By Dr. Doug Beacham, Presiding Bishop
The movie Fifty Shades of Grey will be released this week in theaters across America. The story is presented as a romance, but its theme is that bondage, dominance and sadomasochism are normal and pleasurable. The Religious Alliance Against Pornography (RAAP), of which the IPHC is a long standing member, has released this statement: “The contrast between the message of Fifty Shades of Grey and God’s design for self-giving and self-sacrificing love, marriage and sexual intimacy could not be greater. The books and the movie undermine everything that we believe as members of the faith community.” (Click here for the entire RAAP statement)
RAAP suggests that Christians inform leaders and pastors of the true message of this film. It is important to not simply condemn the message of Fifty Shades of Grey, but to also celebrate our message that love and sexual intimacy is a great blessing within the bond of marriage. Please inform others of the destructive message of this movie as you highlight the beauty of God’s design for loving relationships in marriage.
Lee Grady, Executive Editor of IPHC Encourage Magazine, wrote an excellent blog article regarding Fifty Shades of Grey. He calls this movie “mainstream bondage pornography.” He says, “True love is not about pain, domination or control—but Hollywood is happy to serve big helpings of this slop if people are willing to pay for it. Please protect women. Please defend decency. Please don’t support this movie.”