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Mel Gibson's "The
Passion of the Christ" opens in theatres this coming week
and I am sure there is not one of us who has not seen at least some of
the promotions for this movie. Many Catholic and Christian church
leaders are looking to this movie to increase their congregations ...
ignoring the fact that this movie is rated "R" for graphic
violence.
Mel Gibson has stated that
the graphic images are to show people how much this man went through for
them. He is assuming that it is necessary that we see a bloodied
Jesus in order to get our attention. However, to feed our
subconscious with images of violence and gore, will in truth, separate
us even further from the Truth that Jesus taught. As we
continue to accept this literal interpretation of scripture and the life
of Jesus, we will find it increasingly difficult, if not impossible, to
transcend the physical as Jesus taught, and realize the resurrection of
Life, Truth and Spirit in our lives.
"You
are my friends, and the greatest love a person can have for his friends
is to give his life for them." - from
the splash page of "The Passion of the Christ" web site, Mel
Gibson's movie based on the literal interpretation of the Bible.
This statement is worthless without understanding what Jesus was
teaching. In order to understand what the word
"friends" meant to Jesus we can read the following from John
15:11-27, Key Verse: 15:14 “You
are my friends if you do what I command.”
Now, let's take a look at another statement from
the teachings of Jesus: "There is no
credit with God if you love only friends and not sinners."
(Matthew 5:43-48; Luke 6:32-36)
Looking at the
two statements above are we to assume that Jesus contradicted Himself or
perhaps was confused? Of course not. Our only conclusion can
be that the Bible as we know it, is an interpretation not a translation
and many of the statements in the Bible were not meant to be taken
literally.
Why would Mel Gibson be so adamant in making a
movie of the literal interpretation ... rather than do the work and find
the Truth of what Jesus was teaching? I believe it is because the
literal interpretation validates Mel's personal beliefs and judgments.
Mel Gibson has made many statements in the past that show that he has
missed much of the value of the true teachings of Jesus. This week
his father stated that the Holocaust was mostly untrue. I am sure
there are those who can also state that much of what we know of the
crucifixion is untrue. Why? Because every Bible that we
possess is an interpretation rather than an accurate translation ... the
words of the Bible have been manipulated to sanction slavery, racism,
anti-Semitism, anti-interracial marriage, and even now to diminish the
lives of gay and lesbian people. The Bible has been changed and
re-arranged to validate and support the religious power structure rather
than the people it was written to serve.
Jesus taught using parables (stories) ... and
was speaking from the "subjective" ... not the literal. WE
CANNOT TAKE THE BIBLE LITERALLY AND REAP ANY REAL BENEFIT FROM IT.
The Master Mind Jesus is the most powerful
teacher that has walked on this earth .... would He approve of "The
Passion of the Christ" movie? I don't think so. His
Life's work led to the "Resurrection" ... dismissing the false
judgments and the concepts that separated us and kept us from God.
"Fear not, little flock, it is the Father's Good pleasure to give
you the Kingdom." This "Kingdom" can only be found
as we transcend the "physical" and the "literal"
interpretation of the Bible ... and embrace our One-ness with God.
And
So It Is!
Letting
Love Use Me In Its Own Good Way,
Henry
Lee Bates
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