02/19/2004: "Is "The Passion" too violent for children"

In this article they discuss whether parents should be taking their children to see the movie since it is so violent.

I have to agree with the critics on this on. While I think it is appropriate that the movie is violent, (in fact, I don't think it can make its point unless it is) that doesn't allow us to disregard the impact that violence will have on young children. I remember seeing the movie "Mississippi Burning" in the theaters in 1988 when I was 13 years old. The movie had a profound impact on me with the racial violence in it.

I was just old enough to appreciate that violence and the impact was a meaningful one. Much younger however and I think it would have scared me without benefit. I would say that from what I've heard of "The Passion", that 12 is a good guideline age. Of course the maturity of each child should be taken into account in deciding whether they are ready for the movie. It is probably wise for every parent who is even remotely concerned about whether it is appropriate for their children, to go see it themselves before deciding whether their children should go. When a child is ready, I think it is important for them to see this movie, just like it was important for me to see Mississippi Burning. But we must wait until they are ready. I'm just guessing here, but I'm pretty sure it will be on DVD for those children who aren't ready yet.

Now onto my rant on the subject (I'm just getting warmed up!):

It's no wonder that so many people are critical of the "religious right". When the American Family Association is recommending that you take your children to see this movie (without even an implication of a minimum age) it stinks of hypocrisy. These are the same people who would be inclined to tell you that Bambi is too violent for your young elementry school student (OK, I'm exagerating slightly, but I hope you get my point).

I think some people have forgotten that there is more than one way to teach people about Christ. "The Passion" is NOT THE ONLY SHOW IN TOWN. Sure, I'm glad that it is coming out and am very much looking forward to seeing it. But I think too many people have lost their perspective. While this is a big event, and it will likely impact our society as a whole, in the end, it can only have as much impact as a movie can have. To abandon some of our most cherished beliefs (like protecting our children from violence in movies) because of this movie will only come back to bite us later. It will only show the that we can be just as biased (and hence not worth listening to) as those we fight against.

This is particularly worrisome about this is that so many of the children who will be going to see this movie have been (appropriately) shielded from violence in movies up until now. My mom was very careful to not let me see violent movies. We couldn't go to see a PG-13 movie until we were 13. She had gone to see "Mississippi Burning" and decided that even though it was an R rated movie, that I should go see it (I remember being shocked, yet excited). I think part of the reason it affected me so much is because it was such a violent movie in comparision to what I had previously seen.

For so many 12 year olds these days, who have seen all the violent movies, it might not be a big deal to see Christ beat nearly to the point of death. But for those good Christian parents who have been shielding their children from violence in the movies, to have "The Passion" unleashed on them is too much. It will shock them in a way that is not appropriate. Parents out there with young children:

PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE, FOR THE SAKE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY, WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE READY TO SHOW THEM THIS MOVIE!

Ask yourself, are they ready to see Braveheart? (same director, similar viens of thought (Wallace was a Martyr, right?), both R rated)