Local Jewish leaders expressed concern that a movie depicting Jesus' last 12 hours would dwell too much on the violent end of his life and that it would associate characteristics of Jews portrayed in the film with Jews today.
The movie, "The Passion of the Christ," neglects the life of Jesus for the death of Jesus, Rabbi Joshua Lief of Mizpah Congregation said Monday.
Mr. Lief participated in a panel discussion on the movie at the Jewish Cultural Center. Panel members debated responsibility for the death of Jesus.
None of the panel members saw the movie in advance. They said they relied on media coverage and the reactions of a Jewish rabbi and an Anti-Defamation League member who viewed a preview showing in January.
Mr. Lief said the movie gives you "the short version: Jews killed Jesus. You need to get on the right team."
Deborah Lauter, the southeast director of the Anti-Defamation League, told the mostly Jewish audience of more than 100, "We're concerned for you."
"We don't want the community to come at this movie from fear, but we want you to be prepared," she said.
She said a recent league-commissioned poll showed one in four Americans believes Jews were responsible for the death of Christ.
Each of the panelists, including two Catholic priests, one Protestant minister, one rabbi and one university professor, said the Jews are not to blame.
"Our sins are responsible for his death," said the Rev. Mike Nolan, pastor of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church.
The Rev. Charles Neal, senior pastor of First-Centenary United Methodist Church, said he did not sense producer Mel Gibson was being anti-Semitic in making the movie, but he understood how certain portrayals in the film could lead to anti-Semitic feelings.
"Anti-Semitism is not possible for a true Christian," he said. "There's no way a true Christian can hate another person. I realize there are some who don't abide by that."
Dr. L. Susan Bond, assistant professor of homiletics at Vanderbilt University School of Theology, said it "may even be a surprise to many Christians that Jesus was a Jew."
Mr. Lief said if more people read the Bible, they would see the Gospels are full of moral and ethical Jewish teachings and of caring for other people in society.
He also questioned people putting their trust for authenticity in the hands of a filmmaker who must rely on reports written years after the death of Jesus and without eyewitnesses.
"The further back you go," he said, "the more you have to question their sources. When we see one person's version, that's not good history."
Several panelists said once people see the movie, it may lead to constructive conversation and interaction.
"I hope it will inspire more people to read the (Bible), to go to church, to talk to their priest or minister, and to reach out and meet someone who talks differently," Mr. Lief said.
Mr. Neal said he is "deeply committed that we take each other's hand as equal partners in God's creation. Our lives may depend on it."
The turmoil, he said, may be less about the movie and more about pressure building among faiths and people since the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
"I don't believe Mel Gibson or the movie are the real controversy," Mr. Neal said. "I think we must learn to be brothers and sisters. That pressure has been felt broadly in this country by folks who realize we have to do everything different. This film has just been pushing the envelope."
E-mail Clint Cooper at ccooper@timesfreepress.com
