LOS ANGELES, USA (BosNewsLife)– American actor Mel Gibson, who directed the movie ‘The Passion of the Christ’, has apologized for what he called “despicable” remarks he made during his arrest for drunk driving, BosNewsLife monitored Monday, July 31. It came after entertainment website TMZ.com quoted a police report which it said detailed an anti-Semitic remarks.”The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world,” Gibson allegedly said. He also asked the officer, James Mee: “Are you a Jew?,” the website said.
His comments were expected to add anger among some Jewish groups who claim Gibson’s 2004 blockbuster, ‘The Passion of the Christ,’ about the suffering of Jesus, God’s only begotten Son, contained anti-Semitic overtones. Gibson’s father has been quoted as denying the Holocaust. Evangelical Christians and pastors BosNewsLife talked to have denied suggestions that the film was anti-Semitic.
They say The Passion was very accurately based on the Bible. The Bible notes that while Jews demanded His crucifixion, it were in the end gentiles, Roman soldiers, who nailed Him at the cross. This, evangelicals say, underscores that Jesus Christ died for the sins of both Jews and gentiles before He rose from the death on the third day.
HIGHWAY ARREST
Gibson, 50, was reportedly arrested early Friday, July 28, on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, California. The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s department did not confirm the TMZ report, The Associated Press (AP) news agency said.
The Los Angeles Times news paper said the sheriff’s department will investigate whether authorities gave Gibson preferential treatment and tried to cover up his alleged behavior.
In a statement Gibson said he was “completely out of control” and “disgraced” himself and his family with his behavior. Gibson added he had been battling with the disease of alcoholism for all of his adult life and profoundly regrets what he calls his “horrific relapse.”
DEPUTIES’ REPORT
AP quoted police officials as saying he was clocked going 87 mph in a 45-mph zone. Authorities said a breath test indicated Gibson’s blood-alcohol level was 0.12 percent. The legal limit in California is 0.08 percent.
Gibson was reportedly released after posting $5,000 bail. It was not immediately clear if and when court procedures would begin.(With reports from the USA and BosNewsLife reporting).
