by Kelly Garren
Intern Writer
With the biggest presale in history, supporters and critics have
labeled Mel Gibson’s latest film, “The Passion of the
Christ,” as the most anticipated and controversial film to
hit the big screen.
The film will concentrate primarily on the last 12 hours of Jesus’
life plus an ending sequence that includes the resurrection.
Gibson, in addition to being the director, funded the movie out
of his own pocket, spending reportedly in the ballpark of $25 million.
Although the film has not yet been released, it has elicited a wide
range of responses from several religious communities, including
those in Boone.
Greenway Baptist Church of Boone bought out the Regal Cinema Theater
for a prescreening of the film Tuesday night.
Several churches, such as Cary Alliance, are attending the movie
as a church body.
Cary Alliance also sold 230 discounted tickets at last Sunday’s
service.
Mitchell Gregory, head pastor of Cary Alliance Church, said he expects
a lot of different responses from those who see the film.
“I expect some conversions, I expect there to be some misunderstandings.”
Gregory said. “I expect some to ask some very serious questions,
maybe even reading the gospels for themselves. I also expect there
to be a lot of angry responses as well.”
While Gregory said he does not expect record attendance at Sunday
services he has been praying for the success of the film as an evangelistic
tool and has encouraged his congregation to do the same.
Shannon B. Creighton, a senior marketing major at Appalachian State
University, said Campus Crusade for Christ (CCC), a non-denominational
Christian club is in the process of starting a “buy one get
one free” program. Any member of CCC can buy a ticket and
get another free provided they bring an “unsaved friend.”
Creighton said he does not believe the violent nature of the film
should concern viewers.
“This is a historical event and Mel Gibson is trying to make
it as real as possible.” Creighton said. “Many films
have downplayed the crucifixion but being crucified is a very gruesome
ordeal. I’m hoping that this film will finally give an accurate
representation of what happened to Jesus.”
“I could see how it could be viewed as anti-Semitic,”
Creighton said, “but it’s a historical film. It’s
not meant to bash any group in particular. Besides, it was the Romans
who sentenced him to be crucified, not the Jews.”
Despite the excitement from the Christian community, Barrie J. Schefflin,
a member of the Jewish Student Association (Hillel), said she has
some concern for the safety of the Jewish community.
“One of the major issues among the Jewish community is that
for thousands of years Christians thought that the Jews were solely
responsible for the crucifixion of Jesus. This caused for many Jews
to be slaughtered at the hands of Christians,” Schefflin said.
Schefflin also said she herself has been a victim of persecution
because of her beliefs and is afraid the film will only fuel any
animosity and or bitterness against those of the Jewish faith.
Pagan Student Association member Michael A. Warsop said that he
thinks the reason the film is getting so much publicity is because
“it is the first film of its kind.”
“What
the Bible glosses over in a couple of sentences is about to put
on the big screen in graphic detail in a full feature length film,”
Warsop said.
“I expect that many people will be smitten by the moment,”
Warsop said. “However, I do hope that people are moved and
left with a lasting and life changing experience. Believing in something
is more important than what you believe.”
Warsop said that he does not believe that the film will really result
in much persecution of the Jewish community.
“While there may be a few incidents of persecution this movie
certainly won’t be the driving force behind Jewish persecution.
However, it might fuel the extremist’s looking for an excuse.”
Warsop said.
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