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http://www.thechariottepost.com tKIje Cljarlotte THURSDAY MARCH 11, 2004 8B RELIGION Walking a long mile in Judas’ sandals By Tom Shales THE WASHINGTON POST Jesus Christ was one groovy dude — at least according to “Judas,” an ABC movie that tells a very familiar story but from a unfamiliar point of view. ' In the modem-vemacular film, which aired Monday on ABC, Jesus is certainly the Good Guy (OK, the Best Guy), but Judas isn’t simply Loaf and Cup Luke 22: 7-23 the bad one. History’s most famous traitor, in effect, gets plopped down on an ana lyst’s couch and probed, and though he’s guilty as sin of betraying J^sus, we’re asked to consider him as a complex human being with traces of decency as well as dishonor running through his veins. At least these filmmakers adhere to the physicians’ credo “First, do no harm.” Unlike Mel Gibson’s notori ous “The Passion of the Christ,” ABC’s movie seems happily lacking in anti- Semitic aspersions. Writer Tbm Fontana, whose impres sive credits include the uncompromising “Oz” on HBO, has Pontius Pilate’s wife tell her husband, as the assassination of Jesus is plotted on Palm Sunday: “Fix it so the Jews them selves are held responsible.” It might have been better still if the conversation had continued with Pilate scoff ing, “Who’d believe that?” and his wife replying, ‘Wou can always find a few bigots and idiots wholl believe any thing.” Regardless, the Big Lie was bom, and two mil lennia later, Gibson would find a way to recycle it and gross more than $200 mil lion in the process. Surely his parking space in Hell has already been reserved. The movie sets the story of Jesus against the power grabbing of the time, with spin doctors either proclaim ing Him the son of God or denoimcing Him as a charla tan. The disciples resemble advance men, scouting loca tions and drumming up enthusiasm for their “candi date.” One impediment to taking Fontana’s movie more seri- See ABC’S JUDAS/7B Then came the day of unleavened b read, when the Passover must be killed. And he sent Peter and John, saying, “Go and pre pare us the Passover, that we may eat.” And they said unto him, where wilt thou that we pre pare? And he said unto them, “Behold, when ye are entered into the city, there shall a man meet you, bearing a pitcher of water; follow him into the house where he entereth in. And ye shall say imto the goodman of the house. The Master saith unto thee, where is the guest chamber, where I shall eat the Passover with my disciples? And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished; there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said imto them: and they made ready the Passover. And when the hour was come, he sat down, and the twelve apostles with him. And he said unto them, “With desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer: For I say unto you, I will not any more eat thereof, until it be fulfilled in the kingdom of God.- And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and said. Take this, and divide it among yourselves: For I say unto you, I will not drink of the fhiit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come. And he took bread, and gave' thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying. This is my body which is - given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper saying. This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. But, behold, the hand of him that betrayeth me is with me on the table. And truly the Son of man goeth, as it was determined: but woe unto that man by whom he is betrayed! And they began to enquire among themselves, which of them it was that should do this thing. Ministry’s goal is shoes for the poor By Artellia Burch artelliaburch@thecharlottepost.cont An international ministry is focused on brining a life-changing message of hope a pair of shoes at a time. Samaritan’s Feet is holding a 5-kilometer Life Walk through Uptown Charlotte on April 10 at 9 a.m. The walk will raise finances, collect shoes and bring attention to the plight of impoverished people in Third World countries. ‘We demonstrate com passion by washing and THE as AiREPrie founder of Samaritan’s Feet. Nigerian-bom Ohonme’s life was changed at the age of 9 when he received his first pair of tennis shoes from what he calls a “Good Samari tan” who was visiting his hometown of Lagos. The shoes gave him an opportunity to partici pate in sports and he eventually earned a full sports scholarship at the University of North Dakota. Ohonme went on to compete in sports activi ties in Africa and devel oped a love for competi tive basketball. He was equipping their feet with shoes and touching their hearts with the love of God,” said Emmanuel Ohonme, offered the chance to attend college in America under a full basketball scholarship and later earned an executive position at a leading tech nology company. Although Ohonme continue to progress in the U.S., he never forgot the plight of African children who stUl live under the strain of poverty, drug abuse, war, gangs and other criminal activity. Determined to help impoverished Africans as well as people living in Charlotte, Ohonme left the comfort and security of his executive position to start Samaritan’s Feet. Through the organization, Ohon me return the love he received when he was given shoes to millions. His goal is to “put shoes on 10 million impoverished people, with 10 mil lion pairs of shoes, over the next 10 years,” he said. Please see MINISTRY/5B Winfred Cross New Direction Rain Jeral Gray Sr. & Percy Gray Jr., producers Gospo Centric Records The Chicago area keeps churning out spectacular gospel choirs, groups, ensem bles and singers - most of which are associated with the Church of Clod In Christ (COGIC). Add New Direction to the growing list. It is an energetic group that sings with lots of spirit and spunk. It is more contemporary than tradition al but most of the songs would fit during a Sunday morning worship service. Most of the songs are uptempo foot-stoompers. The opening song “New Direction” sets the tone perfectly. When this group sings “I’m headed in a new direction/Don’t want to go the same of way” it’s not only a statement of faith, but one of the group’s mission. It ain’t the “same of way.” The group will appeal to new school and of school gospel folk. The music’s snappy enough and the vocals are strong enough. “I’m Gonna Wave My Hands” will definitely appeal to the new school, though it owes as much to of school funk as it does new school gospel. Kevin Vassar even bor rows a few chops from James Brown, talking about getting on the good foot. The musi- Thomasina Johnson funeral Thomasina McCollough Johnson entered into eternal rest on March 9, 2004. Arrangements are pending. A.L Jinwright Funeral Service is in charge of services. Teacher suspended over ‘The Passion’ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS dans obviously listened to the JBs. Everyone ought to like “Heal The Land,” a moving ballad led by Cedric Hodo, a Ruben Studdard sound-alike if there ever was one. Not a bad comparison, because this kid can blow like Studdard. ‘T Can Make If’ is the most traditional. Percy Bady wrote and produced the song and it’s typical Bady - melodic and simple with direct lyrics. Kirk Franklin and Hezekiah Walk er also contribute to the pro ject. Please see A NEW/6B WASHINGTON - An ele mentary school teacher was suspended this week after school officials learned that he showed students excerpts from the movie “The Passion of the Christ’ Ronald Anthony, who teach es at Malcolm X Elementary School, was placed on paid leave while investigators look into the incident, Elfreda Massie, the interim superin tendent for District of (Colum bia Public Schools, said Fri day. Massie said Anthony acknowledged showing some of his sixth-grade students portions of the film on Tiies- day. The movie _ which has been R-rated, meaning it is not recommended for people imder 17 years old _ depicts the crucifixion of Jesirs and includes violent scenes. At least 16 students are believed to have seen portions of the film, Massie told The Associaf ed Press. School officials learned of the incident when a parent complained, Massie said. The school sent a note to parents Wednesday, saying the film shouldn’t have been shown and that the teacher believed it connected histori cal events from the students’ social studies book. Massie said Anthony “used poor judgment” and should have relied on more appropri ate materials to for the lesson. Attempts to reach Anthony for comment were unsuccess ful. School officials also said they are looking into how Anthony obtained a copy of the film, which has not been released on video. The Mel Gibson film has drawn criticism from Jewish leaders who fear it will lead to anti-Jewish sentiment, while vrinning praise from some Christians for its portrayal of Christ. Church News Christian Women of Ele gance is sponsoring a 100- word essay contest on “Why Your Mother Should Be Con sidered The Greatest Mom of Charlotte.” The writers’ age categories are ages 5-9, 10-17 and 18 and older. All essays should be mailed or faxed to Christ ian Women of Elegance, Water Oak, Pineville 28134 or fax to (704) 889-12Q9. The winners will present the awards to their mothers at the Gospel Day In The Park- “A Day Tb Celebrate Women” to be held May 1 at Independence Park located at 300 Hawthorne Lane. For more information call (704) 493-2536. March 13 The University City Church will hold a special Passion the Christ Commu nity Forum at 9 a.m. March 14 St. Phillip Missionary Bap tist Church will celebrate its 9th Anniversary of Rev. Larry Daniel. The Rev. Timothy Graham of Tabernacle Bap tist Church will dehver the sermon at 2:30 pm. • First Mount Calvary Bap tist Church will hold its Annual Pastor’s Aide pro gram at 3 pm. • O’Zion AME Zion Church at 13921 Hamilton Road will hold its annual Pastor’s Aid program at 3:30 pm. March 16-19 Bishop Kevin L. Long and the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship of North Carolina will hold its 9th Annual State Conference “Is there not a cause?” at Silver Mount Baptist Church. The “Parade of Choirs” will be held March 16 at 7 pm. March 20 C.N. Jenkins Memorial Presbyterian Church will hold “Forced Justice: The Legal Battle Tb Integrate The Schools of America” at 4 p.m. Please see NETWORK/7B €)#0
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