Twilight from a christian perspective?

[RyanW@K23]

Hello all,

I heard a discussion on the Twilight series on a Christian radio station a while ago, and it really made me curious as to what you here of CF think of the series. I know Christians whom I respect who feel the series is a very bad influence, while others whom I also respect who feel that there is nothing inherently wrong with the books.

In other words, do you feel the Twilight saga has any 'evil' influences, for lack of a better description?

I don't want this to be a discussion of whether or not you 'like' the book, but rather a discussion of the moral/spiritual implications of the book, if any.

Ryan

 

[Trashionista]

I can think of much better things to read than Twilight. I wouldn't encourage Twilight unless one needed a good laugh.

I have no moral obligations to the series, but if I'm going to read something fluffy, I'd take say, Harry Potter, or even smart fluff like Vanity Fair (the magazine, not the book) over Twilight.

 

[Chance Of Rain]

I can think of much better things to read than Twilight. I wouldn't encourage Twilight unless one needed a good laugh.

I have no moral obligations to the series, but if I'm going to read something fluffy, I'd take say, Harry Potter, or even smart fluff like Vanity Fair (the magazine, not the book) over Twilight.

These are very wise words, vampires that *sparkle*?


As to the original question I believe it's just fantasy, and will not harm your faith if you read it. However I have read a few websites that show the Mormon influence in the writing, I don't have a problem with that but it is something to think about of you do.

My only real problem with the series is how it portrays the relationship between Bella and Edward, Bella is in an emotinally abusive relationship with an extremely controlling guy and it is seen as romantic.

 

[explodingboy]

My only real problem with the series is how it portrays the relationship between Bella and Edward, Bella is in an emotinally abusive relationship with an extremely controlling guy and it is seen as romantic.

I'm not sure it's all Edwards fault mind.. I mean Bella is a really badly written character, pretty much incapable of making her own decisions, due to the fact there is no depth to the character.


Either way, It's just a book, not a very good one, but I'm pretty sure you safe from condemnation due to literary preference.

 

[Luther073082]

I've never read it or watched any of the movies so I can't really judge it.

Now personally I don't tend to condemn works of fiction because I think it will inspire satan worship or witchcraft or anything like that. I think fiction is fiction. So I would probably be unlikely to condemn it based on that.

Although my understanding is that there are sexual aspects to it, at least to the movie which I'm not sure is good for the movies target audience. (Teenaged girls)

But again I havn't seen it so I can't tell you what the message is. I'm mostly bothered if the movie gives an approving message of teenagers having sex. If it doesn't do that or encourages chastity, then I would not mind at all.

 

[Blank123]

its a fictitious series. the writing is terrible, the plotlines are questionable, but if you're not taking it seriously its fun to watch the movies esp for a girls night out or something. Spiritually speaking? there's very little in the way of religious themes, positive or negative. The author was mormon, so you do see a glimpse of religious values in that the characters don't fornicate or promote drugs, drinking, etc... but thats really neither here nor there. you just need to take it for what it is - a story meant to entertain and line the wallets of every person involved with it. Just like Lord of the Rings.

the church needs to stop playing apologetics with fictitious stories and start examining the doctrine coming into the church that actually is dangerous IMHO. i mean with a novel, unless you have some serious mental health issues you know going in not to take it seriously because it is fiction. When a trusted pastor stands in front of his congregation and preaches deception very few people will actually pick up on it because they haven't been trained to test that against what Scripture says.

 

[Kiwicee]

I read the twilight books. They were good, but I am a girl. They aren't amazing literature so if you read a lot I wouldn't suggest them. I was bored one summer and my little sister had them. They kept me interested.

I don't believe they are evil. People are going crazy about how they are talking about vampires so they must be evil...

Harry Potter: witches and wizards
The Wizard of OZ: witches and wizards
Frankenstein: dead monster


I mean really...this stuff has been around for years. The only reason people don't like it is because of its hype. I know...I was one of the twilight haters until I read the book and realized it wasn't pathetic but mindless entertainment.

People just don't want to categorized as a "twilight lover" so they call it stupid and go the complete opposite direction.

 

[Qyöt27]

It's fantasy. And pretty laughable at that - I did actually watch the first movie, and treated it more like MST3K when things weren't just an exercise in contrasting moods so bizarre that I often wondered if they were trying to make it funny and only succeeded in making it Stepford creepy. Not even close to my first choice if you wanted recommendations for vampire stories (my first choice would actually be Tsukihime, but anyway...).

 

[Kristin E]

I don't really see nothing wrong with it, it's just a book/movie.

 

[Nazzul]

At least I was not the only one to vote that Twilight is inappropriate for various reasons. I think Twilight misrepresents vampires so much that it is a slap in the face for vampire fans. Are they teaching our children that vampires are immune to garlic and have reflections!? Blasphamy!

In Twilight, vampires deviate from traditional myth in many ways, a fact often alluded to in the series, usually for humor. Meyer has said she did not research vampire mythology before writing the series.[5] For example, they are unharmed by garlic, holy items, or wooden stakes; they have reflections, and are able to be out during daylight

List of Twilight characters - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The creator didn't even research the mythos about vampires! I cannont stand if people begin to believe that vampires sparkle in the sun, are not killed by steaks in the heart, and don't mind garlic. What happens when someone is confronted by a vampire our children will be unprepared for a possible vampire attack! Please do not allow your kids to see this inappropriate movie that claims it has vampires. You cannot trust vampires they want your blood and the love they have is perverted to the point of evil.

 

[Qyöt27]

At least I was not the only one to vote that Twilight is inappropriate for various reasons. I think Twilight misrepresents vampires so much that it is a slap in the face for vampire fans. Are they teaching our children that vampires are immune to garlic and have reflections!? Blasphamy!


List of Twilight characters - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The creator didn't even research the mythos about vampires! I cannont stand if people begin to believe that vampires sparkle in the sun, are not killed by steaks in the heart, and don't mind garlic. What happens when someone is confronted by a vampire our children will be unprepared for a possible vampire attack! Please do not allow your kids to see this inappropriate movie that claims it has vampires. You cannot trust vampires they want your blood and the love they have is perverted to the point of evil.

In short, Our Vampires Are Different - Television Tropes & Idioms

Personally, I prefer my vampires wearing mob caps and pestering shrine maidens, but that's just me.

 

[Apollo Celestio]

I don't care for it, but it's nothing to be condemned. It seems liking it will invoke much more ire than anything else.

 

[SlimShady]

If it is at all inappropriate it is for the reason that it gives young teen girls a desire for men who don't exist and won't bite them.

 

[Kiwicee]

At least I was not the only one to vote that Twilight is inappropriate for various reasons. I think Twilight misrepresents vampires so much that it is a slap in the face for vampire fans. The creator didn't even research the mythos about vampires! I cannont stand if people begin to believe that vampires sparkle in the sun, are not killed by steaks in the heart, and don't mind garlic. What happens when someone is confronted by a vampire our children will be unprepared for a possible vampire attack! Please do not allow your kids to see this inappropriate movie that claims it has vampires. You cannot trust vampires they want your blood and the love they have is perverted to the point of evil.

It's just a movie....and vampires...*gasp*...aren't real! She took her own idea and ran with it. It's called being original.

I will be the first to laugh when Edward "sparkles," but she wanted him to. I think she's creative. Not bashing original views of vampires, just making one of her own.

 

[Amber.ly]

I'm not ashamed that I really enjoyed the books and that I own the series. I liked the author's writing style and the new twist on Vampires that made it original. But my tastes run from kid's book like Ella Enchanted to Manga to classics by Jane Austen and everywhere inbetween. I don't have high standards when it comes to books I guess.

The movies I hate. Why is the actress who plays Bella so twitchy and can't seem to talk? Whatever, side tracked.

From a Christian perspective I believe it should fall under "personal conviction" to find a right or wrong. I personally believe I am not sinning when I read the books. It's entertaining and I enjoy the story.

 

[SmileAndAHandshake]

It's just a movie.

 

[blythe_ann]

I chose inappropriate but I thought I should explain my answer. I don't think that fantasy is inappropriate, and I don't think that my reading it was inappropriate, but I thought about it and decided to answer as if I had a daughter wanting to read it.
I would not want a young girl reading these books. Not because of vampires and werewolves, but other things.
-I do not want my daughter to look at the Bella/Edward relationship as a role model for good relationships. I don't want her to think it's okay for a boy to not let her see other friends, to kidnap her, to leave "for her own good" without consequence, to sneak into her bedroom at night.
-I don't want my future daughter to think it's acceptable to forget the people around you when a boy leaves you. And I especially want to teach her the true meaning of love. You can NOT fall in love without speaking to someone. That's called infatuation, not love. And you can NOT love two people at the same time . You can be attracted, but love is not just an emotion but an action, part of that action being dedication. You can't LOVE two people at the same time. Like you can't love money and the Lord. Same thing.
-I also don't like that Bella doesn't consider any religions at all but completely accepts immortal life quickly.
The ONLY thing I found moral about it was Edward's promise to be celibate until marriage, but frankly, their make out scenes before hand aren't something I want my future daughter to read either.
So, while I will probably watch the rest of the movies, because I need to watch them after reading the books, I'm just that way.
So, that's my two cents.

 

[JBMM]

I liked twilight, actually.

Call me crazy.

 

[Kiwicee]

but I thought about it and decided to answer as if I had a daughter wanting to read it.
I would not want a young girl reading these books. Not because of vampires and werewolves, but other things.
-I do not want my daughter to look at the Bella/Edward relationship as a role model for good relationships.
-I don't want my future daughter to think it's acceptable to forget the people around you when a boy leaves you.
-I also don't like that Bella doesn't consider any religions at all but completely accepts immortal life quickly.
The ONLY thing I found moral about it was Edward's promise to be celibate until marriage, but frankly, their make out scenes before hand aren't something I want my future daughter to read either.

Totally agreed! It's sad at how many people have lost relationships because they wanted an "Edward" and he is just not a real. It can basically act as female porn. Men are visually stimulated, women are emotionally stimulated. Twilight can cause an emotional trauma if you aren't secure in your singleness or relationships.

I am secure in my husband so I don't mind the movies and books, but it is not for everyone!

You should go read "my life is twilight." Some woman accidentally said "I love you too Edward" in response to her husband saying I love you. That is too far.