one more thought (and that'll have to be it for now, having a job is so irriatating sometimes!)

yes i was moved by the passion (and i think few who follow jesus wouldn't be) but i was far more affected by someone (between 5 and 10 years ago now) at the soul survivor event, who before communion on the final morning ran through the events of the passion (filling in details such as how long it took to die on a cross and so forth) which was beyond moving and humbling. that is something that will stay with me for life and regularly comes to mind when i spend time dwelling on the crucifixtion and resurrection.

i don't think that this is because i was younger and less jaded and cynical, because the cross means more to me today than it did then.
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just to add to the previous post: i dont necessarily think that its is this whole sexist conspiracy about satan being a woman (there are several good protrayls of women in the film, including pilate's wife claudia), but it did make me think (and raise my eyebrows). ;)
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so i saw a preview of the passion yesterday (it comes out in about a week or so in the uk. i'm not gonna post all my thoughts (cos that would take all day) but here are a few.

-nice teeth everyone. with the exception of a few roman soldiers everyone had 21st century american teeth. even jesus on the cross after he had been beaten (bit of blood in the mouth but otherwise perfect).

-its being suggested as an evangelism tool by lots of hardcore fundamentalist evangelicals. are these the same people who think the pope is the antichrist? (note: mel gibson is a hardcore prevatican 2 catholic, and the film features all 12 stations of the cross, a catholic tradition)

-satan. i knew little about the film before i went (i didn't want to prejudice myself), though i had read the odd thing. when i first saw satan i thought 'gosh doesn't he look feminine' there is a moment later on when satan is holding a baby; again slightly raised eyebrows. i read the credits: satan is a woman. (rosalinda i think). i don't know what to make of this. am i being a 'feminist'? in my mind satan had always been sexless, as a former, fallen angel (though mostly, in the bible they have male names), but there is this little niggle, at the back of my mind that says 'oh the catholic church, though venerating mary didn't really like women much' (i'm using past tense, as mel gibson goes for the old fashioned version!), 'eve is blamed for so much'.

so here is me. trying not to make an issue out of something that probably isn't.

another time i'll do something other than a gender critque!

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