I have not seen Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ. But from what I've read in reviews, it appears that the film focuses on the brutality that Jesus endured in the last 12 hours of his life. In the Diane Sawyer interview with Mr. Gibson I recall him saying that he focused on the brutality to illustrate the sacrifice that Jesus made for us.
With all due respect to Jesus, who I think is a truly righteous dude. If Jesus' level of suffering is a fundamental foundation of the Christian religion, and as acceptance of Jesus as the saviour, how should I feel about all those that may have suffered much greater brutality than Jesus? Are they deities that we should worship and organize religions around as well.
In the Rwanda genocide alone, 800,000 africans were brutally murdered. Why should I stop for one moment and concern myself about the beating and crucifixion of one man, let alone sanctify and worship the event, when millions upon millions have been tortured, raped and brutally murdered throughout history.
Is it becaue Mr. Gibson's Jesus had blue eyes?