It appears the ADL is at it again, flinging unwarranted criticism at Mel Gibson's movie. This time, they've cleverly collaborated with a bunch of skinheads, white supremacists and neo-Nazis to create the illusion that the film doesn't promote a message of tolerance and understanding. Laura found this over at the ADL website:
White supremacists and anti-Semitic extremists are expressing delight over the controversy surrounding "The Passion of the Christ," Mel Gibson's film which depicts the last hours and crucifixion of Jesus. Christian white supremacists have traditionally believed that Jews were responsible for the death of Jesus; indeed, the term "Christ killers" is a common anti-Semitic epithet. Although non-Christian white supremacists may not focus on the death of Jesus, they still hope that anti-Semitic sentiments will be inflamed by the film. Christian and non-Christian anti-Semites alike have eagerly anticipated the opening of "The Passion of the Christ" and are planning ways to use the movie and the controversy surrounding it to promote their anti-Semitic messages.
Some, such as the Arizona anti-Semitic group We Hold These Truths, have welcomed Gibson's movie because they think it will incite anti-Israeli sentiments: "It should remind us that the brutality of 1st Century Judea is little different from 21st Century Israel."
Yes, they give specific examples. E.g.,
James Wickstrom, a vicious anti-Semite and Christian identity adherent, not only urged followers to watch "The Passion of the Christ," but also promised to create fliers to distribute during and after the release of the movie, to "further educate those that have had their eyes opened to the REAL murderers of Christ." He urged all Identity adherents to prepare a literature drive to coincide with the opening of the film. "This anti-Christ non-human scum MUST be identified and purged from our White Christian society by ANY means necessary," he emphasized. As the release of "The Passion" neared, white supremacists began to think of ways they could capitalize on the film and its controversy.
And
Anti-Semites on the discussion forum of Stormfront, the most popular neo-Nazi Web site in the U.S., shared ideas on how to exploit the film's preview. "The opening at theatres would be [a] good time for the NA [the National Alliance, a neo-Nazi group] to get some flyers out about Jewish media control," suggested one member in February. "No one would doubt it after the flap that has been caused…"
There are plenty more.
Shortly after reading this, I heard Michael Medved on MSNBC claiming that people are responding to 'The Passion' with love. It's not that I'm not looking, but I really haven't been able to find those stories. Please feel free to send me one.
