I recently received the following question for Q&A Week:
As you may know many christian families are against romance novels for their children because they might get children thinking about marriage and romance to soon. However, tell me what's the difference between a romance novel and a Disney movie? Disney movies promote romance and marriage so does that mean that we're no longer allowed to let children watch classic Disney movies?
~Anonymous
Hi, anonymous! That's a really great question, and I'm glad you asked it.
Well, for one thing, I don't think the main reason that Christian families are against romance novels is because they get their children thinking about marriage in and of itself too fast(although that may be the case for some, because the fact is that some parents, even Christian ones, don't believe that marriage is very good or something their children should be preparing for), but rather because these books get their children thinking about the physical and emotional aspects of marriage and romance far too early. These books breed impurity and discontentment and thus should not be read by any Christians, let alone children. These kinds of books get a child thinking that his/her spouse will be perfect, and they make adult readers wish that their spouses were more like the characters in the book. This is just one of the reasons why it is highly dangerous for people to read these oftentimes filthy books.
With Disney movies it's a little different. There are some Disney movies that I'm heavily against, because they make witchcraft look cute, teach children things that are heavily contrary to Scripture, etc. But the ones we have in focus now are ones such as Cinderella, Snow White, Beauty and the Beast, and Sleeping Beauty. I don't tend to find anything all that wrong with these particular movies. Some may disagree with me(and if my readers are among those, I encourage you to please leave me a comment explaining why-I may be missing something ;)), but this is my own personal opinion. In fact, I think there are some very good lessons taught in the above mentioned Disney children's movies. First of all, the young ladies in each of these movies is not pining away, waiting for Prince Charming to come. Rather, she's busy about some task, whether it be serving others, learning new things, etc. This is something that many young girls today need to learn. They should be preparing for and saving themselves for their future Prince Charmings, but should not be wasting their time pining away for him. Also, marriage is praised in these movies, and is seen as a good thing. The movie Cinderella teaches us selflessness. Also, Prince Charming comes and rescues his princess. Prince Charming is seen as a strong man who is the protector of his wife-he is the one out fighting for her, protecting her from those who would desire to hurt her, etc. These are very good, Biblical teachings.
In conclusion, one of the huge differences between the romance novels and Disney movies is that in the romance novels, impurity is praised and fills every page, whereas it isn't present in the Disney movies. Romance novels teach many bad things and are worthless, whereas the specific Disney movies mention above teach many good life lessons.
Thank you again so much for your great question, Anonymous! If you ever have anymore questions, please don't hesitate to let me know-I'd be happy to answer them for you!
Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you about romance novels. Each individual parent needs to seriously evaluate what his or her child is reading and why, and what a family decides to read (and to view) for different purposes may vary from family to family.
Are we reading (or viewing) something because it is culturally resonant and relevant, something with literary or artistic merit that is not causing us to think sinful thoughts? Or are we reading or watching things for their sheer entertainment value, and allowing sin to creep in in the process?
I know fun, God-honoring families who prefer that their children not be exposed to Disney movies -frankly, I really don't think they're missing out on something pivotal. :) Each family is going to look different in this area, because they're going to have different children living in different seasons of their lives with different needs, and I'd hate to see this become a cut-and-dry, cookie cutter issue. I don't think entertainment is inherently wrong, but we always need to be on guard, even against Walt Disney. :)
Rebekah, for each family, one has to make their own decisions about what to read and what to watch. In my life, I am so thankful that if I get a Christian romance novel (which is very seldom) and I have a problem, I put it down. However, I try not to make them, classics, etc. a steady part of my reading diet. Because it can breed discontent.
ReplyDeleteWith movies, I love a lot of the Disney princesss stuff. I was one who found Enchanted cute...and found a lot of good themes. (Though the dresses were very low!) But most of Disney does have issues. Like Jasmine, people aren't missing much if they don't watch Disney, but I don't appreciate people saying that it is a sin if they DO watch Disney.
Philippians 4:8-9 is what we should use to anaylze our movies and books. Romance isn't all bad, but we must be cautious!
I guess the real question is what do you consider a romance novel?
ReplyDeletethanks you Rebekah! you really cleared a lot of things up for me! can wait until next week's question and answer.
ReplyDeleteHello! I recently found your blog and i really enjoy it! You have been such a blessing to me. I like the Q&As. I have a question about the question you just answered though. You said you don't agree with Christian romance novels. You also have said before that you love the Love Comes Softly series. Isn't that a Christian Romance novel? Or is there a difference I am missing? I also want to know if you are against authors such as Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and other classic romances. Just curious.
ReplyDeleteLuv,
Miss Kitty
You do realize that those movies you listed have "magic" in them if you are going to get nit-picky about what movies teach our children. If you don't watch some for its supposed witchcraft then you should not be watching these either for their magic.
ReplyDeleteAnd there are Christian written "romance" novels out there. I remember reading them as a child and not once did thoughts of the touchy feely side of romance ever cross my mind. There are good books out there.
But most importantly, this should be a family's decision to make and not one somebody paints with a broad brush claiming all Christians are sinning by allowing their children to read romance novels.
USA,
ReplyDeleteYes, I do realize that. I think you missed the difference. In other Disney movies, witchcraft is seen as cute, adorable and good. In these above mentioned movies, it's seen as evil, as it should be.
There are more decent romance novels out there. But the vast majority are positively worthless.
With all due respect(and I mean that!), I truly wish you wouldn't put words in my mouth that I never said or even tried to say! I didn't say that all Christian parents are sinning by allowing their children to read romance novels. There are romance books out there that are ok to read. I did not paint everything with a broad brush-it was quite clear in my post which type of romance novel I was referring to.
Thank you for your input, and may the Lord be with you this day.
Rebekah Ann
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Miss Kitty,
Hi! :) Thank you so much for your sweet comment! I'm so glad this blog has proved to be a blessing to you! I pray that it continues to be so.
I should have been more clear in what I said; I apologize! The Christian romance novels that no one should read(the ones I was referring to) are those that are filthy, impure, etc. There are others(such as the Love Comes Softly series or Jane Austen books) that are not this way. The whole entire book(in these series) do not focus around the romantic relationship, but also tell of other goings on in the family. Also, the romance is pure, is more tamed than in the other books, and does not produce as many desires and discontentments as others do. Of course, as my dear friend Ella said in her comment above, we must still be careful how often we read these, because they too(if read too much or too often) can breed discontentment in us.
Thank you so much for your great question! :)
May the Lord richly bless you,
Rebekah
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You're so welcome, anonymous! I'm happy that I was able to be of help to you! :)
USA,
ReplyDeleteYes, I do realize that. I think you missed the difference. In other Disney movies, witchcraft is seen as cute, adorable and good. In these above mentioned movies, it's seen as evil, as it should be.
There are more decent romance novels out there. But the vast majority are positively worthless.
With all due respect(and I mean that!), I truly wish you wouldn't put words in my mouth that I never said or even tried to say! I didn't say that all Christian parents are sinning by allowing their children to read romance novels. There are romance books out there that are ok to read. I did not paint everything with a broad brush-it was quite clear in my post which type of romance novel I was referring to.
Thank you for your input, and may the Lord be with you this day.
Rebekah Ann
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Miss Kitty,
Hi! :) Thank you so much for your sweet comment! I'm so glad this blog has proved to be a blessing to you! I pray that it continues to be so.
I should have been more clear in what I said; I apologize! The Christian romance novels that no one should read(the ones I was referring to) are those that are filthy, impure, etc. There are others(such as the Love Comes Softly series or Jane Austen books) that are not this way. The whole entire book(in these series) do not focus around the romantic relationship, but also tell of other goings on in the family. Also, the romance is pure, is more tamed than in the other books, and does not produce as many desires and discontentments as others do. Of course, as my dear friend Ella said in her comment above, we must still be careful how often we read these, because they too(if read too much or too often) can breed discontentment in us.
Thank you so much for your great question! :)
May the Lord richly bless you,
Rebekah
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You're so welcome, anonymous! I'm happy that I was able to be of help to you! :)
Rebekah,
ReplyDeleteI suspect that USA's concern with regards to the 'magic' in Disney films is that there is no outright mention in your post that the movies you focused on, is the magic equated with evil.
I am curious to know how if on one hand you view the magic in these films as evil, and yet on the other hand, the only way Sleeping Beauty can awaken is when she is kissed. This is still magic, as it's the antitode to the potion so to speak. Is this not a wrong thing?
Maggie,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry for the misunderstanding! I should have been more clear in my post. I apologize.
You know, with all of these questions, we could end up finding ourselves in a sticky situation. We could get to where we say this is wrong and that's not, and could end up becoming legalistic. The question you raised is a good one, however. That's something I might have to think on. However, as I said, we do have to be careful that we don't become legalistic. I would probably have to say that that movie is still far better to watch than other Disney movies, because still, witchcraft is seen as evil and something to abhor.
Thank you for your comment! :)
Rebekah Ann