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Originally Posted by Shredman
Is this a reasonable and proportionate response from the ADL - or is this the thought police making an example out of Mel for his historically accurate portrayal of the role of Jews in the Passion of The Christ, and to deflect or discourage criticism of Israel during the current aggression in the middle east? Is Mel an anti-semite, or does he have opinions on Israel's actions that are not in line with the PC group-think?
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Wow! There is a lot going on in this post. Let’s see if I can touch on the high points:
<O:p
“Thought Police”. “PC group think”. Why is it when we disagree with an opinion we have to denigrate the person holding that opinion? The ADL has no ability to enforce their opinion, they can only express it. There is no “police” power in that. They can’t force you to accept their opinion or control your response, only ask you to consider their point of view. As far as the woefully over and misused title of “PC”, ALL opinions are either PC or un -PC depending on the side you the argument you stand on. It really doesn’t bear on the content of the debate.
<O:p
“Historically accurate portrayal of Jews in the Passion of the Christ”. It is my understanding that the movie took it’s structure not from historical studies of Jesus and his times, but from the written records of “visions” of a seventeenth century nun. Moreover, scholars agree that the New Testament Gospels were written long after the death of Jesus, were hand copied and edited for a couple of centuries , have NO independent corroboration by other sources and thus cannot be considered historically correct. (this does not reflect on the theological correctness of the gospels, only their historical value). For more on the topic of the role of the Jewish community in the Crucifixion of Jesus check out “Misquoting Jesus” by Bart Ehrman. Mr. Ehrman shows how early versions of the New Testament were changed to fix the responsibility of Jesus’ death on Jews and away from the Romans , changes made by the early church leaders based in….ROME!
<O:p
The ADL’s “sole purpose is to teach people to keep their mouths shut”. The ADL appears to often pose extreme views. But let’s put it in context. The Jews have been an international scapegoat for anger and hatred long before the creation of the state of <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:country-region w:st="on"><ST1:pIsrael</st1:country-region>. Centuries of wholesale slaughter, oppressive laws, social ostracism, all culminated in the holocaust. For an organization which is extreme in its position regarding attitudes about Jews to spring forth from this history is not surprising. And, again the ADL cannot force people to “shut their mouths”. They can only present a point of view which can be accepted, considered or ignored as the recipient wishes.
<O:p
Mel’s “opinions <st1:country-region w:st="on">on"Israel</ST1:p</st1:country-region>’s actions”. I don’t think this is about Mel’s views on the Middle-east. When he demands to know if his arresting officer is “a Jew” there is more going on than a political discussion.
<O:p
I think the Mr. Gibson’s demons are his own business and I truly hope his struggles with them are successful. I know from personal experience that recovery roads can be long, difficult and sometimes a little shaky. He has my sympathy and my best wishes. Personally I think the ADL was over the top on this one and Mr. Gibsons post arrest statement a good one. But neither do I think the ADL or any organization which watches over the rights of people should be criticized for taking a stand or issuing an opinion. Exercise of the Bill of Rights can be disagreed with but should not be condemned.
<O:p
Most importantly I think Mel’s best picture was
Tequila Sunrise. 
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