Fifty Shades of Heartbreak

That would be me — whenever I think about the movie opening this weekend, right in time for Valentine’s Day, a holiday meant to honor true love. Only it doesn’t.

Fifty Shades of Grey poses as romance while celebrating lust, bondage, and torture. Before you ask, the answer is no. I did not read the book, but nor do I live on Mars. What’s more, my man and I were recently subjected to the trailer as we awaited another movie we had paid to see. So, yes, I stand by my description. I should also tell you that I’ve considered the cost of wading in on this conversation and the controversial feedback I may be inviting. I’m choosing to post anyway because I love people and I mourn the havoc sin inflicts on us, as individuals and society at large. But we’ll circle back to the repercussions. I realize I just tossed out a blinking neon light kind of word. Let’s start there.

Sin.

It seemed a good idea to give the word some white space and let it sit there all by itself, like the polarizing word it is. Sin may sound old-fashioned and the word may be out of circulation in our culture but God hasn’t changed His mind about it– and He exists outside of time. Seems hard to get more cutting edge than that.

This past Monday on my radio show, ATS LIVE, my board man and I were discussing the noise around this premier and the best-selling book that paved it’s way. No one disputes the movie’s theme, a masochistic relationship between a sexual deviant and the innocent young woman who willingly subjects herself to his abuse. And yet, those record-breaking sales numbers are comprised mainly of women, including scores who identify as Christians.

“Why do you think that is?” Mike asked. “What’s their rationale for supporting it?”

I passed on speaking for the choices of other believers, but I did offer my thoughts on why I think the book and the movie has found such a large audience and I feel compelled to share that here.

We are a love starved people, created with a need for deep, lasting connections, with our God first, and then with our spouses. Fulfillment is available, but it requires something of us beyond the pop tart, microwave, drive-through energies we’ve been conditioned to invest.

Why seek God for ourselves when our preacher will condense Him into three points and a prayer?

Why do the hard work of building a mutually fulfilling relationship with our spouse if we can get a sexual fix from the entertainment world with zero personal investment or cost?

But Shellie, you might say, your theory doesn’t explain why the bondage and abuse is selling. I beg to differ. Superficial religion leaves just as large a hole in our souls as the absence of religion. And as surely as nature abhors a vacuum, Satan adores a void.

In walling God out, we have walled ourselves in– with the enemy.

Our age-old foe works tirelessly to warp the pure gift of intimacy our Creator designed to give man and woman mutual satisfaction into something dark and painful while selling it as exciting and pleasurable. It’s a snow job of tragic proportions.

I want to ask you not to support this movie in any form, not in theaters and not in DVD form when it becomes available. I know what many of you are thinking. That’s down-right presumptuous of me, that what one person chooses as entertainment is no one else’s business. For times sakes, I’ll cede you that point to lay out the sober questions haunting me.

What about the rest of us?

What about our sisters, mothers, daughters and granddaughters?

They’re already being trafficked for sex all over the globe, yes, even down our red, white, and blue highways and the thirst for sexual entertainment contributes to the machine that is devaluing their bodies and selling their souls. Let me explain.

Not long ago, I showed my readers a huge stack of books that was only a week’s work of galleys from publicists wanting their authors on my radio show– my itty bitty radio show. I asked them to consider that if my itty bitty radio show is getting this much attention from people trying to get above the madness and have their work heard— what is this saying about the ear-splitting decimals of book noise out there vying for attention.

My purpose? To encourage us all to pass on that good read when we find it. Engage if you have a favorite author whose words touch you, help you, entertain you, challenge you, tickle you, or teach you, and share their work because in writing a book review, inviting the author to speak in your school, library, or church, by sharing their work on social media, you become a cog in the very wheel that brings more of their words back to you.

I reference that book noise because the same takeaway applies here. Yes, you absolutely have the right to choose your own entertainment, but please know that your choices affect me, and I will commit to remember that mine affect you. We will be given more of whatever we are choosing.

That little girl watching Cinderella tonight, she’ll be looking for true love tomorrow. Will she find someone who values her and treats her like the treasure she is, or will she find nothing but young men molded by the twisted sex Satan sells? Will she willingly accept bondage and abuse because she is convinced that it’s acceptable, expected even?

[ctt title=”What we settle for today is what our children will live with tomorrow.” tweet=”” coverup=”4d6m6″] If you’re still persuadable about this movie, and you think it is harmless for you, say no for her.

Hugs, Shellie

I welcome your thoughts but please keep your comments civil or they will be removed. Thank you.