Where Have All of Mel's Christian Friends Gone?

By Rob Shuter Posted Jul 20th 2010 06:54AM

Four years ago when Mel Gibson was still riding high from the extraordinary success for his film 'The Passion Of The Christ,' several Christian organizations including Promise Keepers and Focus on the Family defended him following his anti-Semitic outburst after his DUI arrest. Yet all are silent today. What happened to Mel's support from his faithful friends?

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, former spiritual adviser to Michael Jackson and author of 22 books on parenting, marriage, and relationships, tells me he was disappointed when Christian leaders rallied behind Gibson for 'The Passion' -- "with his shocking, anti-Semitic portrayal of hook-nosed, money-grubbing Jews clamoring for the blood of Jesus."

These days, Boteach says, "It is equally disappointing that they have failed to condemn Mel, whom they once regarded as a champion of Christian values, when he has been exposed as an anti-Semite, a racist, an alleged domestic abuser, and a man who can abandon his devoted wife of 28 years and the mother of his seven children."

Phew! Boteach goes on to tell me he believes Christian leaders have "made the mistake of getting behind" Gibson for 'The Passion' and have now "boxed themselves into a corner" with this latest scandal.

"They fear that repudiating Mel would be a repudiation of their past support of the film," he says.

Where as, Focus on the Family founder James Dobson, a man who defended Mel in 2006 released a statement saying, "Mel has apologized profusely for this incident, and there the matter should rest." These days, Focus on the Family won't return my calls and neither will the National Association of Evangelicals.

In fact, the only person that would defend Mel was born-again Christian, Stephen Baldwin, who tells me, "Obviously the behavior Mel has demonstrated is totally out of line. I just wish we could see more people trying to rally around him in an effort to try and be supportive rather than clearly what we see, which is a culture and a media more interested in tearing him down."

With all due respect Stephen, I think Mel has done that all by himself!

Get Naughty! Follow Rob on Twitter

Tags: AolOriginal, mel gibson, stephen baldwin

Comments

(33)

Tuesday 20 July

By Hugh Jassol

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Mel has some very serious issues. Recently, a random street interview with a woman in Manhattan asked the question: "If you were in a boat with Mel Gibson and Howard Stern and you had to throw one overboard, which one would you choose?" She responded, "I'd jump!" Hahaha.

Mel's career is over, done, finito, arrivederci...

By Alex N. Bennington

If "they" are religious leaders, especially Religious leaders, you Never loose Faith in someone. That person only looses Faith in themselves. If you are persuaded by political, or personal opinions, then you have already lost your faith in GOD, and have in braced in, "GOD We Trust!" It's unfortunate of Mel's predicament, but whom are we to judge another. "He, whom with out sin, let him cast the first stone." These are not merely sentimental words, but words spoken from someone we should all fear. .. It is for him, to judge mankind. Mel Gibson's Personal affair is, "Non of our business- Period!" Get over it less you, someday, be found going through your own messy Divorce for the whole World to judge you participation with your wife and kids. Women- Keep your personal affairs just that. If you truly need help, do what we all have to do and seek Law enforcement and council. Anything less and your true intentions are disingenuous.
A.N. Bennington.

By woofydawgie

Vote down Vote up Report this

alex Amen brother my sentiments EXACTLY who the heck do they think they are that their opinion is worht more than a persons' life for one and look at what he did in his carrer. if you ask me tinseltown is purely jealous

By KC

Great answer!

By sid

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Mel Gibson is an evil, hateful person. His dysfunctional personal life is just another blatant example.
No excuses for Mel. There is an old expression: What is on a sober man's mind is on a drunken man's tongue.

By Liz

Um, the word is lose or loses. Otherwise you are just unleashing something.

By Bill

Hopefully Mel Gibson's Christian friends as well as everyone else continue to pray that God will move again in his life to do good works instead of the senseless, thoughtless things that continue to surface. God has, throughout history, used flawed people do demonstrate His greatness. Mel Gibson is just another example. The problem seems to be when we forget the source of our successes and begin taking credit for them. I will continue to hope that MR. Gibson will again seek God's path rather than the worlds' and use his talents for good rather than evil.

By Sandie

Amen to your thoughts Bill.
It is easier to judge others than look in the mirror. We are all very imperfect sinners. Mr. Gibson happens to be in the spotlight so his imperfections and sins are magnified.
May the victory be God's in what He will to with this situation.

By Keyo

Low Ranked Vote down Vote up Report this

Really Bill you shouldn't have drank any of the punch.

By garywolf

Mels Christian friends are doing what Christians do best, leaving there friends to the Romans just like they did to JC, as far as Mel I think it's to bad he's rich, nothing against the rich this time, but if he were a regular Joe his problem would have been seen earlier that he is suffering from some form of hysteria and thinks the world is out to get him and in his own head he's probably frightened as hell to the point resulting in his actions, but he's rich so first he's eccentric then he's a jerk. So poor him, he'll probably never get real help.

By amos

By his fruit, Mel is not a born again Christian. He is hiding in religiosity and does not know Jesus Christ as Savior. By his fruit he is a drunk, a fornicator, a blasphemer of God, just to name a few. Just because he made a religious film does not mean he is a born again Christian. I can stand in a garage and call myself a car and that does not make me a car.
Mel needs to confess His sin, repent, ask for forgiveness and ask Jesus into his heart. Only Jesus Christ can help Mel.

By Enjoi

Great answers Alex and Bill. Unfortunately individuals take a bad situation and make it worst with the powerful tongue that we use so casually. Try walking a mile in someone elses shoes before you go and critisize them. As the above users stated...only God can judge!

By lilly

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Mel is possesed by the Devil himself and needs an exorcism !!

By exoticdoc2

If they defended him, the media would knock them for defending such indefensible behavior. If they do not, they still get knocked by the media. Gibson, who is Catholic which may or may not mean he is a Christian, is still a fallen, faulty human and what he did should not be defended. He needs help, not defending, to get back on track.

By Chris

Bennington - you are so right. Not to mention, it's not the man, it is the Adversary trying to destroy the man's testimony. He is going through his own test. In the end, he answers to only One - not to us.

By Tracie Smith

TRUE Christians do NOT abandon their friends, especially when they are in trouble. Right now, Mel Gibson needs friends. Unfortunately, you find out who your true friends are in times of trouble.
Look, getting angry is not a sin. It's what you DO with that anger. NO ONE is perfect, and WE ALL make mistakes. 'Those of you who are without sin, cast the first stone.' The moral to THAT story is, that after Jesus said this, everyone turned and walked away...no one was without sin.
True Christians NEVER feel they are 'backed into a corner'...God is on OUR side, and we stand AGAINST evil.
Yes, Mr. Gibson did a wrong thing...IF it is true. Why would you believe this woman(his girlfriend/wife)whoever she is. Yes, he screamed at her on the phone, but how many of us have said things in anger that we regret and have to ask forgiveness for? ALL OF US!!!!
SHE released these tapes on purpose. She's a devious woman after his money. 'Be sure your sins will find you out.' This goes for ALL OF US.
I pray Mr. Gibson finds peace in his heart and can ask forgiveness and forgive. He's only a man. He's not perfect.

By Lilly

Tracie , great answer BUT !! YES she released the tapes on purpose . She got sick of his abuse and needed the evidence for court . It is not devious to have proof ,its just too bad more people dont think of that !! He is obviously an abuser and needs to pay ,it doesnt mean she doesnt love him , she just cant risk her and her childs life living with him .

By Gramma

Well said Tracie, Alex and Bill. The basic teaachings of Jesus Christ Our Savior is to "Love one another as he has loved us" and "Forgive one another as he does". I also know, first hand, that a drunk can say things he truly doesn't mean because he does not like himself and wants to punish himself. I have lived with men like Mel who were wonderful people when they did not drink and I see them in Mel. I think he can be fixed but only with a lot of love to restore his self esteem, forgiveness to know people really care and someone (like Robyn) to help him through the rough, tough spots. I helped the men in my life; they are not perfect but very much improved and lovable and very helpful to others. We all sin; some worse than others, but GOD forgives, we should try. "There but for the sake of God go I"

By WILLIAM SOWLES

What amazes me about all these self-appointed do-gooders is that they foreget, or never knew, that Church is for sinners. All the Saints are in Heaven. Perhaps they, for the sake of money, have confused Mel, the man, with the Christ.

By Monroe

I think his "true" friends have not left him but have weighed in on getting him the help he needs. As an African-American, I can honestly say I hold no anger towards the guy. I truly believe he has a drinking problem, and a close familiarity with "bad" words for different groups. We have all heard them. They're usually used to try to hurt or control.

Of course, some Christians, like any human, loved the guy for what he offered them....money, notice, and solidarity on some very extreme issues.

I guess its true. Money and fame doesn't work for everybody!

Page 1 of 2