Should Children See The Passion of the Christ?

by Rose Pacatte, FSP 

The most helpful advice I can give parents, teachers and guardians of children on whether children should see the movie is a reminder that this is appropriately R-rated by the MPAA from for intense graphic violence.

Questions you may wish to ask yourself when deciding are :

Why do I want my child to see this film? List at least three reasons. Be prepared to explain your reasons to your child.

What is the level of my child's faith development? Does he/she understand the context of Jesus' suffering and death?

The Passion covers the passion and death of Jesus beginning with the agony in the garden through to his death on the cross. Is my child capable of viewing this amount of intense violent material?

Am I prepared to respond to my child why Jesus is being beaten and killed in ways that my child will understand? How will I associate the passion of Jesus with love? With the resurrection? How will I help my child if he or she comes to the conclusion that it was "the Jewish people who killed Jesus"?  

Suggestions

• See the movie yourself first. If you decide it is something you wish your child to see, and he/she agrees, then accompany him/her and talk about it afterwards.
• Don't force your child to see this film, no matter the age.
• Wait for the video or DVD. Then you can watch it together when the child is at an appropriate age. This way you can stop the tape and talk about what is happening when questions arise or you think explanations are called for.

Sr. Rose Pacatte, FSP is the Director of the Pauline Center for Media Studies in Culver City , CA and the film/TV columnist for St. Anthony Messenger magazine.