BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Film | Bible belt devoted to Christ film
We’re weird about religion in the US – in some cases (as stated elsewhere in this blog) very weird.
I’ve been keeping an eye on the controversy surrounding this film. The furor reminds me of the one surrounding “The Last Temptation of Christ,” but as I vaguely recall, the more fundamentalist wing of the US religious spectrum (cough) was up in arms about that film and demonstrated against it.
They seem to lurve the idea of this film, because it apparently toes their line of dogma(or has the reputation of toeing their line of dogma). The purchase of group tickets in large blocks is getting a lot of press – the mainstream denominations (which seem to get a lot less press these days than the more colorful fundamentalist ones) don’t seem to be jumping on the “group movie night” concept.
I’m not sure I’m in favor of “groupthink” for religious belief extending to “let’s all see this movie together that we already agree is from our point of view and validates our position.”
In fact, I’m sure I’m not in favor of it (seeing as I belong to a faith that tries to welcome many different liturgical styles, at least I’m consistent). So I’m in the “viewing with alarm” camp on the “Passion” controversy – actually, probably in the “not viewing” camp, but then if I don’t see this film, how can I effectively criticise it? David does not want to see it – it goes totally against the grain for his orthodox agnosticism. So if I see this film at all, it will be either alone or with a friend. I like the actor they cast.. on the other hand, Mel Gibson’s views on faith and reproduction are a bit… off-putting for a high church-liberal Episcopalian like me.
I’m interested to see how the foreign press tries to explain to their readers/viewers just what the big fuss is about.
