janelle
02-26-2004, 01:43 PM
Posted on Sun, Feb. 22, 2004
BY ABE LEVY
The Wichita Eagle
Should your child see "The Passion of the Christ" by Mel Gibson?
On one hand, the movie is said to depict the central message of the Christian faith in profoundly vivid detail.
On the other hand, it's R-rated, portraying in graphic detail Christ's scourging and crucifixion.
Gibson has said he wanted to be faithful to Gospel accounts in depicting the actual suffering of Christ, adding that the movie isn't appropriate for young children.
But how young is too young?
Bryan Richardson, a local Baptist pastor, said his two girls, ages 6 and 10, are too young.
His 12-year-old son can go if he wants to but declined "because of the gore," Richardson said. He saw the film in January at a prescreening in the Chicago area.
If his son changes his mind, Richardson will go with him to help him deal with the graphic scenes, he said.
"I would be very careful to unpack that experience with him," Richardson said. "I would point out the most significant parts of the movie and ask him if he caught those."
Theater managers said they've informed church leaders of the movie's R-rating. Those under age 17 won't be admitted without a parent or guardian.
"We're going to enforce it," said Ken Crockett of Warren Theatres, which will show it at its six theaters. It will also be shown at Northrock 14.
Even before the movie's debut, churches are gearing up for its potential impact -- on young and old.
Several churches will have tents outside theaters in east and west Wichita and invite moviegoers to come in and discuss it.
Immanuel Baptist Church has purchased an entire showing of the film and expects to buy out another.
Members are inviting people to see the show with them, said the church's pastor, Terry Fox, who saw a prescreening in Dallas earlier this year.
Like many other pastors, he's leaving the decision of bringing children and youth to parents.
Still, he offers some guidelines:
"Probably anyone under 12 wouldn't need to see it," he said. But "age permitting, this is a must-see."
Dr. Gary Hackney, a child psychologist in Wichita and a Christian, said he believes it should be a family decision but suggests that age 14 is a reasonable threshold.
"You need to talk about it because it's so intense and so violent," he said. "Children can have terrible nightmares and suffer post-traumatic symptoms if the movie is not understood."
However, children younger than 14 who have grown up hearing the crucifixion story may be able to handle it better because they realize the movie's brutality "reflects Christ's love," Hackney said.
Sandy Rongish said she had been worried about whether to let her 10-year-old son Kenny see the film. But he made the decision easy on her.
"I think it looks like a good movie, but I heard it was kind of disgusting," he said. "I'd rather watch it at home" when it's released on video. He'll feel safer that way, Rongish said.
She said she'll see the movie with fellow Roman Catholic girlfriends on Ash Wednesday.
Now, her biggest worry is herself.
"For those who have a deep love for Jesus, it'll be hard to watch," she said.
"It'll be like watching a person in your family go through (the crucifixion)."
http://www.realcities.com/images/realcities/realcities/8046/64744744904.jpg Ron Coleman tries to calm his shaken son, Trey, after seeing "The Passion of the Christ" in Killeen, Texas.
ยป
BY ABE LEVY
The Wichita Eagle
Should your child see "The Passion of the Christ" by Mel Gibson?
On one hand, the movie is said to depict the central message of the Christian faith in profoundly vivid detail.
On the other hand, it's R-rated, portraying in graphic detail Christ's scourging and crucifixion.
Gibson has said he wanted to be faithful to Gospel accounts in depicting the actual suffering of Christ, adding that the movie isn't appropriate for young children.
But how young is too young?
Bryan Richardson, a local Baptist pastor, said his two girls, ages 6 and 10, are too young.
His 12-year-old son can go if he wants to but declined "because of the gore," Richardson said. He saw the film in January at a prescreening in the Chicago area.
If his son changes his mind, Richardson will go with him to help him deal with the graphic scenes, he said.
"I would be very careful to unpack that experience with him," Richardson said. "I would point out the most significant parts of the movie and ask him if he caught those."
Theater managers said they've informed church leaders of the movie's R-rating. Those under age 17 won't be admitted without a parent or guardian.
"We're going to enforce it," said Ken Crockett of Warren Theatres, which will show it at its six theaters. It will also be shown at Northrock 14.
Even before the movie's debut, churches are gearing up for its potential impact -- on young and old.
Several churches will have tents outside theaters in east and west Wichita and invite moviegoers to come in and discuss it.
Immanuel Baptist Church has purchased an entire showing of the film and expects to buy out another.
Members are inviting people to see the show with them, said the church's pastor, Terry Fox, who saw a prescreening in Dallas earlier this year.
Like many other pastors, he's leaving the decision of bringing children and youth to parents.
Still, he offers some guidelines:
"Probably anyone under 12 wouldn't need to see it," he said. But "age permitting, this is a must-see."
Dr. Gary Hackney, a child psychologist in Wichita and a Christian, said he believes it should be a family decision but suggests that age 14 is a reasonable threshold.
"You need to talk about it because it's so intense and so violent," he said. "Children can have terrible nightmares and suffer post-traumatic symptoms if the movie is not understood."
However, children younger than 14 who have grown up hearing the crucifixion story may be able to handle it better because they realize the movie's brutality "reflects Christ's love," Hackney said.
Sandy Rongish said she had been worried about whether to let her 10-year-old son Kenny see the film. But he made the decision easy on her.
"I think it looks like a good movie, but I heard it was kind of disgusting," he said. "I'd rather watch it at home" when it's released on video. He'll feel safer that way, Rongish said.
She said she'll see the movie with fellow Roman Catholic girlfriends on Ash Wednesday.
Now, her biggest worry is herself.
"For those who have a deep love for Jesus, it'll be hard to watch," she said.
"It'll be like watching a person in your family go through (the crucifixion)."
http://www.realcities.com/images/realcities/realcities/8046/64744744904.jpg Ron Coleman tries to calm his shaken son, Trey, after seeing "The Passion of the Christ" in Killeen, Texas.
ยป