The controversy surrounding Martin Scorsese`s ”The Last Temptation of Christ” is already old news. The film has come under the scrutiny of religious crusaders who have comdemned the movie as blasphemous without seeing as much as a frame of film-in hopes of keeping God`s image squeaky clean. Church groups and organizations have circulated petitions to protest the film`s release, and many of these groups intend to picket and boycott the theaters.
By protesting this film, these organizations are sparking additional interest in a film that already has the drawing power of Scorsese`s name.
After speaking to a member of one of these church organizations, I learned that neither she nor any of her peers had seen the film. Moreover, neither she nor a representative of her group ever intends to view the film that they have so harshly judged. That is their right. But, if I choose to see this film-which I intend to do-I do not want to be, nor should I be, harassed by picketers and fanatics who have followed blindly behind religious leaders with virtually no knowledge of what they aim to condemn.
