Chris is asking me to name the top 3 lies told by the critics of Mel Gibson's movie that have me acting like a pit bull on crack. (Those are my words not his/her) As requested here are the top three:

1) That the movie will cause violence- if you want examples of anti-semitism and violence check out the middle east. Devout Catholics ain't blowing up people and such. Some quotes of people claiming the movie WILL cause violence (I skipped the many, many quotes of people who slyly questioned IF the movie could cause violence):

"When violence breaks out, Mel Gibson will have a much higher authority than professors and bishops to answer to." [emphasis added] The New Republic, July 28, 2003 - August 4, 2003, "Mad Mel," by Paula Fredriksen

"More people will see this film in three months than ever saw the passion plays in Europe through all the centuries. We know those plays rationalized anti-Semitic behavior. We fear this will, too." Detroit Free Press, February 7, 2004; Abraham Foxman

"Of great concern to the Anti-Defamation League [with regard to the film] is the possibility that individuals are more likely to be targets of attack, simply because they are 'different." Seattle Times, February 6, 2004; ADL Fundraising Mailer, quoted by David Klinghoffer

"In an interview about the film, Foxman added, '[Gibson is] hawking it on a commercial crusade to the churches of this country. That's what makes it dangerous." Los Angeles Times, January 23, 2004; Abraham Foxman

"We have good reason to be seriously concerned about Gibson's plans to retell the Passion. Historically, the Passion—the story of the killing of Jesus—has resulted in the death of Jews." New York Post, June 21, 2003; Letter, Ken Jacobson

All of the above quotes came from the Catholic League website. Unfortunately letters to the editors of the major New York papers that I read are not available online and I don't have to time to look for them anyway. However, I remember reading one letter that said "I am SURE this movie will cause bloodshed" and many others have been just as bad. The smarter critics have backtracked from what they originally have said also. Now many are saying the film may not cause bloodshed but may contribute to anti-semitism.

2) That the movie is anti-semitic. This is of course open to interpretation but that is not what many have said. They have flat out called it anti-semitic. Check the same Catholic League website for plenty of quotes on this also.


3) That the movie was not distributed in Jewish or upscale neighborhoods, and would be hard to find in Nassau County. Once again the Catholic League proves this false, but I also pointed out the lies involving Long Island here and here. Since I live here and know what I am talking about, this is the easiest lie to refute. You have to wonder how people can print stuff that is simply not true and never even print a correction.

The above does not mention the attacks on Mel Gibson personally, including the recent rant that he liked to tell jokes, that he "rejects Vatican II teachings" whatever the heck that means, that he dares to kill cattle on his ranch, that he won't discuss his father's big mouth and nuttiness so he must agree with him, that he has the nerve to want to make money on his film, etc.. People have also written extensively how this movie is setting back Jewish-Christian relations, whatever that means, even though it is the actions and words of the movie's critics themselves that is causing harm. Also, people keep claiming that the movie is not 100% scripturally accurate but I don't see where it was claimed to be. Gibson has said from the beginning that he based some of it on Emmerich's writings.

Some small lies:

"The Passion" is now the most expensive vanity production in history." -Roger Friedman again, Please see this article and this one to see how much garbage was packed into Friedman's articles.

"Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" is the most virulently anti-Semitic movie made since the German propaganda films of World War II."--Jami Bernard in the Daily News

As I have pointed out on my blog, the reactions of people indicate a lot of anti-Christian bias. Paul Vitello started interviewing people who watched the film but then stopped because their answers did not conform to any of the preconceived notions he had. People have come out of this film not hating, not doing violence, etc.. And it is very easy to find the film on the north and south shore of Nassau County contrary to Roger Friedman's lies, but it is not easy to get a ticket since it is so popular. I tried once and could not get in, but now I have tickets for tommorrow night. I will go and while I may not "enjoy" the movie, maybe even miss half of it because I can't stand seeing violence, I will be glad to support a Catholic who poured his heart into creating a work of art. I will also be glad to know I am pissing off so many anti-Christian bigots just by making this movie so successful.