Is It a Sin to Have a Crush on a Fictional Character?

[PerpetuallyCurious]

I recently looked at the thread below.
http://www.christianforums.com/threads/tv-crushes.7927402/

What do you think about Christians having fictional crushes?
Do you think it is lust, envy (if the fictional character is in a relationship) or just harmless fun?

 

[Ubuntu]

Interesting topic!

I saw you post about this in the writers guild too, and you state that a part of you worry that this could incite lust. Let me put it this way; if you notice that you start to fancy this character yourself, it's more than reasonable to assume that some people among the audience would feel the same way.

Another interesting question is about fiction in general. A few generations ago preachers would urge people to stay away from fiction, yet today Christians assume that fiction is (mostly) harmless. This is in marked contrast to what protestant preachers said a few generations ago. See for instance what the famous teacher Spurgeon said about novels:

"How many young people there are whose hearts are just a road along which thoughts of levity and desires for amusement are continually going! How many precious hours are wasted over the novels of the day! I think that one of the worst enemies of the Gospel of Christ, at the present time, is to be found in the fiction of the day. People get these worthless books and sit, and sit—forgetful of the duties of this world and of all that relates to the world to come—just losing themselves in the story of the hero or heroine. I have seen them shedding tears over things that never happened, as if there were not enough real sorrows in the world for us to grieve over! So these feet of fictitious personages, these feet of foolish frivolities, these feet of mere nonsense, or worse, keep traversing the hearts of men and making them hard so that the Gospel cannot enter."
- C. H. Spurgeon

 

[William67]

I recently looked at the thread below.
http://www.christianforums.com/threads/tv-crushes.7927402/

What do you think about Christians having fictional crushes?
Do you think it is lust, envy (if the fictional character is in a relationship) or just harmless fun?

You can have a crush without lusting. You can think that someone is attractive, has a good personality, or high moral standards without your mind fantasizing in an immoral way.

 

[Swan7]

Interesting topic!

I saw you post about this in the writers guild too, and you state that a part of you worry that this could incite lust. Let me put it this way; if you notice that you start to fancy this character yourself, it's more than reasonable to assume that some people among the audience would feel the same way.

Another interesting question is about fiction in general. A few generations ago preachers would urge people to stay away from fiction, yet today Christians assume that fiction is (mostly) harmless. This is in marked contrast to what protestant preachers said a few generations ago. See for instance what the famous teacher Spurgeon said about novels:

"How many young people there are whose hearts are just a road along which thoughts of levity and desires for amusement are continually going! How many precious hours are wasted over the novels of the day! I think that one of the worst enemies of the Gospel of Christ, at the present time, is to be found in the fiction of the day. People get these worthless books and sit, and sit—forgetful of the duties of this world and of all that relates to the world to come—just losing themselves in the story of the hero or heroine. I have seen them shedding tears over things that never happened, as if there were not enough real sorrows in the world for us to grieve over! So these feet of fictitious personages, these feet of foolish frivolities, these feet of mere nonsense, or worse, keep traversing the hearts of men and making them hard so that the Gospel cannot enter."
- C. H. Spurgeon

Yikes! That's a scary thought...

 

[Travelers.Soul]

I think it tends to depend on the person and what they mean when they say crush, specifically as it applies to a fictional character. For me, when I am talking about an actor or a fictional character, I use the word "crush" very loosely. In general I am not a fan of crushes and yet I posted in the TV crush thread, why? Because there was no harm in it. At no point has anyone, to my knowledge, in the thread demeaned anyone or posted provocative statements. I see nothing sinful with a crush as long as it doesn't go into the realm of lust or take over your thought life. The men I posted in there were more of a "I like these actors (their ability to portray a character) and I think they are attractive." sort of thing. Does it ever go beyond that for me? Absolutely not. I do not fantasize about these men, want anything to do with them outside of watch the show or movie they may play in, or any other nonsense. I think for the most part a crush on a fictional character is harmless unless you cross the line.

As for fiction in writing, I enjoy it. I realize it isn't everyone's cup of tea but the reader, no matter the genre, needs to be discerning. There is as much danger in nonfiction as there is in fiction, it just comes wrapped in a different covering. Some fiction is nothing more than porn, others insipid rubbish, and yet there are fictional books that are wonderfully written and actually teach great lessons. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water.

 

[High Fidelity]

It has always seemed kinda odd to me. When it's an animated 'person' as well, that's just weird lol.

 

[William67]

It has always seemed kinda odd to me. When it's an animated 'person' as well, that's just weird lol.

I guess you've never seen "Who Framed Roger Rabbit"? lol

"I'm not bad, I was just drawn that way".

 

[Goodbook]

Anti crush activist in me says NO! Crushes are wrong! And a crush on a fictional character you have got to be kidding me. What did God say in the bible about idolatry?

 

[William67]

Anti crush activist in me says NO! Crushes are wrong! And a crush on a fictional character you have got to be kidding me. What did God say in the bible about idolatry?

Idolatry involves worship and the belief that what you are worshiping is a higher power. None of which pertains to crushes or animated characters.

 

[Ubuntu]

Idolatry involves worship and the belief that what you are worshiping is a higher power. None of which pertains to crushes or animated characters.

This is off topic, but "idolatry" is used figuratively in the Bible. See Colossians 3:5.

 

[PerpetuallyCurious]

"How many young people there are whose hearts are just a road along which thoughts of levity and desires for amusement are continually going! How many precious hours are wasted over the novels of the day! I think that one of the worst enemies of the Gospel of Christ, at the present time, is to be found in the fiction of the day. People get these worthless books and sit, and sit—forgetful of the duties of this world and of all that relates to the world to come—just losing themselves in the story of the hero or heroine. I have seen them shedding tears over things that never happened, as if there were not enough real sorrows in the world for us to grieve over! So these feet of fictitious personages, these feet of foolish frivolities, these feet of mere nonsense, or worse, keep traversing the hearts of men and making them hard so that the Gospel cannot enter."
- C. H. Spurgeon

David Wilkerson seemed to have a similar view on television and sports.

 

[mojoboy31]

Recognizing that someone on tv is attractive or has personality traits you find attractive or both- isn't sinful. Now, becoming obsessed with an acter/actress and blurring the lines of reality is whole other story.

 

[ReesePiece23]

It has always seemed kinda odd to me. When it's an animated 'person' as well, that's just weird lol.

The more you protest against it, the more I have visions of Jessie the Cowgirl and Penny from Inspector Gadget, plastered all over your bedroom walls.

 

[SarahsKnight]

The more you protest against it, the more I have visions of Jessie the Cowgirl and Penny from Inspector Gadget, plastered all over your bedroom walls.

Hey! I've got an image of Jessie the Cowgirl hanging on a wall in my room! So what's up with that comment?!

 

[Goodbook]

Jessie the cowgirl can't love you back. Because she's not real....

 

[SarahsKnight]

Jessie the cowgirl can't love you back. Because she's not real....

... That's a shame. I was putting all of my heart's hopes into that dream being realized one day ....

 

[toastface_grillah]

I recently looked at the thread below.
http://www.christianforums.com/threads/tv-crushes.7927402/

What do you think about Christians having fictional crushes?
Do you think it is lust, envy (if the fictional character is in a relationship) or just harmless fun?

Ehhh... it's the ultimate case of wanting someone you can't have, because they aren't real. I'm not gonna weigh in on whether or not it's a sin, but it is someone who's impossibly unattainable. Better to hold out for a flesh and blood crush.

 

[William67]

I think fictional crushes are an inappropriate thing. What you do in your mind and in your heart will be judged. No point in lusting after an imaginary figure. If you do, you should look within yourself to see what you thin kis lacking, and ask the Lord to guide you to an answer.

*Easy for me to say...I don't feel attraction for anyone, ever. LOL. I'm super cute and totally unavailable...and people say God doesn't have a sense of humor. HAHAHAHA

That's why I said earlier that you can have a crush without lusting. Thinking someone is attractive and/or you would like to meet that person is not lust. Lust is a sin. Admiration is not.

 

[William67]

I don't agree. There is a very thin line between what you call admiration and attraction. In either case, I'd call them both idolatry, which is sinful.

An idol is carved stone, wood, etc. A movie idol and an actual idol are not the same thing. Admiring someone's talent or beauty is not a sin. It is only when you lust after someone does it becomes a sin. Your line of thinking is fast approaching the muslim way in which women should wear the hijab to as not to cause men to lust after them. It is not the actions of other which causes sin, it is what is within our own hearts. You, and no one else is responsible for your sin.

 

[redblue22]

I ask myself, do I prefer fantasy or reality? and why?