The Passion of the Christ movie

by Steve Lowry 6 Replies latest jw friends

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  Steve Lowry

  Well, I just saw the movie yesterday and I'll tell ya something. Considering the reviews about how moving this movie had been for so many people, I secretly was hoping that seeing this movie might help me with my current state of disbelief and apathy about the person of Jesus. But sadly it had only the opposite effect. When Jesus had the flashbacks in the movie of telling his disciples about how no one comes to the Father except through him, I thought this guy must have had balls the size of grapefruits to say such things.
  

  As a JW I had the compassion sucked outta me like every other JW I guess. That Jesus died on a cross for the sins of mankind never made me feel anything. I always thought like, well, that was his job to come here and save the world. He was doing what he was supposed to do. As a born again Christian I never gained any more empathy for Jesus? death than as a JW. I mean I really tried and all that, cuz my Christina friends would just seem to sigh when people would talk about the crucifixion. Almost pavlovian like. I felt kinda jealous about that. How come I couldn?t get all goose bumpy about it too?

  I just don?t anymore what I believe when it comes to the Bible and Jesus and all that stuff. I was raised to believe I had the truth about what I believed in, as a JW. Then when I found out that was all lies, I moved on to the Christian experience. Now I?m beginning wonder if that whole thing isn?t just more of the same, just a variation on a theme. Jesus is so ingrained into us that I really wonder just how much decision process goes on in most people whether to believe in him or not.

  Well, I can?t deny that this one person has had more of a profound effect on the world and the history of mankind (and not all of it good either) than any other. But that isn?t necessarily proof of divinity. And that his legacy has lasted for two thousand years doesn?t necessarily prove anything either. Longevity doesn?t prove truth.

  I know God exists and I know He loves me. That, He has proven to me over and over again. So, do I need Jesus to get to Him? Really? It seems illogical to me for that to be true.

  The movie, "The Passion of the Christ", has left me un-impassioned.

  Steve
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  astridkittie

  You know... I'm not really studied enough in the idea of grace to be explaining it, at least, I couldn't explain it in any way that would make much sense right now, as I'm struggling with some belief issues of my own in that area, but... I do know where you're coming from about not feeling anything about the Bible and Jesus and all... I didn't either for a really long time. And I think it's good that you're going through this, because now I realize that period of complete coldness helped me to be completely free of any doctrines or beliefs that could injure my ability to decide for myself where my spirituality would lead me, not to mention it kept me from latching on to another religion without knowing my own spiritual convictions. When you come out of the JWs, your spirituality is really screwed up. You've learned that your "only true religion" is a lie, but you're still stuck thinking there has to be one true religion, and you look all over the place for it only to be disheartened and turned to stone when it comes to religion. The reason why it's so good that you go through this is to keep you from immediately jumping into another religion just to replace the Society's pacification. It gives you the oppurtunity to gain your own spiritual freedom. The only issue is you probably still think that spirituality is all about what religion you follow, and the truth is, most probably no religion around is going to suit your individual needs. Most of what Jesus taught actually lent spiritual freedom and flexability... some people can fit into the box of a particular religion and be perfectly happy, but most have to make their own box, so to speak. Just like different people have different nutritional needs, different people have different spiritual needs.
  
  I guess what I'm saying is... if believing in God and his love is enough for you, great. :) Just realize that religions aren't the only spiritual options you have for interpreting the Bible, and FIGHT IT if the WBTS has ruined the Bible and Jesus for you. It's just another trick to keep you from being true to yourself.
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  Hunyadi

  Simply because the WTBTS may have lied with regard to some pretty important things, or maybe some elders used their position to screw some of us with the help of the WT publications and the Bible, it does not mean that all their doctrines and teachings are eroneous. Even morons hit on the truth sometimes.

  I do a bit of reading, self-help books, etc., and while I do not agree with or understand everything I read, I can relate to some things, see their value, gain some insight, acquire a skill, grow some knowledge, or develope a tool to help me to grow and become more rounded as a person. If you look at the whole thing about Adam being perfect and then revolted or disobeyed God, thus, spreading sin and death to all of us, the entire "it took a perfect man to buy back our lives, to be a mediator between imperfect mankind and the supreme God", it makes sense that we can only approach God and gain his kindness and forgiveness through the mediation of such a skilled and empathetic "lawyer-type-dude" like Jesus to plead our case. Think about it.

  Best Regards,

  Hunyadi
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  FreeWilly

  I over the whole Jesus thing too. I am sensitive to any person suffering and I would not wish it upon anyone, but in the case of Jesus, why is his suffering so spectacular? Is it any different than then suffering seen everyday on this planet? Many people have endure much worse than the things Jesus experieced. Multiply that a Billion times over and you have at least one facet of the human experience. Yet, despite this, God apparently is not interested in anyone else suffering - only his Son's? Get over yourself!

  It seems to me that the Christian God is so eager to kill off his creation. In any other context God would be veiwed as a genocidal killer, but as God he enjoys a warped adoration and is showered with glowing philosophical motives. I don't buy the "lawyer arguing for us" either. Why should anyone have to argue for us? We perform exactly as we were born to. If that's not good for some invisible, inaccessible diety then let him go ahead and start the killing. It happens every day and we will all die eventually so if God want's to expedite things and cause it to happen all at once - knock yourself out.

  I hope I don't get flamed too much for this rant - it's just my perspective.
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  Sentinel

  In my opinion, Jesus lived a human life, but his level of existance had been manifested to a higher level, just like many other humans who knew/know how to draw power from the "source". He was simply trying to help mankind and to show them another way, a way away from "man" and "religion". He was trying to show how we can all draw from the "source" of all life, and that we are on a journey, from which there are many "resurrections" of our soul, until we finally are able to return back to our home in the universe. The Jews tried to make him fulfil "their own prophecies", and he was manipulated and perhaps even confused with being on such a higher plane, but living on earth among men who had such a long way to go.

  This can get very complicated, but essentially, he lived his life in a way that would show that even facing our worse death in this human life, our soul will live again. But he was misunderstood. His followers had never heard these teachings before, and during the time they walked with him, they were in awe of him, but still didn't fully comprehend his very simple teachings, of love and compassion.

  Mankind has a way of warping truth and facts, into their idealogy that has spanned a very long time. These are more like "traditional teachings", passed to us through the works of biblia and word of mouth. I cannot read the bible as being "god's word". It is man's idea of what god is. I do believe that among the words, there is truth. Perhaps the quotations for Jesus's words are accurate. How are we to know this? What power has the bible really presented to mankind? It has divided people, caused wars, and is filled with the human escapades of our ancestors.

  The important thing is to live now. To live good by making good choices. To seek connection with the "source" of all things, and learn how to love ourselves first, so that we can show love and compassion to ourselves first, and then to others. If we don't know ourselves, how can we love ourselves? This is not an easy journey for a human to make, and our souls are all on different places on the path.

  If we can just learn to let go of dogma, and open our minds and hearts to goodness and love, then I believe it will be for us, just as Jesus purposed--that we will be spiritually fulfilled and live this human life with true joy of heart.

  I'd probably enjoy the movie, but just for the sake of it being "just a movie". There is so much about the life of Jesus that we don't know--so much left out, that having someone tell me that this is the most accurate story of Jesus life and death in those final hours, is just another form of progressive dogma. Look how the masses of people are falling for this. Not me.

  /<
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  MikeMusto

  in real life the guy who played jesus is hott.
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  Steve Lowry

  ROFLOL!