Bill, you very eloquently elaborated on my observation better than I could have, and I thank you for that.
Also, it is important to note that Christians do not believe Christ was just a man. He was divine, the son of God from his birth, but as a human mortal was subject to the failings of humanity such as temptation, hunger, all of human weakness. That said, I think I'm one of the few Christians I know that isn't offended by the thought of Christ have had children. There is evidence to support this, but not a ton, and it doesn't bother me. I have sat and listened to people argue, and I MEAN argue over this.
As for the torture porn, I don't think Gibson relished in the flogging at all, I find it something he struggled with, but shows so graphically because he felt he has a responsibility to make a point in the same way I think Spielberg had a responsibility to be so frank with Schindler's List.