Commentary: Debate About ‘Passion’ Reveals Media Shortcomings

By Rev. Larry Hollon

(UMCom) -- The voice on the telephone explained that the movie “The Passion of The Christ” is generating great interest around the country. Surely the male voice said, The United Methodist Church would want to be a part of a remarkable event—the showing of the movie during Lent. If we would enter into a marketing agreement with his company, we could sell out theaters around the country and share in the benefits, including a portion of the take.

He said he was sure we would want to be a part of this event, and his offer was so generous there was no reason to refuse.

His closing remark was ominous. If we failed to take a stand in support of the movie, the world would know.

“The world would know what?” I wondered. That we are less than Christian if we do not sell the tickets? Or more faithful if we do? How silly.

I do not believe this movie is a litmus test of faith, or a precursor to sweeping religious revival, as some claim. But it is a cultural event. The debate swirling around it reveals both a frustrating and disturbing element of our culture. That element is the tendency to reduce an issue to black-or-white simplicity and to choose sides to debate either/or propositions. As I watched CNN recently, I saw two men debate the content of the movie. Superimposed on the screen was the caption: “Faithful to the Gospels or Demonization of Jews?”

Framing issues large and small into polar opposites has become a common practice among journalists. This practice makes it difficult to comprehend stories fully and in-depth. We deserve better. In the case of “The Passion of The Christ,” commentators limit our options on how we can feel about the movie. We have been told it will be either a powerfully moving experience illuminating the sacrifice of Jesus, or it will lead to bashing Jews. 

Understanding that this is how journalism is practiced today, the movie’s marketers have exploited it from the beginning. It has been an effective arrangement for both the commercial media and the moviemakers because it has brought eyeballs to the tube and has sold tickets to the movie.

It does not advance the public dialogue, and I believe it is dangerous. When the gatekeepers of commercial media frame the issues in polar opposites, they allow the agenda to be set by those at the extremes where division, alienation and anger reside. In a frightened and divided world, the middle ground between the extremes could be the place where dialogue occurs that leads to understanding, sensitivity and respect, all of which are necessary to help us build community. The voices in the middle are rarely heard and the issues are framed between irreconcilable opposites.

The movie, of course, is Mel Gibson’s vision of the Passion. As with every work of art, it will represent his understanding. Therefore, as the scholars on this Web site suggest, it is important to understand the context in which this work is made and in which it appears.

Moreover, we must take care to understand how cultural expressions affect us. The role of Passion plays contributing to anti-Semitism that led to genocide in Europe is no small concern. We would do well to remember that barely three years ago “hate radio” in Rwanda stirred rampaging gangs of Hutus to seek out and destroy Tutsis by the hundreds of thousands. We must have reasoned and informed discussion. The manipulation of cultural icons by those bent on destroying the human community is too great a threat to leave to the pandering producers of television talk shows, some of whom seem to lack even the most basic understanding of respect for human dignity.

Civil discourse is fundamental to a free society. It is possible for an intelligent, thinking person to be both moved and inspired by this portrayal of Christ's Passion and at the same time, be concerned about the anxiety this film raises among Jews.
 
The United Methodist tradition calls us beyond an "either-or" logic. It calls us to have open hearts and open minds. Ours is a tradition that melds faith, experience, reason, and Scripture. I believe we are called to inhabit the middle ground between the extremes and to probe more deeply than the superficial coverage of much of mainstream media. 

This movie event is about more than what you are currently hearing. It can be about how it is possible to feel both deeply moved and deeply concerned. It is about thoughtful, faithful study of Scripture. It can be about how people of faith inhabit the middle ground of sensitivity, respect for others, faithfulness and reconciliation. Do not look for that on CNN.

The Rev. Larry Hollon is General Secretary of United Methodist Communications, Nashville, Tenn. Before assuming his current position, he was an award-winning documentary producer.