Leading up to the release of The Passion of the Christ, there was a lot of talk about the film supposedly being anti-Semitic, and the waves of anti-Jewish feelings and behavior it might inspire. This has absolutely not happened so far, though.
The film has, however, caused a lot of people to re-examine their own behavior. There seem to have been a lot of people re-dedicating themselves to their Christian faith after having seen the film. This seems more in line with what you might reasonably expect on the basis of Gibson's intentions and what is actually on the screen- the story of Jesus.
More specifically, the movie has apparently caused some criminals to come forward and confess. Rather than causing Nazi rallies, indeed it has caused at least one person so affiliated (a Mr Johnny Olsen) to have a change of heart. He came in out of the blue to confess to some arson bombings from ten years ago.
Indeed, a Dan Leach in Houston saw The Passion and responded by confessing to a murder. The dead girlfriend had been written off as a suicide. He was free and clear- until the Jesus story pricked his conscience.
They say that the proof of the pudding is in the eating. On that basis, seems like two points here for Jesus (and Mel).
Article comments
1 - Mark Saleski
after i saw "The Truth About Cats and Dogs" i rededicated my life to Janeane Garofalo.
2 - NC
More on "The Passion" here.
3 - Eric Olsen
I would say there is no doubt that the impact of The Passion has not been negative, at least in the U.S., but it's impossible to say how much effect all the warning flags and cautions have had on the process.
4 - who ask
Why this movie is anti-semitic, and, why Shindler's List is not anti-germanic ?
Who cares what ADL says? What's ADL, anyway?
5 - boomcrashbaby
What is scary to me is that I had always thought that the teachings of the gospel, the teachings of love and compassion are what would bring people closer to their faith, but apparently that is not the case. A 2 hour and 15 minute government sanctioned mob killing, in slow motion and set to a cinematic score is what apparently makes people feel closer to God.
6 - Bernard Moon
i expected the movie to have some types of positive effects since "Jesus Christ" has become so desensitized in western society today. His name in various forms is a swear and common curse word, and many of us, including myself, have forgotten the relevance of His death and sacrifice in our daily lives.