On my soapbox about Fifty Shades of Grey
Right now, I am furious about the hype of the soon-to-be released movie Fifty Shades of Grey. What is this world coming to? I know that I should not judge a movie that is based on a trilogy of books that I have never read. But, I know that this book is pornography for women. I read the book reviews and talked with people who have read the books.
As a single, Christian woman, I refuse to read books that I know contain graphic sex in them. I do not want my mind to go places where it has absolutely no business going. I already have an overactive imagination so I do not need any more help. What I cannot understand about Fifty Shades of Grey, is that there are Christians reading these books and they will probably see the movie when it comes out on February 13th. Movie trailers are advertising this film as a romance and trying to hype it up specifically for Valentines' Day. This infuriates me, because there is nothing romantic about sadomasochism and domination in a relationship.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 (NIV).
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails.
The love that I am reading about in God's word is far from the kind of love that the world portrays. I am saddened that Fifty Shades of Grey is promoting what they consider romance. After reading several reviews about the book and movie, I discovered that the leading lady (Ana) has been exposed to the dark world of sexual bondage, domination, and control from her "contract" lover Christian Grey. Although a woman may enjoy receiving expensive gifts from a handsome, wealthy man, there is nothing romantic about being a sex slave and enduring some of the harsh acts that Ana endured. How can anyone consider this romantic? This is not the kind of love God wants us to experience.
Love is patient. From what I've heard about this movie, there is nothing patient about the relationship of Ana and Christian. They have sex outside of marriage. True love waits. Love is kind. How is it considered kind to tie up someone you are supposed to care about with chains and handcuffs? It (love) does not envy- Christian stalks Ana so I see jealousy in this relationship.
It does not boast, it is not proud. This 'contract' that Christian has drawn up for Ana appears to be an attitude of pride and control. It does not dishonor others-When Christian puts all of these demands on Ana, stalks her, etc., he is not honoring her. It is not self-seeking-Christian seems to be using Ana for his own selfish desires and she enjoys getting expensive gifts from him. It is not easily angered- Bondage and other forms of S & M seem to stem from unresolved anger issues. It keeps no records of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in truth. All I have read about from the book and movie reviews shows that evil is glorified in this story.
It always protects- When you love someone, you would do anything to protect them from harm rather than expose them to the darkness of S & M. It always trusts- When people love each other, they do not need to use tracking devices to find out where the other person is at all times. It always hopes, always perseveres. Although Ana seems to be seduced by Christian's spell on her, she appears heartbroken and hopeless at the end of the first book. Somehow, she seems to persevere and then two more book sequels follow. However, a person should not have to endure and tough it out in an unhealthy relationship. If they want things to work out, it is important to seek godly counsel.
Love never fails. I just don't understand how Ana manages to stay with Christian when their 'contract' relationship sounds like a complete failure.
I will get off my soapbox right now and pray that this movie flops at the box office. Hopefully more people will realize that the hype of this movie is not really all that it's cracked up to be.
For more reviews, here are a few links.
