I just read on the Passionate Ink website (an erotic romance writing organization I belong to) that one of its members got fourth place in a writing contest with her Christian Erotic entry. What are your feelings about Christian erotic romance? Can Christians enjoy sexually titilating reading material in good conscience? Why or why not? If they believe that God is the creator, then obviously God intended for sex to be pleasurable, even transcendant with someone you deeply love.
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It does seem a bit strange. As a Christian myself, I do enjoy reading a bit steamy romances – mainly Silhouette Desires. Although I’ve never read anything that might be considered erotica! I am curious, though. But I also have Christian friends who won’t read or watch anything steamy. Guess it’s just a matter of preference.
I’m not Christian so don’t feel that I can say, but hey, people are people, no matter what their religious beliefs.
Robin, yes, people are people no matter what their beliefs, but I think that many Christians define their feelings about steamy reading based on their religion. But is there any scripture that says it’s immoral?
I hope more people comment about this. I think it’s an interesting question. Thanks for chiming in, ladies!
There’s a writer here in town that used to write very steamy romance novels, then switched to Christian market. On her website, she apologizes to her new Christian fans who may be offended by her previous work. However, she doesn’t actually apologize for the work she used to do. I mean, she was always a Christian.
As a Christian, member of a national Christian writers’ organization (American Christian Fiction writers), and a published author of squeaky-clean inspirational romance, I always find this conversation interesting.
I think that many Christians dismiss erotica out of hand based on the fact that usually it’s about as far away from “Christian” as you can get. Having never read a “Christian erotica” story, I don’t know how the sensuality is portrayed, so cannot make a judgment call on it. All I know is that I, personally, choose to stay away from things that lead my mind and imagination astray—especially since I’m unmarried and choose to remain a virgin until I get married (should that ever happen).
I, too, know many, many authors who wrote “steamy” romances for the general market and then switched over to writing either sweet or inspirational romances based on personal conviction. I write inspirational romances simply because it reflects who I am as a person: a Christian who chooses to make my spirituality and beliefs a large part of my life. Have I ever read erotica? Yes. I had a critique partner in graduate school who writes erotica—and she helped me to increase the level of sexual tension in my stories which are the polar opposite of hers.
Do I think it’s wrong for Christians to read erotica? No. That’s for each individual to decide. Do I read it? Rarely. But, again, it’s a personal choice and something that I’ve decided based on the needs of my own creative and spiritual health.
Is it wrong for Christians to write stories that glorify both the carnal and the spiritual? It depends on the person and how writing in that manner affects her and why she’s doing it.
Someone asked me once if I thought a preacher hero could be sexy. I quipped “Sure. Since sex was God’s idea, a preacher should have the inside track!”
Actually there are few books in the world as frank in its discussion of sex of all kinds as the Bible. Solomon had a lot to sing about.
CS Lewis said in his SCREWTAPE LETTERS that Satan is unable to create a single pleasure. He is only able to pervert and twist the pleasure God has created in ways that will bring people harm.
I am a Christian who writes historical romance for Leisure Books. My critique partners have called my books “ribald, yet classy.” A rather fine line to walk indeed. If I find my writing is getting in the way of my relationship with God, I’ll change what I’m writing.
But for now, I stand before my Creator, a woman, a wife, a mother, a fully sexual being.
And God called it good.
I was not raised in the faith, so this is an outsiders view, but I don’t see what could be bad about any safe, sane and consensual activity shared by faithfully married people. Good sex leads to good marriages. And often reading about good sex helps good marriages stay sexy. 😉
So I definitely could imagine a sub-genre. Christian readers would want to know that what they were about to read would share those values, so a defined sub genre would make those kind of stories easy to find.
As sort of an aside, I have to say the kinkiest thing I’ve ever seen on the internet was a Christian Discipline blog. It was amazing.
Kate, what a great topic! Very provocative! And in my opinion, sex is part of a romantic relationship whether it be between two Christians or two Muslims or what have you. So, why not offer those with religious lifestyles the opportunity to go behind closed doors, too?
I am a Christian by faith, and an erotica writer by trade. My latest book, a sensual fantasy entitled The Carman Chronicles, deals with faith, prejudice, and political strength. There’s a religious undertone in the entire piece, most notably in regards to idolizing false gods, and what makes THE God almighty.
I certainly wouldn’t describe The Carman Chronicles as Christian, but I agree that good sex exists within Christian relationships.
I have been riddled with criticism from members of Christian communities, who cite my work as lustful. Lust, being one of the seven deadly sins, they rationalize, is by definition un-Christian. And they pride themselves in avoiding it at all costs.
I wonder what these people have to say about another deadly sin. Anything to say about PRIDE?
Does sex belong in Christian literature? Hmmm…. Is the Bible considered Christian? Sex is certainly prevalent there, and it’s necessary to perpetuate our species. Consensual sex, especially between monogamous couples, is a fact of life. I understand how sex would appear in books with Christian undertones.
As for the level of heat (and like the blogger above, I’ve never read this particular genre, so I’m not sure how graphic–or not–it is,) people connect to any medium through their senses. The more connected they feel, the more successful the book. If a writer chooses to involve readers through sexuality (which is something we all have,) why not?
As long as it labeled (thus, the subgenre,)in order to avoid shocking readers who expect a Kaye Dacus novel (critique partner? hand up!), and end up reading a Penny Dawn, I understand Christian erotica might have a place in the market.
Penny said: “I have been riddled with criticism from members of Christian communities, who cite my work as lustful. Lust, being one of the seven deadly sins, they rationalize, is by definition un-Christian. And they pride themselves in avoiding it at all costs.”
Which just makes me laugh—after all, these are the people who have four, five, ten, eighteen children. And you can’t tell me each of those were conceived in a non-lustful way. They must really be enjoying it, otherwise, why keep going down that path toward temptation (i.e., lust leading to sex)?
Wow. THanks everyone for commenting! I’m humbled by all this unusual activity.
Shirley, good for your friend. I don’t think she needs to apologize.
Kaye, I agree. It depends on the person. If writing steamy fiction leads a religious person/author to hop into every bed she sees, then perhaps a different genre would be better.
Amen, Emily!
Hey, Anna, it never matters how long you’re away. You’re always welcome!
Evie, leave it to you to find a Christian Discipline Blog. LOL
Lucie, perhaps because the majority of churchgoing readers wouldn’t buy the books because they see them as “lustful.”
Penny, I wasn’t raised religious, so forgive me, but it seems to me that the lust would only be a sin if it was extreme. Like, we all get hungry and overeat sometimes, but that’s not a sin. Gluttony is severe overeating, right? We feel proud when we graduate from college, but that’s not sinful, right? So, if you ask me, lust isn’t a sin unless it’s extreme, and reading steamy romance doesn’t fall into that category. But I’m biased, being a writer of erotic romance.
Right, Kaye. However, you never know. Maybe the wife was “closing her eyes and thinking of England.” 😉
Kate,
That’s EXACTLY what I was trying to say! Sexuality isn’t lust.
Great discussion…I, for one, will stay tuned.