Kill debate about the Iraq War but...

[Noleader]

God forbid a Christian themed movie gets a PG rating and Congress will spend the time reviewing it.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/SHOWBIZ/Movies/07/03/christian.movie.rating.ap/index.html

[Post]

""This incident raises the disquieting possibility that the MPAA considers exposure to Christian themes more dangerous for children than exposure to gratuitous sex and violence," Blunt said in a letter to MPAA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dan Glickman."

Yes, moving a film with religion in it from G to PG might equal MPAA thinking Christianity more dangerous than sex and violence. Moron.

[Allison]

methinks perhaps the producers are trying to stir up some controversy for their film? Maybe not.

[Rooster]

Doesn't look like it... maybe at first.. but now they're okay.. ?

[Rooster]

""This incident raises the disquieting possibility that the MPAA considers exposure to Christian themes more dangerous for children than exposure to gratuitous sex and violence," Blunt said in a letter to MPAA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Dan Glickman."

Yes, moving a film with religion in it from G to PG might equal MPAA thinking Christianity more dangerous than sex and violence. Moron.Again - it's the hate-Christianity crowd... yay.

[Allison]

I'm not sure, but I think Post is being sarcastic, pointing out that G movies do not contain sex and violence, therefore, Mr. Blunt is a moron for saying what he did. If the MPAA believed this movie to be more dangerous than "gratuitous sex and violence," it would have received an NC-17 rating.

[Allison]

The more I read about this, the more I don't understand why congresscritters are involved. The producers didn't even appeal the rating. Election-year politics, I guess.

Here are some other movies that also received a PG rating: Shrek, Spy Kids, Stuart Little, Lilo and Stitch, The Incredibles, Powerpuff Girls, The Goonies ... and on and on. A PG rating means that there may, or may not, be something in the movie that parents might want to know about before taking their kids to see it. And a lot of times, it's something so minor that only a handful of parents would object. But when they do object, they do so quite loudly. God forbid they go to a G movie that has a ghost that's too scary or in which a dog dies.

So generally speaking, you can expect a G-rated movie to be super-squeaky clean and devoid of anything that anyone might find remotely mature. And that's probably why the producers didn't appeal the rating, because their movie doesn't fall into that category.

And you know, even if the MPAA rated it PG for reasons other than the mature conversations they cited, even if religion was a factor, I don't have a problem with that. From what I understand, the movie is overtly Christian, miracles and all. And if I were anything other than a Christian parent, it might not be something I'd want to take a young child to see--or at the least, I'd want to be forewarned that it was a movie that might require a serious discussion with my child afterward. Heck, just looking at the trailers, I could envision the apparant "playing football for God" theme making even some Christians uneasy.

The MPAA rating system has to try and please everyone. And I think they do a pretty decent job of it. If there were an otherwise benign movie whose main character happened to be gay, or happened to be an atheist, I would expect that it wouldn't have a G rating either.

And you know, Congress has no authority here. If they want to create their own rating system and apply it when movies are broadcast across public airways, which they have, that's one thing. But if I privately create a film, and show it in privately owned theatres, they have no right sticking their big fat grubby noses in it.

[Post]

Yes, I was being sarcastic. I think it's rediculous that moving a movie from a G to a PG rating equates to the MPAA thinking Christianity being more dangerous than sex and violence to some people.

Basically, I'm pointing out how some people construe every possible thing that isn't completely accommodating to Christianity as some movement against Christianity. And so I get get called a Christianity hater for it. Irony much?

[Gwylenna]

I'm with Allison, even if religion is the deciding factro for a PG over a G rating it is an appropriate rating. I as a parent want to know when my kids are being exposed to different religious ideas because I feel they need my the Parents Guidance.

Is that not the point of the rating that there may need to be some parental awarness and discussion?

[Noleader]

Is that not the point of the rating that there may need to be some parental awarness and discussion?
What is there to discuss? That is one of the things I dislike about organized religion... Everyone wants to program their children into their dogma by suppressing other opinions and concepts.

I don't know if I am odd but I think we do not credit our youth as we should. They are not born dumb robots that only know how to repeat stuff they see on screens, nor are they going to fall victim to a cult just because they saw people worshipping a strange god in a movie.

If they go see a Christian movie all that is going to do is allow them to learn something new about the beliefs of others and maybe at some level make them more tolerant to those beliefs.

One of the biggest shortcomings in this nation is the way we hold onto our differences and segregate anything that deviates from it. At a young age you are not taught that Christians are right because you see a movie about them.. What you are taught is that Christians are bad because mommy and daddy will not let you see the movie.

Really what is the worst thing that would happen? You end up with a more well rounded child that might hang on to that in later life and become a even better adult.

People need to remember who holds the most influence your child’s life... If you need a reminder just go look in a mirror.

Edit: Message above is not focused at anyone... Just ranting.

[Rooster]

Good points Noleader. People seem to want to just try and shelter kids from all information they dont want their kids to have vs having to talk about it.

and Post... your comment could have been taken MANY ways, I just posted a response based on one of the more obvious meanings. :)

[Post]

Sorry for such a snide reply. I don't realize how personal I get on these boards until I've posted something like that.

[Allison]

Noleader, I agree that it does a child good to be exposed to lots of different opinions and beliefs. In fact, I couldn't agree more. But, I think it's also good for parents to be aware of those exposures, and to be available for discussion. And to answer your question, there may be a lot to discuss.

For example, I'm pretty sure you don't have any children yet, but let's say you take your 7-year old daughter to see a G-rated movie and are surprised to see a scene that's not very G-like. Maybe some little boys are picking on a little girl trying to get her to show her undies. Or maybe some bullies are calling a little boy a faggot. Those are a couple of things you might want to discuss with your daughter after the movie. "Honey, you don't have to show your underpants to anyone," or "It's not nice to call people names," stuff like that.

And while I agree that a little Jewish child isn't going to suddenly convert to Christianity because of a movie, parents should expect and be prepared to answer questions like, "Mommy, why don't we pray to Jesus?," or "Are we going to hell?"

Kids are smart, there's no doubt about it. But they're also largely ignorant of the world and they need lots of education and guidance.

[Noleader]

I do agree with you that childern need guidance Allison... But I do not think we should look to the government to rate our movies. If you want to take your 7 year old to a movie you really should read up about the movie first. Rating are general, each child is different and only a parent knows what their child is ready to see.

Sorry if that does not make sense... I have not slept in 24 hours so I am not really sure if what I am typing is even understandable.

[Allison]

You're making perfect sense, Noleaer. :) And I agree that the government shouldn't be the ones rating movies. But I'm glad the MPAA is there to give parents some general guidelines.

Like, when my 14 year-old niece was visiting, and we went to Blockbuster to get some movies, we checked the ratings on everything we rented. I knew she'd seen R movies before, and that probably PG-13 movies would be okay, but since she's not my child, we played it safe and only got G and PG-rated films because I knew there probably wouldn't be anything in those that would make my sister yell at me. :) And I'm glad I did check the ratings because there was a romantic comedy that I thought would be okay, but as it turned out, it was rated R because of a sex scene that my sister may have objected to, and might have made my niece uncomfortable to watch with her Uncle Grundy. :laugh:

[Ivyrielle]

As a parent, if I'm concerned about the content of a film, I do my research, and don't rely 100% on the mpaa system.

Ever seen www.screenit.com ? If you're okay with spoiling aspects of a movie for yourself, the website goes into specific detail of anything and everything that a parent *might* find objectionable. Language, attitudes, "Scary" themes, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes. You name it, they detail it. (Scroll down and click "no thank you" to check it out... they pitch their ad-free subscription service, but the site is useful w/o out it).

[malkovich]

good link ivy , i have used that site , there is another similar one but i cant remember the name now ... it is also quite good , will try to come up with a link ...

[Noleader]

I prefer non-governmental agencies handling the reviewing of content. ESRB is the prefect example on how well it can be done when the government has NO say in the rating process. MPAA seems to have some kind of ties to the government or Congress could not even think to address this.

[Allison]

The MPAA is trade organization formed by the motion picture industry to promote their interests. The rating system is voluntary and they are independent from the government.

[Noleader]

I did a little reviewing and you are indeed correct Allison. Thoughout my review I did see that they came about in the same manner as the ESRB. The thing I think that is occuring is that in an attempt to remain self regulated they are rating movies with the will of Congress in mind and not so much based on their own take of it.

In the software sector it happens from time to time as well (GTA Hot Coffee Mod) but it also seems that the publishers are quicker to sue when Congress sticks their noses in it.

[Allison]

Oh you can bet that if this goes any further than just a couple of ignorant house members grabbing a couple of headlines, the MPAA will have something to say about it.

But you bring up a good point. Even though Congress has no direct authority over the MPAA or the ESRB, they both certainly can be influenced by the threat of government attentions. No one wants to be called to testify before Congress, and I'm sure they don't want to deal with all the angry letters from parents, the petitions, and the lawsuits that can result from their "voluntary" rating systems being publicly questioned by members of Congress. So, I'm sure they do all they can to stay under the radar of Congress.

[Grundy]

Why does Post hate Christianity? Its not like Astrology which everyone knows is bullshit.