Why I Can't Boycott Mel Gibson
From Arizona's controversial immigration law to Mel Gibson's recorded rants, I've heard a lot about boycotts lately—and I can't get over who's encouraging them. For me, boycotts conjure up my childhood, when trips to K-mart were rare because of dubious dealings, and the Waldenbooks chain was shunned entirely for selling pornography. Those are just the boycotts I remember, but they always seemed religious in nature.
So it was strange to learn at Salon about a movement under way within Hollywood to boycott Gibson's work over newly released taped "conversations" with his then-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva (don't believe his rants were bad? Read the transcripts—then decide if you want to hear the recordings). Salon's Mary Elizabeth Williams makes no reference to a particular moral or philosophical viewpoint as a context for her piece, but she nonetheless plunges into the moral and aesthetic quandary of shunning Gibson films altogether, musing that he might be "too talented" to boycott.
Yes, it was strange to see boycotts discussed in a mostly secular context, but not altogether surprising. If I were traveling abroad and asked for a summary of U.S. Christians' view of The Passion of the Christ and Gibson—especially after some of the charges made against him—I'd say that generally speaking, he got a pass. When The Passion came out in 2004, a friend invited me to a talk by a scholarly Jew who persuasively argued why he saw anti-Semitism in the film. I didn't know enough to confirm or disprove most of his points, but his argument seemed reasonable, without excessive reliance on emotional appeals. Yet among Christian friends, the buzz about the movie was unabashedly positive, often excited. We seemed too delighted that "our story" was getting major, positive play to engage the more troubling questions possibly raised by the film. It seemed disloyal to admit possible shortcomings, possible prejudice, possibl … sin.
Gibson's rant is not the main issue here. The issue is, what do our opinions of him and those like him—and our decisions of whether to support or shun them—say about our beliefs about humanity? If it were the case that The Passion were a praiseworthy film, and that Gibson were a racist, violent man, need acknowledging the one fact entail denial of the other?
It shouldn't.
Christians serve a God who had no problem giving words of truth and blessing to Balaam, a man described as angry and abusive to an animal and later reported as among the slain when the Israelites sacked Midian (contrast this with the mercy shown to Rahab and her family). Balaam's sin and inclusion in the subsequent judgment on the Midianites did not make his early words less true, but they do make an honest accounting of him more difficult.
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GALEN MANAPAT
My comments briefly. A consistent Christian does eventually "walk the walk of holyness and change". The path from sin and inconsistency may be bumpy with setbacks, but the whole meaning of Christian conversion is that a person IS transformed and that person however slowly, conforms during his/her lifetime to the character of God, Christ, little by little. Another way to put it, is to ask the question: in which direction is the person facing? Are they facing toward God, or is their back toward God? If this supposed Christian is NOT transformed, then the question is: do we have a fraud, a person, who is self deceived, is "faking it"? All people do not go to heaven. If you disagree with that, ask yourself if Adolf Hitler will be there. When we apply all this to Mel Gibson, yes he needs non judgemental friends. Yes, he also needs Christian friends to speak the truth to him firmly with love and acceptance. Alcohol may be a demon. But lets not miss the important destination, Mell!
Rach
To me, the important thing is that we pray for him. Whether you watch his movies or not is a personal choice; but I strongly feel that we shouldn't stop loving him and praying for him as a person that desperately needs God's intervention in his life. I am really sad at a lot of the comments going around (not on this site), that Mel 'will always be a hateful person', completely writing him off as never having known God, or never being able to change. A lot of us were very praising of what Mel did with "Passion of the Christ", and now that he seems to be in a bad place, I personally feel compelled to not give up on him, but to keep praying for his restoration. ps I'm not criticising anyone on this, I just feel very passionate about it :)
allen
Archeologist: I know that you aren't referring to my post because I made NO judgement on Mr. Gibson in my post, and I went out of my way to state that. Please don't lump everyone together. Thank you.
carlene byron
There's seems to be more than a faith/church issue happening here. In interviews in 2002 and 2006, Mel Gibson acknowledged he'd been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. In the rants cited, his girlfriend repeatedly tells him he needs medication. Refusing treatment and denying that one is ill are symptomatic of both bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. I wouldn't want to boycott someone's movies because he's mentally ill. Mel Gibson and everyone around him need prayers. We can hope they'll connect with NAMI or another organization that provides good support for the families of those with mental illnesses until such time as he agrees to be treated.
Elizabeth Innes
I believe that in Luther/Melanchthon's writings regarding 'the two kingdoms' Jesus tells us not to make personal judgements. The job of judgement is left to those who either hold a secular position and the authority that comes with it or to God.
Sabrina Messenger
Boycotting Mel Gibson would be useless. He's got too many fans who are willing to turn a blind eye to his shenanigans. However, just because birds fly overhead it doesn't mean one has to let them make a nest in one's hair. I'd say don't like Mel? Then don't go to his movies. I certainly don't...because to me he is not talented, but also he's a total hypocrite.
Jamie
Sorry for the numerous comments saying the same thing. I'm new at this so I'm not sure what happened. I've tried to delete them but with no success. If anyone knows how this happened please let me know.
JJ
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." For me that pretty sums up this situation. I look at Mr. Gibson's behavior and think, "There by the grace of God, go I." . This debate reminds me of the Pharisee who said, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other menrobbers, evildoers, adulterersor even like this tax collector.' God will deal with Mr. Gibson not I. As believers, we should be praying for this man, for God is the only one who can change the heart of a man.
Jamie
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." For me that pretty sums up this situation. I look at Mr. Gibson's behavior and think, "There by the grace of God, go I." . This debate reminds me of the Pharisee who said, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other menrobbers, evildoers, adulterersor even like this tax collector.' God will deal with Mr. Gibson not I. As believers, we should be praying for this man, for God is the only one who can change the heart of a man.
Jamie Johnson
Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 5:12 What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. "Expel the wicked man from among you." For me that pretty sums up this situation. I look at Mr. Gibson's behavior and think, "There by the grace of God, go I." . This debate reminds me of the Pharisee who said, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other menrobbers, evildoers, adulterersor even like this tax collector.' God will deal with Mr. Gibson not I. As believers, we should be praying for this man, for God is the only one who can change the heart of a man.
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