The archbishop is right, but "tolerance," you see, is no longer a two-way street. It’s a weapon to intimidate certain groups. And, as Gibson has learned, the list of groups definitely includes devout Christians. A film that unapologetically says that there is such a thing as Truth and that His name is Jesus Christ violates all the taboos our culture has embraced.
This opposition makes Gibson’s commitment to making this film all the more admirable. He knows that there’s something more important than the support of the "creative community"—and that is doing justice to the price paid for our salvation.
For further reading and information:
Mark Gauvreau Judge, "Christ in Majesty," BreakPoint Online, 6 June 2003.
"Faith Guided Mel Gibson through ‘Passion,’" Miami Herald, 29 June 2003.
Jane Lampman, "Capturing the Passion," Christian Science Monitor, 10 July 2003.
Raymond Arroyo, "The Greatest Story, Newly Told," Wall Street Journal, 7 March 2003.
David Limbaugh, "Mel Gibson’s passion for ‘The Passion,’" Townhall.com, 9 July 2003.
Richard Corliss and Jeff Israely, "The Passion of Mel Gibson," Time, 27 January 2003. (Archived article; costs $2.50 to retrieve.)
Holly McClure, "A very violent ‘passion,’" New York Daily News, 26 January 2003.
Archbishop Charles Chaput, "Mel Gibson, ‘The Passion,’ and critics who can’t wait," Denver Catholic Register, 28 May 2003.
"With a brave heart and pure soul," Sydney Morning Herald, 15 March 2003.
Julia Duin, "Mel Gibson looks right for movie on Jesus," Washington Times, 7 July 2003.
Kamon Simpson, "Mel Gibson brings movie to city’s church leaders," The Gazette (Colorado Springs).
Holly McClure, "Mel Gibson’s Passion," Crosswalk.com.
Read an interview with Mel Gibson on The Passion here.
Visit this unofficial website for The Passion to view pictures of the production and read other news items.
BreakPoint Commentary No. 030611, "‘The Last Acceptable Prejudice’: Princeton’s Double Standard."
Anne Morse, "Art Attack," Boundless, 10 July 2003.
Gary North, "Finding Nemo and My Moment of Truth," LewRockwell.com, 9 July 2003.
See the Wilberforce Forum’s Recommended Films List.