Did you guys just see the Mel Gibson interview on Catholic Network??? Holy

[loudsue]

shit!!!

Throughout the whole fundie-orgasm interview, Gibson's eyes were wild and weird. He kept touching his mouth and nose...all over his face. The guy is showing more "lying" signs than anybody I've seen since shrub took to the Sunday talk shows.

Talking about "The Passion" with some Opus Dei-riddled interviewer, Gibson's eyes were like snake eyes, when they weren't totally wild looking. He's dangerous. Talent like his, put to the task of bringing on religious fervor is DANGEROUS!!!

I'm in Georgia right now, in a hotel room, and turned on the TV to take a break from paper work. I came straight to DU to see if anybody else had posted about this interview. I've never seen ANYTHING (short of Pearle & Rumsfeld's faces) that was so terrifying.

Braveheart was my favorite all-time movie. But Mel Gibson is one of the sickest bastards in the world today...and it was right there on the TV!! The program was called "The World Over Live" on EWTN in Georgia.

YUCK!!!!!

The commercials cut to some church in Warner Robins, GA, who is giving away "free tickets" for the first 1,000 people, who are not already affiliated with a , who want to come see "The Passion", to get "saved".

I'm in the twilight zone....is there anybody sane out there???? Is this the planet EARTH???

:kick:

[Blayde Starrfyre]

1. Hyperbole redefined

"But Mel Gibson is one of the sickest bastards in the world today"

Yeah, he's really up there with Cheney, Wolfowitz, Pearle, Rumsfeld, Sharon, Hussein, bin Laden, Milosevic, Ghadafi, Kim Jong-Il, those involved in the Rwanda genocide . . .

Don't you have any sense of scale?

[Az]

10. They each work with the tools available

Just because Mel does not have access to the powers of the State does not mean he is not round the bend. His tools may not directly harm people like those you mention but his may be more far reaching and in the end more dangerous. The ability to inflame peoples passions is a very powerful tool. Used on the wrong issues it can be quite dangerous. Just ask the citizens of Germany how they felt about the zeal of some of their fellow Germans whipped up into a frenzy.

[Sugarbleus]

2. Thanks for the post sue...

I was talking to hubby and he said he "heard" a shrink call into a talk show where he spoke about Gibson's not-so-healthy mental state. Interesting.

It's curious. The passion play has been filmed and shown to people over and over in it's various forms and by various artists. WHY do we have to have this particular movie NOW during this election period and with sooooooooooo much rw fundamentalist/evangelical zeal going on? hmmmmmmmmm

I smelleth a rateth...

[roguevalley]

3. He has a weird habit of touching his face when he's talking. He is an

extreme type of personality, either real mellow or over there.
Some reviewers have said that this version of the gospels is
the kind you would find taught in a latinate church to Catholics
in the fifties. They said this is very stuck in the fifties
thinking of Catholicism with all the blood and such. Personally,
I find looking at a sacred heart picture difficult but that
sort of visual is what Mel's father has raised him to perceive
of in the crucifixion and struggle for Jesus.

I'm not surprised he's wired. He sort of opened up his ID and
invited the world to look. I would feel naked and defensive
too.

[loudsue]

5. Good analysis, roguevalley...

He did seem to open up his id....and you could see the snakes in his head.

I went to Catholic girl's school as a first-thru-third grader (my family wasn't Catholic, but that's a long story), and I still have a soft place in my heart for the high church. When I meditate, I can sometimes pictue all the nuns in their black habits, doing beautiful (Gregorian-style)chants during mass...it was beautiful, and comforting to me. I do NOT hate Catholics. I totally believe that ALL major religions have become corrupt -- not individual church congregations, but religions in general, and I have read too much about the religious right to think that this "political control" thing is totally innocent and "God-loving". It just isn't.

But, what I saw of Mel Gibson was truly distressing. I'm still reeling from the .....well, from the FEAR I felt, as I watched him and the interviewer. This was dangerous. And I really don't feel good about what this movie is going to do to society.

And, yes, they're making it a major ordeal.

:kick:

[loudsue]

4. You could SEE it!

"I was talking to hubby and he said he "heard" a shrink call into a talk show where he spoke about Gibson's not-so-healthy mental state. Interesting."

Your hubby heard right, Sugarbleus....You should have seen his wild-eyed looks....not ONE look: I mean the whole damned interview. And one time the Opus Dei-type interviewer started laughing, and it was EVIL!

Gibson started relating how, during the filming of the show, he got very sick, for about 12 out of 16 weeks, he said he was really sick. He said things kept going VERY WRONG during filming.

:crazy::tinfoilhat:He said it WAS THE DEVIL trying to keep him from shooting the film, because shooting the film was spreading the gospel!!!!!!:tinfoilhat::crazy:

If there IS a devil loose on the world, I think it's a powerful actor/movie director who is trying to stir up the next Dark Ages, complete with trying to "shame" people for being PEOPLE, inquisitions, oppression of women, especially,and oppression of the masses, in general.

Be scared. Be very scared.

:kick::kick::kick:

[Blayde Starrfyre]

6. ?!?!

Don't you think you're going a LITTLE overboard? My God, you're acting like Mel Gibson is Idi Amin. Where did you get all that stuff about the inquisition, opression of women, and opression of the masses?

[loudsue]

7. From here, my dear....

Follow the link in the first post. Find the story on the news page. Read it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1144832

:kick:

[Blayde Starrfyre]

14. So

So you claim that Mel Gibson's beliefs are expressed by an article which is not about Catholicsm, is not authored by Gibson, nor even mentions Gibson?

[molly]

18. I bookmarked the thread - I will read it later

maybe Mel wants to be part of the Bush team. If you have ever read anything about the father, you will understand that some forms of mental illness are inherited.

[itcfish]

43. Someone

Please tell where the religious right in this administration is Catholic? Two of the Supremes are Catholic. But who in the WH is Catholic? Catholics are hated by many Christian sects

[AgadorSparticus]

8. I think this movie is going to backfire on him....

He thinks it is "spreading the gospel" but I think it will confirm that fundies on any end are scary. I think he is a wart on christianity.

[belle]

15. With any luck, it'll be the "Showgirls" of the 00's.

It sounds seriously over the top, anyway.

[regnaD kciN]

19. The Devil made me blow that line!

Gibson started relating how, during the filming of the show, he got very sick, for about 12 out of 16 weeks, he said he was really sick. He said things kept going VERY WRONG during filming.

He said it WAS THE DEVIL trying to keep him from shooting the film, because shooting the film was spreading the gospel!!!!!!

I recall that one of the things that went VERY WRONG was that the set was struck by lightning, not once but twice. The second time, it hit the actor playing JC.

Now, I might not have the same Bible Mel has, but I seem to recall that lightning bolts were not the Devil's bailiweck...

;-)

[JohnOneillsMemory]

9. Christianity is being used to slam-dunk fascism. Chosen Few=Master Race.

The fires of fascism are being stoked with the passion.

God Bless America= America Smites with the Wrath of God= Empire.

[Rich Hunt]

37. that reminds me

Certainly, fundamentalists believe that they are the 'elect'.

Reminds me of this scary article:

http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/TheDespoilingOfAmerica.htm

[JohnOneillsMemory]

45. Best article I've read in years)I usually link it myself) Thanks. ALL READ

[JohnOneillsMemory]

46. http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/TheDespoilingOfAmerica.htm

[OneBlueSky]

11. to get saved??? . . .

this film seems to completely overlook the Christian message of love and compassion . . . in favor of gratuitous violence . . . what's wrong with this picture? . ..

[plaguepuppy]

13. Pornography of violence

It reminds me of Alex's fantasy in Clockwork Orange as he reads the bible in prison: he's the Roman guard whipping Christ as he carries the cross along. From either point of view it's an ugly scene to dwell on in such loving detail, to in fact make it the central event of the movie. It's ultra-violence as art, not much different in spirit from Clockwork Orange.

[Blayde Starrfyre]

17. Did you see it?

Ebert and Roeper gave it two thumbs up. By the way, being crucified is violent and grusome. The whole point of Christianity is that Jesus suffered horribly to save mankind. If being crucified was a happy little walk in the park, kind of a weak sacrifice, huh?

I am looking forward to the movie.

[VOX]

20. L.A. Times review: "A narrow vision and staggering violence"

http://www.calendarlive.com/movies/reviews/cl-et-turan24feb24,0,2945729.story
A narrow vision and staggering violence
By Kenneth Turan, Times Staff Writer

Combining the built-in audience of the Bible, the incendiary potential of "The Birth of a Nation" and the marketing genius of "The Blair Witch Project," the arrival of Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" feels like a milestone in modern culture. It's a nexus of religion, celebrity, cinema and mass communication that tells us more about the way our world works than we may want to know.

The film left me in the grip of a profound despair, and not for reasons I would have thought. It wasn't simply because of "The Passion's" overwhelming level of on-screen violence, a litany of tortures ending in a beyond-graphic crucifixion.
<snip>
Instead, what is profoundly disheartening is that people of goodwill will see this film in completely different ways. Where I see almost sadistic violence, they will see transcendence; where I see blame, they will see truth.

In effect, aspects of Gibson's creative makeup — his career-long interest in martyrdom and the yearning for dramatic conflict that make him an excellent actor, coupled with his belief in the Gospels' literal truth — have sideswiped this film. What is left is a film so narrowly focused as to be inaccessible for all but the devout.
<snip>

[GCP]

21. It's got a TEN MINUTE flogging scene

Can you imagine sitting around for TEN MINUTES and watching a guy get flogged half to death, with all the blood and gore and screaming?

It's an orgy of violence and fundies are going to be taking their children to it.

Gibson has gone off the deep end.

[Rockholm]

31. This Movie SHOULD Be Rated NC-17.......

First off, I will NOT see this movie. I hate violence in movies and this one seems to take the cake. I almost threw up in the beginning of "Elizabeth" a few years ago when they were preparing to torch and then burning non-believers at the stake. It was so graphic and it really freaked me out. I can not believe that KIDS will be seeing this MEl Gibson movie. SHAME on any parent who MAKES their child go. If a kid WANTS to, then it's their right.

[AgadorSparticus]

44. holy crap! that's insane!

i wonder if he's a member of opus dei...he'd be a good fit for them.

[RainDog]

24. not all Christians think it's about the sadism

..and it's highly ironic that so-called Christians have no problem watching brutal violence to affirm their faith, yet find a naked human body so disturbing.

Many Christians who have not been indoctrinated by the right wing of the church think that Jesus' life is important for his teachings about love, forgiveness, humanity toward others.

fwiw- Jesus was not the only person who was crucifed during that time, and some who were crucifed survived the horrific act.

just thought I'd add a little historical accuracy to the hysteria surrounding this movie...not to say that Jesus did not die from his crucifixion, but I think Christian fundamentalism thrives on ignorance, and one part of that ignorance includes a failure to admit that, historically, it was possible to survive crucifixtion.

...because literalism cannot allow any thought other than that which they tell you is okay to think.

[Blayde Starrfyre]

29. So?

First of all, about Christians who "find a naked body so disturbing," I saw enough of Gibson's ass in Gallipoli to indicate that isn't how he feels.

Secondly, I'm simply comfused by what everyone here is really saying. Are you saying that Gibson shouldn't make this film? That he shouldn't be allowed to make this film?

[RainDog]

42. no

no, I'm not saying he should not be allowed to make this film.

my comment was about certain Christians' value systems.

I'm not making a comment about your value systems, because I don't know them.

But I do know of others who find no problem with taking young teens to this movie, but would be disturbed to see Mel's naked butt in Gallipoli (which I really enjoyed, btw).

I don't care about this movie on way or the other. I do not want to see it because I've seen clips and it's too graphic for me...those are not the kinds of movies I prefer, the ones with very graphic and explicit torture of other humans.

but that's just me.

I have no idea what other people here are trying to say, because there are all sorts of opinions here, including yours.

[chookie]

36. I thought He had been tickled to death!

REALLY? Oh, what a SHOCK -- crucifiction is *painful!* Having grown up in the Catholic Church and attending Catholic School, we had NO IDEA that crucifiction was anything but a giggle /sarcasm off

Gee -- do you REALLY think that most people don't "get it" that crucifiction is really horrific, and that we all owe a great debt to Mel Gibson for teaching us this obscure, since obviously we had no idea that Jesus's death was painful?

It is interesting that Braveheart ends with a "Passion"-like sequence of capture, torture, mockery and death. Gibson seems to subscribe to the "warrior ethic" -- that all Great Men are betrayed by their societies and made to suffer and show their greatness in accepting their terrible fate and enduring great pain?

I think what you say in this post is really key >>if being crucified was a happy little walk in the park, kind of a weak sacrifice, huh?<< so I guess Gibson believes that Jesus's teachings would NEVER stand up on their own IF he had not suffered as He did.

You are looking forward to this movie? May I ask why? I do not wish to challenge this -- but I do find it noteworthy that you say you actually long to watch two hours of continual torture of Jesus....

[Piperay]

12. I saw him on Primetime with Diane Sawyer and

he gave me the creeps.:scared: :puke:

[Bundbuster]

16. "The creeps" is putting it mildly.

I also witnessed the Sawyer interview, and must say that I've rarely been so CREEPED OUT by any human being in my 56 years.

Caveat/disclosure: I've enjoyed many of Gibson's films, and have absolutely NO baggage on either side about "The Passion."

However, my reaction to Gibson's whole routine was akin to the violent & visceral impulses brought on by not deleting AWOL from my TV quickly enough. The man is a totally self-absorbed, egomaniacal, addiction-swapping, pontificating, self-righteous, with-us-or-against-us, evangelizing FANATIC. I still have shudders thinking about his entire psyche, scary to say the least.

[mumon]

22. You mean the one on EWTN?

I saw Gibson on TBN- I kinda feel sorry for him, because he's now in the same league as "Mr. T." and "Dino," and the "Guy who said he was in Black Sabbath, but wasn't on any of their recorded music and nobody saw him play live with them...Jeff what's his name."

Anyway, the respone of conservative Christians here has been downright weird, IMO.

I did see on EWTN, some interview with some friar and a guy-who-was-acting-stereotypically-in-a-way-his-church-would-call-intrinsically-disordered, who was just gushing over this, and how it was "not true" or "disingenous" that some folks don't like the anti-semitism in the film.

This is too weird. Too bad I can't get any good hallucinogens anymore.

Takes me back, though, to when they were readily available, and we'd go to certain "churches" for entertainment...

[King Coal]

23. I hope Ashcroft doesn't watch it.

He'd probably pull a Pee Wee Herman.}(

[SpaceCatMeetsMars]

25. I can't remember where I read this, but it quoted part of an interview

with him where he was just rambling crazily. If he is involved with Opus Dei, there are sources who say that some of the members are engaging in cult-like behavior. From what I have read, there are many different large organizations where some members are not cult-like, but other members or branches of the organization do become cults or start having cult-like traits. Maybe he has become involved with something like that.

[historian]

26. life of brian

When the monthy python spoof of jesus came out there was the usual outcry from the loonie right wingers. It was not an offensive film, merely one in which someone is caught up in circumstances beyond his control. John Cleese was being interviewed on TV with the Bishop of Canterbury and when the bishop asked if john wasnt embarrassed by the sensation he had caused John's respoonse was "not at all. In fact i wish you would yell louder, becuase the more commontion you cause, the more free publicity i get, and the richer i become. Thank you."
The Bishop looked momentarily like Bush - completely baffled.

[noonwitch]

27. The whackos where I grew up protested "Oh, God" and "JC Superstar"

They had no problem with "The Omen" or "The Excorcist", however.
"The Last Temptation of Christ" didn't play in Grand Rapids-I think that when it was at the theatres, the only place in Michigan it showed was in Southfield.

[MichaelUK]

28. He's not the messiah

He's a very naughty boy.

Alright, alright, I am the messiah.
He is, he is!! He is the messiah. And what would you have us to, oh lord?
F*£k off!
And how should we...oh!

How could that be considered to be politically and religiously inflamatory?

[Neshanic]

30. He was on TBN, and PAX last night, same behind the scenes show.

Figetty as a ****house rat. My brother who has had relgious/mental problems along the line of Jesus "Speaking" to him and telling him what to do, acts just like St. Mel. He was very disturbing to watch on TV, and he really needs to get help.

[mac2]

32. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

[Hell Hath No Fury]

33. Considering he was in a suicidal depression...

before this film by his own admission, the thought that he may be having a mental health issue isn't that far off.

[callous taoboy]

34. Andy Rooney

called him a looney on 60 minutes the other night.

[donsu]

35. maybe Mel isn't taking his meds

I too know a man with a mental problem and when he doesn't take his meds he becomes a jesus freak, and drinks himself ill.

this movie will help the bushgang bring down america.

[Mari333]

38. Boston University has been watching the end times scapegoating

since before 2000..and the result of many people's anger that Jesus didnt return in 2000, and their need to scapegoat gays, feminists, liberals, anyone who doesnt agree with their agenda..its pretty eye opening to read the papers on this site
http://www.mille.org/people/rlpages/landes-rob.html

http://www.mille.org

[itcfish]

39. Sorry, I don't Agree with You

He is a Catholic, period. The Passion of Christ is what Catholics learn. It is part of our religion. Why do people see it as dangerous? I once read a book call the "Trojan Horse" by JJ Benitez and I experienced the Passion with all its pain. By the way this book is not allowed in the US. You can only get a copy in Spanish. I think a book that is not allowed to be published in the US is far more dangerous. People who hate are ignorant and un-educated. For example, look at all the Mafia Movies, are Italians hated because of these movies? Remember above all the Rhetoric, Jesus was a JEW, most of his Followers were Jews.
Peace be with you.

[Mari333]

40. Hitler was raised Catholic also

and if you look at any history of the Catholic church, you can easily see why jewish folks would be pretty darned concerned.
add to that, I find it amusing that Mel as an Opus Dei Catholic would be embraced by many of the souhtern baptists, who think Catholics are evil and the pope is the antichrist.
Oh wellllllllllllllllllllllll

[itcfish]

41. Churchill

was also a Catholic? So your point? Mel is not Opus Dei. Scalia and Thomas are Opus Dei.

[KoKo]

47. Thanks, Loud Sue! I didn't see it but read New Yorker interview of the

movie here in "Editorials" and the writer (Denby) seemed to agree with you that Gibson had gone over the edge with this movie and he wondered about his sanity.

I remember stories some years back that Charlton Heston had become so identifed with characters in movies that he started to "act out."

I wonder if Gibson's concern about something personal in his own religious experience or with our "world" in general hasn't tipped him over the edge.

What I will say is that Denby in the "NY'er" was worried about the young kids going to see this movie and the terrible guilt and trauma they would feel from viewing it. My only thought was that if the Right Wingers force their children to see this movie they may get something different than they bargained for, if the kids are revulsed by it. I have "Fundies" in my family who are e-mailing me to see it, and I won't go. (I don't have a high tolerance for exended violence, anyway) But, the zeal and fervor accompanying the promotion of this movie may just back fire big time on these folks.

Kids waking up screaming with nightmares, and others wondering why they were made to go to it.

I've tuned it out and am not watching the media and trying to just let it all go by, but no matter what one does, it eventually seeps in!

Just my 2Cents. Thanks for the post on this!