A TRUE Twilight Story
posted by Terrica
We recently received an email from a guy who is absolutely heartbroken regarding the Twilight Saga. At first glance, we assumed it was simply another husband complaining (albeit rightly so!) about his wife’s over-enthusiasm for the series, but as we continued reading soon realized his cry was far more serious that we could have imagined. Ladies, take note. Consider this a warning.
Dear Shannon,
I’m writing you because I have no idea who else might understand the situation I find myself in. My wife has an addiction, though it’s not what you might think. She addicted to the teen book series called Twilight. Are you familiar? I honestly wasn’t until recently. I mean, I’d heard of them in passing but that was about it. Well, a few weeks ago out of nowhere she began accusing me of having an affair. I was shocked! You see, we’re both Christians, happily married with 2 children, and when I say happily I mean it. We’ve always had a great marriage, great sex life, great everything. So when she began falsely accusing me of infidelity for no apparent reason, I was dumbstruck. When I asked her WHY she thought such a thing, she said there had to be someone else because I just didn’t pursue and romance her the way I used to. I admit, I probably don’t pursue her the way I did when we were first dating, but I’m still very affectionate, loving, affirming, bring her flowers…you get the idea. It isn’t like I’m cold and distant.
Anyway–over the course of a few weeks she kept starting these arguments out of nowhere, and then in the middle of them she’d say what she really wanted was to have sex. No kidding. She’d go from hating me to wanting me sexually all in the same conversation, well, argument really. You can imagine how confused I was by the whole interaction. The REALLY weird thing was–she seemed completely mentally absent during the act. Like…she wasn’t even there. At first she’d simply close here eyes the ENTIRE time, but eventually–without being too graphic–she wanted to engage in intercourse in such positions that she literally couldn’t see me. After this occurred a few times I sort of confronted it, and she admitted she had been fantasizing about ‘some actor–no big deal’. I knew she’d been reading the series but hadn’t thought much of it. I started doing some digging online and realized she had been spending HOURS looking at photos of this Robert Pattinson guy who plays the vampire in the books. She has also been watching the movies over and over while I was at work. I was floored! I asked her if that was him, the guy she was fantasizing about and she admitted it was, but when I asked her to stop reading the books she refused. A few days later, still really bothered by the whole thing, I asked again and she still refused. Then things really got strange. I got incredibly angry and told her the books had become an idol and that I wouldn’t have it in my house–to which she started screaming at me. It was a side of her I’d NEVER seen in our 8 years of marriage. I took the books and started towards the door to trash them, and she ATTACKED me. Physically, literally attacked me. She kept screaming, “Give me my books back!” I had to hold her down until she calmed, but even then she was still so angry she ordered me to leave. I stayed at my buddies apartment that night, thinking it was a good thing to give us time to cool off. What I didn’t expect was that I’d end up staying there 4 consecutive nights. It’s been over two weeks now since that big fight, and when I’ve tried to talk to her she says she wants a divorce. She says she just isn’t happy with me anymore, that she wants something different, something more. No matter what I say her eyes just look empty.
Shannon, I am so heartbroken. I feel like I’ve lost my precious wife to a fictional character that isn’t even REAL. What do I do? I don’t know how to be MORE. I love her deeply, and our children. I provide for them, always have. We have a beautiful home and life together… I don’t know what else I can give her that I don’t already. I’ve suggested counseling but she says she isn’t interested, that it won’t help. What do I do? I’m at a loss. Please help.
Jason
Reading this email breaks my heart over and over again. I don’t have words to express my sadness. The incredibly interesting part of his email however, was an excerpt he included from an article he’d found online by Steve Wohlberg. In you aren’t aware, Stephanie Meyer (the author) wrote this series after the concept came to her in a DREAM. She had never written anything before this series was birthed. She’s been asked multiple times if she’s ever dreamed of her characters again, and she says she has only ONCE:
“Shockingly, after Stephenie Meyer’s unexpected rise to stardom, she later confessed,
I actually did have a dream after Twilight was finished of Edward coming to visit me — only I had gotten it wrong and he did drink blood like every other vampire and you couldn’t live on animals the way I’d written it. We had this conversation and he was terrifying. (2)
I’m convinced that the “Edward” who appeared to Stephenie Meyer in her two dreams was a demon with a secret, diabolical agenda. What agenda? Based on what God’s Book says in Revelation 12:11, it was to keep sinful mortals focused on the wrong blood. Judging by the public’s response to the Twilight novels and movies, there’s no doubt that his hellish plot has been successful”
Fascinating, huh? Check out the full article here:
In order to guard your marriages ladies, you MUST guard your hearts! It is of absolute, paramount importance. Don’t be sucked into this craze. Your husbands and children are worth far more than a fictional obsession with teenage vampires and werewolves!
Do you agree?? Have you heard of similar situations like Jason’s? Did you get sucked in, too? Would love to hear your story, if so. I’ll be sharing mine soon!
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Seeing the way this series has caused Christian female friends of mine try to encourage their husbands to be more like Edward – to learn something from a fictional character written by a WOMAN, and a Mormon, no less – has just absolutely disgusted me. We should encourage our husbands to be more like Christ, and Christ alone. I have not, and will NEVER read the books or see the movies.
Hi Shannon, story upsets me so much. I’m a huge fan of the series and I know how easy it is to get wrapped up in the whole story. It is especially upsetting that this couple ended things this way. I’ve heard of couples who have read the books together and their marriage has flourished because of the closeness.
The series has changed my life for the better. For one thing it made me realize how great my husband is. It makes you question how much you take your spouse for granted. I think with all series you have to be cautious. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in this fantastic world of no whining and dishes that you don’t want to leave it.
As a wife and mother of 3, I would say that for me it gave me a feeling of rejuvenation. And it’s given me an outlet. I’ve been able to start conversations with people I’d have never spoken to because I’m shy. But the Twilight fans are a welcoming community. I’ve never run into fans who were the least bit interested in actually being a vampire. It’s fantasy. In fact, I’m on a board called Twilight moms and for the most part we end up talking about kids and husbands and real life more often than not.
I’m sorry this is so long and I don’t want to come off as defending the Twilight saga. But the story of Edward and Bella is the story of Romeo and Juliet. It’s a flawed fairy tale, a story of bad decisions but it’s a story. I pray that this woman would see that what she has destroyed her marriage for is fantasy and will never bring her the joy that a healthy relationship with her husband and God could.
I really enjoy your blog btw. It’s very inspirational. I also read and enjoyed your book.
I have not read this series and have no desire to. When I first heard about it, I had a check in my spirit. Something didn’t seem right so I chose to leave them alone. When I read stories like the one above, I am glad I did not follow the crowd. My heart breaks for this husband and wife. She has an addiction. Unfortunately, until she realizes she has a problem, this marriage will not survive. She needs professional help.
I read the series and enjoyed it. Did it become an idol for me? No. Did it change my behavior? No.
I’m concerned when I see these sweeping generalizations.
We do need to be on guard. But at the same time – what may be an issue for someone else may not be one for me.
So here’s a thought. Perhaps this woman had some deep rooted problems that had never come to light, and just perhaps hearing one side of this truly sad story gives us an inaccurate picture of what has happened here. Its always fun to be able to point a finger and say that this thing or that thing is responsible for a particular problem, but it is rarely accurate to do so. Edward Cullen is no more or less perfect or wonderful or unbelievable than most of Jane Austen’s Heroes. If this man’s wife reacted this strongly then it was not simply a result of reading these books.
On perhaps a much more serious note, it always scares me to hear fellow believers (or anyone really) condemn something that they have not read or otherwise experienced. If you believe that the twilight series is evil, and you feel very strongly about it, then read it and find out for yourself. Contrary to (seemingly) popular belief, you will not find yourself under some mysterious spell just by reading something. It seems these days that we teach that anything bad should be avoided and so christians put their heads in the sand when these things arise. If you want to be able to give a good reason for why things are bad, you need to study things, not avoid them. Keep this in mind though, if you read something already convinced that there is evil in it, then you will find evil whether it’s there or not. Read things critically, but honestly, and perhaps you will find that God uses even secular things to point to Him.
Ladies, you’ve made a number of excellent points on both sides of the argument! I personally fall somewhere in the middle…and will be sharing that story with you very soon. Stay tuned…
I too felt something in my spirit when I started hearing about The Twilight Saga…I couldn’t really put a finger on it other than vampires in any form (books, movies) just SEEM evil to me. I do wonder if this wife has ever read romance novels before & felt unsatisfied with her husband or life, but just never really expressed it. I have felt the same way about Harry Potter books/movies as I do about Twilight. I have a problem with anything that is questionable to my spirit that just seems like something more spiritually sinister is at work. If you have to dig deep or listen to other people to figure out what the “deeper meaning” is to a movie, then I wonder if it is really worth watching or reading…we need to guard our hearts in so many ways these days…
What a sad story! I hope the couple can find a good counselor and work through this. I would think that there are other issues that have led to this or that she has other personal issues that have led her to latch onto an imaginary character.
My friend is a big fan of this series and gave me the first one to read. I’ve liked other books she has recommended and went into it with an open mind. I guess I could see the attraction for teen girls (though I would not let my daughter read it if she was a teen) but I don’t see the fascination for grown women. I thought the writing was really bad (maybe it’s just the first one) and the characters really irritated me. I guess I was happy to leave behind teen drama many years ago! It was a huge struggle just to finish it and I didn’t bother to read any of the other ones. With little free time for reading I didn’t want to waste it on this series.
1 Th. 5:22
Period.
I have read the books about five times each- I can pick up and start in the middle and know exactly where I am. I do the same with lots of books I really like. I am a wife, and mother of 2. It has been fun, but I don’t think it has damaged my life at all. In conversation I have been asked what girls see in Edward, and I think I finally found what was intriguing to me was how he was NEVER tired of Bella, he would even watch her sleep. That is not normal. I think the book is a good example of having a real relationship without needing premarital sex. Hooray for that in popular literature! Edward himself I didn’t find perfect though. I would not tolerate someone that controlling. I just sold my books at a yard sale for $0.25 each. I guess you can say I am ready to move on. I hope for the best for Jason.
One last thing though- People are responsible for themselves. I am grateful that Stephanie decided to share her fun story with us. I feel sorry for the musicians/authors/artists that have people reck their lives for pursuit of something less important, put PLEASE encourage creative expression everywhere.
how about we all realize that these are just FICTIONAL BOOKS and take some responsibility for your own actions instead of trying to place blame elsewhere. Seriously, people. Is there no such thing as accountability anymore? Take some responsibility for your actions and the life decisions that you make!
If you choose not to read something that’s your business. All I am saying is know what you’re talking about before you call something evil. 1 Th. 5:22 is a great verse. Another one is Proverbs 19:2. Exclamation Point!
Ooohkaaay… catty.
We don’t need to be an expert on evil, sin, worldly ways, etc. to make a decision to stay away from it. A translation of 1 Th. 5:22 says even the “appearance” of evil. Whoa.
http://dying2self.blogspot.com/2009/05/twilight-post.html
http://dying2self.blogspot.com/2009/08/surprise-surprise.html
I find it surprising that people are so swift to defend this modern-day novel. I wish we all had the same amount of zeal about the Word of God and sharing the Good News…
Fantasy is what people want but reality is what people need. These kind of fantasy books are distractions the enemy uses to keep you away from the glorious truth and freedom of who you are in Christ. The devil is a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy our lives… and these kind of books are his subtly disguised strategies and weapons to do just that.
Reading the word of God everyday gives us the mind of Christ and it is our weapon to outsmart the enemy.
My dear friends… I cant beleive what Chrisitans open their houses for… I watch the twilight 1 with my daughter 12 year old daughter Im so praying for her to see it the way I saw it … the first movie was catchy I might say… The second one was so so so spiritually hard i couldnt even finish it i went out of the movies at the middle and my daughter was so shocked i had to pray over her and we asked for forgiveness. We as Christians can not let our eyes see this things and the worst part of it is that we encourage our kids to do it. We really have to be carefull with what we let into our hearts, minds and home. I pray that more Christians pray before and while watching a movie for the spirit to revel what is behind each scene of a movie. Blessings
Sylvia – Ecuador
I’m not sure that relying on a blog (or even more than one) to tell you what is or is not evil, sin, and worldly is the best idea. The author of the two dying2self blogs listed above has not even read the books he is blindly condemning to everyone. I am rather zealous about God’s Word, but “it is not good to have zeal without knowledge.” It is important that we understand the scriptures, and not simply beat people over the head with them, and in the same way it is important that we understand those things we condemn and why they should be condemned.
I don’t think the issue here is Twlight…it is anything that we make an idol. As mentioned before, we don’t know the other side of this story. He may have perceived the marriage to be healthy and just been unaware of underlying problems. If a woman is becoming obessesed with an actor (or anything for that matter) there is a bigger issue!
I have heard of marriages that fail because of romance novels or romantic movies. This happens because we put hollywood standards on our men. Look at how many of these “perfect” men are divorced in real life. That is because they are pretending when they are on screen. The men that these women come to desire after reading or watching do NOT exist. We must be cautious and use discernment with anything we put before our eyes. If there is even a glimpse of straying in our hearts we have to stop it on the spot!
I have not read these books, but several years ago (before I became a Christian) I had a few ‘idols’ of a similar vein – musically, I collected everything that had anything to do with trop-rock musician, Jimmy Buffett. I even left my family and moved to a Caribbean island to live the life he sings about! Later, I discovered a series of books called the Outlander Series. Very well written, IMHO, with many of the kinds of things the ‘Twilight’ series seems to have….characters you ‘fall in love’ with, very romantic interactions, and magic (time travel). After coming to Christ 3 years ago, I came to realize the dangers of having anyone or anything on the throne of my life but Him. I ‘cleaned house’ and tore down the ‘high places’. Make no mistake, He alone is worthy of that throne of your heart, mind, soul and spirit. He is my King and Lord – I want to be ‘Completely His’!
I have seen a number of articles about people who are so obsessed with this series that they are resorting to cosmetic dentistry to have “fangs” implanted. Sometimes permanently. They are also using makeup to create a dramatic, white- faced vampire look. I believe there is true spiritual warfare going on for people’s souls. I think it’s imperative to inform ourselves AND tread very carefully with these things.
There is indeed a spiritual warfare going on. However, that being said, fictional characters of any sort can be used by Satan to woo the unwary. It’s not the “Twilight” series that’s the issue – it’s the obsession. And anything can become an obsession. The fact that this woman latched on to “Edward” is immaterial. If it wasn’t that character, it would have been something else. Personally, I think “Edward” is a wimpy character. And I have read all 4 books, and wasn’t impressed. My husband is SO MUCH MORE than that!
Twilight is basically a romance novel. Not much different than any other including “Christian Historical Romance Novels.” The characters change but the basic premise is the same.
Please don’t hang up the phone when I say this but Romance Novels are porn for women.
Men respond to what they see and women respond to what they feel. And just like visual porn you have the same array of reactions. Most men are not affected by porn much at all. These novels do not affect most women. However, a certain percentage will become obsessed and a larger percentage will come to view their husbands as less than what they actually are. I believe the Romance novels are more dangerous than visual porn because they are ubiquitous and not considered to be that bad.
Re-read the article and the comments but replace the appropriate words with the word porn and swap the genders and see if you agree. You can throw away the vampire plot device as well.
If you agree I want you to consider how sanctimonious, self righteous and yes silly many of these comments are. They are sound and fury signifying nothing.
This is why Christianity is becoming less and less relevant in modern society. They need to produce less sound and fury and more actual and verifiable solutions.
“Please don’t hang up the phone when I say this but Romance Novels are porn for women.
Men respond to what they see and women respond to what they feel.”
I COMPLETELY agree. Men “fall in love” through their eyes. Women through their ears.
I think those that feel that “Edward” is a demon that came to Stefanie Meyer are lunatics. Seriously.
Fiction writers glean from their experiences, their fantasies, their dreams (which can be pretty random with a very active imagination), etc.
How is it that Lord of The Rings, a fictional and fantasy story written by a Christian author is completely accepted in Christian circles and is even hailed to have Christian undertones, but any other fictional fantasy piece written by non-christians is demon possessed or dangerous to read?
JASON, pray for your wife and family. Go to a pastor or christian counsilor who knows how to deal with spiritual strongholds. Go alone at first if you must. Also important, go into every room in your house, with a pastor or your prayer group, and bind Satan in your house and claim your wife/ children for Christ and anoint every room with oil. This is spiritual warfare. I know some people can read a book like this without being affected but I do believe Satan tries to attack where he can and this is what has happened to your wife Jason. Also recomit yourself to Christ, pray without seasing for you are fighting not only for your marraige but for the spiritual wellbeing of your whole family. God made the husband the head of the family so you have to take care of this problem, but only through Christ. Remember God allowed all sorts of bad things to happen to Job, and he never stopped loving God. When Job prayed for his friends, God delivered him. Lets all support Jason in prayer.
I agree with Pearl, Jason. This is a spiritual battle and not a reflexion on you. The Enemy attacks in subtle ways. I agree because I was deceived in a similar way, but was set free from this blindness with lots of prayer, confession and obedience. Keep praying for your wife, and get others praying too! This is a battle against demonic forces that you can win. Remember, when the enemy attacks, it means he is fearful of what we are capable of!
My husband and I are going through this right now, taking every thought captive, so the devil can’t us down through depression, anxiety and confusion. We are placing our trust, (for once) in Jesus and trying to stay obedient in all aspects of our lives. No compromise!