
Another point ... 

background: maybe becos i have kind of acted (in a classroom play) as Shylock (in Merchant of Venice), i recall then that ... unlike many people who feel that Shylock was a nasty guy and hence, when he was ultimately coerced to convert his religion (i.e., if i recall the ending correctly), some people thought he deserved it ... i recall that during then, i chose a diff take (after all, that is what "literature" as a subject is all abt) ... i decided to let the audience be more empathetic towards Shylock at that scene ... 

my point: 

(1) hence, when the two scenes of "coercion/convertion/bad mouthing" appeared in the film (i.e., Daniel's and Dano's) ... i always feel very upsetting ... 

I have always thought ... if only the world respects one another religion a bit more ... it will be a merrier place ... and there will be unity amidst diversity ... 

(2) i also mention this point becos i wonder how the voting academy will be affected by these two scenes ... will it antagonize any becos of the way the film views/depicts religion ... always a tricky issue ...