Is 'The Passion' Too Violent for Kids?

Feb. 19 -- Mel Gibson's controversial new movie The Passion of the Christ has created a debate between those who see the depiction of Jesus' final hours as a religious lesson and those who view it as graphic violence that will only scare children.

Some church leaders believe the depiction of Christ's final 12 hours and crucifixion will help give children a fuller understanding of Jesus and the Gospel. In anticipation of the movie's Feb. 25 opening, churches have booked hundreds of theaters, with plans to bus in church youth groups to see the film. Some parents are pledging to take even very young children.

But critics of those plans say the R-rated film's unrelenting violence is too disturbing for children to see. Some of the more graphic parts of the film include a scene in which Roman guards strike Jesus with cat-o'-nine-tails, ripping the flesh from his back, and another in which a Roman soldier pierces Jesus' side with a lance to see if he is dead, prompting blood to shower down on the guard.

In an exclusive interview with ABCNEWS' Diane Sawyer, director Gibson said he had no issue with the film's "R" rating, which means children under 17 will not be admitted without an adult.

"It deserves an R rating," Gibson said. "It's absolutely, you know, it's hard to watch."

Gibson said he would let his 13-year-old son see it, but he would tell him it was graphic and difficult.

"He knows the story," Gibson said. "He understands."

‘A Wonderful Teaching Tool’

Jerry Johnston, a pastor of the First Family Church in Kansas City, Kan., has been vocal about encouraging children to see the film and his church has arranged youth screenings for middle and high school students. Pastors will be present at the screenings to speak to children about what they have seen.

"I think this movie is a wonderful teaching tool for children," Johnston said. Young people need to be "spiritually arrested" by the life of Christ, and the violence in the movie is purposeful violence that will help children gain faith and feel more secure, he said.