First, let's make it clear why the film may be rated 'R'. Two of the usual reasons for this rating are completely absent - there is no sexual content or foul language in the film. The 'R' rating is purely based on violence. And make no mistake, there is brutal, violent punishment inflicted upon Jesus.

Why did Mel Gibson have to make it so graphic?

I believe he made it graphic in order to make it real. Only by making it real could he get our attention. And even more, the attention of those who know little of the crucifixion story.

Though the violence in this film may be graphic, it is not gratuitous. In fact, Gibson is careful to allow the viewer relief from seeing the actual punishment. In his words, "if I really showed all that occurred, people couldn't handle it."

So the viewer does not see every lash of the whip, but he knows it is happening. We do not see every nail driven into Jesus' body, but we are fully aware it is occurring.

Is it bloody? Yes, this is the most disfigured Jesus most people have ever seen. But the scripture says "without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness for sins." Jesus shed His blood for us and Gibson makes this clear.

Why does the beating have to go on so long?

Mel Gibson has stated that he felt the audience needed to suffer through the movie, along with Jesus and the other characters, in order to appreciate the enormity of the price that Jesus was paying to purchase our salvation.

If you think about it, that is really true. If you have a casual suffering and cross, you can get by with a casual Christianity. But if you really understand what Jesus went through, you will never treat sin lightly again.

Spiritual leaders who have preached about the cross for years are saying they needed to understand the suffering of Christ and this movie has helped them. Just think of these three men and their statements after the film.

• "Every time I preach or speak about the cross, the things I saw on the screen will be on my heart and mind."
  ~ Rev. Billy Graham
  
  
• "It has been three weeks since I saw the rough cut of the film and it is still impacting my life. I can't stop thinking about it, nor can I stop talking about it. I have never seen a film that has so affected my life."
  ~ Del Tackett, Focus on the Family
  
  
• "I experienced moments of profound intimacy with Jesus Christ. I would gladly trade some of the homilies I have given about the passion of Christ for even a few scenes from this film."
  ~ Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, The Vatican, Worldwide Prefect of the Clergy

Here you have a ringing endorsement from Christian leaders to go see this 'R' rated movie because it will impact your life.

If this is true for these men, how much more for those with less knowledge of the cross? But the lasting nature of the images begs another question.

What is the cut-off age for seeing the film?

I have seen interviews with both Mel Gibson and Jim Caviezel where they recommended no one under 12 see the film. My personal suggestion is that parents with questions in this area should first see the film themselves, and then decide if it is right for their child.

I would not be critical of the parent who took their 12 year-old, nor would I judge the parent who kept their 14 or 15 year-old from seeing it. Each parent should know best what their own child can handle.

However, I will say that Youth for Christ and Young Life in the United States have big plans to take hundreds of thousands of young teens to see the film, with signed permission slips from each parent. And a Catholic woman from a school board in Alberta told me she would recommend whole classes from her district be taken to the 11am matinees during school time.

A final word

I hope no one decides to stay away from the film because they have a policy of not seeing 'R' rated movies, because in this case the 'R' should not stand for "restricted", but for "reality and redemption". The most wonderful reaction to the film is the most frequent reaction to the film. To quote hundreds of people, "He did it for me!"

NEWS UPDATES

• Mel Gibson has decided to delete the scene taken from Matthew 27:25 where the Jewish crowd says "His blood be on us and on our children." I think this is a good move. Nothing is lost from the overall impact of the film, and this verse has inspired some inappropriate activity towards Jews in the past. Well done Mel!
  
  
• When this news item appeared in the online version of the New York Times, right below the article were three related links. The first read 'Passion Movie Discussion, Express your opinion and explore The Passion of the Christ movie, www.thelife.com." We may need a few more chat room hosts. More info >>