Savage's Review of 'The Passion'

I understand your fear, but I think it's one peculiar to the post Alan-Alda-Sensitive-New-Age-Guy era.

No, I assure you it is not. I detest sweaters, would feed quiche to my cat, and would happily throw Alan Alda out on his wrinkled liberal keister if he ever made the grave mistake of setting foot anywhere near my home. My trepidation is an entirely justifiable fear of allowing a 5 year old to view cinematically-dramatized violence against a person he is just beginning to learn about, and his having screaming nightmares about crucifixion as a result. In my opinion, he is not quite ready to see a man's limbs broken with a hammer and nails being driven through his body parts.

Do I believe it really happened? Sure do, every word. Does that make a realistic depiction of it any less shocking to a young child? No. People go to the bathroom every day too, and I surely wouldn't allow him to see depictions of defecation or urination in my home.

If his mother wants to take him to see the movie, then that's her call. He's already asking intelligent questions about this great man who did all those wonderful things a long time ago, and who continues to protect him even today. But I wouldn't presume to expose him to the horrible (if simulated) violence of crucifixion - not yet.

My parents were understanding enough to allow me to remain a child until I was of an age when I could understand what being an adult meant, and I intend to grant the same gift to this child if I can.

My trepidation is an entirely justifiable fear of allowing a 5 year old to view cinematically-dramatized violence against a person he is just beginning to learn about, and his having screaming nightmares about crucifixion as a result. In my opinion, he is not quite ready to see a man's limbs broken with a hammer and nails being driven through his body parts.

A touring life size replica of the Hebrew's tabernacle and its attendant sacrifices passed through here a few years ago. The guide told us that a child was usually asked to cut the throat of the lamb offering. In rural settings children would de-head chickens, gut goats, and watch public executions. A child needs to know at some point that his/her body is subject to death, and that Jesus died that death for all of us. Believe me, I understand the dillemna. I have six children myself. I just wonder if we're too squeamish sometimes.

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