Sales of ‘Passion’ DVD continue despite campaign against release

Sep 19, 2004 / 22:00 pm

DVD/VHS sales of the “The Passion of the Christ” continue to soar, despite a campaign that had 100 theologians sign a statement, condemning the Mel Gibson film for being anti-Semitic. About nine million DVDs were sold in the first three weeks of its release.

“Acknowledging that many people have responded positively to the film, we still find it lamentable that Christian leaders so easily pass over its anti-Jewish character in favor of what they perceive to be its positive aspects,” reads the theologians’ statement. “We also acknowledge that many who see the film are honestly unaware of its anti-Jewish elements,” it continues.

In a statement, Catholic League president William Donohue expressed his resentment of the theologians’ “arrogance” and seemingly condescending comments toward people who like the film.

“The success of ‘The Passion of the Christ’ conclusively demonstrates that the unethical campaign to censor the movie and malign the millions who love it has been an abject failure,” said Donohue.

Prior to the film’s release, the film’s critics tried to block the film, saying it would spark a series of anti-Semitic violence around the world. However, in their statement, the theologians admitted that anti-Semitic violence had, in fact, not occurred.

Donohue said this declaration “gives the rest of us a lot of satisfaction knowing just how wrong they’ve been all along.”