With all the hoopla over this movie I was just curious to see who is going to see it, and has anybody's church groups bought tickets for it. I wasn't going to see it until last night when I saw The Making of the Passion on PAX tv, and it looks to be a very good movie that is based on the scripture. The women though that they have playing satan is VERY scary, no hair and these weird eyes!

I've heard that a lot of church groups have bought up a bunch of tickets. Do you realize that a lot of the movie is subtitled? Seems they have Christ speaking in the native Aramaic language, as a lot of the other actors. They wanted it to be more realistic.

Anyhow, I'll probably go see it, as agnostic as I am, it does look very interesting. But, I'm going to wait until the crowds thin out a little, before I go.

I'm anxious to see it, don't care about the subtitles though. Just think it's amazing that these actors learned their script in Aramaic and Latin, two languages that aren't even spoken even more. I heard on the Today Show though that Mel Gibson is real traditional Catholic, and that's why he decided to do the movie in Latin. I bet with all of this publicity that it'll be a big box-office hit.

Went to a catholic school 1st - 5th grade; don't need to see it. The nuns made sure we we aware of every last step Jesus took between Palm Sunday and Good Friday, and then Easter. Believe me, nuns can be quite graphic, too. Not the least bit interested, and wish that they would stop all the commercials for it on the TV.

I'm going to see it. I normally wait for movies to come on PPV, but I think this movie will be best in the theater.

Don't care about it.Don't plan on seeing it.What gets me is the fact that maybe one person who was "looking" for something bad to say about the movie,their opinion about anti-semitism is latched onto and the next thing you know groups are up in arms! Amazing!It's not being advertised as a documentry.It's someone's interpretation of their christian beliefs. As most movies are someone's interpretation of other books and plays,etc.Mel's laughing all the way to the bank!

I heard that they deleted one part that was entirely scriptural because of the concerns of some who claimed it would foment anti-semitism. Besides that, it's supposedly the most biblically-accurate depiction to hit the big screen. But I'm so sick and tired of seeing the Gospel compromised again and again. It's the Truth that sets us free. Maybe one day somebody will have the courage to speak it.

Still, I'll probably go see it.

Has anybody seen it in at any of the pre-release viewings? Does it end at the cross, or at the empty tomb? I have my preferences, but it will be interesting to see what the producers have chosen to do.

Well I couldn't believe that Andy Rooney said Mel Gibson just did it for the money, and he said something else about Gibson but can't remember what it was. In my opinion if Mel Gibson was in it for the money why would he pay for it with his own cash, some of these new people really need to get a grip. Plus would someone please explain to me why Hollywood and the media hate anything that is pro-Christian.

In large part, those industries oppose Christianity because their financial success is largely based on the promotion of greed, lust, violence, war, etc.

The leaders of those industries are anti-Christian for the same reason most others are, which is in part the same reason that most Christians chose to accept Christ. Because they are under such conviction by the Holy Spirit that they cannot stand it. Many Christians found themselves in the same position, and in many cases fought vehemently against the Spirit's conviction, before we finally took the only truly effective action.

P.S. - Rooney went further than that. While he was exaggerating as only he can, he said that God told him that Mel Gibson and Pat Robertson were "wacko".

Yes, I am going to go see it...I want to see if it is close to the scriptures..
Hollywood--if the movie was about gay rights/holocaust/black suppression--they would be praising it--but since it is about boring ole christianity--they hate it--
with a Passion...

Just read in this morning's Herald-Mail where all the church groups have bought up huge amounts of tickets to give/sell to their congreants. One of the theaters in Hagerstown is sold out until March 6th.

Okay, let me get this straight. The Churches are buying up tickets to give to their members to see the film. People who already give their faith to this Holy Trinity. People who already accept the Church's God and Jesus Christ as their Saviour.

Dontcha' think the churches should be doing their outreaches and ministerings to the masses who don't accept their God as the all omnipotent King of Kings? Dontcha' think this would be a prime opportunity to convert the heretics and nay-sayers? Shouldn't those that believe in this, be giving/selling those tickets to those that doubt what the Bible says, and what Christianity purports to teach? Isn't this the PERFECT opportunity to reign in the flock?

Naw, no chance. No way. Those that are first to preach religion and attempt to convert the masses are grabbing those tickets for themselves. The opportunity to convert the heretics and non-believers is wasted on their own selfish motives.

I don't think a movie would convert a non-believer, but these churches instead of buying up all of these tickets should maybe buy a private showing so that other people can go see the movie. To tell you the truth from what I read most of the churches buying up the tickets are the non-mainstream churches and the Baptist churches, while the Catholics, Methodist, Lutherans etc aren't doing that.

I don't think a movie is going to "convert" anyone either WVU-M. And you make a good point over which churches are buying up the tickets. Seems the "charismatic" churches are the ones buying the tickets.

All in all, I do think they are jumping the gun on buying up all these tickets without having actually viewed the movie first. Suppose the movie does not portray their church's philosophy? Suppose there is something in there that goes against all that they teach? Then what?

Right also, if they want to buy up tickets and have a discussion period afterwards, why not arrange a private showing?

That's not quite what I've heard.

From what I've heard and read, the idea is for church members to invite their non-believing friends, neighbors and family members. Surely there are lots of people who would never enter a church but who would be willing to go to the theater to watch one of the most controversial movies of all time for FREE. Being there as a group, there's greater opportunity for answering the questions that the movie is sure to raise in those who may be led to a decision. Supposedly these group purchases are intended to take maximum advantage of the witnessing opportunity that the movie brings.


Then again, it's no surprise that the bulk of the most interested folks are going to be Christians. With the amount of interest in it, it's not going to be out of the theaters antytime soon, so I really don't think that anyone is being harmed. I for one can't stand big crowds, so I'm not going to see it until the crowds really die down anyway.

P.S. - Provided that the film is as Biblically accurate as everyone seems to be saying, denominational differences will not be an issue at all.

P.S.S. - one of the biggest chruch groups to go to a preview was from Boonsboro's Mt. Nebo - UNITED METHODIST - Church.

Thanks for clearing that up BMIC. I just couldn't believe that many of the churches would pass up a great opportunity to introduce people to their religions.

I have my own view of religion. My own belief in a supreme being. I find biblical "history" merely interesting. From an intellectual perspective, I'm looking forward to seeing this portrayal of Jesus Christ.

But first, I will be attending Jesus Christ Superstar at the Washington County Playhouse!

BMIC, you got to admit though that the non-denominational and Baptist churches are the biggest buyers of the tickets, even if Mt. Nebo UMC bought a lot of tickets. You don't hear about the more traditional churches like the Catholic, Lutheran, or Episcopalian churces buying up tickets. Not that I really care, I just think instead of the church buying the tickets for a regular show they should pay for a private viewing. Plus, like Yossarian said in his post how do these churches know if this movie will even fit into their philosophy.

For all of its flaws as far as biblical accuracy goes, I love that one. It never fails to bring tears to my eyes. I find it deeply moving, and what grooovy music!

WVU,

As a Fundamentalist Indepent Baptist, I have my opinions about why certain denominations may be more or less interested in the movie. But I will say no more about that, because I still have a lot of respect for them in spite of our differences. I recognize and appreciate that there are so many basic fundamentals of the faith that we all share.

The story of the passion is so basic to all of Christianity that I really don't think that any Christian churches will have a big problem with it. Think too of my opinon above of Jesus Christ Superstar. I could poke so many holes in it as far as biblical accuracy goes, but it's still so moving that I can overlook the inaccuracies.

However, one problem I may have simply has to do with the limited scope of the The Passion of the Christ. As evidenced by the number of folks worrying about anti-semitism, it's important to look at the entirety of Christ's life, death and resurrection.

The passion is an important part, but it's only a part of the story which overall shows Jesus' love and care for His, the Jewish people. The opposition Jesus faced was from the corrupt leadership, not the masses of Jews to whom He ministered. We have to keep in mind that the triumphal entry into Jerusalem came first.

He said Mel was" MAD" (crazy) Did you know Andy was a Atheist.

No I didn't GMAN, but after what he said that doesn't surprise me. I just can't believe Hollywood and the media are complaining that the movie is too violent, after all the violence they've put out in past years. I also don't see how it'll spark anit-semitism, when major religious leaders in the Christian community have come out and said that the Jews didn't kill Jesus, but that he died for us.

Sometimes I disgust myself!

Rather than even beginning to think negatively about other denominations, I should have further proof.

Would somebody please provide a link to the hard data which supposedly proves that ticket sales have been dominated by any particular Christian denomination or denominations over others? And I do mean hard data. Not the written opinion of the liberal media, whose interest has always been in fomenting conflict amongst Christians.

Since it is Easter, I ordered this movie this week and watched it yesterday. I'm not religious at all and mostly agnostic. That being said, it was still a powerful movie that I thoroughly enjoyed.

If you're inclined to believe, I can see where this movie would be heartening to your beliefs. To see what Jesus went through for his people has to bolster your faith.

For the religious folks, how accurate was the movie, compared to the the scriptures? From my Sunday school days, I seem to remember them putting the death of Jesus all on Pontius Pilate. In the movie, it puts it on the Jewish (??) holy men, with Pontius Pilate being somewhat sympathetic to Jesus. I guess that's where the anti-Semitic accusations came from?



PS - Sorry for being a year late for the buzz on this movie...I just got around to watching.

I actually watched the movie for the first time back in early February, a year after it came out in the theatres. I thought it was pretty good, not nearly as violent as I thought, and taught me a lot more about the Passion than I had known before. In fact last night when I was at a Good Friday service I actually understood it a lot more.