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!

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Comments

(33)

Tuesday 20 July

By Ketielynn

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In answer to the Headline question....Maybe they don't have anything nice to say so they are keeping quiet.

By Not a fan of Mel's

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Wow, how surprising is this story? The Christian sect that stood up for the poster boy of Christian and family values abandon him when they discover he's a drunk, a druggie, an adulterer, an abuser and a raving egomaniac. Of course they're remaining silent because they're bigger hypocrites than he is.

By Susan

My sentiments exactly!!!

By Dr. M

YES she released the tapes on purpose . She got sick of his abuse and needed the evidence for court .

By Donna

I dont blame anyone for turning their back on a drunk.
I would have done the same. Why put ones self in the line of fire for a drunk? No reason at all.

By Kat

Mr. Gibson needs to get out of Hollywood....that place is bringing out the worst in him....it's killing his soul. He needs the healing support of his family.

By Casey

I can't believe how any person who names the Name of Christ can defend Mel's actions. Mel did not make a *mistake*. . Mel has a life time of alcoholism, adultery, ego. He constantly blasphemes the name of God on these tapes. Is it not out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks? Can a fountain bring forth bitter and sweet waters at the same time? Can his profaning their God okay with their "Christianity?" On the tapes all he cares about is a BJ.
Many cry, Don't don't judge Mel, Don't judge Mel, and all the while they judge this women. . Is this equal? Some say only God can judge Mel, while they judge this women????? I thought the "first to cast stone" scripture was Christ to a prostitute?? Pardon me if this seems a bit hypocritical to me.
Yes, there is forgiveness with God. . but Mel must seek it. Mel does not need my forgiveness, he needs God's whose name he has profaned.
Maybe Name of God means something to the Christian and that is why they are not standing up for Mel this time.

By Jesus Christ

Let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

Jesus forgives all of us. It's good to remember that.

By zztop123

oh pls. she is just too blame for this. she gets off tapeing him and getting him going and playing poor me if you take a real look at the whole picture. if she cared about him at all she would have wanted too help him not destroy him. i am not saying what he did is right. but she is a gold digger and she set him up instead of getting him the help he needed. she in my case used him and could have cared less about him. all whats she cared about was his money.and it shows.

By Nico Toscani

What kind of moronic "leader" would care what Mel Gibson thought about anything? Shows how hard up Christians are to keep the flock together.

By Harry

Good Word Bill. Those who are critical of the scriptures should read about the people in it, and their message about God. Mel needs help. He has to want it so much that he does whatever it takes to get himself back. For a man who so eloquently and clearly described the path of Jesus Christ, I am suprised. Yet, He who is without sin cast the first stone. God Bless.

Wednesday 21 July

By kmooney

I agree with the Christian view of forgiveness. I certainly DO NOT condone physical violence. We only know what the media is telling us and we don't even know how true the tapes are. God is the only one to judge here. If you don't want to watch Gibson anymore, then don't. But if you want to keep a fallen Christian brother in your prayers, then absolutely do.

Thursday 22 July

By Elaine

Mel had his defenders once already and did not deserve them then. He did not learn anything from his last episode in 2006.This is a man of great arrogance who lives a charade. He fooled alot of people with his holier than thou attitude.His vile mouth and abusiveness says it all.It looks like God will be teaching Mel one of the greatest lessons of all humility!!!!!!

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