We attend a Southern Baptist church. Each week there is called a Mission Moment, where different missionaries are highlighted. Last week Lottie Moon was the suject. This week and a short time last week the subject turned to missionaries in Iraq who have recently died. There was a Powerpoint presentation with the photos of these people plus pictures of blown up tanks and other pictures we have all seen on the news. Words like 'death ' dying' and ' killing' are used heavily. I think this stuff is too strong for Jeannie to hear. I haven't even explained Jesus' death to her yet, as I'm waiting until she's just a little older. I'm thinking of asking if the M.M. will always be so graphic, and if the answer is yes I'll just take Jeannie to her class earlier. I'd rather not, though, because she will miss all the special music and other things that are around this same time. Don't get me wrong- I think there is a need for this presentation, just not while the kids are still in the sanctuary.
You know, it's hard for me to say when I haven't seen the pictures they were showing. It would depend on how graphic things were. Right off hand, I think the benefits would outweigh any problems and I'd be thrilled to take my kids to see it, even my youngest one. We have read biographies on various missionaries, and they understand what a martyr is. One person we read about was Jim Elliot and Nate Saint. And my youngest has a clear knowledge of Jesus' death. Now, I wouldn't take them to see "The Passion"; I think it'd be too graphic for them. Anyway, that's just my opinion. And if I were to be there and see just how graphic it was, I might agree with you.
Becky, I'd have to say, without having seen the pictures, that I agree with Jackie. I have always been one who doesn't believe in hiding death and dying from my children. I've always been very open and honest with them about it. I think it's important for children to be familiar with death and to understand it (as much as they can). What if I were to die in my sleep tonight? I want my girls to understand that I will be in Heaven with God (and they do understand that). I don't want my girls to be scared of death, as it is a fact of life. As for the war overseas, we don't have cable tv, so it's easy to "shelter" the girls from seeing too many images of it. Graphic images of war and "bloody" war deaths are too much for alot of kids (and adults for that matter). If that is the case with your church, they should probably announce before hand that they will be showing these, and make an appropriate place for the children to be while this is being shown. Heidi
I'll probably just take her to class when the MM begin. She's too young to see blown up tanks, blown up areas and that kind of stuff. This is how I feel, but I also don't want to create a 'thing' over it.