Closure at Last as Hollywood Christians Forgive Mel Gibson
I had resolved to sit out Mel Gibson’s bloody celebrity abortion for a number of reasons: Obviously it has nothing to do with New York, and to the extent that Hollywood has emphasized its jurisdiction over such affairs, Nikki Finke and Jeff Wells were enjoying too beautiful a gossip mating ritual for me to do anything but sit back and watch. It just seemed like the right thing to do.
But things changed yesterday–all the hearsay and supposition and anguish toned down as former Paramount and Disney exec David Kirkpatrick chimed in from his current front office at Good News Ministries, offering desperately needed perspective and perhaps even hinting at Gibson’s possible comeback vehicle:
Good News Holdings Asks, Is Mel Gibson the Modern Day George Bailey and Is This His ‘Wonderful Life’?
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 — Good News Holdings, a Christian entertainment company, spoke out in support of Mel Gibson’s statement of accountability and apology following his arrest last week.
“The American Film Institute named It’s a Wonderful Life the most inspiring picture of all time,” said David Kirkpatrick, Co-Founder of Good News Holdings and former Production Chief of Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures. “In that movie, while drunk on Christmas Eve, decent man George Bailey chastises his wife, reduces his children to tears, and destroys the living room of his home with his own hands. Suicidal, Bailey prays to God for help, seeks his family’s forgiveness, and finds redemption. AFI voted George Bailey one of the top ten movie heroes of our time.”
“Mel Gibson is the gifted film-maker of both Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ,” added Kirkpatrick. “Sometimes when the gift shines brightly, we overlook the raw reality of our humanity. Like each of us, Mr. Gibson struggles with personal challenges, but his journey is highly visible. We cannot condone the behavior or language that led to his arrest. But in the aftermath, what more could a repentant person do than acknowledge his wrongdoing, sincerely apologize, ask for forgiveness, seek medical help for his disease, and initiate dialogue with those whom he has hurt?”
A shrewd, beautiful statement, to be certain. But surely no defensive-minded Christian organization worth its salt would issue an entire press release without blaming the victim? Or better yet: Getting a victim to blame himself?
The Company quoted Rabbi Daniel Lapin, broadcaster and author, “He (Mel Gibson) has never supported organizations that encourage the murder of Jews … and has utterly resisted the natural human temptation to snap back at the so-called ‘Jewish Establishment’ for its vicious assaults on The Passion.”
Right. Now if only a spokesperson for the long-suffering “Sugar Tits” contingent would speak up on Gibson’s behalf, we could finally let bygones be bygones.
Follow the jump for the full press release.
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Good News Holdings Asks, Is Mel Gibson the Modern Day George Bailey and Is This His ‘Wonderful Life’?
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 — Good News Holdings, a Christian entertainment company, spoke out in support of Mel Gibson’s statement of accountability and apology following his arrest last week.
“The American Film Institute named It’s a Wonderful Life the most inspiring picture of all time,” said David Kirkpatrick, Co-Founder of Good News Holdings and former Production Chief of Paramount Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures. “In that movie, while drunk on Christmas Eve, decent man George Bailey chastises his wife, reduces his children to tears, and destroys the living room of his home with his own hands. Suicidal, Bailey prays to God for help, seeks his family’s forgiveness, and finds redemption. AFI voted George Bailey one of the top ten movie heroes of our time.”
“Mel Gibson is the gifted film-maker of both Braveheart and The Passion of the Christ,” added Kirkpatrick. “Sometimes when the gift shines brightly, we overlook the raw reality of our humanity. Like each of us, Mr. Gibson struggles with personal challenges, but his journey is highly visible. We cannot condone the behavior or language that led to his arrest. But in the aftermath, what more could a repentant person do than acknowledge his wrongdoing, sincerely apologize, ask for forgiveness, seek medical help for his disease, and initiate dialogue with those whom he has hurt?”
George Barna, Chairman of the company, stated, “How unfortunate that many are now judging Mr. Gibson for the effects of his disease. This is the time for good and compassionate people to help the one who is ill, by participating in his restoration and praying for God’s healing grace.”
The Company quoted Rabbi Daniel Lapin, broadcaster and author, “He (Mel Gibson) has never supported organizations that encourage the murder of Jews … and has utterly resisted the natural human temptation to snap back at the so-called ‘Jewish Establishment’ for its vicious assaults on The Passion.”
Thom Black, also a Co-Founder of Good News, noted, “King Solomon wrote in Proverbs, ‘A righteous man falls seven times and gets up again.’ Mr. Gibson is like the rest of us, trying to get his life in sync with what he believes in his heart. For many of us, that takes a lifetime.”
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I love Mel Gibson. He is not your typical shallow
Hollywood a-hole. Some people love to jump all over a Winner because they are jealous of their
success. He is a man and nothing more albeit a
very talented man and it is nice for a change to
see no stories of adultery regarding Mel.
He is sorry for what he said and that’s enough for me and should be for everyone else. Love ya
Mel.
Hi, Virginia K. May I call you “Sugar Tits?” OK then, Sugar Tits it is. So, are you a Jew? Since you can’t answer me directly, I’m just going to assume you ARE a Christ-killer. So, why do you Hebrews start all the wars? Hey, no offense, Sugar Tits, I’m just sincerely curious.
Oh, and why do your boys wear those funny beanies? Did you ever think about making them double as Frisbees? I think you could sell a TON of Kosher Frisbees. I hear you people like money.
Some of my friends have told me that I’m anti-Semetic. That’s ridiculous. I don’t hate the Jews for killing my Lord and Savior. Uh, wait, actually I DO hate them for that. I mean, that was pretty shitty, right? So, Sugar Tits, why’d you do it?
By the way, I’ve never committed adultery, either, so you can’t get mad at me for my comments and questions. Wow, I’m just like Mel! Whooooo!
I still love Mel…The media has nothing better to do? How many people on this planet can say they are 100 percent not prejudiced at all. When my mom got mugged by a black guy do you think I called him a black guy? NO But do I have friends that I love that are black? …yes. This is all media crap. The man is human and is a better person than most in Hollywood. How many have donated millions of dollars to charity? Some people are so ripe to be lead by the biased media…Its all about making a christian look weak and stupid. I love Mel his is Brilliant…. we all saw the movie Crash right?
What was it about that movie that we related to?
Mel is fine. Has been. Will be. He slipped off the wagon – haven’t we all?! We just hate when our idols and heroes prove they’re mortal, just like us. He screwed up. He’s sorry. Let’s forgive him, pray for him, and let’s all move on wi’ our lives. As for Cranky Media Guy – never fear. One day you, too, will be a real boy instead of a wooden-headed puppet who is mean for the sake of being mean and who appears to enjoy juvenile behaviour. Perhaps your friends are waiting for you on Pleasure Island…
mel is ok with me. he was messed up and said exactly what he shouldnt say, who knows what prompted it but it was dumb, but it was a drunk moment. He helps people, seems nice, I dunno I feel bad for him, all this over one lousy moment in time
This letter appeared in the Malibu Times.
True picture of Mel
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
I know Mel Gibson in both a professional and personal capacity. He’s done work with my company, he’s had dinner in my house. Our kids have gone through school together. Our sons have slept over one another’s house on countless occasions.
In the 13 years I’ve known him, never once have I seen or heard him demonstrate hatred of any kind. No racist jokes, no hidden innuendo. To the contrary, the guy I know is a man of heart, soul and overwhelming generosity. A dedicated family man and a passionate artist! A guy who balances the demands of a ridiculously public life
with the pursuit of a normal and private one.
Mel Gibson’s struggle with addiction is no secret. But most people in recovery are able to struggle with their personal demons outside of
the national spotlight. Not so in Mel’s case, and the recent frenzy surrounding his unfortunate relapse is as much a comment on our own perverse preoccupation with power and fame as it is with Mel’s predilections.
Mel Gibson has publicly apologized for his fall from grace. He has taken immediate steps to address his illness. And he has reached out
to the Jewish community to help him understand why he said the things he did. These are not the actions of a hateful man. They are, however, consistent with the guy I’ve come to know and respect over these past years.
Eamon Harrington
This 2nd letter appeared in the Malibu Times
r6.txt
Show some understanding
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
I find it troubling that so many people seem to be piling on Mel Gibson and kicking the man when he is down. No one will argue that the words he spoke under the influence of alcohol were wrong,
including Mel Gibson. But I’m trying to nderstand why, in a country known for its great compassion and for giving good people a second chance, there is so little compassion for this one man.
If you insist on judging someone, judge them on their entire life, and not one snapshot in time. Mel Gibson has given much back to the world through many charitable works that are too numerous to list, nor would he want them listed. And he never asked what the religion or race was of the people he was helping. Now he needs a little help.
Are the hearts of Malibu too small and hard to have any compassion for a man who is fighting a life-threatening addiction? If he was your neighbor, you’d want to help him. Well, he is your neighbor.
Brian and Anna Scully
Rabbi Lapin is a self-hating sycophant who pulls the usual ploy of defending racists while blaming his own people for inviting racism. While I believe that all people are deserving of forgiveness–including Gibson–we don’t need a rabbi blaming the Jews for their “vicious” attacks on the Passion.
Gibson doesn’t deserve martyrdom for his fall, nor does he deserve people making excuses for him. The truth was revealed, and now it’s up to him to make it better…or not.