Passion Of The Christ clips shown to children youngsters
Lowri Stafford
CLIPS from one of the most violent films ever made have been shown to school pupils as young as 11.
Scenes from the controversial 18-rated Mel Gibson movie The Passion Of The Christ, which graphically depicts the torture and crucifixion of Jesus, were shown to students at St Anselm's Roman Catholic School by former London gangster John Pridmore.
One outraged parent claimed her daughter had been left "traumatised" by the screening.
This week head teacher Mike Walters admitted he had received letters of complaint from parents, but insisted that only a series of censored clips containing no graphic content were shown from the 2004 film.
It was part of a series of "focus days" run by Mr Pridmore and other members of St Patrick's Mission, which preaches Christianity in schools.
Mr Walters admitted that pupils from all year groups had viewed a montage of scenes but defended the activity as "a positive experience overall".
He explained: "Pupils were shown images from the film but they did not contain any explicit violence. It is not unusual for films to be used as teaching aids, in a censored fashion.
"It was viewed by our senior leadership team first. There was quite a lot of challenging content and challenging questions were raised.
"We received four items of correspondence from parents – two related to the video. Two others got in touch about the ways the missionaries chose to approach the topics and questioned the validity of missionaries in schools.
"It is not easy to please all the people, all the time."
He added that six parents wrote praising the activity.
He said: "It was challenging for kids and staff but it encouraged a lot of debate, which is not necessarily a bad thing."
Mr Pridmore, 44, gave up a life of crime after almost killing a man 15 years ago. He had previously spoken to pupils at St Anselms, in Old Dover Road, Canterbury, in March 2010.
Was head teacher Mike Walters right to allow clips from the film to be shown to pupils? Write to us or e-mail newsdesk.times@KRNmedia.co.uk
7 Comments
by Irish33
Friday, February 03 2012, 10:38AM
“I wonder how you think the passion would have looked like MrSwing? someone being cruicified to a cross and the scourging were common practice in that period or roman rule and knowing the life Jesus was leading and how he upset the people by "claming" he was God would have really shown why he had a worse death and the mob got what they wanted. And its unbelievable in an era where parents let their kids watch the likes of vampire movies and vombie movies and so much voilence on tv, that would be so outraged over watching sensored clips of how much Jesus loved us. But then again its only 2 parents from a whole school, so im suprised its even made the news....but thats the media eh!”
by MrSwing
Monday, January 30 2012, 11:01PM
“Surely you dont really believe that a film is anyway significant in a theological context.
In answer to your intolerant generalisation.
1)I may be or I may not be a christian but that is not relevant.
2) I have watched the film and consider it to be a rubbish film rated at 18 which means it is not suitable for 11 year olds which I believe is the whole point of the article.”
by seasider11
Sunday, January 29 2012, 6:02PM
“There speaks someone who 1) is not a Christian and 2) has never seen the Passion.”
by MrSwing
Saturday, January 28 2012, 10:19PM
“No more ridiculous than suggesting a rubbishy Mel Gibson film has any message for anyone apart from avoid mel Gibson films.”
by seasider11
Saturday, January 28 2012, 5:42PM
“Oh don't be so ridiculous. If you want to be taken seriously then try making serious comment.”
by MrSwing
Friday, January 27 2012, 10:45PM
“Next weeks focus day -The Clockwork Orange introduced by role model mad axe man mikey
maniac.
Isnt modern education so wonderful.”
by seasider11
Friday, January 27 2012, 5:38PM
“As a Christian I think everyone should see the Passion. If people really realised what Jesus went through for us then they may have a better understanding of the sacrifices He willingly made. He could have walked away. He didn't. It's way to easy to sanitise what happened on Good Friday with fluffy bunnies and chocolate eggs.
As a mother I would be seriously annoyed to find out my children had been shown it in school. As an adult I found it hard to stomach.”