Frankham-you said,"Does anyone have to be reminded that the Gospels are not historical documents but articles of "faith" subject to individual interpretation? Interesting to see a film where Mel Gibson plays God."
Exactly. It is a personal interpretation. So why not except each person's interp. on the subject including Mel Gibsons? I don't believe he was playing god anymore than anyones interpretation of the stories that led to the writings of the new testament.
Ebbie, the death of Jesus did play an integral part in his life. It was when he gave up being a 'god' to suffer a human experience. It was perhaps a lesson he and we had to learn about human vulnerability. How scared and unknowing the people were and are.
If the stories of Jesus are an acurate display of his life, it's too bad we haven't learned the loving message no matter where it came from. It's to bad we haven't learned the other lessons that were right there and still are, to learn about how we can work energy, use and manipulate it, just like he did.(Ha!)

But then Nigel summed up his belief and it is scripture orientated and that is just fine. It is what ever you believe that makes your existance happen.

To say if it is right or wrong to see a film based on someones belief that is different from yours, I can't go for that. Who said it here (I apologize for not remembering off hand) that it is an art. Exactly. Any interpretation of belief put out into the world is a form of your art. Art is a form of your belief. Your belief is a form of you.

Rustic(just going beyond the discussion a bit)