Is The Passion too Violent for Children

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

[skeeter]

I hope you'll at least give them the option of leaving the theater should it become too overwhelming.

Where did I say how old my kids are?

And what business is it of your's?

[RepublicansForDean]

My wife and I will see it in the theater.

I think it is important that our children also understand Chirst's sacrifice, but I don't plan to take them to the theater.

I will wait for the DVD before deciding if my kids are old enough to benefit from the movie.

Having a copy at home will also give us the ability to stop the film, explain what is happening and why. It will also let us skip scenes that are repetitive or too explicit for our kids.

Mel's done a great thing, but I don't believe his film shouldn't be treated as a mandatory teaching aid for the young.

[OldFriend]

You are being much too logical.

[malakhi]

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.

You sound as if you relish the prospect.

[Luke Skyfreeper]

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.

Please point out to her that Dr. James Dobson (Focus on the Family, see www.family.org) has this to say about the movie:

1) He highly recommends the movie.

2) At the same time, Dr. Dobson states that it is "wholly inappropriate for young children."

See: http://www.family.org/docstudy/newsletters/a0030580.cfm.

She definitely should view it first, and then decide whether, or which of, her kids should see it.

[cyborg]

ditto

[Rescue1]

I will see it first. I let my son watch The Patriot at the age of 9. It was a movie about the PRICE OF FREEDOM. Gibsons newest movie also had FREEDOM at its core.

[tiamat]

THANK you!

I will share this link with her!

[george wythe]

You're are probably a great parent. Your children are very lucky.

[workerbee]

Where did I say how old my kids are?

Since you said your kids can "handle" the truth, and the topic is whether young children can "handle" this movie, I assume they are "young". Since you replied to Indie, who referred to her 11 yr old going, I assume they're somewhere in that range.

And what business is it of your's?

Umm... not sure what you're so heated about. Since you've posted to a thread called "Is the Passion Too Violent for Children", and you refer to your children in your post, one might think the age of the children you discuss is appropriate.

The question of allowing them to leave the theater is really general for anyone taking children.

[Shethink13]

Agreed. I think any parent who takes a kid to see this movie is committing child abuse.

Oh puh-leez!!! Don't start this crap.

[wtc911]

Why are you shouting?

Can you teach your young kids about the Passion of Christ without subjecting them to graphic torture? I can and have, and so have millions before us.

In my world a parent's job description includes shielding his wards from as much ugliness and violence as possible, not subjecting them to it as part of a culture war (or for any reason). The world is ugly. We all know that. They will come to know it too. I will not though push them to that realization faster.

[workerbee]

#42 -- Exactly. I think that's the most reasonable way to approach this.

[tiamat]

You are kind. Thanks!
;-)

I try to be a good parent. I make mistakes.

My daughter is mildly autistic and needs extra understanding, so I try hard.

[TUX]

Probably there were children who witnessed the scourging(which many men did not survive) and the actual execution(crucifixion the most exotically cruel form of punishment known to man).

Many Christians want a bloodless sacrifice removed from scripture. Grace(Gods riches at Christ expense) was a very bloody expense. We need to realize just how great the price paid by the Christ for redemption in suffering and shame. At what age is that realization possible? Don't think you can apply a number.

[skeeter]

Your comment, wasn't addressed to 'all, it was addressed to me. And it was as insulting as it was absurd.

My kids have asked to see the movie. I have indicated it will be graphic, they remain unmoved.

[Krodg]

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?

Because we weren't subjected to every lash that we so deserved, yet we have been giving eternal life. It's one thing to accept the concept of His love for us, but we also need to accept the reality of what His love cost.

[Stone Mountain]

And what business is it of your's?

This always cracks me up. Somebody posts something about themselves in a public forum, then takes offense when someone else dares to comment on it! : )

[Maigrey]

I will be going, and I will offer my four nephews the chance to go. (Ages 15, 14, 12, 10).

It will be their choice, because I think they do need to know. But I will go first.

[Stone Mountain]

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?

Because we weren't subjected to every lash that we so deserved, yet we have been giving eternal life. It's one thing to accept the concept of His love for us, we also need to accept the reality of what His love cost.

Can't people do this without seeing the movie?