wow...skip, this looks like I'm in for a really interesting experience at the theatre :S Not to bring in politics but I'm a "recovering" catholic, now an agnostic. I do agree- no matter what faith you are that the practice of crucifixition is horrible and gruesome.

Anyway, I think the insertion of "The" specifies which Christ. I know its a germanic version of a last name (Christ that is) but it specifies which one we're talkign about. Plus is more definately (and semantically) identifies Jesus as the savior of christians. See my point? The empasis in the sentence would be placed on Passion instead of Christ: and whats more important in this? The Passion...or him getting crucified?