Parental Guidance Suggested

A recent news story relates how a new indie movie earned a PG rating for being overly religious. I haven't seen the movie but I will comment on the situation. The Motion Picture Association of America has a rating system for films. This rating system is in place because of consumer demand and governmental requirements. The system has the following ratings with these criteria:
G General audiences (all ages permitted)

PG Parental Guidance Suggested (some material may not be suitable for children

PG-13 Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.

R Restricted (under 17 requires accompanying parent or legal guardian)

NC-17 No one under 17 admitted

Now, this film was given the PG rating for being "so openly religous". I can see both sides of this issue. One on hand, it seems silly that a film about religion would be something that needs a PG rating because it may not be suitable for children. How could a story about God or about faith not be suitable for children? I'll tell you how. What if the church or individual who produced the film had a very powerful and unique story to tell. What if the film completely contradicted the faith and morals of the parents? Maybe the rating is not about how the rating bureau feels about God and religion but is respecting the religious diversity of the population.

In the end, I feel the rating says little about the film or the film industry. The rating does however speak volumes of the state of parenthood in this country.

Pyro