Are you going to see "The Passion of the Christ?"

[NYC_Liz]

Anyone? If you haven't seen the preview and would like to see it go to the official website.

http://*******************************/splash.html

I can't wait to see it. I am going to see it the first time it comes out! Good thing i am 17 but i am going to have to take my ID bcz i don't look like one! LOL :D

[Leezard]

Yep, I'm looking forward to seeing it.

[pinky]

I'll be going.

[tiger_rascal]

If its played in my area, I will see it. I figure I will have to drive about 50 miles to see it.

[katiekat]

Wow...great trailer. My mom came in and saw it too. We plan on seeing it. It looks really good. I just hope it's shown at a theater near here. The last time I tried to see a Christian themed movie, I had a 45 minute drive to even get to the theater.

Anybody seen the movie 'Omega Code 2: Meggido'? That was cool...

[ToxicKaty]

it looks really good, tiger, where do you live?

[tiger_rascal]

I live in WV in the Mid-Ohio Valley in a small town of about 3,500. We have one movie theater with two screens, Im hoping they show it, but its not likely, so I will have to drive to the nearest city to see it.

[shining star]

I may wait to rent because $9.25 is a ton of money when my paycheck is only $22. :o

[bekahbeans]

9.25!?!? That's why there are matinee showings! ;)

I'm certainly gonna go see it. It looks really good.

[BellaStile]

I am gonna go see it. I saw the trailer when I went to see 'Monster' and I completely cried!!!!

[AlmostFamous]

I can't wait to see it either. My mother called me the other day and asked if I would be interested in going to see it with her. Which means that I won't actually see it until a day or two before Easter, when I go home. But I think I'd like to see it closer to that time anyway...... It will put things in perspective for me.

[Leezard]

I am hoping to go see it with my family as well which will mean I'll have to wait awhile as well but I think it will be neat to see it with them because I really respect their opinions on this kind of thing.

[shining star]

Originally posted by bekahbeans
9.25!?!? That's why there are matinee showings! ;)

I'm certainly gonna go see it. It looks really good. It's still 6.50 for matinee. Anyway, I doubt it'll be playing in my city, so that's an additional 10.50 or so for transportation. :p

[bekahbeans]

geez, no kidding eh? Sucks to be you :p It's 5.50 here for matinee; not a whole lot better but a buck is a buck right? :D

[shining star]

A dollar is a lot when you don't have much to begin with. :p

I really hope I can see it in the theater, though. Watching it on TV just can't compare.

[bekahbeans]

agreed! :)

[Candy's Boy]

Yes!

Hopefully by this weekend.

[Steggy]

Candy I see your a dawgs fan. You from Athens?

[Candy's Boy]

Originally posted by Steggy
Candy I see your a dawgs fan. You from Athens?

Not now.
I spent a few years in Athens in the early 80's.
GOD has forgiven me for those days!
No place like Athens in the fall :D

Now I split time in Amelia Island & Rome,Ga.

cb

[Bif]

Yes, I cannot wait! :D

[Angelstar28]

Saw it today... all I can say right now is "Wow".

[Lubyloo]

I saw it last night, it was really good. I dont really know what to say. it was great though.

[BSB_GGD_TC]

:D I am going to see it tonight, I cant wait.

[DsSweetness]

I'm going Sunday afternoon to see it. We were one of the cities that was not suppose to get the film; however, after such high demand we now have it showing on 2 screens in each of our 5 local theaters! God is great!

My understanding is the film is very powerful, very emotional and very personal. I'm excited to see it and anxious at the same time.

[BSBGeezerFan]

Not going to see it.

I still prefer Jesus of Nazareth and I completely lost it during the depiction of The Passion in that series. When I first believed, I made a study of the mechanics and physical aspects of His Passion and I believe that I understood then that there is no remission of sin without the shedding of blood. Christ was going to offer Himself up as the perfect living sacrifice and that His Suffering was to atone for every sin ever committed by everyone. I was a mess for days and I'm sure I only grasped a part of what He went through. That was enough for me. My heart was broken then.

And whatever they show you, whatever is on screen, whatever His physical suffering, that pales in comparison to His spiritual suffering in being separated from The Father. Through eternity, He and God the Father had been one. For that instant when He took the weight of our sins upon Himself, when He became us to take our justly deserved punishment, He Who Was Without Sin..............there is no way we can imagine the degree of that agony. There's no way film can portray that.

Besides I saw Mel Gibson's Braveheart and so I had an inkling of how much he was going to dwell on the torture and the anguish and the horror. I like Mel Gibson but he's crazy as a bedbug and I knew how he was going to do this up.

I'll pass, thanks.
*******************************************
Check that, apparently I am going to see it...........part of it anyway. The Giver won't take The Hater and The Hater won't go with him even if he asked so it looks like I'm going with The Hater but I've already told him when it gets too heavy, I'm heading for the lobby. Win, win.

[smackers]

Nope. Not in the near future, anyway.

[BSB_GGD_TC]

something came up and I was not able to go before, but I went tonight, and I am glad I did because it definately renewed my faith in god.

[tiger_rascal]

I want to see it, but its sold out in our area, unless I want to see it at 10pm, but I am not driving over 50 miles one way only to get back home after 1am! I have patience, I will see it. Its coming to my local theater, I think, but I figure it will do well there as well, so I dont know when I will get to see it.

[bekahbeans]

You have to drive 50 miles!? Daaaang.

I drove 10 minutes. :p Saw it yesterday. It was definitely moving and hard to watch but it was worth it. It's not a movie I'd want to watch over and over though.

Loved the language and the devil - s/he was so creepy.

[Java]

In my strong opinion, selling the sacrifice which Christ gave for personal profit is sin, therefore I will not make plans to even go near the entrance to temptation. Besides, does anybody know if Mel even bothered to portray the resurrection, which by the way is the most important part? Without the resurrection, there can be no justification.

[tiger_rascal]

I agree Java. My mom has refused to see it. Im having second thoughts. I sure hope they put that money to good use, charities and all.

[Leezard]

IMO the resurrection is what we all know about, Easter and all but I can see where you're coming from. I think that the sacrifice is often down played...It seems like people think-who cares what He went through to die for all of us just so long as He came back to life, nothing else matters. But a man, a human man, went through the ultimate sacrifice for all of us and that's often glossed over.
I agree that someone profiting off this seems pretty wrong but I don't know what these people are doing with the money they are making so it's hard to know what to think quite yet. I wouldn't be surprised if the actors made little to nothing for their work because it seems like they all came together for one purpose, to get the word of God out there. I guess all I can do at this point is pray they are doing the right thing.

And when you think about it what's the difference between this move and any Christian book, CD, video, whatever that is sold for over the cost of making it?

[bekahbeans]

I'm sorry, but I don't see how it's wrong at all. People make money every day off of Bible sales (#1 seller, don't tell me it hasn't made people rich, esp when they cost 50 bucks and more for a study Bible), devotionals, ministry videos and audio cassettes, books, stickers, music and the list goes on and on and on. So unless you're never going to buy any of those things then it's the same thing.

The ressurection is definitely important, but it's way to feel good. It's far too easy to go see a movie about the ressurection and leave feeling all warm and fuzzy inside and saying, "oh yay! I'm saved!" But not really thinking about what Christ did to get to that point. IMO, we see far too much of that. Passion isn't about that. It's about the real and necessary suffering that our Lord went through to save us. People need to see and understand what Christ did for them. People need to think about the pain He went through. By His stripes we are healed. How can you even appreciate that without thinking about the stripes and what caused them. The ressurection wasn't the sacrifice, the cross was. The whippings were.

[tiger_rascal]

And thats all understandable, but the ressurection should have been included. The sacrifice would still be there and the ressurection. Some people may leave the theater thinking Jesus is dead and completely miss the point.

If anyone buys a Bible there is something wrong. Where I live Bibles are given away, sure, Wal-Mart sells them, but they are not expensive, but you could visit a church or a thrift store and get a Bible for free, at least in my area. Maybe ask a family member or friend if they have an extra Bible, they may give you one. There should be plenty of Bibles in publication by now, but I do see the point that a profit is still made from Bibles.

Christian artists do not only sing about the crucifixion. Its important that all sides of the story are told, not just one portion, even if it is a very important portion.

Having said all that, maybe, just maybe, this film will cause people to pick up a Bible and read what happens later. The ressurection.

[Java]

You cannot have the sacrifice without the resurrection. Without the resurrection, Jesus wouldn't have been able to claim us as justified. Granted the sacrifice was one which was way more than any human could ever do, but it would have been in vain without the resurrection. One cannot claim the hope of glory without the resurrection. BTW, in my opinion we see too much of Christ's death upon crucifixes almost everywhere, but where and how often do we ever see renditions of Christ's resurrection? IMO, if people are constantly bombarded by images of Christ's crucifixion, many often are blinded into overlooking the fact He arose and is alive in the flesh, now even until this day - we must not forget this...ever!

[tiger_rascal]

I agree with you Java.

[tiger_rascal]

Perhaps there will be a blockbuster sequal?

[Leezard]

I don't think anyone is talking about forgetting that, in my opinion all emphesis is generally placed on the resurrection and I don't think anyone means to say that the resurrection isn't any less important. I personally think that one is no more than the other because you can't have one without the other. I agree that having the resurrection in the movie would be great but if God truely did speak to Mel on what to put in this movie then I'm sure he did what he was told. I honestly have no reason not to believe that God spoke to him about this movie, I mean what would be the point of making that up...it wouldn't be to further his career because odds are he'll be looked down on for quite awhile after this.
All we can really do at this point is pray that God will use this movie for His good and have faith that He knows what He's doing.

I am not sure how musicians singing about all aspects of God is any different...it's all still profiting on God and I don't see how profiting on the death of Christ is any different than profiting on the life of Christ.

Hey Chad, where do people in your community get bibles to give away for free? I mean I know that they've got them at our church but they have to buy them from somewhere in order to have them. Do you know of anywhere to get them for free to give away?

[tiger_rascal]

Thats what Im saying Liz, the Bibles were more than likely bought at one time or another, but there are places to get used Bibles. The Salvation Army, Goodwill, Churches, and there is a place in my area called an Outreach Center, its a place to help others and they have a thrift store, they give out used Bibles there too, surely other towns have something similar.

I like to call it recycled Bibles. :)

[tiger_rascal]

About the movie, I would have liked to have seen the ressurection in it. I may still go see it, out of curiosity, just so I can properly judge it.

I only hope and pray this movie brings people closer to Jesus.

[oldernow]

And when you think about it what's the difference between this move and any Christian book, CD, video, whatever that is sold for over the cost of making it?
Exactly!





Mel Gibson said to expect that he will be making more movies like this. So I think that we will have a "part two"if you will. I honestly dont think I can watch Christ being crucified. I barely made it through the movie Jesus Of Nazzerath.

Reading about what happened and actually witnessing it makes it more real. I see this as a good thing. Jesus suffered the most horrible, painful and humilating death possible. The people who witnessed this when it actually happened lived with the horrible images of Christ's last hours. I think it's good for us to share those same images of the suffering he endured.
How many of us would be willing to be sacrificed Like Jesus did. During his most painful moments he cry's out to God and say's "God forgive them for they know not what they do". That's Love.
I see Mel as being sincere, I felt a change in him, he's found christ and his actions prove it.

Mel said in the interview with Diane sawyer that he put up his own money for this picture.

[Java]

So now the question is... where are the profits from the ticket sales going? Hopefully not towards something sinful...

[oldernow]

Like Liz said what about money from Bible sales, christian artists music, etc?
Where does the money go from these sales?

[bluehorizonx10]

After I saw the interview with Diane Sawyers I decided the same as you Patty. I feel he's very sincere. Every reply was from the heart through God...I think.

But as Java said, the proof is in the pudding. I've said all along, when I see how he spends the money and if it's for the work of God, then and only then will I totally believe it's all for the praises of God. Should be interesting to watch and listen for the ending. I still haven't gone, but expect to Sunday with our church. I've heard and read enough I'm not sure I can handle the graphics. But I'd like to try. One said in tears "surely, I didn't make him hurt that way." I replied, "yes you did and so did I and everyone that has ever lived and will live put Him on that cross and made Him go through all that agony." I think that's a fact most don't understand or believe. And that's the saddest part of it all. :bluesad:

[Leezard]

Originally posted by tiger_rascal
Thats what Im saying Liz, the Bibles were more than likely bought at one time or another, but there are places to get used Bibles. The Salvation Army, Goodwill, Churches, and there is a place in my area called an Outreach Center, its a place to help others and they have a thrift store, they give out used Bibles there too, surely other towns have something similar.

I like to call it recycled Bibles. :)

That's cool, I think because the area I live in now is so big, and almost everyone that lives here has a ton of money, we don't have many places like that or if there are they aren't very publicized.

[bekahbeans]

I agree with Liz, we see the ressurection far more than the crucifixtion and is certainly more played up. And actually the ressurection is shown in Passion, and I think in a way more interesting way than you usually see. The movie ended with a very powerful shot of the stone rolling away and Jesus leaving the tomb, hole in his hand.

Where do you think people who give Bibles away for free get them, Chad? They buy them. And it's great that you can get them for free but trust me. Lots of Bibles are sold every single day for lots of money. I used to work at a Bible book store and we sold quite a few very expensive Bibles daily.

I think if we're going to start labeling certain sold things as "sinful" then it should be Christian music, hands down. There are so many ridiculous groups and "artists" out there supposedly singing about God. Many of them are only there for the profit, it's obvious in their music. The bands are put together by someone else who find what sells in the secular market and trys to repackage that into something seemingly godly in order to play off of Christians who like the secular music but feel bad that it's not Christian or who want to listen to Christian music instead of so-and-so or whatever reason. A lot of the songs on these contemporary albums blow my mind. I listen to them and I honestly can't figure out if they're singing about God or this week's crush. It's ridiculous. At least there are no quesions about whether or not Passion is really about God, or is just out to make money. He used his own money to make it and it hasn't exactly made him Mr. Popular with a lot of people.

Even so (and I include the music sales of those awful groups in this) I don't see that it matters where the profits are going. If people are seeing the movie and being touched or being saved or moved in any way, then the movie is not in vain and it is enhancing the kingdom of God. That's what really matters. If the profits are used for evil that doesn't diminish the good work that's been done, and that's between Mel and God. But having seen him speak and having seen the movie, I highly doubt that anything wad done without sincerity or that the profits are going to be used for "evil."

[Leezard]

Originally posted by bekahbeans
And actually the ressurection is shown in Passion, and I think in a way more interesting way than you usually see. The movie ended with a very powerful shot of the stone rolling away and Jesus leaving the tomb, hole in his hand.

If the profits are used for evil that doesn't diminish the good work that's been done, and that's between Mel and God.

I bet that's an awesome ending! I think that'll be amazing to see...

And I agree about the profits thing, if Mel is doing unholy things with his money then he'll have to deal with that because that'd be his sin and none of us are in the position to judge him.

[tiger_rascal]

Bekah, you might have missed it, so I will repeat it for you. Recycled Bibles. Sure, they were bought at one time or another, some many years ago. I have a Bible that was gave to me that is very old! But nonetheless, the Bibles in my area that are free were not bought yesterday brand new at Wal-Mart.

[bekahbeans]

Well that's great, but that's not exactly a common occurence. Many places give away new Bibles. Even missionaries buy their Bibles, or churches raise money to buy them for them. The point is, profit is still a very real result of Bible sales.

[oldernow]

Sooner or later, new Bibles have to be made and that cost money. Besides everyone has to make a living and whoever makes Bibles should be paid.

Anyway I dont see why it matters if Mel makes money from the movie. I doubt very much that he made this movie with the intention of making a profit off of Jesus. If that were the case he would not have picked such an unpopular subject to sell. He had a difficult time getting any support for this and put up his own money. Critics were trashing this movie as being anti-semetic from the beginning,
without ever seeing the actual film. He is not selling Jesus for profit. Even if he were doing it for such reasons, God will take care of it.
I see this as one more person being saved by the grace of God, Mel Gibson himself. I think too many people are judging Mel Gibson unfairly.
In a people magazine interview, Mel says he credits Jesus and in particular Jesus' suffering with literally saving his life. In the grip of suicidal depression, he used the passion of Christ and wounds to heal his own wounds. He joined alcoholics anonymous and turned to the religion he he was raised in.

Just a side note: His wife and children (seven kids)who are episcopalian attend a traditionalist church, Holy Family Chapel, that Gibson had built last year near his Malibu Home.

[tiger_rascal]

Im fine with the profit thing, I was against the idea of not having the ressurection, but as Bekah pointed out, there is a small scene at the end of the movie concerning His ressurection.

[oldernow]

Yeah, the stone rolling away and Jesus leaving the tomb, hole in his hand, sounds like a begining of a part two movie.