Passion or Commercialization of the Christ?

[Homer]

Who would have thought that millions of people would flock to theaters to relive one of the most horrific homicides of our time?

Heck I read the book; I don’t need to see the movie. I think the only reason people are going to see this movie (obviously because of the media press), but to satisfy their own satiable lust for violence and death. I also believe that these people lining up to see this movie would have had front rows at the live event!

What really sickens me the most about the whole thing is how several churches are using this as a means to promote/advertise their churches…

I can’t wait for the action figures to be released!!!

[D1]

I beg to differ about the ONLY people going to see it having front row seats for the live event.......most of the people going to see it,as far as I have heard,are God fearing folks who have said it REALLY changed thier opinion of what our Lord and savior really went through.

From what I have heard people are getting thier hearts in order to met him(Jesus) face to face after seeing this movie

[Bustin' Ducks]

Haven't seen it yet..but am wanting to go soon...

[Homer]

D1 I hear what your saying… I guess for me it didn’t take a move to restore/understand what it meant to have nails driven through my hands and then be hung by them (and may I note this is just one facet of it).

It’s like all the LSU fans this year after the championship… let’s all jump on the bandwagon. Let’s go see the movie and get our T-shirts weez all goin ta haven!!!

All the sensationalism I guess is what bothers me…where were all these people last month.

Maybe it is a good thing?? I just find it really surreal…

[lab-dog 4]

Can't wait the see the movie, and I think that it's release could not have come at a better time considering what is going on in our country and world today. All the gay marrige junk, murders and rapes and such. Maybe it'll be a reality check for some people who don't know Him, or at least have some type of positive influence in their life. I understand that we get caught up in our worldly lives and put what's really important on the back burner. Maybe this what America needs is just a movie, but a powerful one. Hopefully it'll put ole hell bound hollywood in check to. lab-dog

[Unlucky Ducky]

Bull Butter........I'll tell you where some of the folks seeing the movie last month were, LOST. Yeah you can look at this movie in many ways, but the one I'm chosing is this movie is a great thing. If this movie can lead one person to know Jesus Christ then, we as Christians should be happy and over joyed. If we claim to be Christians, yet take a judgemental attitude about the movie, who sees it, why they see it, then what kind of message are we sending.
I for one will be seeing it Friday night and I hope it re-affirms my faith and makes it stronger.

[mudsucker]

Where does the LSU fan comparison come from? I've been an LSU fan for 40 years. Do not see the connection to what our Lord Jesus Christ went through for sinners such as us.

[Money]

Hey bullbutter, speaking of bandwagons, you still ridin' that big orange one or are you claiming utmartin yet ?


Damn water of course ! (Where the ducks were, by the way.)

[Homer]

Mud bouy...

I was attempting to use this as a bandwagon jumping Parallel ya know...If your a die hard LSU fan then you should understand. Or did you just become one after the first of the year... like millions of others!! Seems like "believers" are coming out of the wood work these days...eh

So is it just cool for the moment...? Not that there is anything wrong with that. To me it just seems really strange the way churches are advertising along with this phenomenon... It's like "crimus" in July!!!

I just don't need a movie to help me realize where I am spiritually.... Don't get me wrong, I am not "knocking" anyone for using this as a their means of spiritual supercharge.

And Note:
There has been an LSU flag on my front porch for the last 4 years... They own my team for the moment, otherwise the Big Orange would be out there (my wife is an LSU grad)....

[Wingman]

This is what Mel Gibson told "Today's Christian Woman":

"Film has the power to leave you with a set of images or feelings that may make you look further. It's a jumping-off place. This movie is about faith, hope, love and forgiveness. If it stirs those things up in people, it will be a success. I hope the film makes people ask questions and maybe even want to read-or reread- the Book."

TCW: One concern for families is the film's violence.

Gibson: "I don't recommend it for children younger than 13. But I intentionally pushed that edge to show the enormity of Christ's sacrifice. Jesus could have done what he did for us with a finger peepee. Instead, he chose to go all the way for us."

What if one lost person, never having read the Bible or been to church or even heard of Jesus, hears all of the media hype....goes to the movie to see what the whole buzz is about...and ends up giving his life to Christ?

Wingman

[Homer]

[quote="Schlater"]Hey bullbutter, speaking of bandwagons, you still ridin' that big orange one or are you claiming utmartin yet ?


Hech yes Schlater bouy....I gotta be! I guess your back to being a Bull Dog fan eh... since now they seem to be a winnin!! Are you still a totin' that dog cussin chainsmokin old man eh?

What the heck is a "SkY hawk" for pete's sakes!!

All I gotta say is my sheep skin reads: The University of Tennessee! Who cares if I was out in the cow pasture... we had Reel Foot Lake 20 minutes away!!! Slab ode the Crappie! Ducks Galore!!! YEEEE Hawwlllll!!!

I have more Reel Foot stories... but I'll save them for another stirin!!!

[D1]

AMEN LAB DOG

HOMER alot of people jumped on the BAND WAGON after 9/11 but got of after about 2 weeks.......I THINK this movie is going to make alot of CHRISTIANS and totally lost people come to face facts about where they stand with Jesus

[ducman77]

I guess I was the first on the wagon because I was at the first showing at the movies in greenwood. I believe everyone should go and see the movie. The movies was sold out in about 10 min. and during the whole movie not a word was spoken by anyone in the crowd.

[RedEyed Duck]

Homer if I am reading your posts correctly (and I may not be) it does sound like you are "knocking" those that are recently so called christians in your book as a result or just in time for the movie. Glad that I don't attend your church, you must not get to sit in the lower level (compared to the balcony) until you have been there for 4 years or more. I my friend, am glad to hear that this movie is touching people regardless of where they have been their entire life. Isn't it all about winning people over to christ? I didn't realize that you had to be on the team for several years just to get in the gates. Sorry, but that is my .02 cents.............

[GulfCoast]

All the sensationalism I guess is what bothers me…where were all these people last month.

Glad you asked. The vast majority of the 200 people who saw it with me were all in First Presbyterian last month. The remainder of the people who waited in line for 2 hours with me were in Sacred Heart Catholic Church, OLV Catholic Church or First Baptist Church last month. I know because we all rented the theatre togather. Can't speak to any of the others who saw it anyplace else.