let's give 'em something to talk about

Have you heard about this controversial Mel Gibson movie due out in 2004 called “The Passion”?
The major Hollywood film studios have alienated the movie because it is feared that this graphic portrayal of Jesus Christ’s last 12 hours of life will foster anti-Semitism–a concern for an industry that is significantly Jewish.
We should ban all movies that offend a ruling class maybe? And I see Americans pointing fingers at China.
If you think this is a movie for Christians only, let me tell you I did not convert to Hindu after seeing the film “Gandhi”.
A 1988 film by Martin Scorsese, “The Last Temptation of Christ,” was banned and boycotted by many different groups, even before some of them saw the film. However, a rather thoughtful criticism about the film came from movie critic Gene Siskel, when he said: “If Jesus Christ can overcome temptation after really struggling with it, maybe WE can, too.”
And maybe this most recent Gibson film will kindle the spirit, fire the soul, and ignite a passion within us all? Maybe it will spark debate about who we are and what we believe. Is that a terrible crime or some necessary evil? There is nothing evil about such debate, if we hope to live on this planet with other people who believe differently than we do. If we hope to leave our children the chance to exist together with others, then we must communicate ourselves. Our likenesses and our differences. We can not and must not think for a moment that the effective way to address conflicting views is with silence. Silence harbors ignorance, and ignorance begets violence. Violence legitimizes war and authorizes the murder and torture of our human family.
It is imperative that we communicate ourselves to eachother. We need not fear the discomfort of ourselves.