The Passion of the Christ by Emily LaBrie

It is Easter weekend and I just watched one of the most religious movies that have probably ever been made. I have not seen it since it came out opening weekend years ago. I remember the movie was very graphic and very powerful. However, I do not remember being moved the way so many were moved. I watched it just now, and I was very moved. But why I was moved did not have to do with the actual story of the Passion of the Christ (not that it is important in the Christian culture) I was touched by the overall sanctity of life within the human experience. If a movie with obvious religious themes can touch something that is not obvious, that is special. The point of the movie is to appreciate the suffering Jesus endured in order to be the sacrificial lamb and to offer salvation. What I was struck with is how precious one life can be and how immoral it is to destroy one life no matter what the reasons. The leaders of the temple and the Romans were only worried about losing power and influence of the masses to a Messiah figure. But if Jesus was just a teacher or rabbi and he endured what he endured, it still seems so wrong, as it should. If a non-Christian watched this, I think that would be the message received. The brutal torture and destruction of one life is too much no matter what. Jesus knew what would happen to him and still stayed in Jerusalem……now that is living the existential life and accepting the consequences of his choices. Another class related topic is the agape Jesus felt towards the people for him to not only preach to the people, but die for them, is very present and powerful.
The appreciation of the power of one life was never talked about in class when it comes to the religion in films, but I think it is somehow connected to all of the themes. The religious experience; whether it be the different types of love, existentialism, mysterium tremendum, or fantasy, is not relevant if one does not acknowledge how horrible it would be if the human condition in the first place is not precious and explored. If the opposite were true there would be the need for no savior in any religion, no love, no human experience and people could just be drone going through the motions. It is a shame that people do not realize this until they see or experience great pain and suffering like Jesus did in the movie. It may sound corny, but I think it is a great base.