Evangelicals Hate Gibson's Sin but Love His 'Passion'

Merritt said the highly publicized use of Gibson's hand in "The Passion" was a symbolic way of saying "that Christ was not primarily killed by the Jews; He died a voluntary death for the sins of the world, for the sins of us all."

Dobson's statement did not hesitate to label Gibson's comments anti-Semitic, but strongly denied that the label should be attached to his film.

"As is now generally known, Mel Gibson recently made some very hurtful and unfortunate anti-Semitic comments while under the influence of alcohol. We certainly do not condone that racially insensitive outburst," Dobson said. "Mel has apologized profusely for the incident and there the matter should rest. Mel has also indicated his willingness to seek help to overcome his alcoholism, and has asked the Jewish community for forgiveness. What more can he do?"

As for "The Passion," Dobson concluded: "Our endorsement of it stands as originally stated. We did not believe it was anti-Semitic in 2004, and our views have not changed since that time."

Haggard, who told the New York Times in 2004 that "Mel Gibson is the Michelangelo of this generation," refused last week to accept the alcohol defense.

"My view of alcohol is that it lowers inhibitions, and I think when people are drunk their inhibitions are removed and they say what they really think," Haggard said in a telephone interview.

He added, however, that "high-quality films, books and sermons are made, written and preached by severely imperfect people. The film stands on its own. It's a classic piece. People are going to watch it for the next 1,000 years, unless Christ returns."

Jody Eldred, an evangelical Protestant documentary filmmaker in Marina del Rey, Calif., said he believes that "anything that is created reflects the worldview of its creator." Two months after the release of "The Passion," Eldred came out with "Changed Lives: Miracle of the Passion," a television documentary about miracles that were said to occur as a result of Gibson's film.

One scene in the documentary concerns a couple who credit the film with inspiring prayers that saved their baby daughter from drowning. Another concerns a Jewish man in Florida who became a Christian after seeing "The Passion." Eldred said he considers the latter scene a strong answer to the charge of anti-Semitism.

"How can it be anti-Semitic if a Jewish man saw it, and it drew him into becoming a Christian?" Eldred asked. "In fact, Mel saw the documentary and that was one of his more favorite stories. He called me and we talked about it. Of course Mel was very pleased with that."