Is The Passion too Violent for Children

ABC ^ | 02/19/2004 | ABC - Good Morning America

[Theophilus]

Mel Gibson tackles the controversy surrounding his new film, charges of anti-Semitism, and the despair that spurred his Faith. Jim Caviezel, portraying Jesus Christ, carries a cross on the set of The Passion of the Christ.

(Philippe Antonello, Marquis Films/AP Photo)

Mel Gibson's controversial new movie The Passion of the Christ has created a debate between those who see the depiction of Jesus' final hours as a religious lesson and those who view it as graphic violence that will only scare children.

Some church leaders believe the depiction of Christ's final 12 hours and crucifixion will help give children a fuller understanding of Jesus and the Gospel. In anticipation of the movie's Feb. 25 opening, churches have booked hundreds of theaters, with plans to bus in church youth groups to see the film. Some parents are pledging to take even very young children.

But critics of those plans say the R-rated film's unrelenting violence is too disturbing for children to see. Some of the more graphic parts of the film include a scene in which Roman guards strike Jesus with cat-o'-nine-tails, ripping the flesh from his back, and another in which a Roman soldier pierces Jesus' side with a lance to see if he is dead, prompting blood to shower down on the guard.

In an exclusive interview with ABCNEWS' Diane Sawyer, director Gibson said he had no issue with the film's "R" rating, which means children under 17 will not be admitted without an adult.

"It deserves an R rating," Gibson said. "It's absolutely, you know, it's hard to watch."

Gibson said he would let his 13-year-old son see it, but he would tell him it was graphic and difficult.

"He knows the story," Gibson said. "He understands."

Teaching Tool?

Jerry Johnston, a pastor of the First Family Church in Kansas City, Kan., has been vocal about encouraging children to see the film and his church has arranged youth screenings for middle and high school students. Pastors will be present at the screenings to speak to children about what they have seen.

"I think it will have a huge impact on young people all over America, and I believe many are going to want to find Christ," Johnston said.

Continued
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[Theophilus]

No question where I stand on this: "Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats: And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening."

[End Times Sentinel]

From what I hear, it sounds like an excellent first date movie. 

Owl_Eagle

"Guns Before Butter."

From what I hear, it sounds like an excellent first date movie. 

[tallhappy]

Is The Passion too Violent for Children

Yes.

[Mears]

Sorry,but it's too violent for me and I'm a grandmother.

I hear that 3/4 hour is spent in a very graphic,bloody,depiction of the lashing of Jesus and it's not something I would care to sit and watch.

[cyborg]

I agree

[tiamat]

I'd want to go and see the movie first before I took anybody under the age of 12.

And I would want to be awfully sure of my kid in any event.

Lots of prep, and time to talk about it afterwards.

[Theophilus]

it's not something I would care to sit and watch

If you could, by some means, would you choose to witness (or have witnessed) the actual event?

[roylene]

Read the gospels - it was violent and brutal - thats the point.

[Theophilus]

Lots of prep, and time to talk about it afterwards

That makes sense to me.

[BulletBobCo]

I don't think that it would be appropriate to take kids to see this in the theaters for the fact that they may not be able to read or keep up with the subtitles and that the parent would be constantly dealing with the child explaining things and distracting those around who paid to watch the movie undisturbed. After viewing it myself, would I decide whether or not to let my kids see it when it is available on DVD.

[workerbee]

I've heard people say they'll be taking their 8, 9, or 10 yr olds which I find appalling. This movie will be more than many adults can handle; no child that young needs to be exposed to it.

[Theophilus]

may not be able to read or keep up with the subtitles

good point

[tiamat]

I've got a friend who is planning on taking her kids. ( She has four, and the youngest is 7)

I am desperately trying to talk her into screening it first at least.

I have another friend who is going with her church group to a pre-screening. She is planning on bringing a box of kleenex and I have told her that I think she's smart to do it.

I'm not sure I can stand to go. I'm curious, but I know rather too much about Roman methods and I have an excellent imagination.

[Indie]

My 11 yr old will definitely see it. He is VERY mature and knows the Gospel better than I since he's in a private Christian school. He's also seen Band of Brothers and knows what those troopers did so that we could live free. He knows more about WWII than any HS senior does I GUARANTEE!!

My 7 yr old will NOT see it, only because he is not as mature and would get scared.

In summary, if you have taught your pre-teen well, and given them a Christian education, and they are mature enough, I say let them see it!!!! But it will depend on each individual child and circumstance.

To just say "NO" out of hand as an emotional response is foolish without taking into account the above. After all, this is not gratuitous violence...it is the TRUTH.

[King Black Robe]

It's refreshing to see the media finally start worrying about what kids are seeing. Frankly though, these people have no room to judge given the trash they churn out all the time. The Passion is a story of sacrifice and love -- God's gift to mankind. I figure if I am going to accept Christ's sacrifice for my sins, the least I can do is face what I did to him.

[TSgt]

Brutal, bloody, violent, graphic...Good.

Maybe it will wake people up to the price of their sins.

If people think this is bad wait until after the 2nd Coming.

It will make Hitler look like Santa Claus.

[Gal.5:1]

And Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb..."

and
Then THE angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son..."

from Ex 22

he next day he saw Jesus ("the LORD is salvation") coming to him and said, "Behold, the (Passover, Ex 12)Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!"
Jn 1:29

Like a lamb that is lead to slaughter... Is53:7

[tiamat]

It's very different to read a thing than it is to se it played out before you.

I happen to like Stephen King books. However, I can't stand to watch a scary movie.

( although, if my husband watches one, I don't have to sleep with the lights on anymore! )

[Xenalyte]

Violence isn't as much an issue with me as the certain disturbance caused by children reading subtitles aloud and asking, "Mom, what did that say? Huh?"

[Theophilus]

I've heard people say they'll be taking their 8, 9, or 10 yr olds which I find appalling

Why? Can you elaborate? I think that the objection that many people have to violence is that it portrays mankind, in general, as desperately wicked. But isn't it true? Should we be afraid of the truth?