Despite the R rating, many teens (and even younger) have seen The Passion of The Christ. And, judging from the e-mails we're getting, those teens are being deeply moved by the film.

But before we share their comments, we'd like to reiterate that we think parents should see the film first before allowing a child under the age of 17 to view it. (See "Should Kids See the Passion?")

Fourteen-year-old Anthony Hernandez wanted to let us know "how awesome" he found the film, noting that he had "never realized what Jesus did to rid us of our sins. I never really took church seriously. But after this movie, I'm a changed person. I want to go to church more and read the Bible."

Sixteen-year-old Jack Treese wrote to say he's "already seen The Passion of The Christ twice. The film, though graphic, horrific, and shocking, is quite possibly the most important film of all time. I cried during the movie, I cried after watching it. The film is truly amazing."

Julie Wilson writes: "As a Christian teenager, The Passion's effect on me was more profound than anything I could've imagined. The moviewasdifficult to watch, but I knew that if God had sent hisonly begottenson to actually suffer throughthe scourging and the crucifixionfor me, I owed it to him to at least watch it."

Cara DeSalvo, 13, says "seeing what we put Jesus through was heart-breaking for me. This movie has changed my life forever; my testimony will be great and my Christian life bolder."

An eighth-grader named Ashley Kalinowski says the film "truly changed how I look at my faith. All my life I have been told that Jesus died on the cross for me, and not until I saw this movie did I truly appreciate what he did. I know Jesus loves us, but I do not feel like I was worth all of that suffering. I have done so many things in my life that I feel was just another whip on Jesus' back, but now I am truly sorry."

But there are also apparently some discerning critics among the teens who've written. Leysa Rader, 16, noted that "the constant referrals to Christ's human physical suffering as the key to heaven makes me queasy. The Passion missed the most important detail: The three hours of darkness on the cross when every sin, past present and future, was poured down on Jesus Christ. This is the only time the Bible mentions Christ uttering cries of pain. Not before. It was Christ's spiritual suffering on the cross during the imputation of sin that gives us the key to heaven, not his physical suffering."

We've even heard from some pre-teens, including one 11-year-old who clearly disagreed with my story advising parents to keep younger children away: "I think it is perfectly fine for Christian children 10 and older to watch this film," writes Christina Cota-Robles. "If Mark Moring is willing to allow his children to watch Lord of the Rings, he should allow them to choose whether or not they want to see The Passion. Lord of the Rings is fictional, though The Passion is based on a true story. This film should be allowed to Christian children because it shows them what Jesus suffered through for them, and the importance of his death and beating."

Marisol Hyatt, also 11, says The Passion "was good. It's not a regular movie to eat popcorn and candy; I think it's insulting to eat in that movie. It's an experience. You see what Jesus went through, and personally, it made me have more faith. I was crying pretty much through the whole movie, but I loved it! I recommend many people to see it."

We'll give Tami Byrnes, 16, the last word here. She calls the film "definitely the best portrayal of the crucifixion I've ever seen in my entire life." To those who complain the film is too graphic, Tami replies: "But to them I say, 'Newsflash, baby! That's sorta how it was!!' Christ went through SO much because that's just how much he loved us. … I loved every minute of this movie, because it was really a wake-up call. It was like, 'JESUS LOVES YOU!!!' And I was like, 'Dude!' And because of that, I rededicated my life. So, GO, MEL!"

Indeed, dude. Rock on.

If you're the parent of a teen who has seen the film, check out these ten questions to discuss with your child.

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