This article caught my eye because I have recently become aware of the Twilight series and am planning on reading them when I get a chance.
I am a 24yr-old female who loves fantasy novels, mythological stories and the such. As a Christian (and a mature adult) I believe that I am capable of seeing these types of books for what they are, fiction, social commentary, whatever. When the Harry Potter books came out I was pretty young, and there was no way my mom was going to let me read them. Well I did finally read them a few years back (in my 20s) and loved them! They are very engaging! That being said, I do believe that like Harry Potter, these books should probably be held back until a child reaches an appropriate maturity level. Again, as a Christian and an adult I feel firm enough in my beliefs that a book or series of books is not going to make me change them, but a younger child is going to have difficulty sorting things out. Just my opinion. :-)

OKay looks like theres in need of a big realitly check here.

First of all my name is Victoria and im a christian who reads twilight. Im 14. I go to one of the strictis churchs anad they see no problem with the twilight book. calling edward a stalker is very uncalled for. I mean its just a love story. when you anlize something like that your going to come up with all this stupid stuff. I mean its not like its like harry potter which i am not aloud to read. the wicth craft and things arnt in the twilight book. Its like sesemee street. People thought that Big bird was bad because you never should call someone big and that the well known cookie monster is bad because you should never call someone a monster and cookies arnt healthy. I mean if you want to find dirt you'll most likely find it but how bored can you be to sit down and find wrongs in things that arnt even bad, calling a children show wrong was just ignorant and your assumptions on this book are very wrong.

Peace
Victoria

Well, I can see that Bella thinks she doesn't have a lot of self-worth, but that is because many teenage girls feel this way, and they resort to sexual tendencies. Instead, Bella is fascinated by a kind of superhero; a man who's family is loving and caring, and will do anything for her. Is Edward overprotective? Yes, but that is his biggest flaw. All characters have great flaws within them.

However, as the series progresses, Edward does not keep Bella from exploring new relationships (both romantic and friendly), and instead encourages her to do so. He even explains in the third novel, Eclipse, that he would be all right with her choosing someone else, as long as she is happy.


I don't know. At one point, I think that yes, the Twilight series is too highly praised, but at the same time, it's too highly bashed. I love the series, but I hate the last book. I've found my happy medium. And I hope everyone else can, too. :)

Yours,
Katie

In response to Heatherbee,

True, I've never though of Edward as a stalker, but he himself knows that it's unhealthy to be around her, both for himself and for her. But, he stays anyway. It's the epitome of a bad relationship. I became almost physically ill at the beginnning of the 2nd book simply because Bella is self-destructing because Edward left. She plotted suicide.

In response to makayla777,

Yes, it's good to give your kids freedom in what they read. But not to the point where they might be badly influenced by a novel or series encouraging obssessive relationships with teenagers. Bella is still a teen. It's not healthy for her to be so completely, passionately in love with a boy when she's 16. So much so that she's willing to commit suicide when he leaves her, which he did for her own good. Adults, sure I can see them reading it since I'm one myself. But I sure wouldn't hand the series to a 13 year-old. It's a Christian's duty to protect the minds of our kids.

Carissa

I agree with Heatherbee28! Anyone who understands the context of the book will see that nothing is out of the ordinary for teenage behavior. The unique thing we are dealing with is, these are fictional characters. As a believer in Christ, I feel we should definitely train our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord, and monitor what they read-- within reason. There is such a thing as overbearing, which can turn a child further from the Truth. There is a fine line between protection and OVER-protection. I feel that these books are simple works of fiction-- not gorey, not promiscuous, just a teen romance with a twist. IF I felt there was TRULY objectionable content (that could be a potential stumbling block), I would most definitely ban it from my home's bookshelf. In this case, I was pleasantly surprised to find an entertaining read, and NOT out of bounds for it's context.

I completely disagree! True, Bella is constantly putting herself down- what high school girl hasn't felt like she isn't good enough? What high school girl hasn't had a crush on a guy she thinks is way out of her league? Edward, however, is always encouraging her and lifting her back up. He isn't fostering her insecurities in any way. Also in book 4, Bella decides to put off her transformation from human to vampire because she isn't ready yet to commit. She also ends up not throwing away her family, friends, and her identity when she does make the transformation. The article also cites that Edward is "a stalker with controlling, even abusive tendencies." Anyone who has read the books knows this is NOT accurate at all. The one time Edward is controlling (by disabling Bella's truck), he realizes his mistake, admits it and changes. That is the only instance of controlling Bella and he immediately regrets it. I encourage anyone to read these books and decide for themselves.

Sadly, I have to agree. I've read the first book and absolutely loved it at first, but the messages, especially from Bella, are disturbing and unhealthy. I dislike that she has no no feeling of self-worth outside of Edward.

Now, I'm going to mention something a few probably won't like. But here goes anyway. The relationship between Buffy and Angel in the controversial television show "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is a far healthier relationship. It reveals the strength of mind of both parties involved and they eventually part ways because they know, both of them, that it can't work and in fact, shouldn't work.

Talk about a step above Bella and Edward.

If Bella had her own personality and, frankly, her own free will, then the books would literally rock. But, and again I hate to say this series to be expected from a Mormon writer such as Stephanie Meyer. I don't see much free will exerted from the LDS women themselves. This series tragically follows that vein.

I agree the message from the 'romance' is disturbing. The fact that she is offering herself to this older man is bad enough; but the vampire "you are supernatural and superior" angle is creepy too. However, remember Romeo and Juliet? that play has the young couple doing all kinds of unhealthy plots and plans behind their parents backs.