Facing the Giants

I composed a great post on this film shortly after we took the kids to see it. Unfortunately, Blogger crashed and it is forever gone. (Note to self: save posts in a publisher doc while composing.)

Anyway, the film is great. It makes no bones about what it is about or why it was created. Its aim is to introduce "real" Christian faith to the larger movie going audience. It does a good job of that, and the cheese factor--usually oozing out of such attempts--is little to none (can I hear an "AMEN"?)

Now for the irony: the MPAA gave the film a PG rating due to "strong thematic elements". What were these elements, you may wonder? Why, prayer, of course. With such a clear and in your face show of not just one, but many prayers the MPAA felt it was important to recommend that parents guide their children through these "strong themes". Here is what the MPAA's website says about the PG rating in general:

This is a film which clearly needs to be examined by parents before they let their children attend. The label PG plainly states parents may consider some material unsuitable for their children, but leaves the parent to make the decision. Parents are warned against sending their children, unseen and without inquiry, to PG-rated movies. The theme of a PG-rated film may itself call for parental guidance. There may be some profanity in these films. There may be some violence or brief nudity. However, these elements are not considered so intense as to require that parents be strongly cautioned beyond the suggestion of parental guidance. There is no drug use content in a PG-rated film. The PG rating, suggesting parental guidance, is thus an alert for examination of a film by parents before deciding on its viewing by their children. Obviously such a line is difficult to draw. In our pluralistic society it is not easy to make judgments without incurring some disagreement. As long as parents know they must exercise parental responsibility, the rating serves as a meaningful guide and as a warning.

Right..."our pluralistic society". Now, I do fancy myself a bit of a grammar geek, so I may be splitting hairs, but it seems to me that plural means more than one. And lately, I get a real sense that the one thing that is not included in the plural club is Christianity. However, prayer is in the same group with nudity, profanity, and violence.

Um...OK. Pardon me, while I evacuate from this nonsense. If you need me, I'll be hanging off the edge of the culture.