The industry tried to silence him.
Actor and filmmaker Mel Gibson recently appeared on the “Joe Rogan Experience” podcast, where he delved into topics including his Christian faith, the difficulties of producing faith-based films in Hollywood, and his skepticism toward Darwinian evolution.
Gibson, 69, is widely recognized for his work in the Oscar-winning Braveheart and the groundbreaking The Passion of the Christ. He recounted the significant challenges he encountered while making The Passion in 2004, a film that went on to become the highest-grossing R-rated movie in U.S. history, earning $370.8 million on a modest $30 million budget.
“There was a lot of pushback,” Gibson said during the episode, which was released Thursday. “When you take on that subject matter, you’re bound to stir up strong reactions—it’s a powerful and controversial topic.” He explained that the film’s core message was about universal redemption. “The idea is that we’re all responsible for what happened, that His sacrifice was for all of us, for our flaws and sins. That’s what I believe,” he added.
Rogan, who describes himself as an agnostic with a Catholic upbringing, agreed with Gibson’s assessment. He noted that Christianity often faces unique scrutiny, especially within Hollywood’s secular culture.
“Christianity is the one religion people feel free to criticize,” Rogan remarked. He suggested that while Hollywood often embraces diverse religious perspectives, Christianity is frequently portrayed negatively due to its perceived association with “white, male colonialism.”
Despite facing industry resistance, Gibson said he felt privileged to have completed the film. “It was an honor to bring it to life,” he said. “I grew up in a Catholic household, and my beliefs remain deeply Christian. I genuinely believe in this stuff.”
When discussing the resurrection of Christ, Gibson described the Gospels as historical documents, pointing to non-biblical sources that affirm the existence of Jesus. He also highlighted the sacrifices of the apostles who spread Christianity.
“All those guys chose to die rather than renounce their beliefs,” he said. “Nobody willingly dies for something they know to be a lie.” He acknowledged that while the resurrection is the hardest element for many to accept, it’s also the cornerstone of Christian faith. “It demands the greatest belief,” he said. “Who else rises from the dead after being publicly executed? Buddha didn’t.”
On the topic of evolution, Gibson expressed doubts about the mainstream Darwinian view. “I’m not really sold on it,” he admitted. “Ice Age, dinosaurs—what exactly did they evolve into?” While skeptical of large-scale evolution, he said he’s open to the idea of small, natural changes within species. “I think there’s room for micro-evolution, but within a framework of creation,” he explained, suggesting that he believes in an overarching intelligent design guiding the world’s order.
Gibson argued that life isn’t random, stating, “Anything left to its own devices without some guiding intelligence tends to descend into chaos. There has to be some greater intelligence at work.” He emphasized the unique nature of humanity, noting, “I think humans are different because we have a soul—we’re created with one.”
During the podcast, Gibson received news that his girlfriend and their young son were evacuating their home due to the Palisades Fire. Reflecting on the wildfires in Southern California, he commented, “I think our tax dollars must have gone to Newsom’s hair gel. It’s sad—the whole place is burning.”
In a later phone interview with News Nation, Gibson admitted that he felt uneasy during the recording. “Knowing my neighborhood was on fire made it hard to focus,” he said. “I kept thinking, ‘Is my house still standing?’”