Religious Studies Panel On 'Passion of the Christ' Is March 1

WHEN: Monday, March 1, 3:30-5 p.m.
WHERE: Bessey Hall Auditorium (Room 117), 12th & U Streets, City Campus

Lincoln, Neb., Feb. 24, 2004 -- The University of Nebraska-Lincoln Department of Classics and Religious Studies will conduct a panel discussion March 1 titled "Mel Gibson's 'The Passion of the Christ': Context and Reflection." The panel begins at 3:30 p.m. and will be in the Bessey Hall Auditorium (room 117), 12th and U streets on the UNL city campus.

Gibson's interpretation and production of the last 12 hours of the life of Jesus Christ, "The Passion of the Christ," opens nationwide at theaters Feb. 25.

Panelists will include Stephen Burnett, associate professor of classics and religious studies and history; Sidnie White Crawford, chair and professor of classics and religious studies; Robert Gorman, lecturer in classics and religious studies; Stephen Lahey, lecturer in classics and religious studies, and John Turner, Cotner university professor of religion. The discussion will focus on the professors' particular area of expertise and their impressions of the film from their viewpoint as academic researchers and scholars, including the use of language in the film, historical accuracy in the portrayal of the film, and the context of the Gospels in the period depicted.

"There has been so much discussion about this film already and we are very interested in helping people find answers to questions they may have, and to provide a scholarly viewpoint on the subjects that have been discussed in conjunction with the film," Crawford said. "As an academic department, we don't embrace any theological viewpoint, but hope instead to provide a neutral venue where information can be shared."

The panelists will have attended the movie.

The panel discussion is free and open to the public and the panelists will be open to questions.

CONTACTS: Sidnie White Crawford, Professor & Chair, Classics & Religious Studies, (402) 472-4475
Gail Troyer, Secretary, Classics & Religious Studies, (402) 472-2460