In Defense of Mel Gibson

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In Defense of Mel Gibson
by Linda A. Prussen-Razzano, Dallas Bureau Chief

August 29, 2003

"Candidly Yours"

Linda A. Prussen-Razzano One would think that the recent spate of deadly terrorist attacks, the bona fide circus that is the California recall election, our continued troubles in rebuilding Iraq, or the temper tantrum of the Texas Democrats would be the focus of my attention. Surprisingly, I expect terrorists to behave like pathetic cowards, politicians to cut each other’s throats, pundits to trash Bush because it’s vogue, and Democrats to engage in false hubris.

No new news here, folks.

Actor/Director Mel Gibson from "We Were Soldiers" (Paramount) But what I didn’t expect, and what I find particularly outrageous, is the undisguised venom that continues to be spat at Mel Gibson (right) and his most recent project, “The Passion.” I expected Hollywood’s elite to object to a film that reverently portrayed Christ as a heroic figure, instead of a confused soul desperately seeking acceptance. Trashing Christianity, and especially anything remotely Catholic, is the last bastion of acceptable bigotry in our politically correct society. Yes, Heaven forbid that devout Catholics approach the material with such awe; they attend mass on a daily basis so they can be as spiritually “clean” as possible during filming.

In order to discredit the project, newshounds have pestered Mel’s prejudiced father, plucking from interviews the most damning tidbits they could. Well, if we are to judge all apples by their trees, Chelsea Clinton should never, ever consider a career in politics; lest we assume she, too, is a self-absorbed, sexually depraved liar who doesn’t understand the English language and puts America last.

Then they slandered Mel’s faith, focusing on his rejection of Vatican II and labeling those who reject it as a “cult.” For those non-Catholic dolts who are obviously writing on subjects they know nothing about, there are a number of Catholics not completely comfortable with all of the changes under Vatican II. Look at that, I’m in a cult and I didn’t even know it!

Despite this, I have not yet reached the epitome of their arrogance. Screenings of the movie have been shown to only a very select few; yet, I have seen articles about the movie from papers all across the United States. Are these scribblings devoted to an unbiased review? No. They focus on the whining and crying of those who have not seen the movie, but only a stolen draft copy of the manuscript.

What’s that? No, I’m not kidding. They didn’t see the movie, only a draft copy of the manuscript…and a stolen draft copy at that.

They want to be consulted, they want the script changed, they want…they want…they want. Funny, I must have missed all the demands of the Catholic Church while Hollywood made yet another “Catholics are the root of all evil” flick and promoted the heck out of it, while celebrating crucifixes in urine and cow dung on the Virgin Mary.

What is the primary objection to the movie? Supposedly, it is anti-Semitic. This is perhaps the most ironic claim so far. The story of Jesus Christ is a celebration of Christianity’s Jewish origins, God’s eternal love, the ultimate sacrifice, and humanity’s frailties.

In the Catholic Church, it is no secret that Christ was Jewish, born of a Jewish woman, raised in the Jewish faith, as foretold by Jewish prophecy, in answer to Jewish prayers for a Savior. He came not to change the law, but to fulfill the law. The heroes of the Old Testament are Jewish. God is the God of Israel, the God of Abraham, the One True God. The Last Supper, reverently remembered in Holy Communion, is Passover. When the Jewish voices in the crowd called for the release of the bandit, Barrabas, they were helping to fulfill Jesus’ own words about his impending death, a death that was necessary for the redemption of all mankind.

Love. Sacrifice. Redemption. Forgiveness. Yup, these would be high on anyone’s offensive material list.

If any good has come out of this controversy, aside from riling up millions of Christians to reacquaint themselves with their faith, it’s this: Hollywood has finally admitted that it was lying to us for years. How many times has the Church, most notably the Catholic Church, been ridiculed for criticizing modern society’s propensity to glorify violence, promiscuity, and decadence on film? How many times have we been told that films don’t have an influence on society, they merely reflect society? If one film can cause a “wave” of anti-Semitism across the United States, I guess Hollywood was less than truthful in the past. Shocking, isn’t it?

Unlike my counterparts in the mainstream media, I will wait to see the film before criticizing it. If it is offensive, if it is anti-Semitic, I will be the first one to shout it from the keyboard.

For now, I have decided to object to their objections, to finally raise my voice in angry protest at the ceaseless assault on my Church, to stop hiding my faith as if it were some unpleasant secret. I will defend Mel Gibson, a fellow Catholic, for committing the unforgivable sin of not having six wives, four girlfriends, two trophy children, several addictions, a few convictions, and a broken moral compass – in short, I will defend his choice to walk the path most pleasing to God in an industry that indulges in godlessness.

I’m pissed, and I don’t care if people find that offensive. ***

Photo of Linda Prussen-Razzano courtesy of staff files
Photo of actor/director Mel Gibson courtesy of Paramount Pictures