This is regarding “The Gospel according to Mel; Anti-Semitism has been a staple of Hollywood and Christianity” (Perspective, Feb. 15), by Tribune staff reporter Ron Grossman.
Grossman’s deeply perceptive commentary exploring–and deploring–negative aspects of the controversial “The Passion of the Christ” awakened old wounds as he deliberated the deicide charge.
“A new generation of Jewish kids grew up without being called `Christ killer,'” Grossman declared.
Sadly, my generation, much earlier, was not spared. I shall always remember when my best friend introduced me to a new girl in our Downstate, rural town. She added in a most audible whisper, about me, “They killed Jesus.”
Two years later, my 5th-grade teacher repeated the same, infamous charge to her entire class.
Catholic theologians have been quick to point out that the Second Vatican Council in 1965 absolved the Jews unequivocally of any collective or enduring guilt in the death of Christ.
Beyond doubt, the movie is a deterrent to the gratifying progress in Christian-Jewish dialogue of the last few decades.
