RubySoho
Winston
Is 'Twilight' Really Mormon Propaganda?
March 16th 2009 03:28
I have heard much criticism about Twilight. Most of it I would say is founded. Shonky special effects which may have been impressive if I was only 12 years old and the year was 1972. Wooden acting from the least charasmatic and engaging lead performer I have seen since Nicole Kidman donned a prosthetic nose. An uninspiring script and a message, which, and please correct me if I am wrong, seems to be telling young girls that its okay to deny who you really are completely submit to the totally hot guy you have a crush on.
I totally agree with all of that. As a product, the film sucks. But the really interesting criticism goes further than that and centres on its origins- as a book by the young American Mormon writer Stephenie Meyer. The book's critics claim that the novel is thinly disguised Mormon propaganda, designed to make the questionable beliefs and practices of the cult/religionattractive to impressionable young teens and tweens. I have to say they might be onto something. The Mormon Church promotes abstinence and young people are encouraged to fight temptation and resist the pleasures of the flesh just as Edward Cullen and his pale faced family resist the temptation to savour the blood of humans. Is the Cullen family's abstinence from sucking the blood of vulnerable humans really a metaphor for not having sex? Does the god-like Edward Cullen, with his superhuman speed and strength really represent the man turned into god that Mormon believe is the destiny of those that follow their teachings? And just as Bella succumbs to the charms of Edward and eventually gets turned into a vampire herself so she can be with him "forever and ever and ever", is the book really encouraging young girls to submit to the men in their lives?
And even if this is the case, does any of this really matter? Can we still appreciate the books at face value and be grateful to Meyer that she got an entire generation of girls reading again? Or should we be afraid that these same girls are been discouraged from thinking for themselves? There is no doubting the Cullen Craze. My own niece has repeatedly declared that she will gladly let herself be turned into a vampire if it means she can be him. But it is doubtful that she will ever be exposed to the Mormon Church and its teachings directly. So is there really any harm done? As a rule, I loathe books and films that have an underlying religious theme. But if there are no direct references, if so many millions are reading the novels without ever seeing the connection, then is there really any harm done? Will the Twilight series turn this generation of girls into budding Mormons or simply ignite a love of reading?
Can we take Twilight at face value?
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Comment by Morgan Bell
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i can also see the cult element, as part of Edwards attractiveness is his family - dating Edward means getting accepted and included by a whole group of "family" and for a young girl in a new town it seems the ideal way to make friends
Comment by Postmodern Critic
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And yes, vampires often represent the dark, subversive side of a personality, including sexual desires which are not seen as the norm/socially acceptable.
Would be interesting to read more discussion of film from you!
Comment by RubySoho
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Does Bella's eventual transition to being part of the Cullen family of vampires mean that women should submit to the men in their lives? Is this is good message to our next generation of women? I honestly still have not made up my mind.
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Comment by Anonymous
Written produced and directed by women... the whole point (that I got) from the movie was throw everything away for some guy at a young age......
Comment by Janet Collins
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Comment by Anonymous
Twilight isn't thinly disguised propaganda for Mormonism, the Mormon religion is thinly disguised propaganda for vampires!
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Thoraiya Dyer
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So.
The argument seems pretty conclusive.
Is Twilight Mormon propoganda?
Intentionally or unintentionally - yes.
Does it really matter?
The obvious analogue is the Narnia series by CS Lewis. I loved it as a child. It didn't, however, convert me to Christianity. In fact, once I was old enough to realise Aslan was Jesus, I stopped enjoying it.
Have any studies been done on the effect of the Narnia books on the impressionable minds of youth and their subsequent religious affiliations?
It would be a difficult association to prove, with so many millions of factors to take into account.
Comment by Anonymous
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Comment by dollyrox
i also see very little connection to abstaining to blood and abstaining to sex. after all, they treat the 2 completely differently, they are separate issues.
also, on the point of edward being a god, remember that he only looks that way because you are looking at him through bellas eyes. to other humans, he is beautiful, yes, but scary. and remember that, far from just trying to submit women to men, edward regards bella with the same reverence, if not more ferocious.
finally, as a young girl who has read and loved this series since the beginning, i do not believe that it will create any more mormons. it may open people up to the idea simply by giving them more information than they would have had access to before the twilight craze, but i do not believe that it will sway anyone toward it. personally, i am an atheist, and i love books that have a light religious undertone, because i believe that it generally makes books more interesting, gives them more depth, and makes them more sincere and heartfelt, if that makes sense. i compare it to c.s. lewis chronicles of narnia, which have blatant religious themes throughout the series. when i became old enough to understand this, far from turning me from the story, made me more interested. i love reading books that make you really think about them, even after you read them, and it added a new level to the story for me to think about.
sorry this is so long winded or if it doesnt make complete sense to you, but i dont believe you should want to take it at face value, not really. i think that if you can find anything that you consider religious underlay, [weather i agree or not(: ] you should just enjoy it for the story it is, as it is. feel free to respond or ask me questions, because i know i can be a little unclear about my meaning sometimes.
Comment by Twifemme
Also, I don't think Bella is denying who she 'really is' because of love. I think the book portrays that she finds herself through Edward, realises how much more there is in the world and follows her passion.
Bella is not some weak girl who can only find herself in a man, she displays plenty of independence and agency. It's just that he is what she wants. It is also clear that Edward is far more dependent on Bella than she is on him. She seems stronger than him. In New Moon, when he leaves she is absolutely broken. However, after a few months she starts to pick herself back up, problematically sure, but she makes headway. Edward on the other hand, refuses to live without her. Moreover, when Edward does deny Bella agency, such as leaving her for her own good, we see that he is wrong to do so.
Sure, Bella needs to be saved a whole lot. But, when she finally realises her true self (as a vampire), she is the one who saves everyone. Bella is a great example of a strong, intelligent, independent woman.
It is only in the film that she seems weak.
Comment by Anonymous
There is no such thing as a prince charming. Good looking guys are jerks, less attractive guys aren't "bad", or sexy enough.
They need to stop filling young girls with these completely impossible notions of what love is supposed to be.
As Bill Mahr put it.
Women have no right to complain about men, till they start having better taste in them.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Morgan Bell
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i have found the films entertaining, they do have appeal, but i can see their flaws too
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Many of the Mormon people I know who love these books love them because they think they represent Mormon values; i.e. chastity, eternal love & marriage. (For those who don't know, Mormons believe that being married in the temple seals you to your spouse for all eternity, beyond death and resurrection.) Some Mormons don't have any qualms with young marriage (although, many don't believe it's a good idea nowadays). Most Mormons love the idea of children right off. These ideals are present in the books because she believes they are okay. I can't explain the total "devotion" Bella has for Edward or why she never explains why she loves him except for his looks. She's just shallow and he's controlling. I won't go into that...
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Well, to hell with them. They can "unthink" as they eat Kentucky Fried Chicken. People who wish to use thier minds will avoid that greasy food and engage the conversation.
Most certainly, this story is symbolic of Mormonism as well as female submission. This is not refutable, but the degree to which it is damaging is debatable.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Also, you make it sound so bad that we practice abstinence. Look at the STD rates, the teen pregnancies, and single-parent homes. Many of those issues could be avoided by abstinence.
And about your Cullen=god-like characteristics, it's a book!!! All vampires and zombies are god=like in that they have everlasting life!!
And in the King James Version of the Bible it says that in the afterlife we will receive the same "glory".
So please don't act like you know the fundamentals of my religious faith.
Comment by Anonymous
Instead of going off of wives tales and conspiracy theories about the Mormon church based off of a fictional vampire series to entertain yourselves, try picking up about religion or theology. Something that will help you to not sound so ignorant, and become educated about the things you so blindly talk shit about.
Seriously.
And the whole "cult" thing. With 14 million members worldwide, making The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the fourth largest religion in the world... HARDLY a cult.
Once again, making the majority of you here, ignorant.
Again, read a real book. Non-fictional, with actual FACTS about whatever you may feel the need to rant about in the future, so that you can stop making yourself look like idiots publicly.
Comment by Anonymous
The movies are disappointing, not because of the actors, but because of the important details they leave out. That's not Meyer's fault. However, I love the books. I'm not Mormon, and I don't think they influenced me in any way to become one.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Is it propaganda? No more than The Chronicles of Narnia by CS Lewis are Christian "propaganda".
And if you have issue with that comparison, it is not a parallel based upon the quality of writing or literary genius, but on the stupid point and question of this blog.
Propaganda? Perhaps. A persons beliefs and opinions on life naturally will come out in their writing or conversation. Is she trying to CONVERT people to her church, would be a more debatable and intelligent question or point to discuss. And the answer would be, NO. Or else the point wouldn't keep being stated that she creates an UNDERLYING message. It would be directly stated if the author was going for conversion. And would not be a FICTIONAL novel.
If you don't like the books, don't read them. If you don't like the movies, don't watch them. Period.
Comment by wtkeeney
The only thing that even comes CLOSE to LDS teaching is that sex should be reserved for marriage. But EVERY religion teaches that, even if not everyone who claims to be religious abides by the teaching.
But the books are FILLED with sexuality-- except for Edward's "resistance" to having sex with Bella before they're married, everything in the books exactly the OPPOSITE of what the Church teaches the youth. The entire series is nothing but a bunch of teenage horniness-- couched in a story about vampires. And despite the fact that Stephanie Meyer is Mormon herself, a significant portion of the church believe her books to be poisonous trash, especially since it tantilizes sexual feelings among the youth. Bella is constantly begging for sex and constantly talks down and disparages marriage, the books make the "dangerous boys" the ones that are "hot" and desireable. All through the books it's "how hot and bothered can they get before Edward loses control and might accidently kill her". When she and Edward finally do have sex- it's violent, she's bruised and battered and he's breaking headboards and she's begging him to do it again. Of course, Ms. Meyers never goes into "detail" describing the sex act, but she gets as close as she can including where they are, what they are wearing, how long it went on, the positions they end up in, describing how certain motions of their bodies will stimulate sexual desire, and how they felt during the process. All of this is about as close to "soft porn" as you can get by LDS church standards. READING that kind of material stirs up sexual feelings and desires-- everything the church is trying to tell the kids to AVOID.
This is from the pamphlet called "For The Strength of Youth" which is emphasized over and over again to the youth and which standards apply to adults as well (except of course, allowing for and encouraging intimacy between married adults)
From the section about media and entertainment:
"Whatever you read, listen to, or look at has an effect
on you.... While much entertainment is good, some of it can
lead you away from righteous living. Offensive material
is often found in web sites, concerts, movies, music,
videocassettes, DVDs, books, magazines, pictures, and
other media. Satan uses such entertainment to deceive
you by making what is wrong and evil look normal and
exciting. ....Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment
that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any
way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way
presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable."
Nearly EVERYTHING about the Twilight Series is in direct contrast to what the Church teaches. Believe me-- the books and movies are in NO WAY Mormon propaganda. It's filth by Church standards and is suppose to be avoided.
Comment by Anonymous
Wow, that is some deep shit.
"Instead of going off of wives tales and conspiracy theories about the Mormon church based off of a fictional vampire series to entertain yourselves, try picking up about religion or theology. Something that will help you to not sound so ignorant, and become educated about the things you so blindly talk shit about."
Again, someone tries to prevent discussion by labeling the discussion a conspiracy theory. I suppose there is no stopping that tactic, but it is old and tiresome.
It is your assumption that people here "so blindly talk shit about" religion when you do not know the backgrounds of those posting. Rather than recommending people here to "try picking up about religion or theology," which will do nothing, why not post something meaningful to add to the discourse? Truly, you have a better suggestion than to "pick up [the] religion" included in the criticism? I doubt anyone critical of it and the story want to "pick it up"--that would be an ignorant thing to do, assuming individuals know about it already.
"Seriously."
Yeah, seriously. What do you mean by that anyway? You advocate what can only be assumed to be a need for clarity, yet you use fragments to speak for you. It should be no surprise, then, if you do not understand why people do not understand your message.
"And the whole "cult" thing. With 14 million members worldwide, making The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints the fourth largest religion in the world... HARDLY a cult."
According to dictionary.com, the general definition of "cult" is something like this: "a group having a sacred ideology and a set of rites centering around their sacred symbols." That has nothing to do numbers such as "14 million members worldwide" or being "the fourth largest religion in the world." A cult is a cult, no matter the size. Indeed, ignorance is bliss.
"Once again, making the majority of you here, ignorant."
You have actually highlighted your ignorance, dear fellow.
"Again, read a real book."
If you are not interested in the book, why waste your time and post here? Ignorance must really be bliss.
"Non-fictional, with actual FACTS about whatever you may feel the need to rant about in the future, so that you can stop making yourself look like idiots publicly."
Clearly, your motivation in your own "need to rant" is in a poor defense of your religion. Your motivations are all too clear.
The only one ranting is you, who has not even addressed the book or the film. Thus, the one who "looks like an idiot publicly" is you, so try taking your own advice. Indeed, one can conclude that your need to defend the religion in question has made you, in at least several ways, ignorant.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
Oh, come on--don't act like "the fundamentals of [your] religious faith" are in any way difficult to understand. What you are really saying is "don't assume to recognize the way I see and believe my religious tenets." Well, even that is predictable.
Stay focused on the critique of the book and/or film.
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Anonymous
The author is LDS, like others have said what is truth to her will resonate in anything she writes. I don't see anyone complaining about Tolkien or C.S. Lewis. While the former denies any intentional connection the series is filled with Christian comparisons. Their are plenty of sites you can google to review the arguments, but Gandalf overcoming death etc etc so obvious. I agree Lewis and Tolkien are in a different league then Meyers but also the most familiar to anyone reading. Plenty of books push what the writer believes, would the publisher of this article complain about the thousands of Fantasy books filled with Gay, Lesbian, and pre-martial sex? Are they trying to "convert" me to living and believing certain ways? Or are they just putting in their worlds what exists at the core of theirs? I say the latter. Both sides have a right to write whatever they want, you have the right to read or not. Freedom of Speech is not just for those with more liberal life views, it is for both sides, and I would defend both just as passionately regardless of which I obviously agree with.
Parents should be reviewing what their young teens are reading and watching, if they disagree then don't let them until they are older and less impressionable. Bottom line. Anyone who thinks LDS members sit around plotting ways to make their beliefs seem more mainstream to the public don't really know us, we believe what we do and we believe that anyone who is open and prays about it will figure out if it is true or not. That is the very core of sharing our beliefs. We believe that like the Atonement it is a personal relationship that will "Convert" others, not subliminal messages.