Another perspective on faith and romance

Posted by Teresa Medeiros on April 15, 2002 at 12:04:15:

In Reply to: An article about Robin Lee Hatcher that may surprise you posted by LLB on April 11, 2002 at 13:25:16:

I also don't think Robin should be lynched for her opinion. But my perspective on Christians writing and reading romance is entirely different. After much study and struggle with this issue, I came to the conclusion that it's never a sin for an artist to try to depict life as accurately as possible, and that includes the sexual aspects of life. (Especially if you're not doing it just to titillate, a la PLAYBOY or HUSTLER.) That would be like saying Michaelangelo's David was "dirty and sinful" just because Michaelangelo chose to sculpt the human body in all of its naked glory.

If I'm going to make my readers a part of my characters' lives, then I don't feel comfortable showing them all other aspects of that life, then slamming the bedroom door in their faces. Many people who don't read romances don't get this, but romances are actually incredibly moral books. The hero and heroine generally have a monogamous relationship that always ends in a lifelong commitment, usually marriage. I've probably become a MORE moral person by reading ad writing romance. I also don't feel like art is required to depict a perfect life. Sometimes it has a responsibility to depict life the way it really is.

We attend the local Church of Christ, which is
known to be a pretty conversative group. But we have an incredibly loving and positive church and not one person in all the years I've been
published has ever said a negative word about my books. They announce my signings in the church bulletin. People pass books over the pew for me to sign before the sermon starts. Members come to my signings. Teachers swap my books back and forth at school. And when I went to my minister's house for a potluck, there on his wife's bedside table were all of my books neatly
lined up. Boy, did that make me feel good!

I believe God gave me my talent and I believe he wants me to use it for good. When I recently received a letter from a woman who had just undergone a hysterectomy and was afraid she'd never again feel sexual desire for her husband again...until she read CHARMING THE PRINCE, it simply validated that belief. I will always respect the beliefs of fellow Christians who aren't comfortable reading or writing explicit love scenes, but even if I decide to write for the Christian market someday, I will still be proud of every book I've written. And I'll always see romances as beautiful and spiritual books that celebrate the best of what love has to offer.

Follow Ups:

Re: Another perspective on faith and romance Vivien 07:28:08 04/17/02 (2)
- Re: Another perspective on faith and romance Teresa Medeiros 08:07:09 04/17/02 (1)
  - Re: Another perspective on faith and romance Vivien 09:13:07 04/17/02 (0)
Re: Another perspective on faith and romance Mary Lynne 21:17:53 04/15/02 (2)
- Re: Another perspective on faith and romance Teresa Medeiros 07:04:21 04/16/02 (1)
  - Thank You! That's What I Was Trying To Express-I'm Not Very Good At It. (nt) Diane 101 08:57:32 04/16/02 (0)

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Comments:
: I also don't think Robin should be lynched for her opinion. But my perspective on Christians writing and reading romance is entirely different. After much study and struggle with this issue, I came to the conclusion that it's never a sin for an artist to try to depict life as accurately as possible, and that includes the sexual aspects of life. (Especially if you're not doing it just to titillate, a la PLAYBOY or HUSTLER.) That would be like saying Michaelangelo's David was "dirty and sinful" just because Michaelangelo chose to sculpt the human body in all of its naked glory. : If I'm going to make my readers a part of my characters' lives, then I don't feel comfortable showing them all other aspects of that life, then slamming the bedroom door in their faces. Many people who don't read romances don't get this, but romances are actually incredibly moral books. The hero and heroine generally have a monogamous relationship that always ends in a lifelong commitment, usually marriage. I've probably become a MORE moral person by reading ad writing romance. I also don't feel like art is required to depict a perfect life. Sometimes it has a responsibility to depict life the way it really is. : We attend the local Church of Christ, which is : known to be a pretty conversative group. But we have an incredibly loving and positive church and not one person in all the years I've been : published has ever said a negative word about my books. They announce my signings in the church bulletin. People pass books over the pew for me to sign before the sermon starts. Members come to my signings. Teachers swap my books back and forth at school. And when I went to my minister's house for a potluck, there on his wife's bedside table were all of my books neatly : lined up. Boy, did that make me feel good! : I believe God gave me my talent and I believe he wants me to use it for good. When I recently received a letter from a woman who had just undergone a hysterectomy and was afraid she'd never again feel sexual desire for her husband again...until she read CHARMING THE PRINCE, it simply validated that belief. I will always respect the beliefs of fellow Christians who aren't comfortable reading or writing explicit love scenes, but even if I decide to write for the Christian market someday, I will still be proud of every book I've written. And I'll always see romances as beautiful and spiritual books that celebrate the best of what love has to offer.