Here's something incredible I heard on talk radio the other day but didn't have time to research it until just now ...
FROM CITIZEN LINK:
Why should parents be forewarned about a Christian film with no sex, violence or raw language?
The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has placed a PG rating on a forthcoming film because it has a Christian message.
Randy Sharp, director of special projects at the American Family Association, said the rating that reviewers gave Facing the Giants was for "thematic elements."
Not only was the rating unwarranted, Sharp said the reasoning behind the rating was just as offensive.
"The MPAA gives a warning to parents about content that may be found offensive," Sharp told CitizenLink. "Usually, a PG rating would include violence or sexual content or profanity. There is none of that during this movie, so the MPAA has basically said, 'We're going to warn parents that it has a Christian theme — and it may be offensive.' "
Sharp said the MPAA has equated Christianity and the Christian message with sex, violence and profanity.
Bob Waliszewski, Focus on the Family's top media reviewer, said the sticking point for the MPAA does appear to have been the film's mention of the Gospel.
"There really isn't anything in this movie that would warrant a PG rating the way we're used to seeing it," he said. "There's nothing. Apparently, it's just because of the conversations about Christ that the coach has."
On a practical level, Waliszewski said he is "kind of glad" the PG rating was placed on this movie — it is one that deserves to be seen and might not get the audience it deserves with a G rating.
"That's because a G rating, for a lot of teenagers, is the kiss of death — 'Oh, I can't go see that!' " he said. "Having a PG rating, although unfair, may actually be a blessing in disguise."
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8 comments:
The rating system doesn't particularly impress me anyway, especially not after I went to see PG-rated Harry Potter (the third one, I think) and left thinking that, if not for its target audience, it would have earned a solid PG-13.
But I guess it is a bright side that Christianity is disturbing enough to rate higher than G. :)
-- SJ
I never thought I'd see the day when 'too much God' would merit a warning label to parents from the MPAA.
Most of these people would want someone to point out the Muslim theme of a movie, so why is pointing out a Christian theme offensive? Christianity IS offensive to people who don't like it.
Will - My quick thought on this is that most, if not all, movies have a worldview. The thing that's incredible here is that this movie's worldview is being singled out simply because of its Christian message - and parents are being "cautioned" about Christianity, as if it's the same thing as gratuitous violence or graphic sex (things that parents are traditionally cautioned about).
As a parent, I wouldn't expect a movie to be bumped to PG for a religious theme, regardless of what religion is being portrayed. I would, however, expect to be warned about sex, violence, drugs, foul language, etc.
I'm not the type of person who thinks that everyone is out to get Christians - but I think that it's quite possible this MPAA rating story is indicative of a culture that is becoming increasingly hostile to Christianity. Because, you're right, Christianity IS offensive to a lot of people. :)
I heard from my father that Billy Graham wanted his movies to have a "PG" rating because no one would go see a "G" movie. Cartoons being exception I guess. I tend to believe him since my uncle worked for Billy. And in a strange way, it makes sense.
Amy, you are making a mountain out of a molehill. Yes, this society is increasingly secular, and when Christians finally wake up and act like it is secular, it will begin to make a change in it.
But you are equating a PG rating with graphic sex and violence which is unwarranted.
PG only means, hey, you might have an issue with the theme of this movie. A secular person might, so I think the rating is warranted.
Films that are rated PG include Cars, The Incredibles, The Chronicles of Narnia, Holes, The Rocketeer, and other "family friendly" films.
If it was rated PG-13 only because of the Christian theme, maybe you would have a point, but I think you are just over reacting.
Plus, you don't know what else is in the movie. Some aspects of Christianity are PG rated if you don't understand them to be symbolic. Wait, someone is washed in blood? They are going to strike down their foes? They feel uplifted? What drug are they using?
Will - What you have to say is thoughtful and I appreciate you adding more dimension to this debate.
You said: "But you are equating a PG rating with graphic sex and violence which is unwarranted."
This is a valid point and I agree. FTG was rated PG for its Christian theme. So, what is at issue is ratings based on "thematic elements" - not based on sex, violence, language, etc. (And I would hope graphic-sex would result in more than a PG rating.)
Having said that I still think its *surprising* that the MPAA would think it necessary to caution parents about a Christian themed movie. If you're NOT suprised by that, I guess we just ultimately have a different perspective on this.
Yeah, I probably do have a different perspective:) I don't think this is a Christian country anymore. We have Christian roots, but sometime in the mid-1900's the country changed and abandoned them. The Christians are now the outsiders in the culture, so this stuff doesn't surprise me...
Turns out I will be having dinner with the producers of this film tomorrow night...:) Stay tuned...
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