[DPB101]

Ted Haggard, president of the National Evangelical Association and Don Hodel president of Focus on the Family praised the film.

How much impact do they have among Protestants? Does their endorsement mean fears of a Catholic bias in the movie are probably unfounded?

[rwfromkansas]

It matters to me.

While I am not a fan of Focus on the Family, the praise of these two carries some big weight.

Despite the whole Mary crushing the head of a snake deal, I believed this movie would be Biblically accurate and I am not going to let little things like that get in the way.

I was and still am excited about seeing movie and pray God will use it to constantly instill images in my mind of what Christ went through so it may impact me more than it already has.

If what happened on set happens when people watch the film, it could be the starting point for a good number of conversions.

[NEWwoman]

Thanks for the ping. Sounds like a good endorsement. Need to see it.

[marron]

How much impact do they have among Protestants?

Focus on the Family has a lot of influence on people in general. But in general terms, the last 12 hours of Jesus' life is something Catholics and Evangelicals are going to be able to agree on, I can't imagine what a Catholic versus Protestant spin on the historic Crucifixion would be.

Protestants quibble over "how" important Mary is, theologically, but there is no disagreement that she is his mother, that she was there, that she would grieve, that no doubt God had his hand on her, and so forth. Protestants disagree on the proper bureaucratic structure of the Church, and the authority of the pope, and so forth, (although many have a great deal of respect for the current pope) but there is no disagreement on the meaning of the Crucifixion, and its significance for mankind. On that, Catholic and non-Catholic Christians are in perfect harmony.

[votelife]

Focus on the Family carries a LOT of weight.

[Ciexyz]

How much impact do they have among Protestants?

An endorsement by The National Evangelical Association will bring the Assemblies of God and other evangelical Christian groups on board to see the film. Focus on the Family has a radio show that is widely listened to by born-again Christians. For instance, if you're the type of person who would wear a T-shirt saying "Jesus Saves", then you probably listen to Christian radio and TV and will be open to hearing a story about Gibson's movie.

In other words, this was a VERY smart move by Mr. Gibson, because the above-named organizations will give positive feedback on the movie that will energize their home base to see the film.

[opus86]

I think having the endorsement of FOF and the National Evanagelical Assoc. will help promote the film among Protestants.

[iowaboy]

I don't know much about Haggard, but Focus on the Family is very highly respected as far as I'm concerned.