SUBMITTED BY Timbo

February 17, 2004 — The dramatic violence portrayed in "The Passion of the Christ" will be seen by children as young as 10 because of its religious and redemptive content, according to some theaters and churches.

"Most images of Christ on the cross are too tame," says Matt Stoehr, pastor of the West Coast Christian Center in Vista, Calif. "They minimize the sacrifices he made. Scripture tells us that he was beaten to a pulp. I think seeing that on screen will be more powerful for kids than any sermon."

His church, about 30 miles south of Los Angeles, has rented out a theater Feb. 29 and will admit children 10 and older if they are accompanied by adults. Stoehr says he is thinking of raising the minimum age to 12, "but a lot of kids are already mature for their age. Look at what they see on MTV."

That's no reason to subject youngsters to Passion's adult themes, says columnist Nell Minow, "Movie Mom" for Yahoo! Movies. She has not seen the movie.

"Disturbing images can be what sticks with a child, not the message behind it," she says. "I would have severe concerns about exposing children to that kind of violence."

But theater owners already are bracing for a first: children flocking to a violent R-rated film with their parents' blessings. Regal Entertainment Group, which has 550 theaters and is the nation's largest theater chain, has issued consent forms requiring that pastors and church leaders get parents' permission before showing the film to children in rented theaters.

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