. Only a few have had the courage to voice their concerns with the content of the movie.

Why does it have to be either-or? Why do you feel anyone who refuses to pay money to watch an actor tortured using gruesome special effects must hate Jesus?

Finally, what bothers me the most is the merchandising they are selling for the movie: Cross nail necklaces, T-shirts, and so on. To profit from such a grim trade is, for me, unsettling. I don’t think I want to know the type of people who would buy it.

Kathleen Lanman

Peachtree City, Ga.