Back in 2004, Mel Gibson became the most celebrated Christian with the release of his movie The Passion of the Christ. In interviews he spoke openly and humbly about how Christ rescued him from alcoholism. While mainstream audiences were split about the movie (many thought it was anti-Semitic and too gory), it was a cause of celebration within the Church. Finally there was a well-made Christian movie!
Unfortunately, things started going downhill for Mel after that. In 2006 he was arrested for drunk driving, and a few days later we found out that he told the cops, "Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world." (This was around the same time Israel was at war with Lebanon.) Then last year he left his wife of nearly 30 years after he impregnated Russian musician Oksana Grigorieva. And now we've all heard the disturbing phone calls between Mel and Oksana. It's hard to imagine that the same guy who spoke openly about his redemption in 2004 could say such horrible things to a woman.
The cynic in me is laughing his ass off. I don't know about you, but part of me loves it when a celebrity whom everybody loves gets knocked off his/her pedestal. I love seeing idols be exposed as frauds and phonies. It makes me feel better about myself.
But another part of me knows I shouldn't say too much. I may not have ever talked to a woman like Mel has, but I've said things that have hurt people. The only difference is my hurtful words aren't all over the Internet.
Make no mistake, I am NOT condoning Mel Gibson's actions. He has seriously dug himself a deep hole, and Oksana was smart to get away from him. All I am saying is that I can't act like I've never hurt anyone with my words.
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I really want a redemption story out of this.
ReplyDeleteHe seems like such a broken person.