I've seen an incresed number of people mentioning the Holocost as if the Jews were the only ones who were tortured and killed brutally. If you look at the count for those killed during Hitler's reign, there werej ust as many Catholics, if not even MORE than Jews who were killed. It was a bloodbath, but kindly remember that priests, nuns, religious...and many many catholics were also persecuted. The Jews are aren't as persevcuted as they protray tehmselves to be.

I'm not saying that what Mel said was right. I still have cause to believe that this is a way to attack him. What he said was offensive, yes. But the man apologized and did something right away and checked himself into rehab! He didn't try to run away or get a lawyer to avoid his punishment...he took responsiblity.

C. Heiner

I don't have the time to read 185 letters already posted regarding this article, so forgive me if these two points have already been raised numerous times, or even once.

Many born-again Christians love the Jewish people and the state of Israel not because we're looking forward to seeing them condemned to hell, but because the Jewish people were and still are God's chosen people. Don't ask me about how the salvation plan works for them if they don't accept Christ, all I know is that God said they were his chosen people and that God keeps his promises. He's a lot smarter than I am, I'm quite certain that he can keep clear something that might look like a paradox to us.

Secondly, Gibson's film The Passion of the Christ didn't earn 'nearly $400 million', it earned over $600 million. The nearly $400 million applies only to the United States.

I read this article..........now I understand the looks in the eyes of Gabler's co panelists on saturday afternoon Fox's Newswatch. Hatred seems to be Gabler's point of view and primary motivation to speak. Sad................

In Mr. Gabler's article "Mel on the Cross", he states that Evangelical Christians are anti-Semites. Mr. Gabler should make sure he has his facts straight instead of relying on his own, personal, prejudices. Although I have been a Christian all of my life, I do not include myself among the Evangelicals. However, I have known many, many Evangelicals and they DO NOT HATE JEWS. Indeed, they LOVE the Jewish people because they consider them to be God's Chosen people and the Bible says that those who love God's Chosen people will be blessed. You will NEVER hear a TRUE Evangelical say ANYTHING negative about the Jewish people.

Mr. Neal Gabler:

I have just read and re-read your piece, "Mel on the Cross" (Salon.com, 1 August 2006), and it is without question the most vile and loathsome piece of religious intolerance, ignorance, and bigotry I have ever read by a presumably responsible journalist. You write:

"Evangelical Christianity . . . has long had a tinge of racism and anti-Semitism. . . . While it's true that some evangelical leaders have become vocal supporters of Israel, it's because the return of Jews to a Jewish homeland fulfills the prophecies of the Book of Revelation, not because they harbor any particular affection for Jews. As E.L. Doctorow once put it, these Christians welcome the apocalypse in which Jews will be condemned to eternal damnation. Some love!"

Mr. Gabler, I am an evangelical Christian. I do not personally know a single evangelical Christian who subscribes to the bizarre mockery of Christianity that you depict. I would like you to know, Mr. Gabler, that I unreservedly love the Jewish people and the Jewish culture. I pray to a Jewish carpenter and two-thirds of my Bible consists of Jewish scriptures originally written in the Hebrew language. I try to live my life according to the words of those Jewish scriptures, including this beautiful passage:

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

"May those who love you be secure.

May there be peace within your walls

and security within your citadels."

For the sake of my brothers and friends,

I will say, "Peace be within you."

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

I will seek your prosperity.

—Psalm 122:6-9

The Jewish carpenter himself once said, "Salvation is from the Jews" (John 4:22). I believe those words are absolutely true. If not for the Jewish people and Judaism, there would be no Christianity, and I feel deeply connected to the Jewish people.

When you wrote that article, you revealed the same ignorant, intolerant bigotry that you so detested in Mel Gibson. The biggest difference I see between you and Mel Gibson is that Mr. Gibson was drunk. You, presumably, were sober and deliberative in your choice of words.

Finally, Mr. Gabler, you observed that some sins are forgivable, but "hate is not." I disagree. I believe even hate can be forgiven. So, in the name of the Jewish carpenter whom I serve, I forgive you for your hateful and bigoted statements against me and my Christian brothers and sisters. I understand that you spoke in ignorance. Though I was deeply offended when I read your article, I choose not to hold it against you.

Still, I hope you will retract your antichristian slurs. I urge you to reconsider and apologize.

Sincerely,

Jim Denney

Author

ANSWERS TO SATISFY THE SOUL

I figure in 189 letters, most of what I'm thinking has already been said.

All I want to add to this exchange is this:

Much like we (the American people) are constantly reminded that the Muslim faith is one of peace, and that there are a few chemically-unbalanced members of it who take a violent path, I submit that painting the entire Christian faith, or even the Evangelical corner of it, with a broad brush as having "a tinge of racism and anti-Semitism" is a very prejudiced move. Christian tradition is no more racist or anti-Semitic than the society in which it resides. Ours is rife with examples, both Christian and non.

Yes Christians believe in empirical truth, but it's a guide, not a hammer. Every single teaching is love and compassion, whether someone's Jewish, agnostic, Muslim, atheist, etc. The eternal destination might be different, but the only prejudice I'm taught is to pre-judge the best about someone.

Dave