The Twilight Saga
posted by Terrica
I have so much to say (and confess) on this topic that I don’t even know where to start! I’ve actually been mulling it over in my head for weeks now. But after catching today’s episode of Oprah spotlighting the cast of the Twilight Saga, I had to at least get the ball rolling…
Did anyone else see it? Did anything stand out to you? Did you find it unsettling?
Two particular statements got my attention, and by that I mean I suddenly sat up straighter, head cocked to the side, my face contorted in confusion and frustration.
#1-While questioning a group of moms about their obsession with all things Edward Cullen (the oh-so-romantic lead vampire in the books/movies who’s eternally smitten with Bella Swan, a human wanna-be vampire) Ally Wentworth tries to justify the obsession by saying, “It’s an escape, it’s a way to relive the passion of first love, and you’re not cheating!”
Um, ok. Does that statement bother anyone else? Seems to me that if you have to specify that something ‘isn’t cheating,’ there’s a problem. Aside from Jesus taking the whole concept of lust to the level of ‘anyone who even looks at a woman (or man) lustfully has already committed adultery with them in their heart…’ (Matt 5:28), it immediately made me wonder how the husbands of those ladies must feel.
Cue unsettling comment #2. Ally then went to the backyard to chat with the children of the ‘Twi-moms’. When she asked them what they thought about the obsession one little girl piped up with,”My dad tells my mom, ‘You love Edward Cullen more than me!’ ” Ugh. Just typing that quote makes my stomach turn.
During the hour-long show as endless twi-crazed teenage girls, married women, moms, pre-teens (essentially women of every demographic) showcased their obsession, there were laughs, cheers, squeals, elated tears, blah, blah… But I just wanted to vomit. Now before anyone goes to stone me or gets defensive, let me admit right now that I DID, in fact, read the series.
The entire series.
In a week.
Last summer.
And I did wait in line to see New Moon when it came out. (although not opening night…as if that makes it better)
I absolutely, without question, got lost in Twilight-land for a bit. But I’m not sharing that particular story with you just yet…you’ll have to stay tuned to the blog for those juicy details. Today as I watched Oprah, my mind kept going back to a vibrant 16-year-old girl I met at our El Paso event a few weeks ago. Her name was Victoria, and she worked behind Shannon’s book table with me. Over the course of the weekend she repeatedly told me how much she loved Every Young Woman’s Battle and how much it had helped and challenged her in regard to sexual and emotional integrity, in a culture that celebrates the opposite. As we were packing up our few remaining books Saturday evening to leave, out of sheer curiosity I asked her if she’d read the Twilight series. She never even looked up at me, “Nope.”
I cocked my head to the side with a curious smile, “Why not?” I probed.
She didn’t miss a beat, “I don’t want to. I think it sets girls up for disappointment. It makes them hope for a love that’s never going to happen, not this side of heaven anyway. No man on the planet will ever measure up.”
I was speechless. Literally, speechless. And SO unspeakably proud. I almost wept with joy.
Here’s the thing ladies–God made us to respond to passion. To wooing. To desire. He created us, as women, to physically and emotionally respond when pursued. And that, is to be celebrated. However. He did NOT create us to respond in such a manner to fictional characters. In the pages of a book. Vampires and werewolves, no less. I mean, seriously? Really? Really. Are we seriously giving our hearts away to that? Oh man…if we are, we have definitely missed the point of living and breathing on this planet. We have missed the very point of life. And we certainly haven’t experienced true Love and Passion.
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love. With loving-kindness I have pursued you…” (Jeremiah 31:3)
“How precious are Your thoughts towards me, O God. How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand on the shore…” (Psalm 139: 17 & 18)
“Arise my love, my beautiful one, and come away with Me…” (Song of Solomon 2:13)
Much more to come on this topic, including my story, testimonies from other women (and men) that will SHOCK you to the core, statistics, etc. But before we dive into any of that, tell me your thoughts. Am I alone in my sentiments? Does anyone else feel this way? Please, please tell me I’m not…
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Yep, just got done watching Oprah and felt the same way. My hubby left the room cause he said that the screaming girls made him nauseated, I would have to agree. Though I enjoy the movies, have not touched the books, because I know they go deeper into the character and fantasy of it all. Believe me when I say, I was heartbroken for those woman who felt that the “first love” feeling was captured in Edward and Bella, WOW!!! That is such a lie!! Who is your first Love and then added to that I still have those deep feelings for both Jesus and My hubby amidst all the chaos of my day, thanks to the Grace of God and that he is my first love!!
I loved this blog. Everything you have stated is true! I would love to hear what else you have to say!
I totally agree! I have not read the Twlight series, not because of some deep conviction, but because it just isn’t something that really peaks my interest. I have on the other hand read many novels or watched romance films that I have found myself lost in. It is dangerous ground and I think that we must be cautious how much we invest emotionally in fictional characters!
I did not read them either, nor have I seen the movies. I feel like there are so many really wonderful things to read and watch (I’ve heard from people whose perspective I really respect that it wasn’t that well written) so why bother with Twilight.
Plus, something really bothers me about these women pining over this sort of…..how shall we say…..feminine man. There’s something going on with that. That’s just not my prince charming. I much prefer a hero that is rugged and manly and everything opposite of me (not pale and thin and wearing more make-up than me!).
Like Christy, I agree totally with what you said. I have not read the Twilight series because I choose to read novels that are uplifting and Christian. In the past, when I’ve read novels that did not focus on Christ (fiction or non-fiction) I find myself wanting something different than what I have (a different type of relationship with my husband, a dissatisfaction with my life, etc.). The “love affair” with these and other characters is just wrong. Not everyone will agree with me but this is my opinion.
I totally agree. Those comments on Oprah are pretty unnerving! Thanks, T.
CLAP, CLAP, CLAP, STANDING OVATION!!!! I TOTALLY AGREE!!!!
The kind of love portrayed over television is false, fake, and causes disillusionment in the minds of our daughters and mom’s alike. It causes us to become dissatisfied with our reality as God gives it to us! I love my husband and I must protect my heart so that my satisfaction can come only from him!
“Twilight is a sin. That’s just retarded to me.”
“…it doesn’t have any bad language or sexual stuff in it only in the middle of breaking dawn but only for a little while in breaking dawn but that’s it.”
“Yes, i think you can be a christian and still like twilight. it’s not wrong to like other things. as long as you don’t get too involved.”
Just a tid-bit from ‘teens’ and ‘pre-teens’ on the subject from the URL below. Society teaches our children well…what are WE doing to teach them any different?
http://www.fanpop.com/spots/twilight-series/answers/show/114089/who-christean-but-still-loves-twilight
Hey Terrica, I read the first Twilight book basically to see what all the fuss was about. I’m an insatiable reader who loves a good story I can get into, so I was actually a little surprised that I basically couldn’t get into it at all. I thought I wouldn’t mind knowing how it all turned out so actually still planned to read the whole series, but didn’t even make it through the second book. I have known grown women my age and older who have just been over-the-top “gaga” over Edward/Robert and the series. One friend, who I probably wouldn’t describe as a romantic, said she saw the movie 10 times in the theatre and was standing in line to buy the DVD at midnight on release day. One friend has said her crush on Edward has ramped up her sex life with her husband and he actually seems to be enjoying the benefit, but that just seems a little “unfaithful” to me. I personally wouldn’t want to feel attracted to someone besides my husband and hope I never do. Certainly don’t plan to go looking for the opportunity. But I do have to wonder sometimes if there are a lot of people who are not so much obsessed by the actor or the story as they are obsessed by the obsession. And isn’t that how society seems to operate a lot anymore? We’re all over the latest fad until the next fad comes along and then we abandon whatever had our full attention just a little while ago. Anyway, I’m in agreement with what you’ve had to say and have certainly felt like an outsider for my views. Oh well, being set apart is something we’re called to . . . in the world but not of it. I can’t argue with that logic.
I have read the series and loved it. Just because I love reading, and it was a page turner. That being said, I don’t know what the hype is about. I didn’t see the Oprah episode, but grown women swooning over a teen sensation is ludicrous – something is seriously amiss in their worlds.
I have to agree with you in regards to the series as a whole, it does set us up for disappointment. I read the entire series, and it gave me a sense of wanting that type of head over heels love affair with a “perfect” being vampire or otherwise. And to be honest no one on earth really measures up, only our Lord does. And the whole Twi-mom thing is actually fairly creepy to be honest…seriously something is wrong and the only way they will make it better is with God!
I have read the books, watched the movies. Yes, I enjoy them. They do not make me “gaga” over anyone….just a story. An escape from humdrum, everyday. I am an insatiable reader. I read all things…I enjoy all types of books – Christian and secular.
Anything can be a temptation if you let it take control of your thought processes. It is up to YOU to make the distinction of whether a particular story line is going to be a problem for you.
Satan does his work behind the scenes….be aware. If you have issues – stay away. For those of us who don’t let it become an issue, let us enjoy it for what it is – a fiction…a story. Nothing more, nothing less.
And, btw, I agree with you about the screaming idiots….what do they think? I have a problem with anyone who goes totally out of control over a person. I used to watch Dr. Oz. Key word – used to. Cannot abide the simpering, screaming women fawning over the man…he’s just a man. It sets them up for ridicule and contempt…certainly not respect.
’nuff said.