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Is The Passion too Violent for Children
ABC ^ | 02/19/2004 | ABC - Good Morning America

Posted on 02/23/2004 11:06:16 AM PST by 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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(Excerpt) Read more at abcnews.go.com ...


TOPICS: Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: christ; gibson; passion; violence
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To: Theophilus
The only other time you hear liberals fretting about what children are seeing is when someone is holding up pictures of aborted fetuses.

I think lawmakers ought to be banned from voting on any abortion procedure they have not witnessed with their own eyes -- and I mean looking at the baby after the fact. They should not be allowed to vote in a state of denial.

21 posted on 02/23/2004 11:31:28 AM PST by King Black Robe (With freedom of religion and speech now abridged, it is time to go after the press.)
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To: Indie
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.

Agreed. My kids CAN handle the truth, orivded this film comes as close to the scriptures as I've heard.

This is just another attempt by the networks to tamp down attendance. I wonder what angle they'll try tomorrow.

22 posted on 02/23/2004 11:31:56 AM PST by skeeter
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To: 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

I agree.

My dad took me to see a movie featuring some violence when I was a kid, and I still remember the bad experience.

The movie was about Greek mythology, so my dad thought it was no big deal. Guess what? It was not a nice trip for me, to put it mildly.

23 posted on 02/23/2004 11:32:22 AM PST by george wythe
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It's not an "R" rated movie for the sex and language.
24 posted on 02/23/2004 11:34:04 AM PST by Your Nightmare
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To: Indie
I agree; I'm taking my 11 year old also, and he's seen "Saving Private Ryan" as well as "Band of Brothers" (both are excellent). I think it depends on the child; some can handle it, and other's can't. It's a personal judgement for parents to make; I don't think it would be right to make a blanket condemnation such as "anyone under 12 years shouldn't be allowed to see it". I think it depends on the specific child.
25 posted on 02/23/2004 11:34:25 AM PST by Born Conservative ("Forgive your enemies, but never forget their names" - John F. Kennedy)
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To: Theophilus
Is The Passion too Violent for Children

It has a rather realistic depiction of brutalization up to and including a particularly prolonged and painful form of public execution. Duh.

26 posted on 02/23/2004 11:35:33 AM PST by steve-b
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To: Theophilus
Surely you know that the "whole assembly" would have included only qualified and age-appropriate males. "Whole assembly" would not have included women and children.
27 posted on 02/23/2004 11:36:05 AM PST by Remole
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To: Theophilus
Too violent for children?

It's to violent for me. (53 years old). Reading and immagining is as much as i can take. Why someone would make this movie and why they would subject themselves to watching it is totally beyond me.

What everyone is missing here is this movie is more violent than the real thing. No one had the camera's viewpoint for this entire event. No single person was subjected to the entire event other than Christ. Why should millions of people need to see this and personally subject themself to each and every stroke of the lash? Will it somehow make it more real?

I've allways hated horror movies. Violence scars the psyche. You all go ahead and scar yourselves all you want. As for me, no thanks.
28 posted on 02/23/2004 11:37:07 AM PST by mercy
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To: Theophilus; roylene
I do not care to sit in a theatre and watch violence,period.The screens are very large and the sound is very loud and I would find the whole thing disturbing.

I've read the gospels and I've read about the holocaust and I've read about the horrors of trench warfare in WWI and the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki but I do not care to watch any of these on the "big screen".
29 posted on 02/23/2004 11:37:54 AM PST by Mears (The Killer Queen---caviar and cigarettes.)
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To: george wythe
Kids are all different.

The poster above with the 11 year old, that kid can probably handle it just fine. I know adults who couldn't handle it.

Everybody has to decide for themselves and parents need to use good judgement.
30 posted on 02/23/2004 11:38:55 AM PST by tiamat ("Just a Bronze-Age Gal, Trapped in a Techno World!")
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To: Theophilus
Why am I appalled? Because no child that age needs to be exposed to such violence -- real, fiction, or otherwise.

Should we be afraid of the truth?

There is such a thing as age appropriateness, and I don't think this is it. Do you see some great purpose served by exposing an 8 yr old to 90 minutes of torture? There will be grown men sickened and weeping from this film. Do you think a child that age will be somehow more "Christian" for possibly having the wits scared out of him? This film isn't going anywhere; it'll be there for the kid to see in five or six years when he is more able to digest and understand what he's seeing.

31 posted on 02/23/2004 11:39:37 AM PST by workerbee
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To: tiamat
My husband and I are going to support Mel Gibson's endeavor. If I can't stand to look I'll just close my eyes during those parts. However, we are not taking our 10 year old at this time. We may, later, after we view it, but not at first.
32 posted on 02/23/2004 11:42:27 AM PST by scan58
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To: workerbee
Agreed. I think any parent who takes a kid to see this movie is committing child abuse.
33 posted on 02/23/2004 11:43:04 AM PST by mercy
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To: Theophilus
Excellent.

Amzed thet the left wing is concerned about what they consider unsuitable. Hypocricy at its finest.

Blessings, Bobo

34 posted on 02/23/2004 11:43:15 AM PST by bobo1
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To: scan58
I think you are smart.

I am going to be very interested to hear what people have to say once it's been released
35 posted on 02/23/2004 11:43:45 AM PST by tiamat ("Just a Bronze-Age Gal, Trapped in a Techno World!")
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To: Owl_Eagle
an excellent first date movie

The Exorcist was better for me....my date wouldn't let me out of her arms for about 18 hours after seeing that; time period elapsed = evening to mid morning the next day...

36 posted on 02/23/2004 11:46:36 AM PST by ErnBatavia (Gay marriage is for suckers...)
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To: skeeter
I don't think 8 yr olds should be asked to prove their bravery or their faith or what have you by watching unrelenting violence -- "truth" or not. Some of you sound like this is some sort of contest over whose kid can "handle" it at the youngest age.

I hope you'll at least give them the option of leaving the theater should it become too overwhelming.
37 posted on 02/23/2004 11:47:09 AM PST by workerbee
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To: Mears; cyborg
I don't think I'm going to see this film. I'm Catholic enough as it is and I don't need any "message' to reinforce my beliefs. I certainly do not need to sit through even five minutes of unrelenting cruelty, forget about a couple of hours worth.

If the controversy gets to the point where I feel a side must be taken then I'll buy a ticket to make a statement but I'll go to the diner instead.

38 posted on 02/23/2004 11:48:09 AM PST by wtc911 (I got the motive which is money and the body which is dead.)
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To: workerbee
Wonderful analysis, workerbee.
39 posted on 02/23/2004 11:53:58 AM PST by Digger
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To: workerbee
THANK you.

40 posted on 02/23/2004 11:55:26 AM PST by tiamat ("Just a Bronze-Age Gal, Trapped in a Techno World!")
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