[Greapyjeory]

Dear Richard,
From your last post I would say we are very much "on the same page". In any case before this discussion (and there is one ocurring with our clergy group also)I did not give much thought to this movie and if I did I was a bit 'in favour'. The discussions have helped me tremendously. I think now that it is only proper from the Orthodox perspective to point out that the images of Christ in the movie do not correspond to the Gospel-image and can be harmful (actually a comment that affected me a lot was someone who said that these images of Christ would stay with her and trouble her). Something I believe we forgot about was to compare the image of Christ in this movie with that of the traditional icon of the Crucifixion; the difference is a whole lesson in itself. But this is not the same as saying this movie image of Christ is evil; so after all due caution who knows?
We have brought up the issue of humility and of how to be humble. There are different views about this movie within Orthodoxy but a more grievous division is between seeking in humility Christ's guidance thru His Church and basically asserting our own self-will. Humility as I think Fr Gregory was saying, is to start by saying to oneself;"I am not sure". (Forgive me father-I may be pulling on the original intent of your words like an elastic band!) It is to seek the guidance of a spiritual father, of the Scriptures, the writings of the Holy Frs; to train ourselves to hear the voice of the Church when others speak (wasn't this discussion often trying to be faithful to the issue of iconography?); to set aside our own self-will.
Contrary to this is the decision already made before seeking counsel; the more it hears something contrary to its self-will the more it throws up a defensive wall; humility has little room here.
I believe in the fullest sense that our discussions are only valid to the extent that they are 'exercises in humility.'In Christ- Fr R