FIRST OFF . . .

The tug-of-war between Universal Pictures and religious fundamentalists over Martin Scorsese’s film “The Last Temptation of Christ” continues. Bill Bright, president of the Campus Crusade for Christ International, clarified his widely reported offer to buy out Universal’s $10-million investment in the film. Bright said he would reimburse Universal for the film “on behalf of concerned individuals across America.” He said Campus Crusade for Christ International would not be monetarily involved in the proposal. Bright’s statement was made in a public reply to an open letter from Universal published in various newspapers (including The Times) on July 20. Bright said he recognized the importance of the constitutional rights of freedom of speech and of religion alluded to in Universal’s letter. But he added, “To claim the artistic liberty to defame and malign (Jesus) results in . . . license to blaspheme the central figure of the Christian faith.”