Christian Readers discussion

Hi All, My daughter said she wanted to read the Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. I haven't even looked at these books but My daughter says they are about vampires and that is enough for me to not want her to read them. They seem to get really great reviews in the secular world and especially among teens. Has anyone read these or know why they are in such high demand by our teens?
Thanks!
Monica

they are great books and i guess your daughter will find a way to read them if she really wants to. i dont think they will do her harm or even come close considering how thoughtful and caring a mother you seem to be by looking out for her. i think it might even be good if you read them too that way you could discuss them together.
just my opinion tho lol.

I would say you pick up the first one, read it together, and then discuss it. Figure out together if it's suitable for her. She may find she doesn't like it. They don't interest me in the least.

However, I was a teen when Harry Potter first came out, and my aunt bought me the first 3 books, hardcover. I read them, realized they were not anything I was interested in, and knew that the wizardry/ witchcraft element was not something that fostered my religious beliefs. You know what a frenzy the secular world has been in over HP.

Thank you for your suggestions. I think I will pick up the first one and see what it is all about. I think you are right Brittany, she may not even like them. Although, she did read all of the HP books and liked them but mentioned that she was uncomfortable with how dark the stories became towards the end. Thanks again!

before you do, please be aware that these books are NOT meant for the same age group as Harry Potter readers at all!!!

Well the author Stephenie Meyer is a Latter Day Saint, if that makes any kind of difference.

Really. What does she write again?

Oh yeah Twlight. I totally didn't know that.

I would encourage you to read books before you let your kids read them. I had kids bring books to school saying there aunts or grandparents gave them. They were told they were good books written for children. That doesn't mean that their any good. I haven't read the Twilight books so I can't comment on them. I just encourage parents to read or atleast read up on what your kids are reading.

I agree with the read the first one together, or read it first and be ready to discuss it. No matter how hard we want to, you cannot shield them from everything.

About the HP comment. I'm a Christian, a Christian book reviewer actually, and I loved HP. It is the same way that I loved faerie stories as a child. You do not go into them as fact, but as an aware person as what you believe versus a fiction to be intrigued by. I know some people still disagree, but that is how I feel. On top of that. I just acquired the entire Twilight series, and plan to read them soon. And I know several other Christian Blogging Book reviewers who are also reading the series for review.

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Okay... i'm 13 and i read the series and im compitely fine... it just got me more interested in reading... those books r good. yet suspenseful.. VERY GOOD! :D
i recommend it for kids 12 and higher.
Also i dont see the big deal in not letting her read it.It's not like Vampires and Werewolves r real.

I have to agree with what MJ and others have said regarding this topic. As long as there is an understanding that this is fiction, I don't see where there would be a problem. However, if you consciously feel this is wrong, I would not do it.
I have a dear friend who is undergoing some pretty harsh tribulations all because he enjoys reading Edgar Allen Poe. Mr. Poe can't make anyone do anything. It is on the person themselves how they choose to act. My friend is being persecuted for his love of Poe but it doesn't mean that he is like Poe or does things that Poe wrote about. Does this make sense? It's not fair that he is being treated the way he is but that's how others are twisting the truth and making it out to be.
The books are enjoyable for those who can read them without violating their conscious. I read the entire series in a weekend and I look forward to the movie coming out in a month!

I also agree. I haven't read them but have been considering reading hte first one to see what all the fuss is about. I believe that with every book we read we should know what out processing capabilities are. Whether we're able to see any hidden meanings or things that could mislead us in our walk with Christ. As I said it all depends on whether you believe your daughter is able to process what she reads. If you're pretty sure, but would like to test her, than I would suggest both of you read it and discuss it. Then in the future when a question like this comes up you will know how she might handle it.

In a weekend? Really? Three day weekend? Those are thick books... And I'm the one who reads for a living!

I really appreciate all your comments! Thank you. I love fantasy too and I actually enjoyed the Harry Potter books. However, for me vampires are stepping into another realm altogether but I am definitely going to read at least the first one so I can discuss it with her. I will let you all know what I think! Thanks again for all your input!

Here's what I think: Buy two copies of the book and both of you read it together. Reading these books with your teen offers an EXCELLENT opportunity to discuss morality, race, religion, sex, mental health, relationships. None of these topics is explicit in the book but they're all there. I highly recommend teens read this series WITH an adult who can discuss it with them.

The author of this series alludes to many literary masterpieces such as those by Shakespeare and the Brontes. Wuthering Heights is one that came up last night in reading the third volume. I think there is so much fodder in this series for so many different discussion and so much THOUGHT. I do not, however, think teens should be thrown the series as a Christmas gift and left on their own with it. That's not to say that teens' reading this series alone are in danger. It's just an opportunity lost.

I was wrapped into them from the get go. I didn't get a whole lot of sleep that weekend!! My 16 year old daughter did the same. We were almost racing each other to see who could finish first!

This is a great topic. I have been going back and forth on whether to read them or not. At first i didn't even know that they were for younger readers! I was just curious about all the fuss :) I am causious about what i read - my girls are still too young for me to have to worry about them wanting to read them, but while fantacy and fiction may not be "real" there is a fine line. I guess it comes down to what one believes. I am one of those who wouldn't allow my kids to read anything that makes light of witches, wizards, magig etc. I cannot think of the Bible verse, but i know there is one in there somewhere that speaks of being careful of what we hear and see. I will have to look it up! ;)
Again thanks for this info on this series. I may have to get them. I do have to ask...are they scary? I don't mean to sound like a baby, but my DH is gone a lot and i have stay home alone :( I don't want to have sleepless nights!!!

Melissa, I agree with you. There is a fine line between reality and fantasy, and it's easy to cross in books and movies and such. But it does all come down to personal conviction. I read the first 3 Harry Potter books at age 12, and was convicted in my spirit even then that I should not be reading about witchcraft and the like. And even had I not felt that inside, I still wouldn't have been impressed by the books.

Melissa I so agree with you also. Having friends that were in the witch life style and the things I have seen and heard from them. I don't take things like oh it's just a book. We are good witches very lightly.

I'm 12 & all my friends are reading the books! My mom will let me read the series( we r going to the store tomorrow) but won't let me read HP! I have a college reading level based on a vocab test but I want to know if it is to mature for me!

Hi E, Well, I read your post about the Goosebumps books also and I would say that you definitely should NOT read the Twilight Series. I went to a used bookstore yesterday and picked up the first book in the series so I can read it before I decide if my daughter should read it. My daughter is 13 and, like you, she says all her friends are reading it. The lady at the bookstore told me that she had read the entire series and in her opinion they are not suitable for younger teen girls. As everyone here has told me, I will tell you, have your mom read the first book first and then let her make the decision. It must be hard for you to find books to read that fit your age level when you have such a high reading level. Have you read any of these author's books? Bess Streeter Aldrich and Janet Oke. Also check out other teenage Christian readers on this site and see what they recommend. I will let you know what I think of Twilight but ultimately your mom should make the decision for you based on her own opinion of the book.
Good luck!
Warmly,
Monica

monica... as you said u enjoyed the Harry Potter books... i think that they are not much different than each other... they both have to do with myths and things that arent real.

Thanks I appreciate your advice!

Brittany and Kym,
Thank You for your comments. Many people think i am silly for feeling that way, but i too have a friend who has "looked into" all he witchcraft stuff and it is scary. As a friend, i tried to listen to her explain what they practice/believe and after that i felt God convicting my heart in many ways. It was a real eye opener for me.

Jade,
I dont mean to get on a HP debate/bashing of any kind. I do want to point out that the basis of the HP books deal with wizards, witchcraft, and magic. If you follow The Bible, these things are very real - not myths or make believe. The Bible is very clear about wizards, witchcraft, and magic. Now, i dont know that much about the Twilight series except it is about a vampire. I am not sure if there is any Biblical reference to that or not??? To be honest, i really don't know a lot about vampires in general! I guess that is why i have been torn about reading the books (as well as the fact that i am a baby and don't like to be scared!)
Many Blessings,
Melissa

melissa- i am totally with you. i know that the occult (oiuji boards, wicca, seances, possesion, etc) are very real and mentioned in the Bible. and even if vampires are not mentioned in the Bible, i feel that they are in that "darl/magic" category, and to me are something to steer clear of.

What a great discussion -- I have got to say, I am a Christian, and I just got through the 2nd book yesterday. I would actually encourage your girls to read these books. The vampire stuff is only in the story to make the chase scenes interesting -- there's no sex in these books at all. Meyer uses the second book partly as an allegory of Romeo & Juliet -- it's very much about teenagers who overreact and get into huge misunderstandings. Like the commenter mentioned above, Bella's mental health after some sad events occur early in the second book -- definitely fodder for conversation there.

The beautiful thing about these books is how self-sacrificial the vampire boyfriend is. He refuses to put her in danger, refuses to leave her, orients his life around protecting her even from himself and his own desire. These books are about abstinence. This is exactly the kind of men we should be teaching our daughters to look for.

Moms, read these books and be swept away in spite of yourselves. Then give them to your girls. Look past the occult "wrapping paper" into the sweet story underneath. After all, C.S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien wrote all about witches and wizardry -- would you also keep your kids from reading about Aslan and Hobbits, these great classics of children's literature?

Brittany I agree. That was very good. The difference between Harry Potter and Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings is you can tell there is a manger difference in Good and Evil. Harry Potter does the same things that the evil ones do in the books except not only does He get away with it but,He is praised for it. In the Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings there is always the defiant distinision of good and evil. So there is a defiant difference between the stories written by C.S. Lewis and Tolikien vs. the Harry Potter and other occult books. The Bible tells us clearly NOT to call good evil and evil good. It tells us to run from sin. I was talking to a friend of mine today about this very question on these books and books like this. Many people say oh, I just read them for entertainment. I have to ask my self whatever it may be, books, music, tv, movies, magazines, clothing.... Does it bring me CLOSER to GOD? If no, then it brings me AWAY from GOD and there fore I can not bring them into my mind and my life. There is no such thing as "just for entertainment". I have friends that were apart of the occult before coming to Christ and they have told me things and I have seen things that tell me the exact opposite of the world is telling us today. I really encourage you to research the occult and their practices along with the Bible. If the Bible says something is wrong, we need to call it that. Wrong. I do have a DVD that talks about the occult. I would love to share the name of it if anyone is interested in checking it out.

Sorry I wrote that sentence wrong.

I don't take things like, "Oh it's just a book or We are good witches very lightly."

i politely (but passionately!) disagree, ruth. there are plenty of sweet stories not wrapped in the occult that are worth reading. and the chronicles of narnia are supposed to be symbolic of biblical things, i believe.

Very well said. I would love to know the name of the DVD. I try to stay educated in all of that since it is becoming so prevalent (sp?) in our society.

Melissa:Very True. I guess just since ive read them that i see no problem. but u have a very good point

im 14 and my parents wont let me read the HP books, i normally dont really tell my parents what im reading b/c they know i'm not going to read anything bad and inapropriate, but i did read the twilight series and thought they were really good, some weeks later my mom asked if i've ever read the twilight series and i said yes and she had a friend tell her they were worse than the HP books, but i didnt find anything that bad about them besides the part of being imortal and that crap, but i dont believe that stuff so...

Jesse, Just because something is not something we believe in doesn't mean it isn't true? Because some people say that God doesn't exists does that mean He doesn't? No. God is always God. Just because someone says they don't believe in the devil does that mean He doesn't exist? No, but I think that's what He wants us to believe that he isn't real and there isn't evil. Just becaue something is make believe doesn't mean that there is anything wrong with it or that there isn't. It does have to be one way or the other. Everything is good or evil. No fence sitting. The question I ask my self what is the author pertraying... Are they calling something evil good or good evil? Is it glorifing the dark world? Making it evil look like it is glamerous, fun...? If so I don't read it. The Bible says that they the Enemy loves death. So when I read a book, watch a movie, listen to music... Those are some of the questions I ask my self. I love fantasy, make believe, sci-fi.... fairy tales... But I am very picky with what I put in my mind. I use to not be but, now that I relaize that I don't want those images in my mind. I haven't read the Twilight series so I can't say that the book says this or that. But I do have a conviction on that He is a vampire and of course Vampires love death and they drink the blood which the Bible speaks againist. Sin is always fun for the moment but, the fun always dies and you are left with nothing. I've been there.

Kym,
Very well said! It was like i was reading something that i had written myself :) I have tried to explain all of that to people and they just don't get it. :(

Melissa D

kym- i also agree! i'm friending you now... i like the way you think!

Thanks Melissa and Brittany. It's nice to not be alone in your thinking. But I've learned it's better to be the alone with God standing one His word because I always have Him. I know that most people don't understand or believe in His word but, I have to remember I was once there too.

I have just read this whole thread. I've tried to read Harry Potter to see what the fuss was about and got too bored to finish the first book. I'd never heard of the Twilight books until I started seeing them pop up on so many lists on this site. I probably won't read them because I really don't care much for SF or fantasy unless it's by CS Lewis. And I get very spooked by anything with danger or suspense. I can't watch most movies. But that's just me. I'm too sensitive.

I just want to state that I have experienced first hand the power of the occult, and it is something you don't want to get mixed up with . I think my fascination with it began in high school when I read the Bridie Murphy book (not sure I spelled that right) and some books by others who were involved in the occult. But I believe that fascination was caused by something that happened when I was a child and my mother was heavily involved with a group to study things we now call occult or new age. It's too long to go into here what happened in those groups, but when I was very young and had Scarlet Fever, one of my mother's friends who was involved with that group laid hands on me for spiritual healing. I did get well, but I didn't find out about all this until many years after I'd become an adult. I think this opened the door.

In college the Lord made it very clear that I must have nothing more to do with anything near the occult, because I was too fascinated with it. So I didn't. But when I was living in an apartment shortly after I was married, the man next door wanted me to come discuss tutoring his daughter. Instead, when I went over there, he showed me this picture of an eastern man in a turban, referring to him as his spiritual teacher. He talked of channeling and astral projection, etc. I came home really stirred up and as I was telling my husband about the experience, I felt this power trying to get hold of me. We prayed in the name of Jesus, and it left. But I will tell you it wasn't fun.

I think the real problem with books about nice little witches and HP, is that they desensitize people to the occult. Just as movies, TV shows, and even commercials and some sex ed classes have stripped us of our natural modesty and made millions of people change their minds about what is OK as concerns sexual behavior, so these books that make make sorcery and the occult seem good or normal can take down the reader's guard against the occult.

I know I must not read any book that makes light of or glorifies occult practices. That may not apply to everyone. Some people who have ministries to those in bondage to the occult may have to attend meetings and read books in those areas. But God has made it clear that I'm not called to that and had better steer clear.

So in terms of what to read, if I'm in any doubt, I use the test of Philippians 4:8. What we read, we put into our minds and think about. And what we think about should be true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, gracious, and excellent. This is the test I apply to any books I sell to educators for children or teens to read. If a book I start to read begin to violate the Philippians test. I stop.

That doesn't mean I don't carry fiction. One judges the truth of fiction by its themes.

thanks so much for sharing barbara! we are so glad to have your input. :)

I've read all four books, plus Stephenie Meyer's adult categoried novel "The Host" and I have to say that other than the fourth book which contains quite a bit of blood, they are very tame. For example, other than kissing, Edward and Bella wait to be intimate until they are married, which is something that is very rare, even in Young Adult books these days.
I enjoyed them immensly. However, I do suggest that you read them before you allow your daugther to so you can have informed discussions with her about the relationships and situations that occur in the books.

Barbara,
Thank you for sharing. I was never that close to it, but i have a friend who is/was and listening to her was enough to convict me of its seriousness. You said it very well. With things like HP, people become desesitised to it all and just think it is fun and games and not real. That is all too misleading. It is actually scaring to think just how popular HP is/was to so many young minds. :(

Melissa D

Thank you for making the point that not reading these books is what works for YOU. I personally don't see anything wrong with Christians reading books like the Harry Potter or Twilight series. They're entertaining stories, and HP is clearly about the battles between good and evil -- and that good is what wins in the end. I think they're delightful stories, and I plan on sharing them with my future children.
One of the important things for us as Christians is knowing what is the truth and what isn't. As long as we read God's word and know that it is the truth, there is nothing wrong with reading books and watching movies that are secular. After all, it is God who gave these writers and actors their amazing talent! I'm sure he is all for us celebrating and supporting them (but just not putting them above Him)!

I'm 19 and i am in the process of reading the twilight series, in fact, am currently reading the last book of the series. I highly recommend discussing these books with your daughter seeing as there are some ideals she may pick up on. Some of the "bedroom" scenes are a bit racy and I have to admit that if i had a daughter i would not let my her read them if she was younger than 13. Stephenie Meyers showed some very awesome ideas about abstinence with the character Edward. Edward enforces the moral standards held by most christians which i thought was amazing! In the last book there is quite a bit of innuendo but the characters are married so it works out. These books are a very easy and exciting read and i would recommend them to anyone over the age of 12.

I think if she is strong in her faith than have her read. I'm a very strong christian and I'm going to a public school. While going to a public school i've become stronger than ever in my fatih. I would think she can I'm reading them right now, and it's more of a love stroy than anything else.

Thank you, Jade, for posting your comment. My daughter is 14 and not much of a reader. She decided to try to read Twilight since her friends are all reading and discussing it. She is hooked and wants to read the whole series. That’s fine with me – I’m two books ahead of her. I read the book first and decided she is mature enough to handle the content. She knows these are meant purely for fun and entertainment, and I am not worried about her applying anything from the books to her life. In fact, it may open some doors for discussion with her. And I know that they are not meant to be intellectually challenging. Can you recommend some other books you have enjoyed? I would love to get her hooked on another series. I am so happy to see her reading!

I have some suggestions for series books that are Christian.
If you daughter likes history and some romance she should check out the House of Winslow series by Gilbert Morris. One of my personal favorites is The Unlikely Allies. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35... The series follows the Winslow family all the way from stepping off the Mayflower to WW2.
If she enjoys mysteries. She might also enjoy the O'Malley series by Dee Henderson. there are about 7 books in this series not including the prequel which I suggest she reads first. It's entitled Danger in the Shadows.http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35...
Here are some other books she might enjoy:
>Daughter of Liberty- J.M Hochstetler http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34...
>Steal Away Home - Lois Ruby http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45...
> Soon Be Free(sequel to Steal Away Home) http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...
> Lights of the Veil - Patty Metzer http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20...
>Daughter of Silk - Linda Lee Chaiken http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29...

P.S. Nancy, I'm not much older daughter and If you want some more suggestions of books feel free to ask. :-) God Bless

I'll admit, A.L. that there were many heavy issues that Meyer faced head-on and should be applauded for. There were more, however, that creeped me out and soured me for the whole series. They get darker as you read them, like Harry Potter. Worst of all, Bella's affair with Edward is just the icing on the cake of her love affair with death. Had Mel Gibson gotten ahold of Miss Bella, she'd be kissing Satan (the dude with the maggot crawling out of his nostril in the Passion movie) in the garden of Gesthemane... Doesn't just border on pathological, but dives right in head first. Her outward dishonor to both her parents rubs me wrong too. This is not just a teenager going through a rebellious phase. Bella is outright suicidal, obsessive, numb to blood and gore, and defiant. Not written very well either. I'd be generous to give it one star out of five. Yuck! --(oh, and the movie was worse than the book)

Recommendation for more expert reviews - visit Focus on the Family's review of the books. Search for TWILIGHT at pluggedinonline.com.

I have two takes on this discussion: one is literary and one is moral.

Literarily I found the books (or book, rather, since I never read all of them) sorely lacking. It was the writing style, more than anything else, that would lead me to advise someone AGAINST letting thier smart young daughter read these books. There exists so much other better literature out there...with romance, with adventure and so on...that I think a young girl can do a lot better than this. The truth is, I didn't even finish the first book. I read it on the advice of another, and barely skimmed what I did read. Just couldn't do it.

As for the vampire issue, and whether or not its appropriate for Christians, it is quite clear that Meyer drained her vampires of all traditional "bad" vampiric elements. They only hunt animals. They play baseball together (?!?!) They act pretty chaste. They sparkle in the sun, they don't die in it. Other than being kind of laughable, Meyers' vampires are essentially immortal recovering blood-addicts with lots of brooding emotions.

So ultimately: from a literary standpoint...No. From a moral standpoint...I agree with those that say, pick it up for yourself, and find out if it's something that you feel comfortable with your daughter reading. (from what I hear, the fourth book is wholly inadvisable).

I really don't understand what's within the Twilight series. I can see a very big wall upon those books- a wall unbaptized, closed from the words of God. I observed the series on the other way around. I observed it from a distance. I typically listen to talks about the series and there's spiritual emptiness. The idea is that this group should discuss some Bigger Things than that. Twilight series might mislead this group. We should focus on how should we preach and teach the Gospel and build Gospel-accredited authors. The cost of those books would be enough to feed a pastor in China or Uganda for about a week or two. We should be aware of what we were reading as Christians.