Should Christians Get Into the Twilight Series?

I was recently asked by a friend if I read the Twilight series. I said, "No - I don't really get into it." Then I was later asked if I wanted to go see the recently released movie, "New Moon". My reply? Again, "No thanks - I don't really get into it."


So why don't I "get into it"? My friend didn't press me for an answer but I later thought if she or anyone else did, I need to be prepared to explain why I feel the way I do. I have sooo many friends who looove the series and honestly I feel like a fish out of water because I haven't heard of a single person who shares my view. Of course, this is not a "You're wrong/I'm right" matter. In fact, I was very leery about writing this post because I do not want to come across as judgmental or "better than thou" - I would never want anyone to think that of me! I just want to share my personal opinions, convictions and thoughts on the subject. Some would say I have no right to speak because I haven't actually read the books or seen any of the movies; however, I have read enough reviews, prayed about it, searched the Scriptures, discussed it with my husband and heard my friends talk about it enough to form my own opinions. Again, I am not trying to sway anyone to my way of thinking, nor am I trying to "preach" or "nag". Most of all, I am not judging anyone on their beliefs - while I do believe we are responsible for our actions, I leave the job of "Judging" to the Creator. I just want to encourage open discussion and to share my personal thoughts on the matter...

* My #1 reason for not getting into the series is that I just have a VERY strong conviction that as a Christian, it would not be pleasing to Jesus. Philippians 4:8 says, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." While I am soooo far from perfect and I have MUCH improvement to do in this area, I do try to hold true to that standard in whatever I listen to, read or watch.

* Vampires?! Werewolves?! Hello?! Not godly. Period.

* I believe it grieves the Holy Spirit. An article on GotQuestions.org says, "the Holy Spirit is a fire dwelling in each believer. He wants to express Himself in our actions and attitudes. When believers do not allow the Spirit to be seen in our actions, when we do what we know is wrong, we suppress or quench the Spirit. We do not allow the Spirit to reveal Himself the way that He wants to." It goes on to say, "Both quenching and grieving the Spirit are similar in their effects. Both hinder a godly lifestyle. Both happen when a believer sins against God and follows his or her own worldly desires. The only correct road to follow is the road that leads the believer closer to God and purity, and farther away from the world and sin. Just as we do not like to be grieved, and just as we do not seek to quench what is good—so we should not grieve or quench the Holy Spirit by refusing to follow His leading."


* I believe it promotes lust and impure thoughts. I hear from my friends, "Are you Team Edward or Team Jacob?" or quotes from the movie like "Which is tempting you more? My blood or my body?" PluggedInOnline.com says of the topic of sexuality on New Moon, "Revealed cleavage and short skirts are occasionally on display here, but the more significant sexual issue in New Moon revolves around the guys. Edward and Jacob repeatedly peal off their shirts to dazzle their dates—and moviegoers—with their "stunning" physiques. Just because a guy shows up shirtless in a movie doesn’t mean it’s a sexual issue, of course. But in this case, the way these boys’ bodies are presented is little more than an excuse to ogle."

I know I sound like an old lady when I say this but as Christians, we just have to be so careful with our thoughts or we get led astray. EternalChoice.com says, "How do godly men and women control their sexual desires and stay true to what the Bible says? There are many things one can bare in mind to fight lust, but sometimes the desire is too strong to be foiled by rules and ideas. The only thing that works... and I can testify personally that this is the only thing that is guaranteed to work 100% of the time... is for a Christian to get to the point in his life where he wants to please God more than he wants to fulfill his own desires. James 1:14 (NIV) says "each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death." All the devil has to do is get a Christian's sight off of what God wants and onto what his flesh wants. Then, the next time he is tempted by lust, he will start to be so strongly drawn in that he feels he can't escape, then he will start to rationalize giving into lust, and the next thing he knows he's so deep into lustful sin he's ashamed of himself."


* I don't feel it's appropriate for my children to get into, either. As Christians, we are called to bring up our children in the ways of the Lord. This is such a huge responsibility and calling on our lives that we should not take it lightly. Joshua 24:15 says, "But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." and Proverbs 22:6 says, "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."  I just don't know that we are doing our kids a service by allowing them to read Twilight books or watch the movies. And if we don't allow our kids to get into the series, why do we think it's okay for ourselves, as Christians, to get into it?


* What if? What if we shared the same enthusiasm about God as we do about Twilight? Just sayin'.


* If I was into the Twilight series, I think the potential would be there for me to be a stumbling block among others, especially non-Christians. On one hand, they would see me do my "church thing" and on the other, they would see me play around with the "dark side"of Twilight. God warns about being "lukewarm" - Revelation 3:15 says, "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." I think that is playing with fire and I sure don't want to lead anyone astray because of my actions.

* Garbage in - garbage out. The old adage is still true today. I think we need to stop justifying what we think is "okay" and allow God to speak truth into our minds. Jesus is quoted in John 10:10 as saying, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." 

I leave you with the lyrics to a new song called, "Garbage In" by Tal and Acacia. As Christians, may we consider it's message and follow the Holy Spirit's leading in our lives...

Thank you for allowing me to share my thoughts with you, whether you agree with them or not. I would now love to hear what you think, as well! If you love the Twilight series, please leave me a comment and tell me what attracts you to it. If you don't like the Twilight series, also leave me a comment as to why you don't like it. I look forward to reading some interesting remarks :-)