The Passion "Quandary"

[Large_Al]

My Daughter is a 15 year old HS freshman. I don't allow my children to see R movies unless I see it first and give them the OK. My Daughter who I'm raising to be conservative but I have found she already thinks that way anyway. She want's to see this movie with me but I'm not sure if I should the critics keep harping on the violence in the movie and I don't want to scar her for life.
My daughter is a very intelligent young lady she is on Honor Roll and in sports and working on her Brown Belt in Arnis Filipino Martial Arts and is generally a mature child. So the Question I pose is this... Should she and I go together or not?

[Peachdiane]

Well you know, on one hand, the actual event was violent and brutal. That's the point.

On the other hand, I'd probably want to see it first.

[jag]

I have a 15 year old son (16 too & girl 11). I would let them see the movie. We are Roman Catholic and it seems to us to be the way they have always been taught Jesus died. I, on the other hand, do not want to see the movie it would just stir up too many sad and undeniably truths that would make me cry alot. ( I even cry on Good Friday)

[DoctorDoom]

The complainers and whiners hate Jesus. It's as simple as that. Yes, it's violent, but one can see in the pages of the Bible the violence inflicted on the Lord by hateful man. There is no way to sterilize it or prettify it without doing immense damage to the narrative.

If every Christian realized the full extent of what was done to Jesus on our behalf, there'd be far fewer spineless, weak-kneed, feel-good, sunny-day believers. The Church might even resume its role as the conscience of the nation.

[HarvickFan29]

Al, it sounds like ya have a great girl! Of course it is up to you but I think I'd view it first, and then rent the video for her to see it at home. She will have major questions in the theatre that you won't be able to answer there.

[Timberwolf]

Gotta go with Doc on this one. What's depicted on screen is likely a toned down version of what's in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...

That's only my opinion. Were we speaking of my 15 year old daughter, I'd take her with me. Sadly, my daughter is 4...'nuf sed.

[crylady]

I'd say, go with her if you plan to see it anyway. You could leave if it seemed to be 'scaring her for life" Plus, you could discuss it on the way home. Like you mentioned there will be some questions.

[Longhorn_Platinum]

[ QUOTE ]
Timberwolf said:
Sadly, my daughter is 4...'nuf sed.

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/um.gif <font color="blue">Pat Robertson said he wouldn't advise taking small children, so you're right.</font>

[Rhino]

I tend to side with Doc and TW, but it's really your personal choice. One thing I note about this movie is that the violence is not gratuitous like it is in many other movies and television shows. It is central to the story itself, and unlike many other movies out there it shows the horrible impact violence has. Too many other movies and shows simply treat injury and death in passing, whilst showing little or no personal impact, thus tending to create a mental comfort with the thought of violence and death. To me, that makes the violence in this movie, although still graphic and gruesome, to be in a different category than that normally shown. In short, it shows the horror of violence rather than treating it as a daily, ho-hum, occurence. I think that sends a wholly different message than the gratuitous stuff they normally show, and it's a message worth getting across. I would take my 15 year old son, and likely will.

[Large_Al]

Thank you all for your opinion I do respect them. I think it's going to be a game time decisions on wether I take her or not. I think my Daughter can handle it and she wants to go. My 14 year old son isn't mature enough nor does he want to go. Anybody see it yet???

[SunnyBrook]

DH and I saw it yesterday. We were deeply moved. Our oldest kids (almost 11, 9) want to see it, but we've decided they're not ready. They've seen the first and second movies of the LOTR trilogy, but only after DH read the books out loud to them for several months. Even then, he would stop the DVD and talk, skip certain parts, etc. Now, they can watch the whole thing, although my oldest still turns away on certain parts.

We plan to get the DVD when it comes out, and to watch it in pieces with them, so that they aren't traumatized by the full emotional impact. They've seen Jesus of Nazareth and other movies about the crucifixion before, but this version is emotionally harder to handle. I don't want them to say, "Wow! Did you see how that blood spurted out when they nailed his hand! Neat special effects!" That would cheapen what should be a sobering and poignant experience. I'm also not sure what seeing this movie would do to their current perception of Jesus as their provider and protector. At this age, they don't have abstract thought and critical thinking skills to process the seeming contradition between Christ's unlimited power and his ultimate purpose.

I would say, however, that the 15 year old daughter you describe sounds more than capable of handling this content appropriately, especially if you discuss it with her before and afterwards, and caution her to close her eyes if it gets too overwhelming. IMHO, most 15 year olds NEED to see this movie.

[Timberwolf]

[ QUOTE ]
Longhorn_Platinum said:
[ QUOTE ]
Timberwolf said:
Sadly, my daughter is 4...'nuf sed.

[/ QUOTE ]

/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/um.gif <font color="blue">Pat Robertson said he wouldn't advise taking small children, so you're right.</font>

[/ QUOTE ]
Yeah...small children wouldn't understand it and it would end up just scaring the heck out of them...actually, I think it would have exactly the opposite effect on small children as it is having on adults...scaring them away from Christ.

[Large_Al]

Sunny thanks for the advise I do appreciate it. From what I've seen from the Trailers it wouldn't be good for children that young to see it.

Mom That's the quandary I don't want her to rip my lungs out if she doesn't like it. Just joking..........

[FatherTime]

I would not have a problem letting a 15yr old girl go see it.

Showing how compassion in the face of brutality is a strength is worth it.

Ask questions before you go in, but, be respectful of those who come out silent.

I saw it with my wife, we were both deeply moved. I did tear up a couple times and heard several folks in the audience sobbing.

Do NOT buy popcorn going into this movie. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/icon129.gif

-FT