Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. (First Peter 2:16, NIV)
Sometimes I’m amazed at just how relevant Scripture can be. This is one of those times.
No doubt, you’re aware of the highly publicized movie release this coming Valentine’s Day weekend. Seems like it would be obvious that this movie would be toxic for those who claim to follow Christ.
In the event it’s not, I humbly offer the following thoughts.
(1) Yes, in Christ, we have freedom. But for the one who can step away from all the emotion and excitement, it’s not hard to see that violence – no matter the form – leads away from intimacy rather than towards it.
(2) Have you ever heard any woman (aside from those who were sexually abused as girls) would honestly admit that her spontaneous childhood or middle-school dreams of her future relationship would include bondage and subjugation?
(3) For those rightly concerned about the injustices of the sex-trafficking industry, seems it would logically follow that this story would also be seen as promoting injustice towards women. The two seem inextricably linked. Either they’re both a moral good or both a moral evil. It can’t be both ways.
(4) Even for those who lean feminist in their perspective, this story seems to stand for just about everything feminists say they’re against: degradation of women, male dominance and ownership, domestic violence and more. Again, it seems implausible to have it both ways and remain logically consistent.
For Christians who may need just one more thought to ponder, consider these actual quotes from the two main actors in a recent CNN interview:
JAMIE: “Some of the Red Room stuff was uncomfortable. There were times when Dakota was not wearing much, and I had to do stuff to her that I’d never choose to do to a woman.” (emphasis mine)
Really? Then why is it OK to do it to a woman when both are acting?
DAKOTA: “I’m proud of (the movie). I completely disagree with people who think Ana’s weak. I think she’s actually stronger than he is. Everything she does is her choice. And if I can be an advocate for women to do what they want with their bodies and not be ashamed of what they want, then I’m all for that. My mom came up for a day [during filming]. She’s proud of me. But I don’t want my family to see [the movie], because it’s inappropriate. Or my brothers’ friends, who I grew up with. I think they’d be like, Blegh (mimics vomiting). Also there’s part of me that’s like, I don’t want anyone to see this movie. Just kidding.” (emphasis mine)
No, she’s not kidding. Her words betray her true feelings, no matter how she immediately tried to quickly cover herself up with “just kidding”. Like Jamie, when she’s just thinking about her acting role, it’s OK. But when it bleeds into the reality of real men she knows seeing her treated this way, well, that seems to be a different story.
Both actors seem to be blinded to their own personal disconnect. Yet it’s right there in the exact same CNN interview. Their true feelings are just below the surface for anybody who’s willing to see it.
If you’re a Christian and you have any serious thoughts about seeing this movie, please pray about your decision.
Then, consider doing yourself and your marriage a favor: give yourself the gift this Valentine’s Day to skip it.
Freedom as Christ’s slave gives us the freedom to elevate women to dignity, not continue the degradation we all claim to hate.
p.s. For anyone who wants to explore the deeper meaning behind unhealthy fantasy, check out the following trailer for a book from my colleague and friend, Shannon Ethridge. Incidentally, the Fantasy Fallacy e-book is on sale through 2/15/15 for only $2.99.
