Mel Gibson’ “Passion” Creates Controversy

Rod O’Neal

Mel Gibson’s controversial new film “The Passion of The Christ” has created quite a stir.
The film has been depicted as being “anti-Semitic” and excessively violent. The film details the final 12 hours of the life of Christ.

On the movie’s opening day, it grossed over $26 million dollars giving it the fifth largest Wednesday debut ever, despite its R-rating.

Initially there was concern over the alleged anti-Semitism but the biggest complaint since opening has been the extreme violence. In Wichita, Kansas a 56-year old woman died after watching the crucifixion scene.

“I think the real objection to the movie for most folks is the level of violence in the movie,” said RU Religion Professor Dr. Jeff Scott. “Mel Gibson’s movie ‘The Passion of The Christ’ has been called by even Catholic scholars as a high class slasher movie because of the level of violence in the film.”

Despite the violence and controversy, the movie continues to be a huge draw earning $76.2 million in its first weekend.

New Market Films, the distributor of the film, has used an unusual marketing technique. Websites have been set up for student-use to spread the word about the film and even contains promotional materials that can be downloaded. Gibson hopes the movie and website will be used for further study into the life of Christ and Christianity as a whole.

Official Website
http://www.thepassionofthechrist.com

Student Website
http://www.studentshavepassion.com

Church Resources
http://www.thepassionoutreach.com