Andy's Altar Ego

Facing the Giants is a new indie film produced in 2005 and shown in limited release during the Spring of 2006. The film centers on the struggles of a burnt out high school football coach as he overcomes obstacles on and off the field by leaning on his Christian faith.

Apparently he leans a little to heavily for the Hollywood crowd because the film has earned a PG rating. What exactly does PG mean? The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) says

"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. "

So how did the MPAA come up with a PG rating for this low-budget independent film by the Kendrick brothers (who serve as media ministers for a mega church)? Their website vaguely claims that it is for "thematic elements." That might make you wonder what kinds of on-and-off field struggles the coach is going through, right? Maybe he's struggling with temptations over alcohol to cope with the job. Or the cheerleaders.

Nope. He's a Christian. That's it. When explaining their PG rating for the film they referred to its dominance by the worldview of one religion and parents with opposing religious views might be offended. They intoned about "proselytizing." In other words, it shares strong Christian themes including answers to prayer in a way that contradicts the humanist worldview of Hollywood.

Beware the Christians?