Allow daughter to watch "The Passion of the Christ"?

Laura - posted on 01/02/2010

Congratulations. That's wonderful that her heart is seeking God. The Passion is a very adult movie. It's important for her to understand what Jesus did for her, but to have a visual that sticks in her head I think might be damaging. I don't know that God wants us sitting around thinking about Jesus's death as much as the LIFE we can have once we accept His sacrifice.

Eva - posted on 12/30/2009

I think it might be ok for her to watch the movie.My oldest son watched it when he was 7 years and he was ok after watching it. He only understood better what Jesus had to go through to save a world of sinners.But my youngest son cant watch it because he is afraid of the devil who appears in some scenes.I'd rather want them to watch This movie than all of the other junk that they make for kids that really isnt for kids anyway.

Cheryl - posted on 12/29/2009

You know your child best but I personally would not.

Sheri - posted on 12/29/2009

Showing her the Nativity Story is a better option at this age. Great dramatic impact, but w/o the violence. I save Passion of Christ for when my kids are teens. I feel it gives them a boost to the reality of what Christ went through for all of us, and those teen yrs are when they need to figure out what they truuly believe on their own terms. I also give them a copy of Case For Christ (student edition) after viewing Passion, to help seal any questions or doubts they may have when getting ready to face the 'real' world. The statistics of kids walking away from their faith between the ages of 18-22 is astounding, so I try to equip them anyway I can followed by a lot of prayer!! =)
~Sheri
mom of ds 20, ds 16, ds 12, dd 8, ds 4, ds1

Janet - posted on 12/28/2009

I agree with all of them it was hard for me to watch and i'm aldult they have movie that are not R rated you could show her.

Good Day! - posted on 12/27/2009

I would wait, but you know her best and are the best judge of that. Maybe you could allow her just to watch the less gruesome parts.

Patricia - posted on 12/26/2009

I took my (then) 14 y/o stepson to see it when it first came out (we went as a group from our church). He had to go to the lobby during the most graphic scenes (his choice). It was very hard to watch but he did realize then (as we all did when we "visualized" it) what a sacrifice our Lord and Savior made for us. I would wait a few years.

Jan - posted on 12/26/2009

It is pretty gruesome (as indeed the Cross was!). My suggestion would be to find a totally Biblically-based film like the "Jesus" film, or Jesus for children. It includes the details (from Luke) of the crucifixion, but is not quite as gory. It also includes more from Jesus' life and provides a great basis for reading through the Gospel of Luke together.



Also, there are things thrown in that are not in the Bible. Perhaps they were symbolic? (I only saw it once, when it first came out & didn't have a chance to analyze it completely) At any rate, I'm sure that symbolism would be lost on her & might cause confusion. It's easy to get movies that are close to the Bible confused with what the Bible actually says, so with a little one I would want the one that is as close to the original as possible.

Heather - posted on 12/25/2009

I agree that the Nativity story might be a better choice. We watched it last night, and it had a few parts that my 7 year old son was taken aback by. But I think it is a step towards being able to watch the Passion of the Christ. But after his reaction to the Nativity Story, I know that time wont be for several years yet.

Rebekah - posted on 12/24/2009

At age 8, even a very mature child at that age the movie could scare them - it's very violent and really shows the torture Jesus went through, even Mel Gibson said that when the movie was produced he had the scene taken to the extreme to really depict the torture. You know your daughter best - do you believe she could handle the scenes in the movie? Or maybe have her watch the movie, but fast forward through some of the scenes until she is ready to see them, if she feels she can't handle it?

I believe even us as adults were taken aback with the movie only because it really showed what some have read for years, but never really thought the torture was that way. It's different to read than to see. But what you might want to think about is if she does watch the movie - would she have nightmares? will it affect her already growing relationship with God? Maybe talk with your daughter and see how she handles a discussion about the torture Jesus went through to test the waters on seeing if she would be ready to handle the movie. Prepare her for the scenes.

Great movie! But as a children's pastor I wouldn't show this movie to a kid under the age of 15.

Sarah - posted on 12/23/2009

I would maybe suggest the Nativity movie instead. Another good one would be the Ten Commandments. Those are good ones that talk more about Jesus and the Bible, but more at a level for your daughter.

Sophia - posted on 12/23/2009

I think it's a great movie with a great message, but it is still rated R for a reason and I think i would wait til she is older

Teresa - posted on 12/23/2009

I have twin 8 year olds and there is NO WAY I would let them watch that movie. It was hard to stomach as an adult. There is no way a child should be subjected to that viewing. As a teenager I might consider it, but not at 8.....

Heather - posted on 12/23/2009

In all honesty it made my stomach upset when I watched it for the first time last month. I bought it with the intent of watching it with my 7 year old. But I don't think he is ready for that yet. Most certainly not before bed. But each child is different. You know what she is ready for more then anyone else. We don't let our kids watch anything that is violent, and I think that my kids are not personally ready for it. The other thing that is important is if she's a good reader? That alone makes a big difference since you have to read the subtitles.