Loved it. And you critics be still. God will use any vehicle HE chooses. Not the one you want to choose for HIM.
Antony, S. Africa

Why are people constantly putting down "the Passion of the Christ". What is wrong with people, the film did not take anything away from the gospel as other films have. It was not over violent or Satanic "as it has been said" anyone who says it was to violent clearly has not read historical documents about crucifiction. Jacob has said there was no need for the arm of Jesus to have been pulled while being nailed to the cross in the film. What about the scripture "All my bones are out of joint". Jesus was mocked and  beaten by the priest's.  Whipped, beaten with sticks, stripped, mocked and then killed.
Think about this, why did Jesus die on the 6th hour out of the 9 hours he was on the cross, if the beating was not massive. History tells us a man could hang on a cross for 3 days before dying, but Jesus died in 6 hours. Why was that if he was not beaten beyond belief.
Leave the film alone, it is a witness to Christ.
Shimeon, UK

I love Jesus! I believe that if even one person was saved because of the Passion, that is good enough for me.
Rob Kunze

I have seen this movie twice.  I see it as a great deception within the church.  I see it as a shaking out of what can be shaken and a strenghtening of what remains.  To he who has more will be given to he who has not even what he has will be taken away. 
Margaret Webb, USA

The Passion of Christ is God's lifting Christ up before the nations, in a sense. I don't question the Holy Spirit was involved with this.
Melinda, USA

Having watched the film I was struck by the incredible Grace and love of The Lord Jesus for men who treated him so badly. I loved and appreciated The Lord more as a result of watching. I noted the catholic influences and some biblical inaccuracies but felt the central truth of Jesus being lifted up to draw all men unto his self was clearly presented. When Jesus is struggling with carrying the cross Mary approaches him and The Lord says to her in a triumphant way " Behold I make all things new" thus exalting his triumph against her human anguish. A pastor friend of mine showed the film then explained the full meaning of the cross and 20 people responded to the gospel and are now being discipled.
Pastor Stan Smith, UK

After reading the varying comments of the people  that have contributed already, I would like to pose the following observations:
1. Images of God, i.e. Jesus, are forbidden (Deut 4:15-16 and 5:8 Isaiah 44:9);
2. Any true born-again believer who knows his scripture would never desire to represent himself as Jesus;
3. As so many appear to be confused as to what is truth (Deut 4:2 and 12:32), this film will add to the many and varied methods by which the devil is seducing the church away from the truth, as is prophesied to occur in the last days;
4. Images are powerful. One's mind retains the image long after the memory of it has faded into the background. The images portrayed in the Passion film are similar to the stained glass images of earlier times. They only serve to mislead and lead us to the counterfeit.
5. At least one commentator felt that catholicism is a spent force, but it is more likely that catholicism is on the ascendancy once more. The church today finds little problem with it, which is why we read of so many who will go to see this film AND are prepared to engage in the Alpha course, which is also catholic.
6. The real phophetic word for today is "Return to Me and I will return to you" (Jeremiah 4:1; Zechariah 1:3);
7. If we reject catholicism and all of its imagery, from His Word the LORD promises real blessing, but I fear as did Jeremiah, that they will not listen!
John Kemp, UK

Yes I have seen the movie. I Believe that the movie was all about the money. Mel put this movie out the right time to make the money (Easter)! It's like the holiday's when stores put out certain things for each Christmas, Easter etc...  
Yvonne Daniel

I thought the Passion was a wonderful film . If there were slight errors, I would say that that is exactly what they were, not maliciously or deceptively intended. I believe that too harsh a judgement of Mel Gibson's effort just reduces the message that was clear to me, namely that Jesus lovingly and sacrificially gave all He had for me - hallelujah! That is the message to the world, not the technicalities of whether the nails were in the right place or not or whether Christ actally bruised the serpent's head when in Gethsemene.
Perhaps we should live and let live - God loves frail human beings and yes, we will see clearly once we see him face to face, but for now we see through a glass dimly...
Helene, S. Africa

Thanks be to God, I was raised as a believer in Yeshua as our beloved Messiah & Lord, from the time I was a child through to present (some 40 odd years later). My wife was converted and baptized in Christ - after being drawn out of the Christian Science cult, many years ago - and our only son, now 13, follows the Lord with a beautiful enthusiasm. We have seen The Passion of the Christ twice so far. I had told my family & friends repeatedly, over a period of several years, how I felt that now was the time for Hollywood to produce a new film about Christ, and that it should be in the Lord's native tongue of Aramaic. I cried, as I was driving in my car, a year ago (& praised God) - when I first heard the news on the radio about Mel Gibson's new film project, which had just begun filming.  We were moved to see the Lord's suffering finally portrayed in a true context. Though, if we meditate on the fact that the sins of the World were layed upon Him, His suffering was, undoubtedly, far worse than even Mr Gibson, or anyone else, could portray on film (Isaiah 52:13-14... "See my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted. Just as there were many who were appalled at him - his appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and his form marred beyond human likeness..."). Many critics have expressed fear the film would spark an outbreak of violence, but instead, it continues to prompt criminals, from burglars to murderers, to confess to crimes committed as long as a decade ago (including a  neo-Nazi), in addition to prompting thousands to begin attending church services, as well as open news media discussions on the subject of Christ & His purpose. In light of these events happening, how can we question whether the film works for Christ? Obviously the Holy Spirit is working here, not Satan ("How can Satan drive out Satan?" - Mark 3:16). I scratch my head when I read some of the other comments, and ask myself, have these people done anything, of this magnitude - of The Passion of the Christ - to bring Jesus Christ to the World? How many of us, who claim to be His followers, can say we have.
Mark, USA

I have not seen it. Why would anyone who loves Jesus want to see him pulped for 2 hours? My father was wounded badly at El Alamein. I would not want to watch 2 hours of that recreated. I believe it without seeing it. Why watch the Passion?
Tony Reynolds, UK

I was impressed by the film, I thought it would be worse than it was due to the bad reviews some had given.  What bothered me somewhat though, was that some ministers have been plugging people to see this film (Christian ministers), yet they hadn't seen it themselves.  If they had they would have noted the blatantly Catholic undertones here (Such as 'Mother' Mary being referred to throughout the film), particularly with the final seen at the foot of the cross (John - Here is your Mother...).
The film itself is more accurate to scripture than I had hoped, I was awaiting far worse to come from a Catholic creation (in fact the film is not a Hollywood film, it is an Independent, financed my Mel).  It is gruesome, though so was Christ's life (the film didn't show a back like a ploughed field, and Christ resembling something non-human from his stripes).  The crucifixion and torture would have been worse than portrayed.
Upon leaving the film, however, I have not seen people come out so silently before, and with obvious tear tracks down their cheeks.  It certainly impacted people I knew who were not in the church.
If it is going to be used as an evangelistic tool - then get your minister to watch it before recommending it - and for goodness-sake watch it critically.  You need to give an account for the hope within you, therefore find out where it differs from scripture and starts plugging paganistic beliefs about the Mother Goddess etc.  Mel has used some artistic licence in this also.
My opinion of the film is that it is quite good, however I am already a believer in Christ and am aware of the Gospel/Scripture background.  To those who are new to the faith, or who are not very aware of scripture (yes, sadly we do not ask enough questions sometimes...) it does not portray the gospel of salvation by faith, the inclusion of the gentiles into the promise of salvation and sadly hardly any scripture (if I remember correctly) other than the Isaiah quote at the beginning (by his stripes we are healed; which is a fantastic quote).  I do think I would watch it again though; it's not for me an entertainment piece, but it still got me thinking about the Christ';s life.
Teifion, Wales

I saw the Passion of The Christ movie on Easter evening with my brother and I was totally shocked, disgusted, and horrified. I am a born-again Christian who loves Jesus but it was extremely painful to see my Saviour protrayed in such a false and blasphemous way. I do believe that Jesus went through a lot of physical pain and torture while He was on this earth. I also feel that it wasn't necessary for Mel Gibson to include so much graphic, gory violence in explicit detail. I wear glasses because I am nearsighted, but I had to take them off during most of the movie and put my head down because the images were so painful, disgusting and horrific. I never want to see this movie again because it totally sickened me. I couldn't sleep for 4 nights in a row. I recommend that if people want to see a really good Jesus movie, buy or rent Jesus of Nazareth which was made by Franco Zeffirelli. It is on VHS and DVD and you can buy it through amazon.com. It is a very beautiful film about the life of Christ. No gore or disgusting images, and for the most part, it sticks with the Gospel accounts.This is a film that the entire family can enjoy, unlike the Passion.
Sharon Lewis, USA

This movie moved my spirit.  There were many truths portrayed, and many more came to mind as I watched the film.  I believe the Holy Spirit is behind this one.
Shelley Birrell, Australia

I saw the Passion and found it moving.  I understand that there were creative liberties, some of which were nice, in that that showed the presence of satan/demons that were no doubt around when this event was taking place.  The things I didn't like about it was the "stations of the cross" information which is not based on scripture, but based on mystics and historians and others thought to be reputable by Catholics.  I prefer to rely on God's Word in this area, and there is no mention in the gospels of Veronica, 3 gospels report that the women stayed at a distance, one reports that Mary was near the cross as he was crucified, and yet the things Jesus said to the women at that point were not even referred to.  Mary did not hold Jesus' body in her arms.  There is no account of that in the Bible.  A man named Joseph requested the body and took it to the tomb.  The stations of the cross have a station where Mary claims to have placed his body and positioned it, etc and there is simply no account of that.  3 Gospels say that someone else carried the cross (implying that he was too weak after being beaten 1 stripe short of death) to have carried the cross at all, where John reports that he carried it, at least part of the way.  I think the basic principal of Jesus dying for our sins, receiving stripes for our healing and became a curse by hanging on a tree, to set us free from the curse of sin and death... that comes through... was it fully scriptural? No.  Do I support the Catholic church.  No.  Do I think the movie can have an impact, yes I do.  Am I glad Mel created the movie, yes I am.  Its nice to see SOMEONE stand up for what is right, even if they are a bit confused about the validity of some of the facts.  God bless Mel, I pray he is saved... he commented on one interview with Peter Jennings that you do not have to "be saved" to go to heaven... so I'm not sure what he's really thinking... that statement to me, was scarey... for there is only one way to the Father, and that is through the blood of Jesus the Son.  TO God be the Glory in all things... he is still able to use imperfect vessels for his glory... if he wasn't... none of us could be used, no matter our religious affiliation or understanding of scripture.
Kathy Linville, Texas, USA

No one on this earth is really qualified to judge whether The Passion of the Christ is an accurate portrayal of Jesus' last twelve hours. All we can do is watch the film and see how it affects us as individuals. For me, it was the most powerful movie experience I have ever had, and I am an avid cinema-goer. I sobbed quietly but solidly from the time Jesus is lashed to the time of his crucifixion. By the end I was of the conclusion that this was no ordinary film. Audience members remained seated until long past the closing credits in thoughtful contemplation. Two wept and hugged each other as I passed them on the way out. I felt shaky, incredibly moved and exhilarated but also in need of a good lie-down before I set about to dwell on what I had witnessed. Now a week has passed since I saw it, which gives me space to set aside my emotions and review this logically. But still it does not lessen the impact I felt then. I do not doubt the sincerity of Mel Gibson's motives in making this risky film. He wanted to show the truth of the awfulness of Christ's death, not a cosy picture book version like so many before but an extreme, raw, vivid and brutal account that doesn't shy away, despite the realities of the violence, to show supernatural elements and depict Christ unapologetically and without embarrassment as the Messiah, the Savior of Mankind who died for the sins of all the world. Gibson has managed to plant Christianity, a fading concern in these secular times, firmly back in the public eye. People are talking again, in the way they should, intelligently and articulately about this miraculous Man who lived and died 2,000 years ago and yet still has the power to affect us deeply.
The film itself, to put it crudely, is a roller coaster ride that doesn't let up. Its only moments of relief from the brutality are flashback scenes of Jesus' home life or moments with his disciples. But these are few and brief, to remind us that the film is about his tortuous death, not his life. Gibson believes people already know the story of Jesus' life and perhaps here he is being a little naive. I have many friends who do not know even such simple things as what a prophet is and if Jews believe in God! The claims of anti-Semitism are false and hysterical. Jesus was Jewish as were his followers. The 'bad guys' here are members of the Sanhendren, the high priests, some of whom have even dissented on Jesus' account, and the cruel, ignorant Roman soldiers. If this film is anti-Semitic then so too is the New Testament.
The film is a visual saturation, from the cloud-swathed moon of the opening to the androgynous Satan subtley passing through the crowd, the plain-faced believable Mary rushing to pick up her fallen Child to the collapsing shroud and the risen Jesus sitting with a faint smile beside it. Watching this film broke my heart. It's an experience not to be missed. So don't judge it by others' opinions, go see for yourselves!
Rachel, UK

I would not go to see this film.  Apart from its violation of the second commandment, it is indicative of our low state as Christians that the darkened thoughts of a medieval style Catholic, and the visions of a nun, both clearly unregenerate, should have the slightest appeal for true believers.  Are the word of God and the Spirit of God not sufficient for us? As for it being an evangelistic tool, again this underlines our lack of the original and only 'evangelistic tool' - the power of the Spirit, that we have to turn to this cesspool of human imaginations.
Dara O' Sullivan, Ireland

The film centers too much on how Yeshua was crucified and not enough on WHY.
It seems to concentrate a lot on Mary/Miriam which to me, this an other incidences gave it a very RC theme.
Linda Elliott, Cambridge, UK

It's concerning that many genuine Christians (& those not saved but they think they are) see a 'christian' tag and immediately fall at Mel Gibson's feet. My bible study group arranged to go as a group for a trip to the movies and I was the only one that refused to go. They are affronted at me for saying this film is trash from the Devil. Looks like I'll have to get used to that. Even my boss at work (christian with a small c) is promoting this film. Told him what I think & he looked at me like I have two heads (I might have for all you guys know, you can't even see me! ha) Those inclined can pray for Christian 'christian' friends who are being taken in by the hype & speak the truth in love to them.
But praise the Lord that a pro-alpha-course friend is seeking discernment about it.
Also my non-Christian parents went to see it and said it was "absolute boring garbage"! My mum apparently fell asleep during the thrashing scene and started snoring in the cinema. She woke up 1/2 hour later and the thrashing was still going on. My dad said to her "it's ok, you didn't miss anything". Praise God they weren't taken in by this 'message'. My dad even discerned the adversely catholic angle. He's not even saved! (yet..)
Even Christians going to see the movie discerningly are putting money in Mel Gibson's pocket to finance more lies. Those seeing the movie are not watching the crucifixion, they're watching a movie, a thing of the world and all that entails. You don't have to see it just because you're a Christian, it's only a movie, not truth! The Lord gave us the truth in the Scriptures.
Jillian, UK

I haven't watched it, but this is frightening, the scenes/images are burned into the viewers mind and you know so because they talk so and pray so.
Now, so much for walking by faith not by sight.
Kevin

After watching the film I have come to the opinion that although the film concentrates heavily on the violence surrounding the remaining hours of Jesus' life before he rose it cuts out a lot of the reality of the gospel by cutting short the importance of the risen Christ. The film does not appear to be anti semetic as critics have said but does show the roman leadership as very just. As well as giving Mary a lot of publicity and definitely comes across as Catholic. If this film ever does bring any one to the Lord the chances of them thinking the Catholic church is the place for Christianity are high and these poor lost sheep may be led astray.
On a good note the film does bring home the truth about how much Jesus suffered for the salvation of mankind even if Mel uses quite a bit of poetic licence.
Glen, England

Loved it, Strengthed my love and faith for Christ.  To better recognize the price of my transgresions will surely help me to keep my focus on the narrow path.
B. Cannon, Canada

My wife and I are Christians and we went to see the film with a completely open mind, as we hadn't seen or read anything for or against the film.
 I did not find the film either anti-Semitic or pro-Catholic, to me if anything it just portrayed factual events more or less as they happened; Jesus WAS tried illegally, he WAS set up by Judas, and the religious leaders DID want him out of the way. It also portrayed the Romans as barbaric, which is true. We know from history that crucifixion was outlawed not too long after Jesus because of its inhumanity.
I cried during the scourging and crucifixion scenes, why? Because it showed in a very graphic way, what my Lord went through for MY and YOUR sin. If this film shows that to people and starts them to question why He did it then it has to be a good thing. At the end of the day, does it glorify God or the Devil? Lets not get caught up with concepts of Marianism or supposedly St Veronica making an appearance - the average film goer would not be aware of this.
Ultimately, what Jesus endured wasn't pretty, Isaiah 52 & 53 bear witness to that.
A film about the supreme Divine sacrifice is heading to be the greatest blockbuster of all time. Star Wars, ET, Titanic could not help peoples eternal destiny but this film just might.
Keith Singleton, England

As administrator of this forum I have received many and varied comments on our talking point The Passion of the Christ. When I finally decided to watch the film for myself, which I did today, I thought I would do so with as neutral a mindset as possible. Here then are the pros and cons of the film from my own point of view.
Unlike many that have written in this forum I have to disagree with there being a strong Catholic presence throughout the film; there are instances but more if one is looking for them. It was clear to me that Mary’s grief in the film was maternal and when she did say to Jesus that she would rather die in His place that she was only saying what any loving mother would given the same circumstances. I found the final scene, with Mary when she lay Jesus on her lap, to have strong Catholic overtones.
As with all gospel films that have come from Hollywood – all gospel films per se – the usual mistake, as was the case with this film, is to cast Jesus as a beautiful person totally contradicting the Bible’s account of Him. When God made Himself known to us He did so in a way void of all glory. Born in a stable and a carpenter’s son – and in later life without even a place to lay His head – Jesus, we are told, had “no form or comeliness”, and “no beauty that we should desire him.” (Isaiah 53.2). He was “despised and rejected of men” and “we esteemed him not” (v. 3). Mel Gibson therefore did greatly err in his choice for this role.
Lucifer is the beautiful (Ezekiel 28.12-), the lofty (Daniel 4.10-) and the proud one (Isaiah 14.13-), whose coming is with pomp and with ceremony, and with the desire to be worshiped of all (Daniel 11.36), and his anti-Christ will epitomise these things (Rev. 13.8). Jesus on the other hand is the humble ‘mustard seed’, the least of all seeds, though it becomes the greatest of all herbs (Matt. 13.31).
I thought that the violence done to Jesus was a little over-stated. None of the gospels record Jesus’ sufferings in such extensive detail, though the fact that He did suffer is accurate. These scenes I must admit disturbed my spirit though. It brought it home to me just how it must have been for Him and those present at the time, and that He went through all of this for me. It made my own sufferings as a Christian at the hands of this world all the more insignificant in comparison. It also showed me as a Christian that like Jesus, and many of the saints that have gone on before me, I too may have to tread this path one day for my faith.
As for the film being anti Semitic, it was clear to me that this was not the case at all. The Roman soldiers whose at hands Jesus suffered the most in the film appeared to be more culpable for His death than did the Jews. I believed it to show both Jew and Gentile to be responsible for His death in equal measure, in other words all of us. In that Mel Gibson said we all put Jesus to death, this I couldn’t agree with more and he clearly made this point known throughout the film.
As for whether or not the film can be used as a witnessing tool to unbelievers, I have to say that I am highly sceptical. It seems to me that the film is but an ‘emotional roller coaster ride’, which at first, while it is in the limelight, may have a slight impact, but like all films it will soon pass and be forgotten. Also, in that the world is giving the film such high acclaim, this to me is highly dubious. The gospel has always been an ‘offence’ to the world (1 Peter 2.8), why therefore is it now praising the film? I wonder if it might not have had the same famous Hollywood actor behind it if it would have made such an impact?
In summary all I can say is the film did move me as a Christian and it could be used as a tool to edify Christians. Unbelievers, though, that’s something else. Neither Jesus nor the apostles would have used the world’s medium to reach the unsaved, neither should we. The old method – the Bible – works just fine, thanks.
Martyn Carless, UK

My husband and I chose not to see The Passion. We saw the Sawyer interview and I became very disturbed. I made a search and immidiately saw Mel's interview with Christianity today and saw his statement that he was juxtaposing the mass and the movie crucifixation. Also I saw his source for the extrabiblical parts came from the Delorous Passion, which I looked up on the web and read quickly through much to my horror. I immediately took this info to our pastor which I felt was from the Lord. We are members of an AOG church who are in full support of the movie as you probably know. My pastor did not directly support the movie but the AOG literature did. My biggest problem was I kept hearing from evangelicals this was 100% the gospel. My pastor said he would discuss that it couldn't be and he said he would discuss Marionism also. The movie is very seductive spriritually and the people who see without knowing anything can't see anything wrong or the Catholicism, it's amazing. I feel God has awakened me to really see the Ecumenical move and how so many are involved and blinded. It is very hard to talk to people in the religious community but I will as God leads for I must. I'm so thankful for the shelter of His wings in such deceptive times. I just pray that our congregation wakes up and I don't know what to say about headquarters, I'm praying about a letter to the editor about The Evangelical articles re: The Passion. I really see the Apostacy we are in. Thank you for your review. What's next I wonder?
Sandra Smith USA

Having seen the film a week ago I am still not sure. I prayed for discernment and wisdom before I went and have done ever since. My gut reaction was to think that the torture of Jesus was more then he really endured to get a reaction from the viewing public. I now with all my heart that he suffered inexplicably for me but I came home and read The Holy Bible accounts of his floging and whipping in all of the gospels and none had his flesh falling off and blood spilling all over the floor and mary wiping it up. I just do not know. Mel Gibson did not show the good Jesus did before he died either. Comparing this with the way he unjustly was tortured and died. I kept trying to think. If I was not a Bible believing Christian before I watched it would it have converted me and I don't know. I hope and pray it will 'Work for good for those that love Him and are called according to his purposes.'
Pam Daykin, England

The beating that Jesus took was unrealistic.  No one could survive it, nor is the severity of that beating particularly biblical.  It was just graphical shock factor garbage, just as the crow plucking out the other crucficiant's eye.  Senseless violence.  It should have been rated NC-17.  No child should ever go see this.
Ara Hill, USA

I am an ex-Catholic and this is a Catholic propaganda film.  The structure of the film conforms to the list of the 5 mysteries of the Rosary: The Agony of Jesus in the Garden, the Scourging of Jesus at the Pillar, the crowning with thorns, the carrying of the cross and the crucifixion and the death of Jesus.  The film links the sacrifice of the cross with the sacrifice of the the Mass.  I believe that the spirit of this film is that of "The Christ" of the New Age movement and of the worldwide church of the antichrist that is forming before us.  I believe this film will cause many to turn to heretical Catholicism.
Lynn Prince

Overall, it was fairly accurate.  i didn't care for the marian themes that permeated the entire work.
Rick, USA

As soon as I heard about the Passion of Christ, my spirit felt very uncomfortable. The Bible warns very strongly about false teachers teaching a different gospel and a different Jesus, wolves in sheep's clothing. We are to test everything with fire of the gospel as even Satan can come as an angel of light.
In the last days there will be a falling away. I believe that this is happening now as a lot of Churches and Christians are compromising. This film is not biblically accurate, it does not teach the way to salvation, it was made by Mel Gibson who is not a born again Christian, but believes in the Latin Medieval Catholic Church. It just feels perverted to me so why on earth would I need Mel Gibson and Hollywood (which is of THIS world) to help me appreciate and understand what my Father in Heaven and his son Jesus did for me.
I also came across this article http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/04/passion.htm
It's worth reading as it pointed out the 2nd commandment and compared it to other scriptures in the Bible.
"You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth...." Exodus 20:4
"To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal and compare Me, that we should be alike?" Isaiah 46:5
" Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man..." Romans 1:22-23
It's a good point as every time I would have tried to imagine Jesus, Robert Powell would pop into my head.
Sam, UK

I have NOT seen this movie nor do I plan to see it. However, I just wanted to thank you for a wonderfully written article on this "movie." Very well said, Thank God, Amen!
Rick, Canada

This film is a multi-million dollar exercise to bring people to the false RC church depicted in Revelation Church of Thiatira. The Stigmatic behind the film is the mystic Anne Catherine Emmerich and her life story and writings, revelations carried the power and controversy being generated by the movie. The famous work of hers is entitled "The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ" and that is the one tied in to this very Catholic movie. Mel Gibson a devout Catholic is said to carry one of her relics. The visions of this Stigmatic are said to carry more of history than anyone else known and that Jesus himself conducted her through these visions. From the day of her baptism she was strongly attracted to the "Blessed Sacrament" which of itself is Satanic. "Before it her joy shone exteriorly" writes her biographer Father Smogen". "She never entered the church without her angel guardian who taught her homage due to the "Eucharistic God". Our Lord Himself made known to her in vision the grandeur and magnificence of His mysteries..."
" After Holy Scripture, there is no Book that contains so many words of eternal truth and life than the revelations of AC Emmerich" according to the cannon of the Cathedral of Loybech). The movie is based partly on her visions as the Vatican prepares to consider her beatification. It is said her life was one of constant sickness and suffering in rooms where mice scattered over her coverlet and the cold was such that the straw of her bed froze to the wall.
The stigmata itself was incredible ...studied by medical experts and ecclesiastical authorities were left totally sure it was from the supernatural even if they started out as skeptics. The wounds up to half an inch in size, were in her hands, feet, side and head and bled profusely ...if you are interested in any more email me... and see Michael H Brown (excerpts from Spirit Dail web page article.
Gibson introduces St Veronic into his OWN "biblical account" of The Passion and the scene that identifies her takes place as "Jesus" stumbles to the ground under the weight of the cross. She approaches him from the crow and offers him a drink of water and gives him her head covering to blot the blood and sweat from his face. After being pushed away by the Roman soldiers she is seen watching the proceedings while holding the head covering which clearly reveals the facial feature of Christ in blood.
Further, the depiction of the scene in the garden lacked subtlety and accuracy. The introduction of the large Raven was inaccurate and revolting but unacceptable and the scene with Satan holding a foul apparition of the antichrist was totally off, unnecessary and error. NIL MARKS AND NIL VALUE
Sheila Maureen Paterson

I think the start says it all: Jesus is in the garden praying, under the full moon, being taunted by a female Satan. The moon goes behind the clouds and Jesus seems to fall weak to his face. The moon comes out again and Jesus is revived. The Jesus I know certainly does not pray to the moon or draw on it for stength; no wonder the Muslims say the film is good because it is more like their Jesus!
Wayne Baldwin, UK

Another example of how hype and emotion have replaced Truth and Reason. While millions of people have flocked to see this film, only a dozen or so were in the theatres when my wife and I went to see "The Gospel of John", a word for word account from the Word of God. What does God say about mixing things in Deut 22:9-11? This film is a mixture of a little truth and a lot of error. For myself, let me be robed in fine linen, unmixed with wool; let me put my hand to the plow with the oxen and no asses, and let me sow the pure seed of God's word, and not a mixture with tares.
Dan Shenk, USA

While I found the visual presentation of the actual sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ to be the most accurate I have ever seen on film, I must say that the balance of the film contained so much unbiblical teaching that it makes the film more useful for deception than evangelism. It's been remarked that the visions of Anne Emmerich were the source of extraneous material in the film. Personally, I think that the Word of God was treated as "extraneous" by Mr. Gibson and his team. There was way too much "traditions of men" in the film and not enough biblical accuracy.
Mike Bugal, Heartland Chapel Ministries, USA

Before even seeing the movie I knew that much of the script was based on the visions of St. Anne Catherine Emmerich, an eighteenth century mystic nun. This is according to Mel Gibson himself and many many other sources. But I wanted to know for myself just how much of the book he did use. So I downloaded her book "The Doloures Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ", which is a written account of her "visions" of the crucifixion, and basically read it.
http://www.emmerich1.com/
DOLOROUS_PASSION_OF
_OUR_LORD_JESUS_CHRIST.htm.
To sum it up, the obvious correlation between the movie and the Emmerich visions, the focus on Mary, the obvious incorporation of the "stations of the cross" (a Catholic tradition of taking on the sufferings of Christ), as well as the "over the top" focus on the physical sufferings - all work together to prove my concerns that this movie would do more to perpetuate Mel's Catholic Jesus and a distortion of the truth and biblical facts. This movie assumes that the majority of its audience would be biblically illiterate. And it rightly assumes this. Falling into the emotional and visual trap of this film is a small taste of the deception that millions of Catholics find themselves under with this false religion. And now we are seeing the same sad fate of thousands of so called evangelic churchianity "ites" - whom have been living on basically the "skim of the milk" of the word.
Catholics are praising this movie, Mormons are praising this movie, Muslims are calling it historically accurate, Yasser Arafat is quoted as saying the movie was "impressive and historically accurate" and compares the suffering Jesus to the suffering Palestinians. The Pope says "it is as it was", and even the leaders in the evangelic churches are endorsing this movie from the pulpits on Sunday mornings! This seems to be a Jesus that all religions are willing to accept. That's highly suspicious to me.
This movie made me jealous for my Lord. The true Messiah. I don't for one minute downplay the sufferings he went through to die for me. But they were more then just physical. And the Jesus portrayed here fits in more with the "other Jesus" Paul warns about in Galatians! Believers STAY ALERT! If has to take a movie such as this to bring you into a closer relationship with the Lord, then there is a problem!
Heather Goodrich, CA, USA

First of all, I would like to say how much this ministry has directed and focused my attention on Christ rather than my church or religion.
In regards to the "Passion" I think that as a movie, yes it was well made. Now as a Bible Believing Christian I observed several critical points, good and bad.
Good=beleivable
1. The suffering of Christ was pretty accurate
2. The humor of Jesus when younger
3. The love for his mother
Bad=not-believable
1. The movie made Mary-mother seem insensitive (emotionally) and at the same time making her the one who trully suffered the most, thus taking away the whole attention from the sole purpose or his sufferings=Redemption.
2. The children who portrayed evil were totally inapropriate and uncalled for.
3. Judas's concience of guilt for his sin had no credible accounts before he hanged himself. If people who see the film beleive such things, it's no wonder that people have a hard time knowing the truth from error.
4. I have heard throughout the media & church that THIS movie has impacted their lives more that any thing, but we have to ask ourselves this question, was it all emotion with out the truth? I am not saying that emotions are not part of our lives, because they are, but what I am saying is emotions are fine, provided that we have and not lose sight of the purpose driven truth, which is believing and accepting the Sacrifice for our Sinful life and not just feeling sorry for the suffering of Christ.
5. The nailing in his hands rather than his wrists were also non-historical, not to mention that it is a premise for the RC church's belief in the Stigmata - unbiblical.
Over all, the movie and it's title "The Suffering of the Christ" pretty much says it all in the movie. It drives the viewer to put away and dismiss the purpose of his sufferings. An emotion by itself will never change the heart only the truth will set us free. The movie did make some impact, it made a lot of peope mad-emotions and made one person very rich=happines-emotion. As for me, I thank God that I did not lose touch with reality according to scriptures; test all things and hold fast to what is true, God did not give us a spirit of fear but of Love, Power and a SOUND MIND, live by Faith and not by sight.
Thank you for giving me the opporutinty to share this with you, I hope I was not to self-critical.
Faith, hope and Love to you.
Please ask Brother: Prasch when he will be coming to Houston,Texas? There seems to be a lot of heresy within the church and people are too afraid to stand up against such things.
Daniel Torres, Houston, TX, USA

I thought it was an excellent film. I felt he took less artistic license than most biblical epics of yesteryear and I certainly didn't see Pilate portrayed in a positive light. He executed an innocent man for his political future. He also added the dissenting member of the Sanhedrin, which I found very likely. Far better than anything to come out of Hollywood in 30 or 40 years.
Steve

I don't think someone seeing the film would think it has much of a Catholic perspective. That was not the central issue presented in the movie. I thought it was a fairly accurate portrayal of the gospels. Sure, it can be picked apart with careful scrutiny I suppose, but I don't think 99% of people seeing it would understand much other than the brutality of Jesus' last 12 hours on earth, and they probably would wonder what it means for them. I personally did not perceive heavily a Catholic movie, that did not come to mind during the movie to me.
Mike Casady

This movie is the greatest ever told. it will reach a lot of unsaved and backsliders.
IT IS THE TRUTH!!
Rev. Robert B. Murray, USA

The very beliefs of Gibson and his wife have made me wary of wanting to see it.
M. Leigh, UK