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CCCJ - Canadian Council of Christians and Jews

Media Release re “The Passion of the Christ”

February 25, 2004
Amanda L. Sherrington, National Executive Director

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Over the past half century, Canada’s Christian and Jewish communities have worked tirelessly to develop respect, understanding and appreciation for each others’ beliefs and values. Side-by-side, religious and lay leaders from both faiths have studied text, reviewed historical documents, examined critical thinking, and engaged in dialogue. Through their efforts, and the efforts of ordinary citizens, Canada stands proudly as a leader in the advancement of Christian-Jewish relations both within our own community and on the global stage.

There is widely documented concern that the release of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ may cause a setback to Christian-Jewish relations. There is also anxiety that Mr. Gibson’s graphic film may ignite anti-Jewish feelings among some Christians at a time when a new and virulent wave of anti-Semitism is on the rise worldwide and when Jews in many parts of the world are feeling vulnerable and uneasy.

Martin Scorsese (who directed his own film about Jesus: The Last Temptation of Christ) wrote: “Movies are a door to knowledge: knowledge of society and its prejudices, knowledge of history, knowledge of art.”­ It is a cliché to state that a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, but here the cliché may be appropriate. Mr. Gibson’s film is devoid of background or historical perspective. In the absence of any context for these 12 hours, Mr. Gibson’s interpretation may lead some movie-goers to a viewpoint that has been formally and strongly repudiated by various church groups in recent years. Tragically, portrayals of the Passion throughout the centuries have often been a catalyst for horrific acts of anti-Semitism. Recognizing the particular power of movies, and the celebrity status of Mr. Gibson, it is prudent for us to be mindful at this time of recent church doctrines that not only include forceful, unequivocal and unambiguous statements prohibiting Christians from attributing the blame for the death of Jesus to the Jewish people, but that also recognize and celebrate Christianity’s Jewish roots.

It is Mr. Gibson¹s contention that this film is as true to the story as possible, that his sources are impeccable and his motives pure. Theologians and historians have weighed in on the accuracy of The Passion of the Christ even in advance of its release and their reflections are forming the basis for a welcome dialogue between people who seek mutual respect, understanding and reconciliation. Mr. Gibson has stated that: “My intention for this film was to create a lasting work of art and to stimulate serious thought and reflection among diverse audiences of all backgrounds.” It would be wise for us to remember that this is indeed a work of art, not of history or theology, and that it represents Mel Gibson¹s personal interpretation of the last 12 hours of Jesus. Significant an achievement as this may be, it is not the whole story.

For Christians, the Passion story is a source of life, love and devotion. For Jews, it has often been a source of fear and apprehension. As our two communities together grapple with this new cinematic telling of the story, let us help each other to understand our different perspectives.

CCCJ continues to work tirelessly to build on the solid foundation of education and interfaith dialogue that has so benefited our communities and the Canadian community as a whole in recent decades. Let us respect our differences, celebrate what unites us and move forward in friendship toward our shared goals.

The United Church of Canada issues statement on Lent and
The Passion of The Christ

TORONTO, Feb. 24 /CNW/ - February 25 is Ash Wednesday and marks the beginning of Lent. For the people of The United Church of Canada, together with many Christians, Lent is a time of reflection, prayer, and personal and community self-examination preparing for the celebration of Easter. However it seems that this Ash Wednesday much of North America's attention is focused on the opening of Mel Gibson's film The Passion of The Christ.

Some Christians hope that the film will usher in a spiritual awakening and a turning to Jesus unparalleled in our time. At the same time many have raised serious concerns that, intentionally or not, the film may fuel growing antisemitism by the way Jews and Jewish leaders are depicted as key players in Jesus' death. Moreover, even other groups are concerned that the film, while purporting to be "authentic" and historically accurate, glorifies violence and suffering to such an extent that it distorts the truth and meaning of Jesus' suffering and death.

The United Church of Canada vigorously condemns antisemitism and at the meeting of the 38th General Council this past summer declared that antisemitism and anti-Judaism are affronts to the gospel. The statement also rejected all teaching of a theology of contempt towards Jews and Judaism. We therefore urge all those who see the film to bring this perspective to bear: Jewish leaders did not kill Jesus, the Roman Empire did.

Nothing about Jesus' life or death should ever be used to injure or defame the Jewish people.

United Church people seeing the film and reflecting on their faith this Lent are also invited to question the meaning and interpretation of violence and suffering as presented by Gibson, says the Rev. Bruce Gregersen, General Council Minister for Programs for Mission and Ministry.

"There is no doubt that Jesus died a violent death at the hands of the Romans. But the unrelenting and excessive focus on Jesus' suffering, apart from his life and ministry, and separated from the lives of all those suffering under the Romans, runs the risk of glorifying violence and celebrating suffering," adds Gregersen.

Gregersen comments that "The film could give the impression that suffering and sacrifice are the only way to win God's love. We do not worship a sadistic God who is satisfied or appeased by sacrifice and blood. Jesus' suffering in fact comes from his standing with the poor and the oppressed, not to pay a debt for human sin. As a church we believe that God is present to all who suffer and that God does not desire suffering in any form."

"This Lent we are invited to consider Jesus' suffering as a powerful sign of God's love and care for the socially marginalized, the victims of torture, oppression, and injustice. Jesus loved, healed, and stood with those who suffered. He died as one of them and in doing so brought hope through God's redeeming love for all those who suffer injustice," adds Gregersen. "Jesus' resurrection reveals this powerful love, which embraces all people and is stronger than any empire."

Gregersen explains that Lent is a time of reflection. "Jesus' passion should lead us to reflect on those who in our own time suffer oppression, torture, marginalization, and die from poverty and violence. Jesus showed God's love for them. We are called to do the same today. When people witness the suffering of Jesus in The Passion of The Christ, the United Church calls on them to see through that suffering the people Jesus loved and loves and to witness to hope by sharing God's love and in seeking justice," says Gregersen.

For further information: Mary-Frances Denis, Communications Officer, The United Church of Canada, (416) 231-7680 ext. 2016 (business), (416) 766-0057 (residence)

Statement on Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ
Christian Jewish Dialogue in Montreal (CJDM)

Like all art works based on historical events, Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of the Christ may create the illusion that it faithfully reproduces the details of Jesus’ Passion with its cruelty and violence. Viewers may be left with the impression that without the Jews, these things never would have happened. We, members of the Christian Jewish Dialogue in Montreal, are concerned that this rendering of the Passion may foster misunderstandings between Christians and Jews and nourish anti-Semitism.

While the events in the Passion are central to Christian faith, elements of their portrayal, particularly in popular passion plays, have often been theologically and morally as well as historically problematic. Whatever the intentions of their producers, such plays have tended to portray Jews collectively as killers of Christ. They have fomented hatred and violence toward Jews. We hope this film will not leave impressions supporting such attitudes.

In the wake of the Holocaust (the Shoah), and in the light of scholarly research, the Roman Catholic Church and all major Protestant denominations have officially rejected the accusation of deicide and collective Jewish guilt for the death of Jesus. Today, where there is ample evidence that anti-Semitism is on the rise, these teachings take on new urgency.

We call on Christian leaders in the Montreal area to affirm publicly their churches’ current teachings on appropriate portrayals and interpretations of the Passion and to make these teachings readily available to the general public. We urge the film’s viewers to evaluate it as one perspective on the Passion, and to form their own opinions based on study of the gospels enlightened by the insights of biblical scholars today. We encourage all people to recognize the concerns that this film raises, and to respond with justice, honesty and compassion. These attitudes have made possible the enormous progress in Christian-Jewish relations over the past forty years.

Jean Duhaime, CJDM president, February 25, 2004

The Christian - Jewish Dialogue of Montreal is a group of representatives of different sponsoring organizations, duly incorporated as a not-for-profit corporation, who meet on a regular basis in order to build and strenghten trust between Christian and Jewish communities.

The following websites provide useful information on this topic:
Canadian Jewish Congress: www.cjc.ca
Christian Jewish Learning Center at Boston College: www.bc.edu/research/cjl
Communications et Société: www.officecom.qc.ca/GibsonPassion.html