SELINSGROVE, Pa., March 9 (AScribe Newswire) -- Following is an editorial by Jeffrey K. Mann, professor of religion at Susquehanna University in Selinsgrove, Pa.
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"The Passion of the Christ," is a remarkably powerful and moving account of the final hours of Jesus' life. Yes, there are a few historical inaccuracies and some poetic license that could be objectionable. Nevertheless, there has never been a film that has portrayed these events in a manner so faithful to the witness of the gospels, and what we know of the Roman penal system. If it is the duty of Christians to remember the suffering and death of their Lord, "The Passion" offers its viewers images that they will never forget.
Claims that the film is anti-Semitic are ludicrous, and we need to recognize them as such. Even the argument that it could inflame anti-Semitism is rather weak. And since when do we condemn a work of art because it may be misunderstood? Could one see the film and conclude that the Jews are Christ-killers? Of course. However, I suspect even more people will see the film and conclude that the savior of the world is a Jew.
We live in an age when our racial sensitivities are on such high alert that we condemn not only racism, but anything that could potentially lead to racism. The Anti-Defamation League condemns the "objectionable elements that would promote anti-Semitism" in the film. This movie, according to these folks, is problematic not because it is anti-Semitic, but because it might be misused to convey anti-Semitism.
Now, in a society that constantly rewards those who claim discrimination, we can hardly be surprised by such objections. We have moved from condemning actual racism to behavior that could conceivably evoke racism. To do so is absurd and can never be applied equitably. We would have to censure "Schindler's List" for potential anti-Germanism, "The Killing Fields" for its anti-Cambodianism, "Austin Powers" for its potential anti-dwarfism, and "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" for its ... wait, we've already done that.
The only real problem with "The Passion" is not racism, but a more subtle form of racial prejudice. I am amazed that in all of the discussion of the film, I have not come across one article or talking head who has pointed out that - for all the efforts to depict the Passion as accurately as possible - we are still seeing Europeans playing the roles of the story's heroes. Mel Gibson went as far as to use three original languages, but could not seem to find an actor of the correct ethnicity to play the part of the central character. Jesus was not white, folks! If we are striving for authenticity, shouldn't someone have pointed out to Gibson that Jesus of Nazareth looked far more like a young Yasser Arafat, than a long-haired Italian underwear model?
Please do not misunderstand. Gibson's embarrassing oversight is not racism. It is what scholars call ethnocentrism - seeing your own ethnic group as central and normative in the world. I also recognize that Jesus' ethnicity is one of my own particular pet-peeves.
Overall, Gibson's film is an excellent depiction of the
suffering of Christ. We all know that the film is not racist
or anti-Semitic. It does, however, contain this one
fundamental and embarrassing flaw. It is almost as it was.
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