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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The Episcopal Church, EHarmony, Focus. Etc.
| Posted On: 12/09/08 09:43:52 AM |
Age 47, FL |
There is a wide area of "turf" where the true believer and the world can convene without blurring the lines, so to speak. We can go to a Nascar race, a football game, the beach, fishing, designing buildings as an architect, etc. etc.
It is too bad that these man made organizations grow to a certain size and then the real financial needs pressure the human leadership to blur those lines in order to not offend and thereby risk funding.
James 4:4 "...know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? whoever therefore will be a friend of the world is an enemy of God."
It really is that simple. When a large Christian based institution abandons the most basic orthodoxy of the Faith, there is nothing to do but to abandon them.
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Exactly
| Posted On: 12/09/08 08:08:35 AM |
Age 39, MS |
I agree with you 100%, I am pretty sure God has to be the one to judge their salvation........
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Wrong
| Posted On: 12/09/08 08:06:06 AM |
Age 42, WI |
The film is trash, and should be labeled as such. It's that simple. Since when are occult themes acceptable for Christians? When is teen lust a great theme for Christians? When is vampirism a great theme for Christians? Focus failed to warn, but rather saw to discuss the relative merits of the movie. Shame on them.
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How far we have fallen !
| Posted On: 12/09/08 08:02:19 AM |
Age 59, IN |
FOTF did not protest the movie. The write up didn't condemn the movie.
Teenagers and parents need to be warned to stay away.
It is like approving that it is ok for your daughter to fellowship with a sexual predator because he has some good qualities.
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Cowardice
| Posted On: 12/09/08 07:53:39 AM |
Age 51, TN |
Personally I believe FOTF has kowtowed and surrendered Christian values to try and maintain their monetary base. This movie is unfit for Christians to watch and it is clear FOTF is compromising principle.
A person trying to live for Christ would never recommend this trash. To promote it as a teacher of values is absurd.
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Mormon Influence
| Posted On: 12/09/08 07:45:04 AM |
Age 49, TX |
I'm more concerned about the good PR Mormonism is getting than I am the vampire-aspect of this series.
The lovely author, a Mormon Mom, also seems quite attracted to the aspect of becoming a god - immortal and still procreating - much like a vampire: a hallmark of LDS theology.
Further, there is no greater mockery of the blood of Christ than the vampire mythos.
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By not denouncing, FOTF is supporting
| Posted On: 12/09/08 07:43:04 AM |
Age 45, IN |
Dear Fair Natured,
I appreciate your wanting to defend FOTF, however simply stating that families who choose to see this movie against "their better judgment" should have some "pretty serious conversations afterwards" is hardly denouncing the film. Particularly when that statement is followed by "This isn't about me beating up Twilight for being about vampires, though. There are positives in it that bear repeating". This does not sound like a review that is warning Christians of the dangers of dabling in the occult and following peer pressure just because something has found popularity in the culture. FOTF really missed on this one.
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Tell the whole truth, now
| Posted On: 12/09/08 07:10:52 AM |
Age 38, GA |
I think you are mischaracterizing FOTF for your own agenda. You did not discuss their negative comments about the movie. They point out positive themes as well as negative themes. Their purpose with the movie reviews is to provide information, not to make explicit recommendations. They provide enough facts about this particular movie for most discerning believers to not only avoid the movie, but to inform others who may not be as discerning. Imagine a water cooler conversation about the movie. It might be just as helpful to know how others might positively view the movie as the obvious negative qualities.
For the record, I am not a huge fan of FOTF, but I think in this case, you are taking some of their comments out of context. Sometimes when alls you looking for is snakes, snakes is all you's find.
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Romans 14:2-4
| Posted On: 12/09/08 06:54:38 AM |
Age 60, TX |
I must respectfully disagree with you that certain movies are a Romans 14:2-4 issue. If those movies contain sexual immorality, for instance, then your Christian friends have no business seeing them for oh so many reasons, the main one being we are told not to even touch the garment stained with sin. The question becomes WHY they want to watch immorality. There are just too many Christians today who seemingly have a disconnect in this area, and it does cause one to question the depth of their commitment to Christ. This is especially baffling in the case of people who, as you relate, otherwise listen to Sproul and MacArthur. Those men speak often of God's holiness and how we are called to holiness ourselves. There is nothing holy about watching an immoral movie. Christians would do well to rid their lives of Hollywood anyway, as it is the source of the filth that has corrupted our culture.
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Examine the Evidence
| Posted On: 12/09/08 06:30:40 AM |
Age 53, PA |
Yes, Ingrid's asessment is a bit misleading but she always gets to the point. By reading both reviews, I have discovered that F.O.T.F. doesn't exactly endorse the movie, but by giving it any sort of positive ink IS an endorsement. Looking for a "christian" message in a vampire movie is an oxymoron! However gradual, this statement is but one example proving to me FOTF has truly lost their Spiritual moorings.
"So within the context of a monster mash such as this, we can see a reflection of the Christian calling to put away the old man of sin and embrace the new one—a path that while straight and narrow, is certainly more difficult to walk."
WHAT?!!! My understanding of the REFLECTION of the Christian calling is... CHRIST. Not some hot looking vampire that is trying to be a better person er demon. We should not judge the salavation of other "Christians" but we must warn our fellow brothers and sisters to examine their lives to be sure they are IN the Faith which is a part of the calling of the "new man". Personally, I don't understand how anyone posessing the Spirit of Christ can sit there and watch this abomination let alone compare His teachings with it. "For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common"? Let us pray and speak the truth in love to all those who have been deceived by the enemy... For him that has ears, let him hear! All by His Grace!
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