Great post, Ray!

Jamie, thanks for the dialogue. I think we did a good job arguing both our points so I will leave it at that. I appreciate your insight and hope that others find it helpful as well. Always enjoy a good discussion.

Hi Jaime, I'm not sure if you had more to say. I think your full thought wasn't published. I know you made the assumption that people would know it is not okay to exploit others. However, I have learned the hard way that I am responsible for the words I leave out on the internet and I try not to leave room for people to make permissible for themselves things I understand God's word would not make permissible. I mentioned I learned this the hard right, right? :)

More dialogue! Great! Although, Raelene, you've made a very generalized sweeping statement. What about if you ask your child not to touch a hot stove, or run out into the street. There are many times in parenting when it is appropriate to tell your child not to do something and explain why. I believe God operates the same way. The Bible clearly states many things that we should NOT do because it leads to death (as well as a lot of things we should). I don't think this gives power to the thing that can harm them, rather shows the child the rightness behind the request when they understand why. And Jamie, based on what you stated I could then assume that you would think it would be okay to look at something like child pornography (not that you would!) since you state you can expose yourself to anything and 'truth' will prevail. Again, it's a generalized sweeping statement that I will have to disagree with. I could also argue that by reading/viewing/writing 'anything' that's when those things have power. By reading erotica novels you showing publishers there is a demand which will then increase the amount of that type of content, same with viewing pornography (of any kind)—is that your intent? I think by choosing NOT to read/write/view certain things that's when you are taking the power away from that thing. I have had no issues engaging people in dialogue about something that they have read that I have not. I can ask them about the book, why they read it, what is it about, what I can see could be appealing and why I would choose not read it without having read it or making them feel judged that they have. There are some people that feel they can read "Fifty Shades of Grey" with a clear conscience before God. That is fine. I am not one of those people, and I know of many others. Some people aren't sure if they can or can't and I hope my article and these comments (thanks guys!) will help them make their decision with confidence whatever way they choose. I do believe I hear both of your hearts. The Christian market does tend to censor things to the extreme where it ceases to feel "real". Showing real and raw situations and then showing how God can show up takes a lot of talent that few seem to have. One book that does this extremely well is "Redeeming Love" by Francine Rivers. The author manages to tell the story with scenes that have child molestation, rape and prostitution without giving you the nitty gritty but still letting you know it happened and hitting you in the gut with it.

Hi Raelene, I hear you. All your points are valid when talking to women who do not know God and know what His plan is for a healthy sexual relationship. This book does create a lot of great dialogue as you have experienced first hand. When I wrote my article it was for the church—for the people who are reading this book who know God's truths. God wants us to cast all our cares upon Him. God wants our lives to be above reproach and not cause others to stumble. It causes questions in my heart when I hear of Christians reading this book. I know for myself that I shouldn't read this book because it wouldn't help my marriage at all, it would harm it and I know a lot of women who find this true for them as well. I believe you don't have to read the book to have the dialogue with people. I have the conversations myself. And when the appropriate moments comes up in conversation I tell them I won't read the book and why. I too try to foster an atmosphere of love, acceptance and non-judgement when talking to people but I don't have to read erotic novels or watch porn in order to make other people feel they can talk to me. I hear your heart. The typical, modern church has not exactly fostered an atmosphere where people can be broken and vulnerable without receiving condemnation and I challenge the church in that area as well. God accepts people just as they are and we need to do the same. But we who profess that Jesus Christ is Lord also need to be aware that at some point God will want us to point the same broken people to Him, to tell them of His love and His desires to heal them and of His amazing Grace. Our lives should glorify Him, our conversations should glorify Him, what we read and watch should glorify Him. Loving the dialogue, Raelene! Thank you. Jordan