The prospect of "violent whipping scenes of Jesus on the cross" would be off-putting for me and I wouldn't go for that reason.

I accept the historicity of the crucifixion of Jesus and can read about it in the Bible. The details and my own imagination tell me that crucifixion was a cruel method of torture and death.  I don't need to be reminded of it with scenes of bloodshed in my church or any church.

I'm not into buying tickets for concerts, so I wouldn't go.

If you disagree with your minister's theology, would you have to leave your church? Some people clearly do, but the difference between "I disagree with" and "I am challenged by" is not great. Sometimes it's good to be challenged.

Some people choose to be "challenged by" their minister's theology for several years. To by challenged by the thology of a one-time event seems ok.

In your case you went once, didn't like it, and don't want to go back. That seems both normal and reasonable.

I think you didn't actually say where you thought the theology was wrong (left "much to be desired"). I don't like whipping scenes, but that's not theology. I don't know the basis for the traditional red-dressed person as devil, but I don't think that's theology either.

If you've been and seen it, then I'd just say that you don't want to go because you been there, done that, and it doesn't do anything for you. There's nothing rude about that, anymore than there would about not going to see a movie a second time if you didn't like it the first.

Mendalla

Crazyheart - I would probably do exactly the same as you. It sounds like you were polite and firm in your answer.

Some of the Passion things are very antiJudaic.

I would simply say "no thank you" and that, my friends, is a complete sentence.
 

So is "not interested, thank you"  and if asked why, "just not interested".
The same as, "I do not want to" and "because I do not want to"

BTW Crazyheart, she is just trying to get a date for the show or pressuring you.

She is disagreeing with a movie's position she chose to watch because she wanted to be with her friends or go along with the group or whatever. Some will because of the friends, some will because there is nothing else to do in a small town, some will only have one or two movies showing and you cannot be too picky, some will just need time out of the house...

She is trading off her personal feelings and it was/is worth it to her, for her own reasons.

She would also have a line. If they all wanted to go see a porn film, she would likely object.
 

We all have lines and we all decide if the compromise is worth it to us.

Will it be worth it to you?

hahahaha stevie, she didnt invite me to go.

When Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ" came out, so many people raved about how moving and beautiful it was, that I went and saw it . From an artistic perspective, It was by far the best Jesus movie ever created ("Jesus of Montreal" being the worst IMO).  But I was amazed at how little i enjoyed it.  The brutality of the Roman flogging and crucifixion was the most accurate of any Jesus movie, but it depressed me rather than inspire me.  Some viewers asked why the movie never portrayed Jesus' resurrection.  Actually it did, but so briefly many never even noticed.  Even more brief was the portrayal of the rending of the 'Temple curtains in the Holy of Holiies at the moment of Jesus' death..  No one I  asked even noticed that scene. 

I regret to say this, but I don't think there are any first-rate Jesus movies.  The best is the brief Jesus scene in Ben Hur.  One of the problems is the faillure to recognize that many of the Gospel sayings of Jesus are memorizable summaries of His central teaching points.  The right movie would put His teaching in the context of more natural extended conversations.  Also, Jesus' miracles are mere summaries of far more extended events that, in movies, need creative licence to set them up and place them in the context of the immediate background of the relevant lives involved. 

So, crazyheart she just wanted you to go, but not with her, just because it is a big deal in town? And when you were not she wanted to know why not  (or maybe you volunteered ) and then did not like your answer?

Tell her you are having sex with the roofer that night

chuckle

Crazyheart, there is a big non-denominational (it recently dropped Pentecost from its name) in this city.  They put on a passion play ever year, complete with a Roman soldier on a white horse directing traffic in the parking lot, and a cast of a hundred.  It's very popular.  

I"ve never gone so what I know about it is heresay and not admisable in a court of law.  I think it may be very much like The Passion of Christ - overly into violence and blood - and based almost entirely on the Gospel of John.  I really don't think it would move me in a way I would hope to be moved during Holy Week. 

I am well aware that Jesus died a terrible cruel death.  I have read accounts of what would happen during a crucifixion - flies, birds, blood, pain, and a slow death by suffication when the victim no longer can support his sagging abdominal organs or force his diaphram to function.    It's not dramatic, and it's not entertainment.   It's shameful that man could be so inhumane to his fellow man.   

I prefer a meaningful reading of one of the synoptic gospels, and a thoughtful message, supported by carefully chosen hymns sung by the church choir and congregation - the snuffing of the candles - the silences.  

And maybe its just me, but I don't like the idea of charging for a congregational event or a worship service.   (I am ok with donations or offerings, or a collection for the food bank but not a set charge.)   That's just a bit too commercial for me. 

Crazyheart, there is a big non-denominational (it recently dropped Pentecost from its name) in this city.  They put on a passion play ever year, complete with a Roman soldier on a white horse directing traffic in the parking lot, and a cast of a hundred.  It's very popular.  

I"ve never gone so what I know about it is heresay and not admisable in a court of law.  I think it may be very much like The Passion of Christ - overly into violence and blood - and based almost entirely on the Gospel of John.  I really don't think it would move me in a way I would hope to be moved during Holy Week. 

I am well aware that Jesus died a terrible cruel death.  I have read accounts of what would happen during a crucifixion - flies, birds, blood, pain, and a slow death by suffication when the victim no longer can support his sagging abdominal organs or force his diaphram to function.    It's not dramatic, and it's not entertainment.   It's shameful that man could be so inhumane to his fellow man.   

I prefer a meaningful reading of one of the synoptic gospels, and a thoughtful message, supported by carefully chosen hymns sung by the church choir and congregation - the snuffing of the candles - the silences.  

And maybe its just me, but I don't like the idea of charging for a congregational event or a worship service.   (I am ok with donations or offerings, or a collection for the food bank but not a set charge.)   That's just a bit too commercial for me.