The Last Temptation of Christ

[say]

Hi!

I don't know if this is in an appropriate forum, anyway...

The thread title, for those that don't know, is a title of a book (by Nikos Kazantzakis) and movie (imdb), which was made after the book novel.

The story has a lot of spiritual/psicological content. If you didn't read/see it yet, I recommend it to you. (The book is, IMO, easier to understand, whereas in the movie things get displayed at a faster pace, even tho it's not a short movie.)
Really, it's not a Mel Gibson movie , it has some 'deep' content. Also some controversial stuff. The Church guys don't like it, part of the reason, IMO, it's because it makes Jesus appear more like a human and less like a pop star.

--- possible spoilers ahead ---

I wouldn't know where to begin a debate about this story. There are a lot of interesting elements. But I made this topic because today I had some new thoughts. I used to look only at the Christ character... but then I thought that Judas has also a very meaningful role. I'm talking about the "rebel" in me, which wants stuff to go certain ways. You know, we're taught not to worry about stuff, be peaceful, at ease with everything... But at the same time there's struggle in life. There are "misguided" religions, there are sick ways of living the life, oppressors... it's almost impossible not to see those things sometimes. And this Judas character IMO is all about new, 'better' morality, values. About doing something to change, even tho it means creating another religion, a new set of values. Do you recognize the Judas in you sometimes? I mean also when it comes to personal development, I find sometimes that I'm being too strict with myself, with life. Like: "This is wrong, this won't make me grow spiritually!" "Those people are have low conciousness, I don't want to hang with them!"

Hope I didn't write in a too confusing way. I'm in a hurry right now. Catch ya later.

[Angela]

Beautiful book -- one of my favorites. Funny that Nikos Kazantsakis was a deeply pious guy, but chastised horribly by the church for this work that was effectively his love song to his god. "What if Jesus decided not to die on the cross and be a martyr, but rather, to marry, have children, and live out his life as human?" Thanks for reminding me of it; I think I'll re-read it for the holidays.

"Dallas" later ripped off the story's big twist....

[say]

Yes, it's a very religious work. Made me more interested in the bible, Jesus... than after listening to the Church people.
Also it shows the world, the society, in which the characters lived, in such a way that it makes it very familiar.

"Dallas" later ripped off the story's big twist....

What did you mean by that? Was there an edited version of the book or something?

[Angela]

Originally Posted by say

What did you mean by that? Was there an edited version of the book or something?

SPOILER ALERT
It turns out it was all just a dream while he was in the shower, just like Bobby Ewing. Just kidding about the shower. After ditching god's whole plan and living a normal man's life -- getting married, having kids, the whole catastrophe, POOF! Jesus "comes to" up on the cross, shouts out, "why have you foresaken me?" and then does his dad's bidding, as scheduled. saves mankind and all that. The End.