Fifty Shades of Porn

I picked up a copy of this morning's USA Today.  As I read the Life Section I was surprised to find three books by the same author at the top of the nation's best selling books.  The author is E. L. James and the books are part of the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy.  I had never heard the term "mommy porn" until last week and it was used in referencing this series.

I decided to do some research and came across an article by Karen Yates on www.churchleaders.com.  The article was titled Why Pastors Should Respond to 'Fifty Shades of Grey.'  She notes, "An invasion of this book and its aftermath will soon impact marriages, friendships, communities and business."  In her mind the church cannot and should not avoid this movement thinking it will blow over.

I will confess that I am not an expert when it comes to "mommy porn," or erotic literature in general for that matter, but my interest was perked.  So this afternoon while I was waiting for a prescription at my local Sam's Club, I ventured to the book section to see if the store even carried the books.  They do.  In fact they had two different titles: the original and the most recent Fifty Shades of Dark.  I must admit I felt a little uncomfortable even picking up the book.  As I scanned the back cover the words "Erotic Fiction" jumped out at me.  As I was reading the description I heard a female voice say, "excuse me."  As I turned a middle-age mom, accompanied by her teenager daughter reached for a copy.  Let's just say the look she gave me caused me to quickly move on.  It was obvious I was intruding on "feminine turf."

I guess the word that bothers me most about this fiction is erotic.  Allow me to explain.  The erotic comes from the Greek word eros.  In Greek the word eros identifies sexual, passionate love.  It's one of four words that Greeks use for the word love.  Another one of those words in agape, a sacrificial love as in the kind of love Jesus had for the sinful world.  Eros labels a passionate, sexual act, while agape describes giving up one's self for another.  Agape is a love all Christians should strive for.  Eros, on the other hand, should be confined to the marriage relationship, not displayed on supermarket shelves.

In the end I have to question what kind of example Christian mom's who read such trash are setting for their daughters.  By the way to the lady I encountered in Sam's: I am not a pervert and I am concerned about you and your daughter.