Mel Gibson's Passion and Philosophy: The Cross, the Questions, the Controverssy: 10 (Popular Culture and Philosophy, 10) - Softcover

Gracia, Jorge J. E.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0812695712 ISBN 13: 9780812695717

Publisher: Open Court, 2004

Synopsis

Mel Gibson’s The Passion of the Christ has become one of the most controversial films ever made, and it is already a blockbuster of cinematography. Its defenders passionately regard it as one of the most moving and influential pieces of religious art ever created. But its detractors argue with comparable vehemence that the violence and gore it contains, its alleged anti-Semitism, a particular take on the Christian message, and the lack of historical and Biblical accuracy, make it nothing more than a kind of political propaganda. Father Thomas Rosica hailed as one of the great masterpieces of religious art, but the secular humanist Paul Kurtz thinks of it as a political weapon in the hands of the religious right. Film critics are divided in their judgment, giving the film anywhere from no stars to five stars. Regardless of what one thinks of the film, however, its impact both personal and social is beyond question.

About this title

Synopsis:

Few - including director Mel Gibson - were prepared for the firestorm of controversy that followed the release of the long-awaited Passion of the Christ. Reviled by many, but so popular with others that the film has become one of the top grossers of all time, The Passion has sparked intense debate everywhere from the mainstream media to churches and synagogues to the water-cooler at work. This timely collection of essays explores the film's questions in-depth and expands on its themes. Topics covered include why Christ was killed; whether moral responsibility is possible when God knows what's going to happen; the relationship between the film, anti-Semitism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict; the role of women in The Passion; the influence of visionary nun Catheryne Emmerich; the meaning of Judas; and much more.

About this edition

• Publisher: Open Court
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0812695712
• ISBN 13: 9780812695717
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 225
• Editor: Irwin William