Argument for R rated movies

As a student at Liberty University, I am forbidden from watching R rated movies. The penalty as stated in the Liberty Way is 12 reprimands, or a 50 dollar fine. This is obviously entirely and utterly ridiculous. As an adult, and a student who pays all his own bills, I feel like I should be able to reserve the right to police myself on what movies I view. The vast inconsistencies presented when you place such a broad mandate in place are immediately obvious. Movies can achieve the "R" rating for an abundance of things, from violence to nudity.

The biggest inconsistency in this rule is the one allowance made: The Passion of the Christ. This movie, while sending a positive message, is gratuitously violent, and focuses on the most perverse and horrifying portion of Christ's life on earth. While this is obviously an important part of the Christian message, should we not be able to read about it and understand? I feel that this objectifies Christ to one portion of His ministry, and takes away from the good He performed previously.

More importantly, the films director, Mel Gibson has been totally and utterly disgraced, and has lost all credibility as a believer. In a series of phone recordings, Mel repeatedly called his wife a

"f****ing whore"

 Gibson has been involved in numerous police incidents recently as well. His charges include speeding, and driving under the influence of Alcohol.

While this film is allowed at a conservative school, films that are equally moving, such as Saving Private Ryan or Shawshank Redemption are forbidden to be shown. These films send a message much less graphic than that of the Passion, and both tell stories of humans overcoming massive adversity. Stories like this mature and enrich the human psyche, yet are banned.

My suggestion to the writers and board of the university: why not enforce the same rules to R-rated movies that you do with PG-13 and PG? These movies are fine to view, providing that they do not contain graphic sexual content, or other offensive materials. If the school administrators or RAs can take the time to look at the back of a box to check the rating, wouldnt it be just as easy to check for why the rating is there? This would give back students a modicum of our dignity as adults, and provide a more open-minded environment for learning and enrichment.