Approval for Gibson ‘Passion’

Ted Haggard, leader of the National Assn. of Evangelicals, is defending Mel Gibson’s new film, “The Passion,” against charges that it incorrectly recounts the last 12 hours of the life of Christ and may provoke anti-Semitism. The film is said to depict Jewish leaders offering money for betraying Jesus and inciting hatred against him.

“The movie portrays historical accounts realistically, but the Body of Christ worldwide does not blame Jewish people for the crucifixion,” Haggard said.

Jewish protests, he added, are ill-timed. “There is a great deal of pressure on Israel right now,” he said. “For the Jewish leaders to risk alienating 2 billion Christians over a movie seems shortsighted.”

-- Elaine Dutka