I've heard two arguments for why Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of the Christ, is anti-semitic. The first is that it may stir anti-semitic emotions in people who view the film. OK, whatever.

The second one, I really don't understand. Some Jewish leaders are upset that their people are "blamed" for the death of Christ. Wait a sec. If those Jewish leaders don't think Christ was the messiah, then shouldn't they be applauding their ancestors for putting a heretic to death? Why the outrage? It was common custom to kill extreme heretics in those days, and nothing is more extreme than claiming to be God. There's a passage in John where the Pharisees are prepared and intend to stone Christ, but he escapes. Why, then, are they upset about being credited...I mean blamed...for killing him later?

It makes no sense to me.