Campus feels passionate about 'The Passion'

Mel Gibson's film "The Passion of the Christ" has dominated headlines and box offices since its release on Ash Wednesday. While Americans across the country have been flocking to see the film, the film, which depicts the last 12 hours of Jesus' life, has been raising questions -- and controversy -- among people of all faiths.

Tufts had its fair share of heated discussions on the film. In a University Chaplaincy Panel discussion on Monday night, the University's Christian, Jewish, and Islamic Chaplains, as well as approximately 25 students, shared their feelings on the film.

The "Passion"-related issue that has received the most frequent coverage in the media is the perceived anti-Semitism in the film. While some have charged the filmmaker with using classic anti-Semitic iconography -- such as hooked noses and beards to portray Jewish characters -- for some, it goes much deeper than that.

What worries many students is not the fact that the film shows Jesus being killed by Jews, but the fact that, at time when anti-Semitism is on the rise around the world, such a notably violent film may give rise to anti-Semitic sentiments.

Jewish Chaplain Rabbi Jeffrey Summit says the potential to misinterpret the film in a way to justify anti-Semitic actions is worrisome. "In the 12th century, when Passion plays were put on, they were often to rile people up to start pogroms against Jews. So this makes me nervous when this is again thrown into our culture."

"I believe that this film arose from someone with an impulse who wanted to share his faith, and I cannot condemn that," Protestant Chaplain Reverend Laurie Rofinot said. "But I think someone with such great power as Mel Gibson needs to be very careful in his portrayal. I think although this may have come from a good impulse, this was an irresponsible portrayal and it will come to be seen how this will affect the future for Jews, and even Muslims, in such a [tumultuous] time."

Summit agreed with Rofinot, saying that Mel Gibson's portrayal of Jesus's last hours "at this moment in time ... is somewhat dangerous and possibly irresponsible."

"Do people have the right to interpret religion? Of course," he added. "But you have to be careful how your interpretation is portrayed. This film raises the question of blame, and we are at a time when anti-Semitism is on the rise -- and not just name-calling, but synagogues [are] being blown up."

During the Second Vatican Council of 1965, the Roman Catholic Church issued a statement that officially absolved Jews of deicide (the killing of Christ) and formed a clear stance against acts of anti-Semitism.

According to O'Leary, Mel Gibson is affiliated with a specific sect of Catholics which rejects the decisions of Second Vatican Council and the changes in the Catholic Church over the past few decades.

"What is the intention of Mel Gibson? He comes from a group of Catholics who want to say the changes of the 1960s are wrong and to go back to before," O'Leary said.

Potential anti-Semitism is not the only aspect of the film that bothered many people: some were disturbed by the film's violence and portrayal of Jesus.

"I thought it was a pretty gruesome film, although I thought it was pretty powerful also," sophomore and Protestant Student Fellowship Vice President Seth Lancaster said. "Showing it in such a gruesome way when people think of Jesus as our savior, to show him being beaten so badly can be very hard for some people."

Others felt that the film's focus on Jesus's physical torture and suffering detracted from his broader message of compassion.

"I think Jesus' message was a message of redemption and hope and that love is stronger than death. To not have that part of Jesus' message, to focus on suffering, I don't know how that is going to bring more love into the world," Summit said.

"Jesus had tremendous love for everyone around him and the world, and portraying such suffering without context is dangerous," Rofinot added. "At best, people identify with it, and at worst, they say, 'How could anyone kill the son of God?'"

"My greatest fear is that people won't take the time to discuss this movie, and recognize that anti-Semitism still exists in the world today," said junior Erin Baldinger, a practicing Jew. "If people go to the movie and interpret it as fact, then I can certainly see how it would breed feelings of anti-Semitism. On the other hand, if people engage in constructive dialogue, then it doesn't matter what Gibson's intention was."