Not only is Mel Gibson's new movie, The Passion of the Christ, creating a stir among religious groups on the national front, but it is also causing controversy on campus and at churches in downtown State College.

Gibson's latest directorial effort -- and $25 million investment -- opens today on 2,000 screens nationwide. The movie is opening locally at Carmike Cinema 6, 501 Benner Pike, and at the Garman Opera House Theatre in Bellefonte.

The main concerns that surround the film -- that it could spawn a new age of anti-Semitism and that it lacks an accurate depiction of the biblical story of Christ -- are ones that Gibson has vehemently denied.

Tuvia Abramson, executive assistant director of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life at Penn State, is one of the film's detractors.

Abramson said the film would not revive feelings of anti-Semitism.

"Well [anti-Semitism] never left, so it's not a question of bringing it back. We see it daily; it's just a question of how the film will emphasize it," Abramson said. "The story is not a new one, and there were no TVs, newspapers or cameras back then, so it's all based on story. The story of Jesus dying is known, but the question is, why [Gibson] chose to make this film now and why he chose to concentrate so much on violence?"

Abramson's point that the film is centered on the idea of graphic and shocking violence is also an idea that Gibson himself has supported, basing his argument on the idea that what happened 2,000 years ago was indeed a violent affair.

But it is just these kinds of arguments that compelled St. Paul's United Methodist Church, 109 McAllister St., and its Director of Lay Ministries Jane Richards to buy out tickets for a group screening of the film this Sunday at Carmike Cinema 6.

Richards said she encourages not only members of the congregation and their families to go to the screening, but also anyone interested in attending a biblical discussion at the church's Abba Java House after the film.

"The most important thing about the film is that it starts a conversation," Richards said. "The reason we're doing this is not because the film is completely accurate according to scripture, but because it is a good jumping-off point for discussion."

Gibson's production company, Icon Productions, has called the film one of the best outreach opportunities in 2,000 years for those less involved with the scripture. This statement alone has caused an enormous reaction, both positive and negative, in the local community.

Rabbi Nosson Meretsky, director of Chabad of Penn State, questioned the tactics used by Icon.

"Usually you do not use mainstream movies for outreach; they are simply used for entertainment. It seems odd that they would do that," he said. "If it were made just to show at churches that's fine, but it's intended for mass audiences."

Richards has a different opinion regarding the matter.

"I agree that it would be a good opportunity for outreach and for people who don't know the story of Christ," Richards said. "With a film, they will have a glimpse; it won't answer all of their questions, but it will get them thinking about it."

Although there are different opinions on the film, theaters in the State College area are preparing for a mass influx of audiences.

Kathryn Iadarola, one of the owners of Garman Opera House Theatre in Bellefonte, was overwhelmed by requests to see the film.

"Initially, we were not going to show the film," Iadarola said, "but when I was bombarded by letters and e-mails from people wanting to see it, I changed my mind.

"This is typically not the type of film that I would have shown, because of its violent nature, but I went with it because it was something a lot of moviegoers wanted to see," Iadarola said.