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I haven’t seen and don’t plan to see Fifty Shades of Grey (well, at least not until it comes on my TV for free.99). I’m not interested because I didn’t read the book, and the chemistry (or lack thereof) I see between the two stars of the film in the previews is not getting me all hot and bothered. Just saying.

But infamous Olympian Lolo Jones doesn’t want to see it because she believes it is “harmful.” And she doesn’t want you to see it either. A devout Evangelical Christian, the hurdler and bobsledder took to Twitter yesterday to encourage people to go a different route at the movies, because “God didn’t create sex for that purpose.” Many people use sex as a way to deal with emotional pain, which isn’t necessarily a good thing, and to her, Fifty Shades of Grey encourages that.

That was pretty much all she said. But people weren’t feeling it. In fact, quite a few individuals called her everything but a child of God when her comments went viral, and felt that as a virgin, her opinions on sex aren’t valid. But the athlete is hitting back. She took to Facebook to set folks straight and stand by her original statements:

 

50 Shades of Grey. I asked my followers to ‘watch another movie’. Imagine being called the most derogatory names, like a “b_ _ _ _ ” or a “c_ _ _” just for encouraging people to not promote something that is harmful. I just wish every woman would know she is worth more than what this movie depicts. And that every man knows being a gentleman is not outdated.

Women were never created to be treated that horribly. And men were never created to treat women, or anyone for that matter, that abusively. It creates a completely false image of true love.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

If God has called me to think about “such things” as listed above, I know without the shadow of a doubt that “such things” do not include glamorizing sexual violence, violence against women, abuse of power or premarital sex. Encouraging acts like that, such as in ’50 Shades of Grey’ can only influence and manipulate what is “normal” as opposed to what is right.

Haters group 1: “Lolo is not allowed to speak about sex because she’s a Virgin. “

I’ve also never been obese but I know the sincere health risks to being overweight. There are tons of statistics on how damaging porn, premarital sex and cohabiting are prior to marriage, completely unrelated to Christianity. That doesn’t even include how damaging sexual abuse is for individuals and couples alike. I believe that my desire to remain pure is perfectly in line with God’s best for my life. I know it will aid me in escaping deeper heartache than what could take place in my relationships. I also believe it eliminates the confusion that comes with being bonded, tied to multiple men while searching for The One.

Haters group 2: “How can Lolo talk about the purity and her Twitter picture is risky.”

I guess they haven’t seen me in my Olympic uniform jumping spread eagle over hurdles.

Haters group 3: “Lolo is just doing this for the fame”

You think about the cast from 90210 and how famous they were years ago. If any of them walked into a grocery store today, people would walk right by them. Fame is fleeting. I have never asked to be famous, but I did ask God to use me.

1 Peter 1:24 “As Scriptures say, ‘People are like grass; their beauty is like a flower in the field. The grass withers and the flower fades.’”

Haters group 4: “It’s just a fiction movie it has no impact so just chill.”

The movie ‘Natural Born Killers’ inspired some of the most gruesome copycat crimes. Also, the movie ‘Scream’ encouraged teenagers to murder. Movies will always inspire its viewers. Motivation and behavior can come from endless sources of inspiration, whether it’s a movie, video game, or novel. ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’, although seemingly insignificant, can easily encourage and or inspire men, women and children to act according to the behaviors that are represented.

Matthew 6:22 “The eye is the lamp of the body, So if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!”

I just simply don’t think that is good for the soul – for anyone.

 

Despite her feelings, the film has been a huge hit at the box office. Over the four-day holiday weekend, Fifty Shades of Grey ended up bringing in $94 million, a record.

But what are your thoughts? And have you, or do you plan on seeing the film? Talk about it.

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