Kids and The Passion

**Leboman** · 02-25-2004, 08:36 AM

I was wondering if any of you were considering taking your children to see the movie? I realize that infants and small children are pretty much out of the question, but what about those of you with pre-teens and younger teenagers? Geoffry, my seven year old, asked if he could go and I've been struggling with it. He made a public declaration of faith in front of our congregation last year and was baptized. This was after several long and in depth talks with him. He's fairly mature for his age and I believe he will understand what is going on, but I still have reservations due to the supposed "graphic violence" portrayed. I told him that after I had seen it, I would decide if he could go. What suggestions do you guys have?

**Tony** · 02-25-2004, 10:36 AM

I heard Dobson say this morning that he is not recommending it for children under 12, and even 13-14 year-olds with sensitive dispositions.

Sinker · 02-25-2004, 11:15 AM

I tend to agree with Dobson's guidelines, but you know your children better than he does. Plus, I haven't actually seen the movie.

My youngest is 17, and he and his two older sisters (20 and 21) and their boyfriends are joining us to see the movie tonight.

Thespia · 02-25-2004, 05:24 PM

I am a little scared about going because I'm 22...just because I'm very graphic/emotional sensitive. I'm gonna have to pray about it to prepare myself...I definitly wouldn't take a child until I had seen it!!

God's Jedi · 02-25-2004, 10:37 PM

I saw it yesterday, and I'm anxiously awaiting taking my 8 year old sister. Our church had the theater rented out, and there were many kids 8-13. No one had a problem with it. I'll tell you a little of the more disturbing parts, and you can be prepared. *SPOILERS*

When Jesus is being beaten, he is first hit with rods, which you see hit him and make marks on him. The soldiers then get Cat o' nine tails, and that's when it gets bad. When they hit him, blood scatters. It also sticks in His side, and you watch them pull it away and pull some flesh with it. It also sticks in His face, and you think they rip His eyelid off. When He's carrying the cross down the road, He slips, and it falls down on top of Him, slamming His head (with the crown of thorns on it) into the ground. Also, thta whole trip, he's drenched in blood. Then, at the cross, you see the nail go into His hand. And the worst part, definitely, is when one of the theives is laughing at Jesus, a crow lands on top of his cross, and pecks his eyes out.

There is also a scene with Judas where a demon jumps out of no where. It caused quite a few gasps in the crowd.

*/SPOILERS*

Thespia · 02-26-2004, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by God's Jedi

There is also a scene with Judas where a demon jumps out of no where. It caused quite a few gasps in the crowd.

*/SPOILERS*

This is some Catholic tradition or something

**Sean** · 02-26-2004, 03:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by God's Jedi

I saw it yesterday, and I'm anxiously awaiting taking my 8 year old sister. Our church had the theater rented out, and there were many kids 8-13. No one had a problem with it.

You can't make a claim like that. I don't mean that in the rude sense, but I mean first off you don't know what is going on in peoples heads. Second, you dont' know the long term effect seeing graphic violence will have on a child.

I'm not a parent, but I wouldn't feel comfortable taking my junior highers to see this film. I certainly wouldn't feel comfortable taking an 8 year old to this film. I would definately suggest seeing the film first and judging on your own based on your knowledge of your own child.

Zooropa · 02-26-2004, 11:10 AM

I believe Mel Gibson himself said that this is not a movie for the kids. I heard that on Fox News if my memory serves me right.

**H.M. Murdock** · 02-26-2004, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zooropa

I believe Mel Gibson himself said that this is not a movie for the kids. I heard that on Fox News if my memory serves me right.

He said in his interview with whats-'er-face, too.

Personally, I've been able to watch movies with graphic violence since I was a wee lad of 10 or so. Saving Private Ryan, Braveheart, We Were Soldiers and Black Hawk Down are among my favorite movies. But I would gauge it on how well your son reacts to violence. Can he handle it? If he can, how does he act after seeing it? Does your wife think he should go?

I'll probably get dragged to see it this weekend by my parents, as they are planning on going. Personally, though, I would say that if you're going to let him see it, study the last twelve hours of Jesus' life with your son before he sees it, so he knows what is happening and doesn't get the wrong ideas.

doulos777 · 02-26-2004, 07:50 PM

I am a parent and I saw the movie last night.

I cried the last half of the movie. It broke my heart to see Christ suffer like He did because of my sin.

It is a very heavy movie. The violent death of Christ was depicted with "no-holds-barred."

I took my 14 year old son and he handled it well. No way I will take my six-year-old.

Ultimately, it is probably foolish to ask us what we think. Go see the movie yourself. If you think that your kid can handle it, then go for it, but this is a difficult thing to see.

Saxophone · 02-26-2004, 08:05 PM

I feel it's only 14 +. They can really handle it and habe the maturity for it, well some do. It's really on a case by case basis.

**Leboman** · 02-26-2004, 10:57 PM

After viewing it tonight, my wife and I decided it would probably not be in Geoffry's best interest to see it right now. Even for a mature child, the line between reality and fiction is so blurred in this film that I don't think his mind could separate the two. Kids process "cartoon" violence fairly well, but this definitey doesn't fall into that category. A whole room full of adults sat there stunned and weeping, imagine what effect it might have on a younger child. As a parent, I'm just not willing to take that risk and I think God would have it that way.

Nate · 02-26-2004, 11:12 PM

I thought there was an age requirement for R-rated movies even when the kid was accompanied by their parent.

In any event, I probably wouldn't take any kid who wasn't mature enough to understand the severity and significance of the events happening on the screen. If the kid would just think "Oh no, they're hurting Jesus"... don't take them; if they would think "Wow, that's what Jesus did for me"... take them.

I guess that's my thoughts... just off the top of my head.

In His love,
Nate