Dobson: Liberal media can't stomach 'Passion'

Family advocate James Dobson is urging Christians to see Mel Gibson's controversial film "The Passion of the Christ," calling it "easily the most heart-wrenching, powerful portrayal of Christ's suffering that I have ever seen."

In a yet-to-be distributed letter to supporters obtained by WorldNetDaily, Dobson said it's not alleged anti-Semitism, but the film's faithfulness to the biblical account that truly underlies opposition in the mainstream media.

"Apparently," writes Dobson, who has seen a rough cut of the film twice, "the idea of a movie that accurately portrays the death and resurrection of Christ and that 'has the power to evangelize' is more than certain members of the liberal media establishment can stomach."

Dobson is founder and chairman of Colorado-based Focus on the Family and host of a daily radio program that reaches an estimated 8.9 million listeners each week.

Characterizing commentators' allegations as unfair and baseless, Dobson dismisses assertions the film could be a catalyst for renewed outbreaks of anti-Jewish sentiment around the world.

He chastises New York Times columnist Frank Rich for "one particularly nasty diatribe" in which the writer called Gibson a "Jew baiter."

Dobson writes "Rich has a long and illustrious record of disdain for everyone and everything that fails to live up to his 'enlightened' liberal ideals," noting "he has referred to yours truly as 'The Godzilla of the Right' and compared me to Ku Klux Klan member David Duke … ."

James Dobson

However, the evangelical leader regards the "liberal backlash" as extremely significant, calling the charges of "anti-Semitism" merely a "smokescreen."

"I believe that the real problem the liberal establishment has with this movie is that it has the audacity to portray Christ as He really was – not only as an historical figure, but as the Savior of mankind," he says.

"That is an offense to the postmodern sensibilities of our morally relativistic culture," he continues. "The fact that Mel Gibson actually hopes to use his movie as a vehicle for evangelism only adds fuel to the fire."

Dobson concludes his letter encouraging supporters to see "Passion," particularly during the first few days of its release, Feb. 25, the time period during which the industry gauges whether a film will be a success.

"As Christians, we often decry the immoral films that Hollywood routinely releases, and rightly so," he says. "However, in addition to avoiding movies that are immoral or otherwise disparaging of Christianity, we must do everything we can to support those rare films that, like 'The Passion of the Christ,' are both edifying and uplifting."

Focus on the Family rarely endorses efforts and projects outside the organization, but has made an exception in this case, said the group's vice president for media relations, Paul Hetrick.

Hetrick said not only is his group endorsing "Passion," but it is promoting the film as well.

In his letter, Dobson says when Gibson brought the film to Focus on the Family headquarters in Colorado Springs last year, "it was clear that he was genuinely interested in our opinions and respectful of our views."

"He could easily have sent one of his representatives here to show the film and request our endorsement," Dobson says. "Rather, he appeared personally, without any fanfare, in order to address any questions and concerns we might have had."

Related column:

Open letter on 'The Passion of the Christ'