When the movie industry gives a film an R rating, it's generally considered to be a red flag warning that it shouldn't be viewed by young adults and children.
But Focus on the Family founder Dr. James Dobson is urging family audiences not to be dissuaded by the R rating attached to Mel Gibson's, "The Passion of the Christ," which garnered the warning label because of its violence.
"I've never recommended an R-rated movie before in my life," Dobson told Fox News Channel's "Hannity & Colmes" Thursday night.
The family values leader, who said he's personally viewed the film three times so far, said "Passion" moved him deeply.
"I appreciated its message. It was consistent with the four Gospels, and I felt it was a message that should be seen. That's why I supported it," he explained.
Asked why some films warranted an R rating for violence when "Passion" didn't, Dobson explained that there was no way to tell the story truthfully without focusing on the gruesome crucifixion scenes.
"I don't know how in the world you would show a crucifixion without it being violent," he said. "I mean, the word excruciate comes from the word 'the cross.' And there was simply no [other] way to do that."
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