When I joined LinkedIn, I joined some writers groups thinking I would learn more about the industry and make some connections. I joined both Christian and secular. There are so many posts, its impossible to have the time to read them all , or even skim all the titles consistently. I can access my e-mail on my phone, but if I try to use the link to the post on LinkedIn, sometimes it opens, sometimes it doesn’t. So most times I don’t even try, I just wait until I can get on my laptop to read them. Which makes it even harder to keep up with the groups, especially if I have had a busy week.
My e-mail was out of control, so last night I carved out time to at least glance and delete. I came across a post in the Aspiring Writers Group that caught my eye. It is entitled ‘Is sexual content always a no no?’ The title is frank enough, but what was actually interesting was why the author asked the question. A person who read his book left a review on Amazon. It was a good review, the reader liked the book. His only caveat was that the sex scenes were graphic, and, as a Christian, he didn’t care for such. The author was asking this writers group that since the book was obviously not for children, should people who take offense realize that ‘life is actually filled with some sexual activity?.’ I found that last phrase somewhat patronizing, especially since the reader was actually recommending the author’s book.
As I scrolled through the over 100 comments, many, many were negative because the reader professed Christianity. Some said it was completely inappropriate for him to identify himself as a Christian because he doesn’t represent all Christians; some implied that Christians were unbalanced and irrational, some used it as a forum to criticize Christianity as arrogant, hypocritical, and judgmental, another even said he knows a large number of Christians who read porn. What?! While Christians may struggle with sexual immorality just like everybody else , I seriously doubt this man personally knows a large number of truly devout, conservative Christians who think it is perfectly acceptable to God for His believers to engage in such appalling immoral behavior.
Its true though, that it is a challenge for an avid reader to find a good story without graphic intimate scenes. I admit it, I like Harlequin romances. They were pretty clean when I read them as a teenager. However, they became more risqué as the years went by, following the trend of our society to sacrifice decency for self-indulgence. It has been refreshing that they broadened their genres by creating series with different themes, including Love Inspired, the Christian romances. However, I have preferred Christian authors such as Dee Henderson, Terri Blackstock, and Francine Rivers as more skilled than most of the Love Inspired novels I have read, no disrespect to their authors. Which has encouraged me to try my hand at writing a Christian romance when I have completed my second work, a Single Mom’s Bible study. I’m thinking of naming it Balm for the Broken. My devotional Breadbox for the Broken is on track to be published by the end of this year. I hope my writing will inspire and entertain without compromising the standard of decency the Lord has set for us.
Romans 13:13-14 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.