Iran releases their own "Jesus Movie"

There are many who claim most of the problems in the world are caused by a lack of understanding between peoples. Such thinkers claim that what we need to promote peace and good feeling between peoples is a genuine dialogue between disparate groups. These types must be thrilled by a new movie being released in Iran as the "answer" to Mel Gibson's THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST. This new film attempts to portray Jesus from a Islamic perspective, taking source material from the Koran.

American Christians, I respect them very much. I think these Christians, the born-again Christians, especially, are a very interesting group that Iran is not aware of, because a whole generation of Iranians haven't been able to travel to America. And those who do move to America, stay in America. So, how to create serious communication, not at the political, but at the religious level? I thought this would be a shortcut.

Sounds very nice, doesn't it. But consider the parts that the director felt were best to leave out.

We are talking about the same beautiful man, the same beautiful prophet, the same divine person sent from heaven. In the Koran, it emphasizes maybe three main points: about the birth, about the fact that he was not the son of God, and then, that he was not crucified. The rest is [the same] Jesus ... the sermons, and the miracles, and the political situation.

So, Jesus is exactly who the Christians say he is... except he is not the son of God, he was not crucified, and therefore not resurrected. Sigh. These three points ARE the core of Christianity, and what makes it separate from simply being another sect of Judaism.

And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men.
1 Corinthians 15:17-19

It will be interesting to see if this film really does promote a "useful dialogue" or if it simply drives Muslims and Christians farther apart. I tend to think the latter.