Romance novels

[mindalan]

I do hope this is the right area.

Ok, I want some hard facts on books by Nora Roberts and other romatic authors.

Are they to be avoided or not? Should christians check them out or steer clear of them?

 

[scraparcs]

What is the controversy associated with these novels?

 

[Fear]

You should steer clear of them. Not because there's anything immoral about them, but because romance novels are awful.

 

[mindalan]

Um, well Nora Roberts has very explicit stuff in her stories. I stumbled across one in a magazine when I was younger. It totally shocked me. I didn't know of her reputation as a romance writer at that time.

She also uses a lot of bad language.

 

[m9lc]

You probably want to look in the church/fellowship sections of the forum, rather than here. This isn't really the place to seek Christian answers, seeing as the majority of posters in here aren't Christian.

 

[uberd00b]

There is no reason for you to steer clear of books.

 

[gwenmead]

Is there anything in romance novels - in the way of sexual escapades or violence or even colorful metaphoric language - that isn't also in the Bible?

I mean, the Bible isn't as explicit as perhaps a romance novel would be, but last time I checked it had stories involving sex, adultery, incest, romance, foreplay, rape, visits to brothels... the Song of Solomon, for instance, is a lovely piece of romantic poetry all on its own. While ultimately the Bible is a spiritual and religious guide to life, what controversial sexual practice might be found in a romance novel that wouldn't be found in the Bible too?

I don't read romance novels myself, not because of anything particularly graphic, but because they're ridiculous and poorly written. They simply don't interest me. I'd rather read a history book, or a mystery novel, or some well-written erotica (if I actually want something steamy).

But I wouldn't avoid a book out of fear. If it doesn't interest you, don't read it. If you're curious, you can make the choice to read and decide a book isn't for you.

What, exactly, would be any issue with reading them? Are you concerned that reading a romance novel would be immoral?

 

[KalithAlur]

I think you should stop reading the book if it makes you feel sexual, because that is ungodly

 

[mindalan]

I did check out one or two of those books. I felt that I should avoid them in the future because they promote sex outside of marrage.

 

[uberd00b]

I did check out one or two of those books. I felt that I should avoid them in the future because they promote sex outside of marrage.

Why would that make you avoid them? If you don't want to have sex, then don't.

 

[gwenmead]

I felt that I should avoid them in the future because they promote sex outside of marrage.

If you feel that way, then by all means, don't read them.

 

[uberd00b]

I guess in this particular case it doesn't matter so much. But I do take issue with self-censorship. In my opinion all information should be fair game, even that which you find tasteless, "hiding" from information that you don't like just strikes me as...counterproductive.

 

[flicka]

I think you should stop reading the book if it makes you feel sexual, because that is ungodly

We are all sexual and apparently is was god who orchestrated it that way. Thus, not ungodly.

 

[mindalan]

I read them because I was a curious, single lady.

 

[mindalan]

I am not saying the books have to be banned or anything like that.

I just think they prey on single ladies like me...who feel lonely.

 

[WatersMoon110]

I am not saying the books have to be banned or anything like that.

I just think they prey on single ladies like me...who feel lonely.

I have never read a Romance novel (I did read half of one, when I was stuck with nothing else to read, but it was too badly written for me to finish it). But I don't think that fiction about things that one wouldn't do in normal life is bad.

It isn't as though it is about real people having premarital sex. Or that reading it would influence you to abandon your moral beliefs (at least, I hope not!). It's just fiction.

But, if you feel guilty about reading about such things, don't. There are plenty of other books out there that don't contain premarital sex that you could read instead.

 

[SweetAngeline2]

Romance novels are akin to literary pornography. They are just as sinful as pornographic videos and magazines. I read one a long time ago, before I knew what they were really like, and I was shocked by the amount of graphic sex in them! I prayed for forgiveness and promised never to read another romance novel again!

 

[Celticflower]

Romance novels are akin to literary pornography. They are just as sinful as pornographic videos and magazines. I read one a long time ago, before I knew what they were really like, and I was shocked by the amount of graphic sex in them! I prayed for forgiveness and promised never to read another romance novel again!

There are some non-explicit, Christian based romance novels available.Check out the Love Inspired line from Steeple Hill. (SteepleHill.com)

 

[SweetAngeline2]

I will have to look into those, I've never heard of a Christian romance novel, that could be good!

 

[Maren]

I think it is interesting that, at least from what I've seen, many of the Christians who believe Romance novels to be wrong and sinful (or even literary pornography) appear to have no problem reading books that have graphic descriptions of violence, rape, and murder.