Why Are People Picking on "Fifty Shades of Grey"?

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  - Philippians 4:8

Note: This post contains references to graphic content by virtue of its non-virtuous topic. It is okay for adults, and should not be anything that will offend, but it is not okay for young children. It needs to be said, but please read with discretion.


Before I start, I ought to tell you that I haven't actually seen the movie Fifty Shades of Grey, and I haven't read the book, either. So I can't say with authority what's in it, only what I've heard is in it.

So, why are people, specifically Christians, picking on this movie? Sure, it has some objectionable things, some nudity, some sex outside of the boundaries of what is considered a healthy relationship by most people. But why call it out and make a big deal out of that exact movie?

I'm not saying at all that we, as Christians, shouldn't speak out against degradation in our society or against immorality and evil. What I am asking is why suddenly that movie?

Is it the first movie with nudity? No.
The first movie with immorality? No.
The first movie with deviant sex? No.
Maybe the first with bedroom bondage? Still no.

So why now? Why not before? Why this movie and not those others that had similar content and themes in the past? We, as Christians, should certainly call out when we see immorality, but, truthfully, wagging our fingers and criticizing the rest of the world is not going to accomplish anything if we are indulging in watching those very same things ourselves.

 Think about this: If you object to Fifty Shades of Grey, is it really that you find it morally offensive? Or is it that the content is unbiblical? Is it because it has nudity and graphic intimate scenes?
   ...Or is it because it has these things but also isn't a topic, concept, or plot that you like?

Is our criticism selective? Are we more lenient towards what is acceptable if we like the show and its plot?

For example, if nudity and sex are your objection to 50 Shades of Grey...do you watch Game of Thrones?
   Ouch, that audience includes like half of America.

If the problem is dysfunctional relationships or language, did you complain about 50 Shades...but then call Birdman art?

If the problem is the depiction of corruption of the innocent by a deviant predator...was that okay for you in the Twilight series?

These are just examples, but think about them. I think many of us are more lenient with ourselves in turning a blind eye toward objectionable material if the specific entertainment is one that we prefer. We're not as forgiving with content in movies or shows that simply don't suit our personal style or preferences.

We've changed, as a culture and as Christians. We see things today on network TV that would have been objectionable on the big screen in the worst-rated movies years ago. Some of the mainstream cable shows would even have been labeled pornographic a few years ago...and still are considered that by people with intact discernment.

Next time you sit down for a show, think about if your grandmother was there...would you be embarrassed to watch? Cultural standards may have changed over the decades since Grandma was young, but morality isn't changeable. If it was wrong in her generation, it is wrong now.

Then think about if Jesus was sitting there, would you still watch the show? As a Christian, the Holy Spirit is there with you all the time, so are you expecting Him to sit through that kind of garbage with you? ... Really?!

We need to get back to a higher standard of morality for ourselves. Quit pointing fingers at the rest of the world, and get our own house in order. We've been flirting with sin for too long, compromising on what is "okay" to watch, and filling out minds with things of questionable morality. And now we've been morally living in the territory of the questionable for so long that we haven't noticed that we've moved from a morality made of "shades of gray" and have wandered off into the realm of the "pitch black".

Authors Note/Confession: I apologize if this is a little bit behind the times. I've had it written for some time, and it's been on my heart to say this. However, I really didn't want to. You see, when this conviction first entered my mind, I had recently borrowed Season 3 of Game of Thrones from the library and was really looking forward to watching it. I like the series and have enjoyed the first two seasons, though some scenes required selective not-watching. I tend to skim over those and just watch the other bits. Well, I knew that if I wrote this, then I'd have to admit that I should not be watching that show...and, on the other hand, I realized that if I watched the video, then I couldn't possibly in good conscience post this piece. I sat on the fence for awhile...until I'd rechecked the video so many times that I ran out of renews at the library, and it came to the point where I had to make a decision to watch it - or turn it in unwatched. So it went to the book drop rather than into my DVD player, and I opted to post this instead.