I am a Christian. Probably not the best one, but who is, right? I do my best to live like Christ daily. I fail. I stumble. I’m supposed to, because I’m human. Here is a hint, we all are!

In the last week I have seen several very judgmental blog posts by Christian authors. One of them talked about modesty, but most of them have commented on the movie/book Fifty Shades of Grey.  These articles are full of condemning words and a list of do’s and don’ts. First, let me say, I get it. I know where you are coming from, authors. I know what you are saying, and some of it I agree with, not only because I’m a Christian, but because I’m a person.

Here is my issue with these articles. They are so judgmental. There is a consensus among non-believers out there that Christians are judgmental, and that our faith is simply a list of things we cannot do. I have to say, from reading these posts, I agree. So, here I say, “Calm down, people!”

Fifty Shades is not a book I have read. I have friends trying to get my to read it, but I haven’t. The main reason I have not read it is that I have heard the literary quality will make me want to throw it across the room. I’ve heard this from people who thought Twilight was well written, so I’m certain it’s true. I do agree with these blog posts that this movie/book has a very non-Christian depiction of sex. I have not had any contact with it, but sure, it appears this is not a healthy relationship. I will ask you this though, what movie depicts a Christian depiction of sex? Only a handful of movies I can think of show what would be acceptable sexual behavior in keeping with the Bible, and those would probably be movies without any sex in it. 

I’ve seen these authors begging us to boycott the movie. Which, as stated previously, if we are going to boycott that one, I guess we can forget ever going to a movie again. I sure am going to miss the popcorn. However, more than asking for a protest, they are shaming the people who do go see it. I’ve read some vile things written about the “type” of people who would enjoy this movie or who have read this book. One article called these women “lustful” and “pornographic.” Sure, this plot is full of lust, and from what I understand the book would have made Harlequin novel writers blush, but again I ask, what is different from any of the other movies and books on the market.

Our job as Christians is to love. Our job as Christians is to accept. EVERYONE. Not just those people who fall in line with our beliefs. You don’t have to go to the movie. I don’t know if I will or not. What I do know is that if I chose not to, I will not be any better than any other woman in this world. It is when we Christians begin to put ourselves on this pedestal of righteousness that we lose those we are trying to reach.  Don’t judge what I wear, or what I read, or what I do. That is not your job. Your job is to love me and to be kind to me. Your job is to accept me, not to shame me, publicly or privately. We will never show them Jesus by giving them a long list of what not to do.