From: (No Email available)

Date: 2003-08-30 10:27:36

Comment:

I can say with some degree of authority that I've made an intellegent and thoughtful decision when I chose to walk a different path.  Christianity is thick in my family:
* Baptist Minister (Grandfather - Mother's Father)
* Protestant Minister (Uncle Steve - Mother's Brother)
* Greek Orthodox Theologian (Uncle Doug - Mother's Brother)
* Catholic Priest (Uncle John - Father's Brother)
* Baptist Teacher (My own mother)


Middle eastern religions tend to have a scathing, judgemental, superstitious and hypocritical point of view.  I know that this might get the flames started but it's only my simple observation.  A good example is the number of forces against the release of the film and more importantly their reasons:
* Catholics - Mel Gibson strongly spoke out against the authority of the Pope on past occasions.
* Zionists - Eternally outraged and offended, they consider anything that doesn't glorify jews as anti-semitical.


As someone who has long abandoned the notion of faith, I'm still interested in seeing the movie regardless of whether or not it jives with the Catholic or Zionist ideals.  In fact, if I discover that the film's script has been altered for some ridiculous detante I won't see it!  Ever!  The moment you give in to these forces they'll keep you under their thumb for all times.  I go to the theatre once in a blue moon because of the mind-numbing lack of honesty (that is the integrity of the film as the writers and directors originally saw it) due to the influence of outside forces, not just the parties mentioned.

As someone who views middle eastern religions as archaic and passe, I must say I'm still excited to see one man's UNABRIDGED vision of history.