Wednesday 28 March 2012

Why I Am Not Reading / Watching the Hunger Games

*takes deep breath*

I've planned to post this for a while for several reasons...

- to dispell the myth that I am a Hunger Games hater
- to explain why I stand where I stand
- to share my opinions

If you are a Hunger Games fan and think you will be offended with what I am going to say, I do not want this to become in any way a separation in our friendship!  You may choose not to read on and that is your choice.  :)  I'm cool with that.

I try not to attack other people's books and I try to respect my friend's opinions.  However I'm getting a lot of questions about why I am not reading / "don't like" the Hunger Games, so it's only polite for me to explain.

First of all, I'm not allowed to read them.  A bunch of my friends told me it was a good series, and one said it wasn't graphic.  So I showed the book to my mom.  She did a LOT of research and decided that I shouldn't read it.  Here are her reasons:

1. It is graphic and violent.  Although violence has become part of our world as a result of sin, that doesn't mean we need to surround ourselves with it or read about it.  There's enough violence in history, if you want to read violence!  I know some people say the author portrays war as evil, but there are plenty of books that will do that for you, in a Christian and less violent manner.  A lot of people tried to justify reading Twilight because Bella doesn't have sex with Edward but there are plenty of other books that are Christian, pro-life, and support abstinence.  Also, seeing a lot of violence will de-sensitize us to violence.  That means in the future, to give you the same thrill of violence later, it will have to be worse.  It will have to be gorier.  It will have to be bloodier.  It could be a challenge to make it PG-13.

2. This is probably the weirdest point of all, but, this book / movie is VERY popular.  I'm sorry to say this, but it's the next Harry Potter or the next Twilight.  Now I know there's some of you who decided to read those books, but I did not read those books either.  Books that are immensely popular are not necessarily bad, but it's something to look out for.  Often, books that people become obsessed with, are not Christian.  Obsessions are never good, since we're supposed to have no other gods except our God.  I'm not saying that just because you like the Hunger Games that it is your idol, but it's with anything we "like", it's something to look out for.

3. Book series / movie series don't get happier.  They get darker and darker as it progresses.  There are people who tried to justify reading Twilight, but I know at least one person who is not so enamored with it anymore.  The Hunger Games movies will only get darker.  If you have any problem with the amount of violence in them now, it will only get worse.

4.  I have not read the books but have heard they do not have the redeeming ending, like Lord of the Rings.  In other words, I watch Lord of the Rings despite the violence, because it overall has good truths and good points to it...and to me, it ends beautifully (although sadly!).  I'm not saying every book should have a happy ending (Don't worry, I've watched plenty of depressing WWII movies...) but honestly, our lives can have happy endings, because instead of being punished for our sins and getting what we deserve, we are offered eternal life in heaven with Jesus.  Just a thought there, moving on...

6. You write what you read.  What I read / watch deeply influences my writing, and I don't really want my writing to become violent (I'm already having enough trouble with that as it is) or disturbing.  

7. Once images are in your mind, they won't leave!  I am disturbed enough by orcs eating orcs in Lord of the Rings.  I don't need to see more people killing other people.  

8. The worldview isn't Christian.  There are some non-Christian books that still have good points, or good morals and make them worthy to read.  But if the worldview isn't Christian, then the book series really won't help me in my spiritual life or my life in general.

I've chosen not to watch this movie or read this book.  Do any of you remember The Golden Compass?  Christians and Catholics decided to boycott the movie, because the author was definitely not attempting to promote God and was in fact doing the complete opposite (saying, "My books are all about killing God" in an interview).  Guess what?  There has been no sequel for The Golden Compass.  I lived in England at the time, and I'm not even sure if the movie came to the American theater there.  I remember hearing a lady on the news doing a short report on the movie and saying how Christians were choosing to boycott it.  Showing, or not showing our support, is a huge witness, or not a witness, to the world.  Just something to think about.

Anyway, I'm sorry if I stated everything bluntly and offended you.  I hope our friendship is stronger than a difference of opinions concerning a book / movie.  I love my friends and am not trying to hit them on the head for liking these books.  But before I go, there's just one question I'd like to ask you...

Does it pass the Philippians 4:8 test?

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

~ Klarabelle

27 comments:

  1. Hey, those are some good points! :) I read The Hunger Games {though I really didn't like it a whole lot...} and I don't believe it's wrong to read it...if you keep it all in perspective. Thanks for sharing your point of veiw! :)

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  2. I totally needed to know that I am not the only person who thinks they are not ok!! Thank you SO MUCH for standing up for what the Bible says, Kara!!

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  3. Trinka, thanks for your comment! No problem, and I love your blog! :)

    Sonya, by your comment you've encouraged me too!!! Thank you thank you! And thank YOU for standing up for what the Bible says too. :)

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  4. Just for the record, Bella and Edward had sex ON THEIR WEDDING NIGHT..there is nothing wrong with that.

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  5. Hey Girl! I haven't read the books, though I've heard many mixed feelings about them... and now I don't think I'll read them, or at least not yet (: thanks for sharing your thoughts!

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  6. Anonymous, I apologise for that error! I thought that something happened in "Breaking Dawn". I haven't heard the books but have talked to a friend who had read the series. I fixed the error, thanks for letting me know about it.

    Kiera, thanks for your commento! No problem!

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  7. Don't worry Kara, our friendship is not at stake in the least. I have gotten much worse criticism from Jessica about reading Harry Potter, which yes, I have read. I have also read three and a half of the Twilight books (I couldn't stand any more after that)And yes, I have read The Hunger Games. I would like to take this time to state my point of view. I just want to say that I am not arguing with you, or saying what you said is wrong at all. I appreciate you standing up for your beliefs. However, I have a bit of a different take on it.

    Yes. These books are violent. There is no point in denying it. The story is about kids who are sent to an arena to fight it out to the death. I completely understand that some people have a lower violence tolerance that other people, and I respect their decision not to read these books for this reason. But I would like to remind those people that believe these books should not be in print because of this reason of a very famous book called Lord of the Flies. That book is the singularly most disturbing work I have ever read. When you put that book next to the Hunger Games, it makes them look like children's books. I'm not saying that the violence is okay and everyone should read these books, I am just saying that violence is not new to literature, and it will always be out there. Whether or not you want to expose yourself to it, that is up to you and I am not criticizing your opinion. I am merely standing up for the author of these books.

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    1. Oh, I just realised there's a way to directly reply to comments! That is amazing! Anyway, hi Addie! I have heard of Lord of the Flies and my mom had to read it for school... currently one of my friends is obsessed with Lord of the Flies so I'm familiar with it! Anyway, I agree that violence is not new to literature. I'm concerned that these books are becoming such an obsession to everyone but I understand that people do have different levels of tolerance... Anyway, thanks for commenting and sharing your opinion. You are cool (all my friends are cool. But just sayin').

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    2. Well, to be fair, they are extremely well written books. Good writing is getting harder to find these days with all this Twilight trash (They are horribly written, plot line aside...) that when we stumble across a truely talented writer, it's hard not to become a bit obsessed with their books... Which is why you should publish more of yours!!! :)

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    3. Hola, Addie!
      Yes, I agree that it is hard to find well-written books. That's what got me started on the whole Hunger Games thing, since I was looking for a good book to read and I'd hearda lot about The Hunger Games, so I thought I'd check them out. My mom and I did more research though, and that article above is what we ended up with...
      That being said, we really need more good books! Aw, well thanks Addie... I'm working on it?

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  8. p.s. I write for Girl Talk :) Off My Shelf, to be exact. :)

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  9. Great post, Karebear!!! I personally do enjoy the hunger games, but I totally get what you're saying. What bothers me most about the book and movie is that kids are killing other kids. Yes, this is portrayed as evil (which it IS duh) but it still bothers me... I think I like them because they are so hooking. So, I'd have to say I'm a fan, but I don't support everything in these movies.

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    1. Also... in the movie, I thought it was disturbing that KIDS were killing other kids, but it really didn't have any more violence than Lord of the Rings...

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    2. Hi Talia!
      Thanks for your comment. Yes, I thought that was rather disturbing especially in today's society where people approve of sacrificing our children for our own selfish desires (i.e. abortion). It's just not something I want to support.
      Hmmm, well since I haven't seen it I can't compare, but I did hear the did a lot more of that popular jerky camera movements, and shooting away from the direct action, to prevent getting a different rating?

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    3. They didn't want "violence for violence's sake," the director said. So yeah, they shot away quickly, but it was still pretty bloody and the noises were as bad as seeing it LOL.

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  10. Hi Kara! Wonderfully written article! I love how you expressd your opinion, and I agree with your point of view. I read the first "Hunger Games" books, as well as the first couple "Twilight" books, so I kind of have an idea now on what they are about. :)

    I don't like loads of violence ( a little is ok, I guess ), or gore, and I don't know... I just get sad when anyone, even a fictional character dies. That's why I've chosen to stop reading them for now. I may start reading both of the series again, but probably when I'm older if I even bother to. Just because sometimes I like to see how things end, but I'm not sure I even want to know. :)

    I think that the authors of both series ( Twilight and Hunger Games ) did a great job of fictional writing, but I never, ever would want to see any child in the real world forced into anything even remotely similar to "Th Hunger Games."

    Ok, enough of my long, drawn out opinion. Awesome article!!! :)
    ~Rachel B.

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    1. Hi Rachel!

      Thanks so much for your comment!

      I know what you mean about not liking a lot of violence. :) By the way, if you want to know what happens in the series, but are hesitant or don't want to read the whole book, just check out a synopsis on the internet. :)

      Thanks for your opinion. I've heard mixed comments about Twilight but have been told the Hunger Games is very well written...which only heightens popularity. (Although I've read plenty of wonderful books that I think deserve popularity...)

      Anyway, thanks again Rachel! :)

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  11. I agree with Sonya Joy: THANK YOU for standing for the truth!
    ~Elizabeth Lindsay

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    1. Hi Elizabeth! Thank YOU for commenting and encouraging me! :)

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  12. I love Lord of the Rings! One of the reasons I love it is because we can parallel it with the Bible. Gandalf can represent Jesus in a few ways, Sauron can represent Satan. By the way, this was very well written.

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    1. Thanks Lena! :)
      Lord of the Rings is great, it's very beautiful, I especially like Gandalf's linea about the time we're given. I also adore the Chronicles of Narnia...

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  13. WOW! This was fantastic...thank you!! My parents are protective about movies, which I appreciate, but sometimes as a teen I wonder why...or what's so wrong.I wasn't even allowed to watch Starwars till last year...which is fine, but sometimes I get teased about that. I'm not allowed to watch Harry Potter or Twilight either, but I'm thankful:) Thanks!
    This REALLY helped me. REALLY, it did help me gain more respect for my parents! Feel free to post popular movie reviews frequently! SO helpful. THANK YOU!

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    1. Hey!
      Thanks sooo much for your comment. I totally smiled involuntarily as I read it. You may have no idea how happy your comment made me. I'm so glad my review helped you, that just makes my day!
      P.S. I haven't seen Star Wars yet! haha

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  14. haha, funny. I wasn't the only one:)
    Another movie review suggestion 4 you: The Help

    Have you heard about that one yet? It's pretty popular...
    Thanks for considering,
    Poparock/Lizzie

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    1. Thanks Lizzie! I have heard the name I think, but I haven't heard anything else about it.

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  15. OK - that's fine. If you ever find out lots of information, maybe jot down a few notes & your opinions on this blog?:)

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Comments make my day! :) Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I often reply, so please check back!