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 The stars of the movie Twilight: Breaking Dawn at the UK premier of the film.
November 18th, 2011
05:00 AM ET
My Take: 5 reasons Christians should love 'Twilight'
By Jane Wells, Special to CNN (CNN)–The books and movies of the Twilight Saga have launched a firestorm of debate as to whether the vampire-human love story represents eternal love at its finest or glorifies misogynistic and abusive relationships. I am a proud member of the first camp, seeing epic and eternal themes in the books as worthy of discussion and the violence as a part of the fictional world that tells the story. With Breaking Dawn, part 1, opening nation-wide this weekend, here is my list of the top five spiritual lessons from the first three movies in the Twilight franchise: Twilight, New Moon and Eclipse.
First, some background. Turns out, not all vampires are Bram Stoker monsters concerned only with their own impulses and appetites. Author Stephenie Meyer created the Cullen coven, respectful of human life, living off the blood of carefully culled wild animals. It is one of these “vegetarian” vampires, Edward, which the very human Bella Swan has fallen in love with. There is enough conflict in that one sentence to carry the story through four huge novels, one novella, a partial draft and eventually five movies. In the first novel and movie, Twilight, Bella moves to her father’s home in Forks, Washington from her mother’s home in Phoenix, Arizona. Soon she meets Edward Cullen, and learns that vampires are not only real, but walk daily among the residents of the small town. Her awareness of them, or previous lack thereof, does not affect the reality of their existence. In Hebrews we read that we are to entertain strangers because we might be entertaining angels. From Ephesians we also know that our battle is not against a physical foe but against “spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” An awareness of the unseen is a big piece of walking in faith. #2. Love results in, and even requires, sacrifice. In the second book and movie of the series, New Moon, Edward concludes that including Bella in his vampire world is unhealthy. He attempts to save her by breaking up and moving away. It is, he says later, the hardest thing he’s done in 100 years. Although it nearly kills him, he is willing to die if it meant she would live a normal, happy, human life. It was no less than Jesus himself who said in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this – that a man lay down his life for his friends.” #3. Humans crave divine perfection. Throughout the series, Bella notes how perfect she finds Edward in every way. The gaping hole Bella feels when Edward leaves (see #2 above) is very much like the one we spend our lives trying to fill with relationships, food, status, or any other of a million different things – but can only be filled by a relationship with God. No one captures this better than David in Psalm 42, which opens with an image of a deer searching for water – just as David’s soul desperately seeks out God. In this psalm of heartbreak, David cries out to the only perfection that can heal him. Later, in verse seven he says, “deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls, all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Our human spirits recognize and respond to the call of the Spirit of God, even if in the weak echo of nature’s beauty. #4. A drastic change of direction may be exactly what you need. In the third novel and movie, Eclipse, we learn about Jasper Cullen, Edward’s adopted brother. He was second in command of a vampire army during the American Civil war. However, after several decades of constant conflict, the violence began to weigh heavily on him and he left. Eventually he found peace with the Cullen coven. Every disciple Jesus called turned his back on one way of life to embrace another, none more drastically than Matthew who had been a tax collector. But the choice is yours, as illustrated by the rich, young man of Matthew 19. Jesus looked on him and loved him, yet he walked away from Jesus’ offer of eternal life because it hurt too much to give up his wealth. #5. You’ll only really fit in after you accept what it is God has designed you for. All of her life Bella was a misfit. In Arizona she was a pale geek. In Forks, she is the newcomer. Her mother doesn’t get her, her father is clueless. She is a square peg to everyone’s round hole – until the end of Eclipse where she realizes she’d been fighting to fit into everyone’s expectations which, although well intentioned, were far too small. “I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11. How about you? Are the expectations placed on you really right for you? Are bits of your soul and psyche rubbed raw by the assumptions you have accepted as your own? Perhaps it’s time to broaden your scope of vision. Because even your biggest dreams pale in comparison to what the God who created every good thing has dreamed up on your behalf. I can’t wait to see Breaking Dawn. If it follows the books as the previous movies have we will see one of the toughest spiritual lessons of all – when Bella learns that sometimes it is after we’ve made the right choice that things are hardest of all. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jane Wells.
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The CNN Belief Blog covers the faith angles of the day's biggest stories, from breaking news to politics to entertainment, fostering a global conversation about the role of religion and belief in readers' lives. It's edited by CNN's Daniel Burke with contributions from Eric Marrapodi and CNN's worldwide news gathering team.  |
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Editor's Note: Jane Wells is the author of 
by far, the worst article I have ever seen on the front page of this news site. shame on you CNN, shame on you. Not only is this trite redundant to the point of worthless garbage, but it is extremely offensive to christians by trying to paint us as stupid dorks who watch terrible movies like this. comparing christianity to twilight is like trying to compare an apple (christain) to fecal matter (twilight). You know what? how bout I list five reasons why christains SHOULDN'T like twilight.
1. Horrible characters that are negative and don't care about anyone but themselves:
considering that Bella apparently is surround by kids at school that adore her for some reason, the fact that she blows them off for like....no reason, and seems only obsessed with her boy toy Edward, than its pretty clear that any sensible christian wouldn't bother hang out with such a mean, selfish, loser.
2. corrupts wholesome values:
teen pregnancy? marriage before you even hit 18? getting laid by someone you hardly know with a sketchy background? all endorsed in these horrible films. Most sensible modern folk from all walks of life oppose this sort of behavior...including christians.
3. creepy serial killer behavior:
apparently Edwards spying on her, following on her, and clearly showing interest in her despite massive age and background differences is a big turn on for Bella. not so for all sensible people...including christians.
4. non-existent parents:
pretty self explanatory.
5: comparing your love for a person to a drug addiction:
a line in the first movie where edward compares his desire for bella to a herione addiction. quite repulsive to normal people, particularly to christains.
there ya go.
Wow. I was hoping for something insightful, something that could teach me why Twilight attracts so many people. This was pointless. You can twist literature and Scripture together anyway you wish. It all goes back to the monkeys and typewriters recreating the works of Shakespeare. You can always find something after the fact. Just like you can apply Scripture to literature. It's ingrained in our culture, regardless of belief.
It's fiction, just like the content of any religion.
Now, go do something meaningful with your life.
"The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of Jane Wells."
Oh, how I hope this is actually true and not just their disclaimer. PLEASE don't let anyone actually agree with this freakshow. I can see spiritual "themes" in a LOT of literature and movies, but this is NOT something that should have Christian approval added to it. Unhealthy, dysfunctional relationships are not something to see as "spiritual". Not to mention the main character is selfish and unfeeling to those who don't fit into what SHE wants in her life. Ugh, I can't even believe this woman.
omg!
@ Megatron: “Unhealthy, dysfunctional relationships are not something to see as "spiritual"
Maybe not spiritual but quite commonly christian
TR6
@ Megatron: “Unhealthy, dysfunctional relationships are not something to see as "spiritual"
Maybe not spiritual but quite commonly christian
amen, sista!
christians are not christian when it comes to marriage!
Jesus is a zombie. She forgot that.
Why is it that you athiest have to be disrespectful? Why can't you simply say, "I disagree with your beliefs" and leave it at that? Instead you have to mock what literally billions of people find sacred.[2 billion people on Earth claim to be Christian.] For not believing in God,and religion, you sure to spend a lot of time and engery thinking about and posting on these topics. You become upset when your beliefs as athiests are not respected by Christians, yet more often than not I see athiests disrespecting and mocking Christian beliefs. If didn't believe in something, I wouldn't waste my time reading about it and making fun of those who did. If you want respect, you need to start by giving it.
Because your religion is a crock, all religion i s a crock. that simple.
Who wants or needs the respect of a bunch of delusional idiots who can't face the simplest facts?
I mean really!
@Veritas, Respect is earned. Besides, jesus rose from the dead right? That's what we call zombies. The reason I and other spend so much time responding to this nonsense is because we want mankind to evolve in a positive direction and stop behaving like children who expect santa clause to give them gifts on christmas morning if they're good. By continuing to live in your fantasy world, you unconsciously participate in retarding human growth and development.
religion is for people who cannot think for themselves
religion is the tootsyroll of life that they keep licking on
Those who claim to have all the answers are the most deluded of all. You cannot possibly know whether or not a God exists. To claim there is no God is as much an act of faith as claiming there is a God. It is impossible to prove one way or the other, so any belief that there is or is not a God is merely faith. Personally, I choose to put my faith in an all knowing, all seeing, all loving creator. It makes the most sense to me, but it is still faith. You choose to put your faith in nothing, but you still are exercising faith by believing in it. I hope your nothingness brings you great comfort and provides you hope for the future. Name me one athiest charity, one athiest group that has sought to better human kind and goes out to help people. How many athiests sacrifice their lives in order to help the lives of others? We see plenty of Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, and Jewish hospitals, how many athiest hospitals are there? If you want to see the epitome of an athiest society, go to North Korea or China. If you want to see great acts of kindness and charity, chances are you will be looking at a person of faith who has done them.
North Korea has nothing to do with atheism. The cult of the Leader is simply religion in another guise.
Veritas
Those who claim to have all the answers are the most deluded of all. You cannot possibly know whether or not a God exists. To claim there is no God is as much an act of faith as claiming there is a God. It is impossible to prove one way or the other, so any belief that there is or is not a God is merely faith. Personally, I choose to put my faith in an all knowing, all seeing, all loving creator. It makes the most sense to me, but it is still faith. You choose to put your faith in nothing, but you still are exercising faith by believing in it. I hope your nothingness brings you great comfort and provides you hope for the future. Name me one athiest charity, one athiest group that has sought to better human kind and goes out to help people. How many athiests sacrifice their lives in order to help the lives of others? We see plenty of Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, and Jewish hospitals, how many athiest hospitals are there? If you want to see the epitome of an athiest society, go to North Korea or China. If you want to see great acts of kindness and charity, chances are you will be looking at a person of faith who has done them.
i know there is NO god
i know all religious people cannot think for themselves
i know religion is the biggest and most destructive killing machine in the history of man
religion blinds people to reality
religion is a scam
religion has more scam artists than any other(jim baker anyone)?
and the earth is more than 2000 years old!!!!accept that fact!
but on the flipside, i know that scientists will never discover the origin of our universe
it was pure luck that we are here
there is no edge of the universe
there is no multiple dimensions
Veritas:
Name me one athiest charity, one athiest group that has sought to better human kind and goes out to help people.
- The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation gives millions and millions...just to name one. There are many.
How many athiests sacrifice their lives in order to help the lives of others?
- There are many members of the military and police forces who are atheists.
We see plenty of Catholic, Methodist, Baptist, and Jewish hospitals, how many athiest hospitals are there?
- Every County hospital, State University hospital and loads of others are secular.
If you want to see the epitome of an athiest society, go to North Korea or China.
- What @Eat You Alive said. The Kims even have their own scriptures... with themselves as the gods.
Besides, the only "group" that *all* atheists belong to is the Human race.
All I know is that I tried to watch the first film and was bored to treats. Even all those movies with teenage angst had some fun in them (perhaps John Hughes should have been a consultant). PS – Taylor Lautner appears in what is the worst wig in cinematic history.
omg. This lady just confirmed everything I believe about religion. It's all a fantasy, and it doesn't matter if you find god in a book a vampires, in the bible, or in a face on a grilled cheese sandwich. People love a good story and will go to great lengths to support their insanity in anyway possible.
Oh sure, there are lots of things about twilight that just scream "Christianity." The inability of a young woman to smile or commit to one man, for instance. Or all those werewolves hanging around shirtless together. Not to mention vampires with superpowers - lots of that in the Bible.
Ooo, I know how to put religion in "Twilight"! Bella can pray!
Now I lay me down to sleep
I pray Edward my soul to keep
And if I die before I wake
I pray my body a vamp he'll make
(You totally know she'd be prayin' for that s###.)
There's another word for "eternal themes": trite.
This passage of scripture definetly applies here. You are trying to use the word of God to justify ungodly behavior. And it seems that you have actually convinced yourself that you have succeeded. But identifying with believes in the infallible Word of God, and using it to validate your sin is blasphemy. The Twilight series is not a spiritual lesson. Obviously you are having some guilt about this and felt the need to find a way to feel better about it. It may work in your brain but if you believe in God's word as you portray yourself to then you have failed. Just sick.
Passage Acts 20:29:
29 -31"I know that as soon as I'm gone, vicious wolves are going to show up and rip into this flock, men from your very own ranks twisting words so as to seduce disciples into following them instead of Jesus. So stay awake and keep up your guard.
Wow. If you're trying to prove you're crazier than the woman who wrote this article, then you win.
The only thing Epic about these movies is the Epic Fail for the people who go to see them 🙂
Terrible. Just terrible. I don't believe the "strangers" amongst us, i.e., angels, have ANYTHING to do with the mythical or wishful existence of vampires. This is a sacriligeous self indulgent piece of fluff writing. I was able to enjoy the series without the necessity of justifying a guilty pleasure by innacurately applying any misused Bible verses. It's nonsense like this that drive the popular and politically correct misconcemption that Christians are a bunch of uneducated robotic buffoons. Ugh.
Why do people feel compelled to create deeper meaning in entertainment? This article is completely ignorant. It is a movie. Just enjoy it and move on. The only real comparison is that both are products of an overactive imagination, bring in a silly amount of money, have a large amount of fanatical followers, and have no bearing on reality.
are you kidding me? this is a bunch of B.S.
I keep seeing all these comments about people who say they hate the movies, or "endured" it. Then why is the movie so popular? Someone must like it.
http://www.allenartemis.com/twilight
Yes – young people who haven't yet experienced enough art/entertainment to know better.
I like it. I do!
That was a bunch of B.S. The Twilight has nothing in common with Christian beliefs. What is this person smoking and taking? The Twilight movies are just that movies designed to sell books and tickets. These parallels are a joke.
II feel great pity for followers of both sets of fairytales.
You live in a demon haunted world of your own making.
You are a net drag on the sum of human progress.
Cheers!