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Reading novels with sexually explicit scenes

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  • #16
    Originally posted by Darth Executor View Post
    Manwe has scrapbooks full of clippings of these scenes. They call him The Shredder at the local library because all the art books come back like they served a tour of duty in 'nam.
    Well, how else am I going to expand my closet alter dedicated to you?

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    • #17
      I should rephrase my first reply - sexually explicit scenes that go into all the details can never serve a morally neutral purpose, IMO, but I don't have a problem, in principle, with establishing that characters had sex. People sometimes have sex, after all; but we don't need to know in what position

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      • #18
        I generally skip the sex scenes, but if most of the book is filled with unnecessary sex scenes, I get angry and just put the dang thing down. If your entertainment causes you to sin, just stop. However, there are a lot of good books that do have sex scenes in them. I think it goes down to the "If your eye causes you to sin, cut it out" principle. If you find yourself very enticed by these scenes and can't stop yourself from reading them, then it's no use. I think we shouldn't read them, because even though it's not a photo or video, the written word can have as much power as watching a sex scene on a movie.
        One option if you're still young/have someone willing, they can kind of edit the book for you. When I was a teen, my older brother let me read his scifi, but he first read it, and tried to blank out the explicit scense. Of course, if you're reading them online or on a kindle, that's not as much of a possibility.
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        • #19
          Originally posted by Manwë Súlimo View Post
          I should rephrase my first reply - sexually explicit scenes that go into all the details can never serve a morally neutral purpose, IMO, but I don't have a problem, in principle, with establishing that characters had sex. People sometimes have sex, after all; but we don't need to know in what position
          I've yet to see a story where what happened after the bedroom door closed had any impact on the plot. The details never give the critical clue, do they?

          "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose." - Jim Elliot

          "Forgiveness is the way of love." Gary Chapman

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          • #20
            I know I'm resurrecting an old thread here, but I'm open for suggestions. I read a lot of fiction, and am running out of good authors. I like suspense thrillers, good science fiction (no fantasy, demons, dragons) but I'm sick and tired of the sex and profanity. Violence, I can take, especially if it's against the terrorists.

            I recently discovered Steven James, and am quickly going through his Patrick Bowers series. The violence is graphic, but there is absolutely no profanity or sex. Not even implied. And there is a trace of Bible in it, but not preachy. Are there more authors like him?

            I just about finished off everything from David Baldacci, Patrick Lee, Jack McDevitt, Ben Coes, James S.A. Corey, Brad Taylor, Lee Child, Brad Thor. I miss Vince Flynn. Tom Clancy was good but the later authors using his name are wallowing in sex and profanity, so I gave them up. The Richaed Paul Evans/Michael Vey books are good, but too short and geared for kids. Plus the same archvillain has survived through all four books. Time for a change.

            Nelson DeMille is off my list. I deleted the second book of his I read from my Nook after halfway through it. I did the same with another author I can't remember, because halfway through it was implying that the Gospels may be fiction. I jumped to the end of the book, and sure enough its message was that a missing epistle of Peter denied the resurrection of Jesus, but that the Christian religion served its purpose buy bringing civilization through the dark ages. I tossed that one into the trash.

            Suggestions, anyone?
            When I Survey....

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            • #21
              That's why I usually just stick with children's fiction. Have you read C. S. Lewis' space trilogy or the Chronicles of Narnia? Sci-fi and children's fantasy respectively.
              If it weren't for the Resurrection of Jesus, we'd all be in DEEP TROUBLE!

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              • #22
                Originally posted by Faber View Post
                I know I'm resurrecting an old thread here, but I'm open for suggestions. I read a lot of fiction, and am running out of good authors. I like suspense thrillers, good science fiction (no fantasy, demons, dragons) but I'm sick and tired of the sex and profanity. Violence, I can take, especially if it's against the terrorists.

                I recently discovered Steven James, and am quickly going through his Patrick Bowers series. The violence is graphic, but there is absolutely no profanity or sex. Not even implied. And there is a trace of Bible in it, but not preachy. Are there more authors like him?

                I just about finished off everything from David Baldacci, Patrick Lee, Jack McDevitt, Ben Coes, James S.A. Corey, Brad Taylor, Lee Child, Brad Thor. I miss Vince Flynn. Tom Clancy was good but the later authors using his name are wallowing in sex and profanity, so I gave them up. The Richaed Paul Evans/Michael Vey books are good, but too short and geared for kids. Plus the same archvillain has survived through all four books. Time for a change.

                Nelson DeMille is off my list. I deleted the second book of his I read from my Nook after halfway through it. I did the same with another author I can't remember, because halfway through it was implying that the Gospels may be fiction. I jumped to the end of the book, and sure enough its message was that a missing epistle of Peter denied the resurrection of Jesus, but that the Christian religion served its purpose buy bringing civilization through the dark ages. I tossed that one into the trash.

                Suggestions, anyone?
                I'm actually having trouble thinking of anything, mostly because I generally read fantasy and have lately started reading horror. (I'm a fan of H.P. Lovecraft, for example.) I'll post any if I think of them, though.
                I DENOUNCE DONALD J. TRUMP AND ALL HIS IMMORAL ACTS.

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                • #23
                  For suspense/mystery try J Mark Bertrand's Roland March series. He's a Christian but the novels aren't Christian per se although there is some Christian overtones. I found that to be pretty refreshing on the Christian literature front.

                  http://www.amazon.com/Back-Murder-Ro...back+on+murder
                  We know J6 wasn’t peaceful because they didn’t set the building on fire.

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                  • #24
                    Most of what I read is non-fiction anyway. Right now lots of theology stuff but that comes with the territory of being in seminary. I also like reading about history.
                    "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

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                    • #25
                      Originally posted by Christianbookworm View Post
                      That's why I usually just stick with children's fiction. Have you read C. S. Lewis' space trilogy or the Chronicles of Narnia? Sci-fi and children's fantasy respectively.
                      I loved the Chronicles of Narnia but the theology of the last book (with Emeth being justified on the basis of his worship of another god) left a very sour taste in my mouth.
                      "I am not angered that the Moral Majority boys campaign against abortion. I am angry when the same men who say, "Save OUR children" bellow "Build more and bigger bombers." That's right! Blast the children in other nations into eternity, or limbless misery as they lay crippled from "OUR" bombers! This does not jell." - Leonard Ravenhill

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                      • #26
                        Originally posted by GioD View Post
                        As some of you know, I read pretty widely, and that includes books which are not necessarily pro-Christian and may not have Christian themes. I believe this is perfectly ethical and even important if one is well-formed in the faith, but some novels in my collection, while not being overt works of pornography, have sexually explicit scenes, and I am unsure of the ethics of reading them from a Christian standpoint. I have browsed around on other Christian sites and have basically seen 4 positions, but none of them I have seen really strongly argued for, at least among the other positions. They are:

                        1) It's fine to read the entire novel as long as you don't lust after it
                        2) It's fine to read the entire novel as long as you don't lust after it and it wasn't made with the intention of provoking lust
                        3) It's fine to read non-explicit parts of the novel, but skip the sex scenes
                        4) Skip the entire novel

                        I feel like my own position is somewhere on the spectrum of 2-3, but I am very unsure. Does anybody have some clarification on this? Note that due to my own denominational affiliation, I would especially appreciate Catholic input on this, but anybody can comment if they have something to say.
                        There are many sexual scenes portrayed in the Bible; But what you don't see is vulgar and detailed [sexual slang] explanations. Your parents have sex, but they do not come out and explain in vulgar/slang detail what took place. Since you are a prolific reader--you, better than anybody, will know what authors to avoid.
                        There are four types of giving in the Bible:

                        1. Tithe – Motivation is Obedience.

                        2. First Fruits – Motivation is Generosity.

                        3. Alms Giving – Motivation is Compassion.

                        4. Seed Giving – Motivation is Faith and Reward.

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                        • #27
                          Originally posted by Mr.Kott View Post
                          There are many sexual scenes portrayed in the Bible; But what you don't see is vulgar and detailed [sexual slang] explanations. Your parents have sex, but they do not come out and explain in vulgar/slang detail what took place. Since you are a prolific reader--you, better than anybody, will know what authors to avoid.
                          Agreed. I don't like reading anything more explicit than the Bible. Which would be more than some people think. The Old Testament isn't G-rated! And I don't like cuss words. Plus, sex scenes just don't appeal to me(I'd just skip 'em and get back to the interesting parts).
                          If it weren't for the Resurrection of Jesus, we'd all be in DEEP TROUBLE!

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                          • #28
                            Originally posted by alaskazimm View Post
                            For suspense/mystery try J Mark Bertrand's Roland March series. He's a Christian but the novels aren't Christian per se although there is some Christian overtones. I found that to be pretty refreshing on the Christian literature front.

                            http://www.amazon.com/Back-Murder-Ro...back+on+murder
                            That is a good point to bring out; which is like this one: Stryper is not a Christian band but they are Christians in a band. And I would highly recommend their new Fallen album/CD. That is... if you like the rock format.

                            I will take a look J Mark Bertrand.
                            There are four types of giving in the Bible:

                            1. Tithe – Motivation is Obedience.

                            2. First Fruits – Motivation is Generosity.

                            3. Alms Giving – Motivation is Compassion.

                            4. Seed Giving – Motivation is Faith and Reward.

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                            • #29
                              Originally posted by Mr.Kott View Post
                              I will take a look J Mark Bertrand.
                              I just put a hold on it at my local library.
                              Micah 6:8 He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

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