Religion Writers Praise, Pan Gibson's 'Passion'

By: Joe Strupp As film critics weigh in this week with their reviews of the controversial Mel Gibson production "The Passion of the Christ," religion writers who finally got a chance to see the movie are offering reactions that span the spectrum.

From the Chicago Tribune writer who called it "shallow" and "a bunch of violence" to The Plain Dealer (Click for QuikCap) scribe who deemed it sensitive to concerns of anti-semitism, those who regularly cover faith and spirituality issues were far from united in their responses.

"It was clearly made for its shock value," said Geneive Abdo, religion writer for the Tribune, who did not attend one of the dozens of media screenings set up Monday, instead choosing to attend a viewing held by Relevant Radio. "It has nothing about a spiritual transformation."

Abdo also said most of the audience was reluctant to comment on the film. "They were either too shocked to respond or just wanted to absorb what was on the screen," she explained.

David Briggs of the Plain Dealer in Cleveland said the film seemed to remain true to the facts as told in the Gospel, while also keeping much of the focus on Christ accepting the inevitable.

"It is within the bounds of reason how it is portrayed," Briggs said. "He showed some sensitivity to the concerns of anti-semitism. You have Christ saying 'I did this of my own accord' -- that Christ knew he had to do this and it is absurd to blame any group of people."

Having watched the film with a group of Catholic and Jewish scholars, Briggs said they had mixed views, but mostly came away from the film with a positive approach to a better understanding of the events it depicted. "They saw it as offering a positive dialogue," he said.

Ann Rodgers, religion writer for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, also thought the film offered a fair depiction. "I think that, although it contains some vestiges of the old-style anti-Semitic passion plays (such as the temple authorities bribing other Jews to testify against Jesus), Gibson was not trying to make an anti-Semitic film," she said following a Monday screening.

"It's the Roman soldiers who are the real sadists in the piece, and Gibson goes out of his way to emphasize that Jesus is going to his death willingly as part of a divine plan," Rodgers said. "He is in no way trying to blame 'the Jews.'"

Two religion writers who viewed the film Monday, Alan Cooperman of The Washington Post and Michael Paulson of The Boston Globe, were reluctant to offer extensive opinions, asking that their reporting on the film speak for itself.

"I was struck by the amount of violence in the film, which seemed to be mostly meditated on the suffering and torture of Jesus" is all Cooperman would say, adding that he wished to save his thoughts for a piece expected to run this week. "I would like to limit my comments."

Paulson, who penned an article for Tuesday's paper on his experience at a Monday viewing, also declined to give an opinion. His piece offered a stinging assessment, declaring that the film "provides plenty of ammunition for its critics.

"There are scenes of brutal violence to Jesus that do not appear in the gospels," Paulson wrote in a story that was one of four "Passion"-related articles in Tuesday's Globe. "There are apparent violations of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' advice on how to dramatize the suffering and death of Jesus. And there are supernatural apparitions, particularly an androgynous gliding Satan, who smiles with glee while floating between Jewish priests watching the scourging of the man they considered a false prophet."

But Paulson adds that the Jesus in the film "makes it quite clear that he does not blame fellow Jews for his upcoming death."

Paulson told E&P that, while he had no trouble attending the media screening, organizers of the event would not allow him to bring in a rabbi and priest that he'd invited to view the movie and write separate assessments for the Globe. "There was clearly room; there were tons of empty seats," he said of the 10 a.m. screening. "I don't know the reason other than to tightly control access."

Debra L. Mason, executive director of the Religion Newswriters Association, said she had heard of no problems with religion writers attending the media screenings. But, she said this has been one of the most demanding times for those who cover issues of faith as the Passion story competes for attention with the recent same-sex marriage debate, upcoming Ash Wednesday, Lent and Easter coverage, as well as the new report on the Catholic Church abuse scandal due out Friday from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

"It is lousy timing for religion writers," Mason admitted. "It is one of the busiest times for them since 9/11."