Fifty Shades of Controversy

Feb 14, 2015 | 6 comments

I don’t care about the book. I don’t care about the movie.

I do care about the conversations going around Facebook and other social media sites.

I don’t care if your Christian or not. I don’t care if you like the book or the movie, or not.

Here’s what it boils down to for me:

The crux of the controversy is whether or not Christian people should go see this movie. I’ve read interesting arguments for both sides, and the main consensus is, it’s ultimately harmless, and what happens in a bedroom between two consenting adults is their business.

Wait. Did you read that? It’s their business. Not mine, not yours. And certainly not a theater full of 200 or more strangers.

If your belief is, what happens in the bedroom stays in the bedroom, then

LET IT STAY IN THE BEDROOM!

Don’t promote YOUR sex life (fantasy, real, or something in between) on MY television screen, MY social media page, or IN PUBLIC.

You can’t have it both ways. You can’t say “it’s just between a man and woman” and air it in a movie theater. You can’t say pornography is a private issue, then blast commercials promoting it on a big screen.

I will not read this book. I will not see this movie. And it’s not because of my Christian beliefs. It’s because I believe sex is between a man and a woman and them only! It’s an act of intimacy, trust, vulnerability. It’s not coffee with friends, or shopping at the mall.

Don’t think for one minute I’m a prude. I just don’t agree with getting hot and bothered by watching something in a room full of strangers.

When do we draw the line between hypocrisy and human dignity? When do we say there are just some things that don’t need to be mainstream?

Especially on Valentine’s Day weekend. What a horrid message to send! Love is so much more than someone telling you what to do, or taking away your individuality.

Do what you want to do. But please keep your private life private. And if you agree with this, please don’t go see the movie.

Just some things I’ve been thinking about.

And Frankly, My Dear . . . that’s all she wrote!

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6 Comments

  1. William Kendall
    William Kendall on February 14, 2015 at 9:03 am

    My objections are on other grounds. I’d read a few pages of the first book, and it is just atrociously bad writing. Awful structure, no imagination, just abysmal. It started as a Twilight fanfic- that should be the first red flag, since that series is essentially nothing more than a possessive boyfriend directing the actions of a young woman in every way, with a supernatural element to it. The writer readjusted things to this genre instead, but starting out in fanfic should have been the biggest warning that it wasn’t worth bothering with.

    The books show a relationship where the balance of power is painfully one sided, where a billionaire is so possessive of the naïve woman in his life that he’s controlling her every action, demeaning her, treating her like an object… and ultimately coming across not as a romantic lead, but a sociopath. This is an abuser just waiting to happen. I find myself wondering what kind of message does this send out to women?

    The reviews for the movie have been scathing. I expect it’ll make a good deal of money this weekend… but drop like a boulder off a cliff after that when word gets out just how atrociously bad the movie is.
    William Kendall recently posted..Musician ArtMy Profile

  2. Ann
    Ann on February 14, 2015 at 9:35 am

    I don’t exactly object to the making of either the book or movie but blah! No interest!

    • Molly Jo
      Molly Jo on February 15, 2015 at 7:35 pm

      Thanks for checking in, Ann. For whatever reason, I’m glad the movie doesn’t interest you.
      Molly Jo recently posted..Fifty Shades of ControversyMy Profile

  3. Beckie Lindsey
    Beckie Lindsey on February 15, 2015 at 10:56 am

    As a writer, I recognize the power in words. Even if something is not written well, the idea behind those words holds a great deal of power. As King Solomon put it, “Words have the power of life and death.”
    I think the books and now the movie (Fifty Shades) has wielded that power and aimed it squarely at our hearts. What I mean by that is, all human beings-male and female have an innate need for true intimacy, love, and companionship. This need will not be truly met in the degradation of another. Nor will taking what is meant to be personal and putting it on display for all to see.
    I believe that “truth” is what is at stake here. True intimacy, true love, true companionship. Fifty Shade of Gray allures on the deepest human level and then leaves one stranded and wanting because it is counterfeit.