Mainstream Christian?
| Posted On: 12/10/08 01:03:24 PM |
Age 32, IN |
What is a "Mainstream Christian"?
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"Plugged In is no "Truth Project"
| Posted On: 12/10/08 12:54:46 PM |
Age 32, IN |
I recently just completed a phone conversation with a representative from "Plugged-In". The one question that I really wanted the answer to was this; Does "Plugged-In" adhere and subscribe to the same values, morlas, ethics - biblical worldview , that Focus on the Family has worked so long and hard for over the years? I was assured that the answer to that question was yes - BUT, how can the same organization that is calling for a return to a biblical worldview (THE TRUTH PROJECT) write a review for families/children reagrding the movie without ever giving a warning? Isn't the Truth Project, which I am a part of, diabolically oppose any subject matter that would deal with the occult? Would Dr. Dobson, Dr. Tackett, or Dr. Daly take their children/grandchildren to see this movie? And, then proceed with a family roundtable discussion about the "positive family aspects" of the film? I think that answer would be a resounding NO! This movie sensationalizes the occult - how does a Christian family come away from this film or the books with anything but confusion and a distorted worldview. This type of film and relevant culture discussion is exactly what the Truth Project is trying to combat. Steven Issac, the author of the review, acted irresponsibly when posting this review. Go and listen to Eric Barger, Brannon Howse, Ingrid Schlueter, and Jan Markell to get some more perspective.
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Should Christians watch sexually immoral movies?
| Posted On: 12/10/08 08:23:01 AM |
Age 60, TX |
If you are replying to me, I was not addressing the issue of whether the people are or are not Christians to begin with. I was disagreeing that sexual immorality in movies is a Romans 14:2-4 issue.
Addressing your criticism, there is a huge difference between nude sex scenes in movies on one hand and a character afflicted with the sin of greed and pride on the other. What is it you are trying to defend? Do you think it is a good thing for Christians to pay good money to go see movies with sexual immorality? If so, why? How are Christians benefited by that? Are they spiritually edified by it? Does it strengthen their walk with Christ to watch immoral sex scenes in a movie? Please explain how it is good for a Christian to watch such filth. And if you say it does not spiritually harm them, I would greatly disagree with that. Sure it does. Nothing is spiritually neutral. It's discouraging that so many Christians do not understand this concept. Would Christ or the Apostle Paul enjoy watching a movie that contained sexual immorality? Are movies so important that we are willing to watch the sexual immorality in them? Why are movies so important?
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ridiculous
| Posted On: 12/09/08 10:59:32 PM |
Age 25, TX |
What is it with so many Christians attacking every single thing that does not follow in with their worldview? I don't believe in vampires, I don't believe in werewolves, and yet, I find redeeming things with Meyer's works. Rarely do we see a character in a novel written for teenagers who strives to live a moral life, even when the character himself is not living? Edward Cullen may be a vampire, but drinks only the blood of animals. He may be a vampire, but he refuses to do anything sexual with Bella until they wed in the forth book. And even then, nothing is explicit. I would much rather find my teenage cousins reading the Twilight saga than reading Gossip Girl, or the hideous books available in the Christian book market. You want to complain about bad books - complain about those that are poorly written, poorly edited, those that should not have been published for their sheer disregard for the English language. Complain about how your children aren't getting a proper education because they're being taught by parents whose sole educational experience was their own. Complain about how the CWN wants you to brainwash your children into following their worldview and not allow your children to think for themselves. Oh, right, sorry. Thinking for oneself is a sin. Sheesh.
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Is a little thought too much to ask?
| Posted On: 12/09/08 10:33:46 PM |
Age 25, IL |
Yes, we should be wary of associating with anything involving VAMPIRES--you know, because vampires are TOTALLY REAL and an ACTUAL THREAT.
I mean, WHAT? I thought the book was stupid and the movie was stupider, but neither matches the idiocy of this article.
You should avoid ANYTHING that doesn't exactly match your narrow little worldview? Better not walk outside, then! While you're at it, disconnect your phones and your TVs, 'cause dontcha know, your kids could talk to heretics or watch programs with bad language!
Actually, yes, go ahead and remove yourselves from the world. Please. Enjoy your circle-jerk, and leave the rest of us in peace.
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Typical christian response
| Posted On: 12/09/08 09:10:10 PM |
Age 18, OR |
After reading Mrs. Schlueter's article and 20 or so comments, I felt that I had to respond.
First, it seems that Mrs. Schlueter is amazed by the fact that Plugged in Online (which by the way is a website aimed at HELPING mainstream Christians...) would actually praise a movie such as twilight. My question is, ARE there actually moral themes in Twilight as plugged in wrote in their review? Yup. Nothing in their review is either untrue or inherently unbiblical. In fact, I get the feeling that either Mrs. Schlueter decided to stop reading the article or just skipped over the end. The entire last section of the review is dedicated to why the movie isn't really worth going to see. None the less, I appreciate the fact that PIO is at least trying to help out parents with kids that are begging to go see the movie. Plugged in, to you I would like to say bravo for giving Christians a resource of PIO's magnitude. I personally use your website to look up EVERY movie that I go see.
Now the second part of Mrs. Schlueters article talked about the powers that the "vampires" possess. With that logic I could say that the movie Sky High is "wicked" because the characters have powers. And also, no offense, but you took Deuteronomy 18:9-12 out of context. That verse is talking about men and women who uses demonic means to practice witchcraft. Twilight is just a figment of a Woman's imagination, and correct me if I am wrong but does she say where the vampires get there abilities from? Is it the devil? No. Why can't you accept twilight for what it is...a fantasy book turned into a movie. It isn't anti God, it isn't even promoting the use of witchcraft. And if anyone is wondering...I am not a twilight fan, nor have I read the books.
Mrs. Schlueter, and the posters below me, please wake up and smell the coffee. I would like to humbly suggest that your legalistic attitude is what is giving Christians a bad name. I guess this is the root of my problem with the article. You are attacking an organization that has done and will do more good then you or I will ever do for the christian community. Of course we are to be "different" from the world but that doesn't mean we need to nitpick.
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Focus on the Family Praises "Vampire"
| Posted On: 12/09/08 08:01:58 PM |
Age 65, OR |
Could this be an example of Scriptural proof that "in the last days even the elect will be deceived". Never forget that from Genesis to Matthew to Revelation the evil work of Satan is through "subtle deception".
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The Spirit of Truth
| Posted On: 12/09/08 07:27:11 PM |
Age 56, LA |
Whenever I saw the movie "Twilight" advertised as non violent, and clean, and saw the pictures of the 2 people, I researched to find out the theme of the movie. I smelled a rat. When I read that there was a vampire in it, the Spirit of Truth, which God has given us said to my spirit, "Bad." I realized that the enemy was using the clean issue to attract in order to pollute with his demonic characters, which is his M.O.-"appearing as an angel of light." But, what surprises me is where is the discernment that the Lord gives his own to lead and guide and direct our paths? As for FOTF, since I haven't really followed them for a long time now, I am assuming that they ended up at this place little by little, like the frog being cooked in the water, and they can't even see clearly anymore. Sad thing about compromise-it robs you of your discernment over time (or spiritual vision) and you lose your way. I prayed for Bro. Dobson this morning that God would restore him.
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Twilight
| Posted On: 12/09/08 04:19:39 PM |
Age 58, CO |
Thank you for this important challenge to the Christian
community.
I respect Caryl's analysis, since she grew up in
India and has first hand experience observing
the destruction of the occult.
Keep shining the light!!!
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re: what to tell my teens
| Posted On: 12/09/08 03:57:41 PM |
Age 29, TX |
Just have them read how the author came to write the stories. She had vivid dreams of the characters. "Scaringly, Meyer's fictional character Edward took on the "terrifying" form of "real" spirit when it leapt from the pages of her saga and communicated with her in a dream. She says she had an additional dream after Twilight was finished when her vampire character Edward came to visit and speak to her. The Edward who visited her in the night told her she'd got it all wrong because he DID drink human blood, and could not "live" on ONLY animal blood as she wrote in the story. She said, “We had this conversation and he was terrifying.” http://carylmatrisciana.com/x2/content/view/81/1/
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Reality vs. Allegory/Imagination
| Posted On: 12/09/08 03:50:17 PM |
Age 25, NC |
I've not seen the movie, read the book, or know much anything other than what I've read about Twilight, but here's my question to author of this article?
Do you feel the same way about the Narnia Series, by CS Lewis? There is a witch, there are spells? There are fanciful creatures, there is Poseidon-like figure controlling the water (2nd film)? Should that movie be boycotted? Or can we allow that imagery because it is used for "good"? If you carry this logic further your kid can't watch Toy Story (toy's can't talk that is a lie your kids shouldn't be lead to believe), or even Bible Man (because super-heroes like that do not really exist and that could confuse your child and God is not the author of confusion, so that must be of the devil). Seriously where is the line drawn biblically?
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By beholding we become changed
| Posted On: 12/09/08 02:28:51 PM |
Age 41, OR |
It is a law of the human mind that by beholding we become changed. Recent scientific discoveries have found that certain motor neurons in the brain fire not only when we perform an act, but also when we watch others perform an act. (see: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/sciencenow/3204/01.html) For Christians, the science of "mirror neurons" is especially significant because it demonstrates that we cannot set wickedness before our eyes without being affected by it. We need to make a covenant with our eyes to keep our hearts pure before God.
As far as Dobson or any other leader---we need to check everything against the Bible rather than just taking it because a certain leader said it was good. We should also remember that while Dobson has been elevated, he is NOT a pastor, he is a psychologist. Big difference!
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This is nothing new
| Posted On: 12/09/08 01:36:18 PM |
Age 53, CA |
I've not seen this flick and won't. I no longer have any use for the secular world. Living in it is enough of a trial for my goal of giving my all to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I will say that from what I've read and heard about this film and series of books from the Mormon author, it's nothing new. It almost seems as if it was plagiarized right from an old movie and TV series called "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." Christians should be ashamed at their willingness to compromised. "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Jos. 24:15.
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Contact FOTF
| Posted On: 12/09/08 01:30:00 PM |
Age 55, AUSTRALIA |
Like most of you I immediately looked up the site to see if it were true. No there was no recommendation but inevitably someone with a desire to see the movie could find justification from reading the review. May I suggest to all who have written to this WW post that you contact FOTF and express your concerns
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Christians must refrain?
| Posted On: 12/09/08 12:39:21 PM |
Age 42, TX |
So, if a movie has sexual immorality then a Christian MUST refuse to see it? What about violence? What about disrespect of authority? What about pride? Is is ok for a Christian to watch any non-Christian movie?
What if it's a "Christian" movie but I think it shows disrespect towards parents?
Can I say that people who see it aren't Christians? She seems a little quick at the end to declare people as non-Christians. In Corinthians Paul talks about some pretty ugly sins going on in the church. People acting hateful and selfish (among other things). In discussion of communion he says that some have even died from this. But he doesn't say that makes them non-believers.
I hear her concern about people finding "Christian" values in this movie (books). I don't see that reading or watching these makes them unbelievers.
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Vampires movie
| Posted On: 12/09/08 11:42:59 AM |
Age 59, TN |
I am concerned that Focus on the Family would recommend this vampire movie for the children to see. The Harry Potter series and all the other evil calling the children to do ungodly things has so concerned me. Focus on the Family does not need to recommend this type of film that calls one to be drawn into the evil of the devil.
Thank you.
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LOVE
| Posted On: 12/09/08 10:37:31 AM |
Age 59, NV |
Love is not the issue here it go's contrary to G-d word the movie is wrong no matter how much love there is.
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It's not about "being fair"
| Posted On: 12/09/08 10:23:44 AM |
Age 50, TX |
"And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them."
(Eph 5:11)
"It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
" (Rom 14:321)
We can argue about semantics, but a positive review of the movie in any fashion is an implicit endorsement. FOTF has an even greater responsibility in this regard because of their leadership position in the Evangelical movement.
"For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed" (Is 9:16)
FOTH has erred greatly!!
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Focus on the family
| Posted On: 12/09/08 10:14:37 AM |
Age 67, WA |
Over the years the church has fallen into the apostasy that has to come. skipping over G-d's warnings to hate the world and love Him only...or love the world and hate Him. The world loves it's own. G-d hates paganism and the traditons of men. He said that..Most of the churches are all signed up under the Catholic cult who thinks G-d did not pay it ALL! We know we are in the last days just before the rapture. we are being tried. some may have to be tried in the tribulation. loose salvation, no, be here , yes..He tells us they (world) hated Him and they will hate us. I see the TV preachers now preach we are little gods with a little "g". Looks like many have been biten with the Rick Warren bug. he says he sits on the fence so neither side can attack him. G-d warns that He is going to melt down this old world and all men made. so why are they all forgetting HIS WORD and heading to Rome with the one world religion. they even helped put a Muslim in our White house..No one wanted to believe Hitler was Satanic either. Too late they found out. Anyone who doesn't see the film on CNN of Scream bloody murder and not see it on it's way to the US and they are helping it along. I wonder how many jobs are outsourced, and 25,000 ilegals, bring in drugs and disease and taking our jobs, and G-d warns us to follow the laws of the land. So much lawlessness is being done in the name of unity and love!!!Does anyone remember Paul's warnings of the "other Jesus"? their dream of replaceing Israel has also replaced, or added to or taken away from HIS Word. Cursed is he who does this..G-d says that too. The world is in the church...luke warm and deny the power. It is all about them, instead of G-d..Look at our generation!!! They know better and many too will be destroyed from lack of knowledge. When they stand before the KING. HE will say,,depart from me , you of lawlessness..I never knew you...No matter how much good or evil they did..they are lawless. They call HIS loving instruction the law..it is the commands not lets make a deal...they can't say they were not warned. and the preachers who in Hebrew are salesmen..will get double punishment. It will be a terribe day and remember G-d told us NO ONE can sit on the fence..NO ONE..I pray that people just start reading HIS WORD, and remember what HE SAYS..before it is too late..HE is coming.. the two thousand yrs are up...
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Thanks for the eye-opener!
| Posted On: 12/09/08 10:08:53 AM |
Age 50, MN |
the problem is once again, Christian children are being seduced, told that its not that bad by their Christian friends. Ignorance is abound...we have to constantly guard, research and guide even as they grow! we should all pray fo FOTF!
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