Christian Leaders Keeping Quiet On Mel Gibson's Leaked Tapes

The last time Mel Gibson found himself in the middle of a media firestorm -- i.e. when he made sexist and antisemitic comments during his D.U.I. arrest in Malibu -- Christian leaders rushed to his defense. 

But this time, the people who so fervently supported him and helped turn The Passion of the Christ (pictured) into the highest-grossing independent film of all time have remained silent for the most part. Such prominent Gibson defenders as James Dobson Focus on the Family (which Dobson founded, but no longer runs), and the evangelical group Promise Keepers had issued no statements regarding the five leaked recordings of Gibson purportedly ranting at his ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. Following the actor's 2006 outburst, Dobson released a statement saying, "Mel has apologized profusely for this incident, and there the matter should rest." At the time of this posting, Dobson, Focus on the Family, and Promise Keepers had not responded to EW's request for comment.