REVIEW – WHAT SHINES IN TWILIGHT, OR THE WRONG MESSAGE?

if edward was a regular guy and in the twilight story vampires/werewolves were non-existent, then maybe i could see edward’s tendencies (to watch her, sneak into her room, keep her from some friends, etc) as potentially abusive or overly controlling. however, this is a story that involves vampires – some of whom are evil and relentless in their desire to hunt and kill. the cullens also feel that the werewolves are really dangerous. looking at it from edward’s perspective he’s doing what he can to keep her safe from very present dangers. they aren’t in a “normal” situation, so the decisions they make have to reflect that.

I think the second person is wrong. I have posted on other sites why I think the position of “Edward’s abusive tendencies” is wrong. I have worked with Victims of Crime for years, and people who take this approach do a disservice to the crimes. First of all it is a fictional book. Second, a stalker and abusers are motivated by power and control. They try to claim Edward has those issues, but, any fan knows that Edwards motivation is purely Bella’s best interest. He is willing to give her up in order for her to have a better life. Abusers/stalkers do not do that. She never gives up her family or friends. All though, she really wasn’t into spending time with her school friends. With Jacob, it is kind of a opposing gangs thing. He doesn’t trust his abilities to control himself. he fears for her safety. Once he knows more about Jacob, he supports her need to see him. Overall, this person does not know what he/she is talking about.

As a Christian who has read the entire series I can say I say both points. Edward was a little controlling but it was only because he cared for her so much he couldn’t stand to be away from her. How is this an different from a normal relationship. It isn’t like he was doing anything to her while she slept, he just watched. Who hasn’t done that to a loved one or a baby. It is more common than you think. Also, when it comes to relationships a person has to be willing to sacrifice their needs to meet the others. I don’t think Bella felt like she was sacrificing anything because she loved Edward more than life itself. What we see between these characters is a bond deeper than most human married couples ever achieve in a lifetime. I see no problem with that. I was also very impressed that Edward was very strong in his will to not have sex until marriage. It made me think that maybe there are some good guys, fictional r not, let in this world.

From a Christian standpoint, I honestly balked at the idea of reading a novel about vampires. At first, it was told to me that it was a good story. The trusted friend who advised me had lent me other good books, so I figured “why not?”

The ideas, the messages I received from Twilight, upon first reading, was how much Edward loved Bella. The romance is what swept me away. I hadn’t read such a chaste (as chaste you could be between a vampire and a human) perspective. It was refreshing and exhilarating to finally find a male protagonist that didn’t have sex on his mind constantly. It related directly to the classic love affairs of a Jane Austen novel and I adored Meyer for this.

While it’s true about the spiritual points that the article brings up, I admit, I adored the columnist for weaving scripture right in with certain messages that Twilight presents: true love and morality. I could imagine chapter 13 of Corinthians being used during the wedding, too. Maybe even at Edward’s own request. They truly love each other, and while Edward has his faults (I know, *gasp*, Edward has faults?) I think that’s what makes him more human in the series. And I don’t agree with Bella’s single-minded and “impatient human hormones” in the series, I don’t degrade her. The subject of temptation is the pinnacle of their entire relationship.

I could go on more, but my absolutely favorite part of the series that struck a chord with me was Edward waiting for Bella. He may have not known exactly what he was waiting for, but he did wait for her. Eighty years for his other half. Eighty years to find this woman who would play such a large role in his world.

I agree with ‘What Shines in Twilight’
‘The Wrong Message’ sounds really exaggerated. It doesn’t even seem that way when you’re reading it.
Edward doesn’t lie, he just keeps his secret to protect people and it is clear in the book that he doesn’t want anyone to be harmed.
And when did he ever kidnap Bella?? :S
He is not abusive at all. The book is about the love between them, how is that a bad message?

The church always goes to far.
its a story about love. a love for a vampire but its still a love.
He wanted to keep her safe. he never “kidnapped her” if anything she wanted to be
abusive? thats just plain stupid. he did everything to stop her from getting into harms way!
and if anything mad her unhappy he would try his best to fix it. VERY unselfish if i do say so myself.
shes willing to leave her family her old life to be in a new family (who she already considers them as) with the man who owns her soul. he CANT! eavesdrop on Bella because she has a mind she cant hear, he’s trying to keep her safe. i dont have any idea about how in any way she deceived her father!?
well that probably enough from me.. but i do not in anyway agree with what they say about “the wrong message” but i do agree with what shines
oh and Edward wasnt saving himself for marriage he was saving himself for when Bella was a vampire because he didnt want to hurt her in anyway.
HAH

Being a very religous and constant church goer…I found nothing in this book but the the love story, the sacrafice, the joy from following whats right. As far as the stalker comment…people find what they want to find. This is a FICTIONAL!!! story about a vampire. Get over the fact that things that are done in this sotry AREN’T normal. If a normal person did them and this was a normal story then, no…that would be a littel weird…but it is not. Plus if this were a normal story Im sure they would find something else wrong about it.

I think this is a wonderful story. Amazing even. I mean, just because its a popular book and a newer book. I think it just has some people scared to they try to find in it the reason why they are scared…

Anyway. I agree with the article on a half. I can understand how they would see it the way they do, but thats why this story appeals to those who arent searching for a reason to hate something but a reason to find hope in something.

whenm pple dis i write. Edward loves bella that y he does everthing he does. when she “wasn’t allowed” to see edward it was because he wasn’t sure if it was safe or not when he was sure it was safe for her to be in la push she “was allowed” to go to la push hes just a bit overprotative thats all.

1. if this book was meant to be clean, and non sexual, Stephanie Meyer probably would have contacted a priest for an editor. but she didn’t, and most fans of this series, are into it because of edward and his sexiness and god-like appearence!!!
2. does nobody remember the part where edward said he would give it up for bella, but bella was the one who said no?!
3. edward is the last person on earth who would be creepy. never once did he bella, he never stopped her from seeing any of her friends, he didn’t want to change her at all, he did it to save her life, and bella wanted it!
3. edward didn’t even beleive in a heaven just a hell, until he met bella.
4. why is the article from christian post making it seem like the book is about to be pro-abstinence for GIRLS?! that sounds like a double standard?! id have sex with edward any day!

I saw this same kind of fear spread when the Harry Potter series came out. The religious right said that it would turn everyone into witches. For goodness sake, it’s a fiction book and I think most young girls are able to distinguish fact from fiction. This book also gives wonderful examples of friendship, family, doing the right thing even when it’s the hardest thing to do, and saving yourself until marriage. Please do not turn this into a “witchhunt”. Save us all from your unfounded fears.

I think that “The Wrong Message” makes some snap judgments about Edward that are not even true. For example, Edward never encourages Bella to deceive Charlie except for Charlie’s or Bella’s protection. It is also unfair to call Edward a “stalker” when he is merely there to protect Bella. As far as “kidnapping” goes, anyone who actually read and understood the story would know that, again, Edward is only concerned for Bella’s safety. This is a classic example of legalistic people taking loving acts out of context to serve their own agenda. Very, very sad.

I think that the second part about the wrong message is just that person’s way of trying to find something wrong with the book. You have to take the book as a whole and a fictional story. You can not pick at pieces (like sneaking in her room) without looking at the fact that he is a vampire and there are werewolves running around and not real. I do not see how Edward is abusive at all. His whole life is just trying to make sure that Bella has everything she could want. He leaves her because he thinks that is what is best for her. I think that “The Wrong Message” author is not reading the book for pleasure and is reading it for the wrong reasons, therefore not really looking at the big picture of the story.

As a Christian and as a teaccher in a Christian school, I sort of understand where both authors are coming from with their POVs. On one side you have the amazing love story and a character (and a guy no less) that wants to remain pure and wants his girl to be pure as well until they are married and joined together in every leagl way before ever getting physical with one another -something that even if people do not admit it, gives up more of oneself then just the body. This is what I want for all of my students because the act of sex is one only mature adults should even cosider – especially not children! I want my students to see models of this behavior – which are unfourtunatly few and far between.

On the other hand, I can see where things like Edward sneaking into Bella’s room, Bella going behind Charlie’s back, Edward having Alice “kidnap” Bella to keep her from La Push are disturbing images and not something I would want kids to see or think are correct behaviors.

But this was not and is not a children’s book! This is meant for teens and adults and should be judged as such.

As for Edward being “abusive” – that is nonsense. To him Bella is THE most important thing and he goes to great lengths to protect her because she has a knack for getting into situations that are dangerous. I believe he even says at one point that he goes to such great lengths to protect Bella from himself that to not protect her in the best way he can from James and Victoria would be foolish. So is he protective? Yes. Abusive? NO. Does he get upset if Bella does something he doesn’t like? OF course! He was human after all! But he does things Bella doesn’t like too! Human nature -we cant please everyone. Do we all ask things of our loved ones? OF COURSE! But following the wishes of others is love and respect – not following orders from an abuser. Bella was ALWAYS free to say NO and leave him. Always.

Okay. Done with the ranting. Back to the point. As Christians, we need to take a look at the world and decide based on our faith and what we know would please our Creator what is acceptable and pleasing to Him. There is so much out in this world that is wrong, hurtful, vile, evil – sinful things in a world full of sin. To find something that is beautiful and pure can good can be rare. We all may have different points of view on this but to me and MANY MANY others, Twilight is one of those things.

Well, I thought I was Done Commenting on this post, but I was Wrong. As everyone notices when they read this persons review, it shines a bad light on Edward. The thing is, they fail to mention WHY he’s doing such things. like “Deceiving Her Father” now I must ask what is she supposed to say to him “Hey Dad I’m in love with a vampire at school” of course not. she just doesn’t bring it up. and Edward keeping her from other “Friends” is cause those “Friends” Are some what dangerous (Even to a vampire) I just don’t see why people get so overactive in either protecting the book, or tearing it down. (Myself included) Personally, I feel that I protect it cause it’s such a wonderful book that can relate to EVERYONE. And my last point is that She doesn’t throw away her life or any such thing. And if you read all four books you would know that. It resolves every problem and it ends Morally true. I hope that as many were swayed by this “Christian Post” May also be swayed by this one.

I read all four books. They are a thinly veiled Mormon apologetic on many of their more contraversial doctrines. I just finished blogging about it, and I would love to hear if more Christian readers caught onto the true message of the books. This is not a thirst for Christ, at least on the authors part. I do think she is witnessing about her religion though. http://writetools.wordpress.com

I like the assessment made after the reviews. There is a strong family theme running through the series. I like the abstinence theme and the strong love part 'cause today people act like marriage is so disposable and being faithful is archaic. The protectiveness bella has for her family and friends. She may be selfish at times but she is also selfless (this is also true of edward). They may not always make the best choices but they are also quick to forgive each other. Being able to forgive so readily expresses the depth of their love.