During the Middle Ages the Jewish community was often forced to enter into disputations with the Christian community or suffer consequences by their refusal. During the times of those 'invitations' our people lived on the blade of a sword. Anything decision that we made could bring death to some or all in the community.
If we decided to refuse debate, our leaders quite possibly would be tortured until they later agreed to debate. If we accepted debate and did not prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jews did not kill Jesus, the entire Jewish community could be killed as Christ killers. And if we did win the debate, we would be considered masters of logic who twisted facts to make Judaism, and not Christianity, the true religion. Of Course such a result was unacceptable. We were in a no win situation.
Jews usually did not ask for disputations. Indeed they made every effort to distance themselves from the majority Christian community that had all the power.
My how times have changed. On the Christian holiday of Ash Wednesday Mel Gibson's movie, The Passion of Christ, opened up to the thunderous criticism of the Jewish community. For one of the first times that I can remember, the Jewish community opened a disputation with the Christian community. For one of the first times in my memory the Jewish community took the offensive in a disputation.
The movie has its Christian defenders and has its Christian critics. Clearly, if you read the reviews, the Jesus presented is not a man who spreads love. The tenor of the movie is not in keeping with most Christians understanding of the Gospels. In other words, Mel Gibson has created a Christian controversy that the Jewish community has gratuitously entered.
If this were the Middle Ages the consequences would have been draconian for us. Time will only tell if modernity allows our neighbors to be more accepting of our general criticism of their religious belief.