I would like to have a word with my fellow Christians for a minute.

The week that Mel Gibson’s film The Passion of Christ makes its official debut is now upon us. As you likely well know, the film has created quite a stir in both the religious and civil rights communities. Yet while some groups have eagerly reserved entire theaters purely for the showing of the film, other groups have criticized it under the fear that it promotes and will inspire Anti-Semitism. The debate rages on.

It is not my business to tell you whether The Passion is Anti-Semitic or not. As many others, I have not seen the film myself. But there is one question I wish to pose: Why has so much anxiety and paranoia been sparked about the possibility of Anti-Semitism in a film; and sparked almost a year ago when all the information anyone had on the film was an early script?

The answer is mournfully simple. There is a fear of Anti-Semitism from some groups, especially Jewish groups, because there is good reason for there to be fear. It is a very real and harmful hatred that continues to exist even in the hearts of some Christians.

Abraham Foxman, former national director of the Anti-Defamation League, told CNN that the group feared movie “…portrayed the Jews, the Jewish community, in a manner that we have experienced historically. Seeing passion plays used to incite not only a passion of love in terms of Christianity, but at the same time, to instill and incite a hatred of the Jews because of deicide.”

It is one of our religion’s greatest shames that some who proclaim themselves to be Christians act in such a carnal hatred of their fellow humans, then hide behind a banner of self-righteousness. One of these “Christians” who tells their child to love their neighbor may make a racial remark to their coworkers. Another who has a “Jesus Loves You” bumper sticker may be seen protesting with a sign proclaiming “God Hates Fags.”

What deplorable, self-serving behavior! In a religion where love is the core of every major principle and transformation, it is a horror that some of us think it is God’s will for us to exhibit a base hierarchy of disgust toward those who deviate from what they consider to be Christian ideals. Those who do are in a severe danger of thinking that they even come close to them. Jesus warns us of being wrongly judgmental:

Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)

This does not mean we should remain mute about what we see in others’ lives that goes against our beliefs. But we also must remember our own true positions when doing so. We have all been equally condemned before taking refuge in Christ, and just because we have does not mean we are perfect or better than others. Christianity is an open invitation to all; our purpose is to invite others in through a true, humble love, not condemn and drive them away to uplift ourselves.

Most of the cast of The Passion of the Christ are Jewish, as to ensure the authenticity of the film. But during the crucifixion scene, it is Gibson’s hand that is shown holding the nail that goes through Jesus’s flesh.

We all held the nails. Never forget that.