The Lynching of Mel Gibson

We are past the news cycle on this Mel Gibson thing but I had to pass on this quote from a former Disney exec. Thanks to my friend Steve Beard over at Thunderstruck for posting it.

The American Film Institute named It's a Wonderful Life the most inspiring picture of all time. In that movie, while drunk on Christmas Eve, decent man George Bailey chastises his wife, reduces his children to tears, and destroys the living room of his home with his own hands. Suicidal, Bailey prays to God for help, seeks his family's forgiveness, and finds redemption. AFI voted George Bailey one of the top ten movie heroes of our time.

Mel Gibson is the gifted film-maker of both Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ. Sometimes when the gift shines brightly, we overlook the raw reality of our humanity. Like each of us, Mr. Gibson struggles with personal challenges, but his journey is highly visible. We cannot condone the behavior or language that led to his arrest. But in the aftermath, what more could a repentant person do than acknowledge his wrongdoing, sincerely apologize, ask for forgiveness, seek medical help for his disease, and initiate dialogue with those whom he has hurt? ~ David Kirkpatrick, co-founder of Good News Holdings and former production chief of Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures.

The media has reported the incident with an almost gleeful spirit. As Michael Medved said earlier this month, "The nation-wide overreaction to Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic tirade during a drunk-driving arrest stems--at least in part--from lingering resentment over his film "The Passion of the Christ." The Washington Post this week printed a feature on the evangelical Christian response to Gibson's public humiliation.

"People say things when they're intoxicated that they don't necessarily mean. And I wasn't there, I didn't hear it," said the Rev. Garry Poole, director of spiritual discovery at Willow Creek Community Church, which draws about 20,000 people to its Sunday services in South Barrington, Ill.

"I met with Mel two times during pre-screenings [of "The Passion"], and I saw his heart to portray the life of Jesus the way the Bible portrays it," added Poole, who
co-wrote a popular study guide to the movie. "I didn't see him as prejudiced at all in his actions or statements."

Read the complete article: Evangelical Clergy on Mel Gibson: Judging Not