In 1968, a coalition of theater owners co-founded the Motion Picture Association of America’s rating system. Although the system is technically voluntary, almost every movie that is released in the U.S. carries one of five ratings: G – all ages admitted; PG – Parental guidance suggested; PG-13 – Parents strongly cautioned; R – Restricted (no one under 17 allowed without a guardian); and NC-17 – No one 17 and under admitted.
The MPAA issues the PG rating to indicate that “a film which clearly needs to be examined by parents before they let their children attend” though they admit that “In our pluralistic society it is not easy to make judgments without incurring some disagreement.”
The Christian filmmakers behind the low-budget movie "Facing the Giants" certainly disagree. Because of its evangelistic elements, the MPAA found that the movie “contained strong 'thematic elements' that might disturb some parents." A marketing rep associated with the film was told that it was "decided that the movie was heavily laden with messages from one religion and that this might offend people from other religions.”
Alex Kendrick, a co-writer and co-producer on the film, says "The reason we're making movies in the first place is that we hope they inspire people to think twice about their relationships with God.” I applaud Kendrick’s purpose and agree that the movie does not deserve the PG rating. If the claims of the MPAA are true and the film truly does have Christian “thematic elements” then it deserves nothing less than a PG-13 rating.
Lest you think I’m being facetious or overly cute, let me be perfectly clear: I’m dead serious. Christians should insist that any movie with a “thematic content” that is intentionally evangelistic should carry the PG-13 rating.
Let me start by clarifying, though, that I’m not just talking about Biblical stories or epics. Everyone recognizes that the Bible contains depictions of sex, rape, attempted sodomy, incest, murder, fratricide, attempted genocide, nudity, drunkenness, prostitution, genital mutilation, kidnapping, and theft -- and that’s just in Genesis! In fact, if the Bible were filmed in a cinema verite style rather than given the Cecil B. Demille treatment, it wouldn’t get an R rating, it’d be rated NC-17.
No, what I’m referring to are “thematic elements” that might lead someone to become a Christian. The reason I think such movies should carry a warning is because the demands of Christianity can cause deep rifts within a family. In Matthew 10:37, Jesus says “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me…” In Luke 14 he states the point even more emphatically: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.”
The Biblical idiom “to hate” can mean “to love less” and in the context of his other teachings, this is likely to be what Jesus meant. But that doesn’t minimize the underlying point that to become a follower of Christ requires that we put him above everything, including parents and other family members.
Being Christians, we acknowledge this statement and can say with the Apostle Paul that we “consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus.” Not everyone in our society, though, understands what it means to take up our cross and follow Jesus. Many would find such a potential rendering of familial ties to be disturbing. That is why we must be completely transparent.
As the MPAA notes, we live in a “pluralistic society” in which judgments about thematic content can become contentious and that the PG-13 rating,
…places larger responsibilities on parents for their children and moviegoing. The voluntary rating system is not a surrogate parent, nor should it be. It cannot, and should not, insert itself in family decisions that only parents can make.
We must not be deceptive, attempting to hide the radical nature of Christ’s call – even when it is buried within a treacly, squeaky-clean, low-budget movie. We should be completely upfront and warn parents about what it means for their child to hear and respond to such a message. The “thematic elements” of Christianity are definitely rated PG-13. Let us insist that parents be forewarned.
Or... maybe they should create a new rating for movies like this one: DT --dubious theology.
I mean, "Jesus will change your life... he'll help you kick 51-yard field goals"? Oh, please.
The ratings are not an indication that movies are bad. A PG-13 movie is not more 'sinful' than a PG movie. A big beef Roger Ebert has had with the NC-17 rating is that it has been sterotyped as porn when it really should be movies for adults.
I wouldn't want to live on a diet of G rated movies only.
I mean, "Jesus will change your life... he'll help you kick 51-yard field goals"? Oh, please.
I've seen the movie. Jesus didn't "help" the boy kick the 51-yarder because in earlier scenes the boy clearly showed he was capable of kicking even farther. The point of that scene was self-confidence. He was called off the bench to kick the winning field goal. His wheelchair-bound dad pulls himself upright (no, not a miracle, he uses a fence) to show his son that he is capable of making the kick.
I have my own problems with the movie: while it's well-made considering the budget, I wonder who is the intended audience. Like so much Christian "product" (why do I hate using that word in the context of Christianity?), it preaches only to the converted. It also preaches a uniquely American (particularly Southern) brand of Christianity that is hardly representative of the Church throughout the world. I've lived and traveled a lot overseas, and I sometimes cringe at the parochial nature of so much American Christianity.
Finally, it has hints of the health-and-wealth gospel, since the coach is rewarded with a shiny new pick-'em-up truck at the end, and the medical problems preventing his wife from getting pregnant suddenly disappear. Yes, sometimes God rewards faithfulness with material rewards and health, but sometimes the faithfulness is its own reward, and I wish they had simply left it at that.
I agree with Tom. "Christian" (ugh) movies are fine, I guess. But if they are SERIOUS about reaching people, life is a lot more grimy than that! Eliminate the "cringe factor", and then, it'll be "on".
I look forward to the day when Christian directors understand that movies that garner R ratings probably have more relevance than movies that garner G ratings. A kids movie is obviously an exception...
I would pay to go see a film a dozen times if I knew it was done by a Christian, and it told a story as meticulously as PT Anderson or Wes Anderson currently do, or if it explored a theme as intimately as Lost in Translation explores alienation.
I just watched The Squid and the Whale, and while it didn't win me over personally, I could see how on a technical level it was an enormous achievment. If Christians could write as complex and deep and real characters as Noah Baumbach did in that film, we might gain a little street cred.
We need Christians who will approach filmmaking much like Sufjan Stevens is approaching his music now, as are many more independent artists. Art is first and foremost art, as H.R. Roomaaker said, and so we must create that.
"If Christians could write as complex and deep and real characters as Noah Baumbach did in that film, we might gain a little street cred."
I agree with this, although I haven't seen the film referenced. I think, though, that Christians are afraid to write grity characters - we want Christianity to seem appealing, not hard!!
When I was a young believer, a friend asked me about my faith. I honestly told her becoming a Christian was the hardest thing I'd ever done (at 14, it completely alienated me from my entire family). She responded "Yeah, and see, I'm just not ready for that." Her idea was that life was hard enough without dealing with Christianity too.
For years I hated myself for saying that, thinking I should have painted a rosier picture and brought her to Christ. But what Christ? What I said was true, and still is - but now I can say, "the hardest and most fulfilling and awesome thing I've ever done." To paint a picture of faith that isn't true isn't helpful - it's a lie, and it actually keeps people from God.
"We should be completely upfront and warn parents about what it means for their child to hear and respond to such a message. The “thematic elements” of Christianity are definitely rated PG-13. Let us insist that parents be forewarned."
While your post dealt specifically with films, it really helped solidify in my mind a question i'd been struggling to answer. I was recently discussing with a good friend of mine the idea of her starting a ministry through her church specifically to reach the children of international students at our university. Considering that almost all of the parents of these kids belong to eastern religions -- whether islam, hinduism, or something else entirely -- would it really be wise to attempt to preach the gospel to these kids without going through their parents first? Wouldn't it rather be irresponsible and even highly offensive, perhaps permenantly damaging the opportunity to share the gospel with the adults?
An interesting perspective in a world where the idea seems to be "target whomever is easiest to talk to, without regard for the consequences." Just because you eventually get a young child to "pray the prayer" before you depart from their life forever doesn't mean you've done any lasting good for their soul. probably the reverse!
anyway, thanks for the post. Granted that i applied it out of context, but it was helpful and well-timed.
I would pay to go see a film a dozen times if I knew it was done by a Christian, and it told a story as meticulously as PT Anderson or Wes Anderson currently do, or if it explored a theme as intimately as Lost in Translation explores alienation.
For the record I think the two Kill Bill movies are an excellent study in the ultimate emptiness in revenge. By having such an over-the-top story the movie did an excellent job of showing what taking revenge does to real people. The story culiminates when she finally finds Bill and discovers that his act against her had as much of an impact on him as it did her.
Now let's imagine how such a theme would be handled by ChristianCringe(tm) media. Perhaps some schoolyard yawn ala Davie and Goliath....boy doesn't get picked for a team. Boy is angry at the team captain. Boy does something minor to get revenge, other boy does more stuff until something bad happens and both boys have to work together to get out of it. Cut to preacher/teacher/adult figure who gives us all a lecture about turning the other cheek. Then all agree to go out for icecream...cut to everyone laughing together.
While your post dealt specifically with films, it really helped solidify in my mind a question i'd been struggling to answer. I was recently discussing with a good friend of mine the idea of her starting a ministry through her church specifically to reach the children of international students at our university. Considering that almost all of the parents of these kids belong to eastern religions -- whether islam, hinduism, or something else entirely -- would it really be wise to attempt to preach the gospel to these kids without going through their parents first? Wouldn't it rather be irresponsible and even highly offensive, perhaps permenantly damaging the opportunity to share the gospel with the adults?
Meg, I'm probably the last person here who should give advice but I would suggest you first try to understand these religions as much as you can. You can then approach the parents with their kids by demonstrating where your faith has common ground with theirs. If they see that you are trying to learn about their beliefs as well as share yours they will not see you as a threat. Also you are less likely to come off as an arrogant 'westerner' who thinks all non-western people are childish simpletons who just need to be taught that their 'quaint' faiths are nothing but superstitions.
Now let's imagine how such a theme would be handled by ChristianCringe(tm) media ...
Brilliant!!!! Boonton, you have a future in film!!!!
Sadly, you nailed it, too.
On a related note, one of my big beefs is Christians who refuse to see anything rated R. While I understand having guidelines for yourself, there are lots of PG-13 movies that are full of gratiutious T&A for the teen crowd or whatever. Or that are just basically bad art. Almost any movie I count as a favorite or a classic is either 1) rated R or 2) an old classic that came before the ratings system.
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