Film critics are getting really mad at America

I’m sticking with my hot-and-cold stance on The Passion of the Christ. I think it has moments of brilliance, but needed more of a Hitchcock approach to temper the numbing literalism of some of its images. I think Mel Gibson could have made a film that hit just as hard, without becoming such a festival of violence. I know what Gibson was trying to do with this film (stations of the cross for a media-soaked age), but I still question the theological balance of 15 minutes of flogging and 90 seconds of the Resurrection.


Please respect our Commenting Policy

What would JFK do?

Gayle White and Tom Baxter of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution report on how much the church-and-politics atmosphere has changed since 1960. When John F. Kennedy ran for president 44 years ago, he had to assure skittish Protestant ministers that he wouldn’t let his Catholicism influence his political decisions.


Please respect our Commenting Policy

Post-Robinson episcopal oversight

60 Minutes correspondent Ed Bradley’s profile of Bishop Gene Robinson was a good introduction to the man — especially for anyone who has lived in a cave since Robinson’s election last summer. The story touched all the familiar bases: first openly gay bishop elected last June, heated debate at the Episcopal Church’s General Convention in August, dissents at Robinson’s consecration in November, pew-level responses ranging from anguish to elation since then.


Please respect our Commenting Policy