One fan is Bishop Charles J. Chaput of the Catholic Archdiocese of Denver, who defended the movie in the Denver Catholic Register...

"When the overtly provocative 'The Last Temptation of Christ' was released 15 years ago, movie critics piously lectured Catholics to be open-minded and tolerant. Surely that advice should apply equally for everyone," he said...

The committee, the ADL announced, unanimously agreed the screenplay was full of "objectionable elements that would promote anti-Semitism." They say the film depicts Jews as responsible for Jesus' crucifixion and death.

"The film doesn't say 'the Jews' were to blame for Christ's death," Mr. Lauer says. "His mother and disciples were Jewish. But there were certain leaders, secular and religious, who had serious problems with [Jesus] for political and religious reasons. But Jewish people who have seen the film — who were predisposed to look for elements of anti-Semitism — all told us they could find none..."

From a somewhat sympathetic (to Gibson) article in the Washington Times. I have a sinking feeling that this whole thing is about to get a lot uglier. Mr. Lauer's statements sound a bit disturbing to my ears, I have to say. I'm a little nonplussed by the fact that the film seems to be being geared towards an evangelical Christian audience when Gibson himself, I believe, is a Catholic. Keep your eye on this one, its going to be interesting no matter what happens.