Comment from Dan
Time: April 1, 2009, 6:01 am

I personally view the use of media as a source of blame is a scape goat for irresponsible individuals to try to shift the blame for not taking on difficult issues. Although media is a horrible source for non-spiritual messages, we (as Christians) must know this already. This is not something hidden (at least it should be obvious) for most parents and knowing this parents must make extra efforts and attempt to be more pro-active in handling issues like this.
In this story, I think using “Twilight” as a reason from where the child got the idea is probably very accurate, however I’m sure that using it as an excuse is not valid nor appropriate. The child must learn to take personal responsibility for his actions and I think having full consequences should be enforced to ensure this is a learning opportunity and not a “slap on the wrist” to contribute to a more significant offense later in life. Just my two cents.

Comment from Rich
Time: April 1, 2009, 7:26 am

We can’t blame the media, as much as we would like to. It is what it is . We as parents are to instill right values in our children. The Word of God is very clear on the values we are to teach. Unfortunately many of us don’t take the time to find out what the values are. The Bible is very explicit on the subject of witchcraft and sorcery, and does not distinguish between fiction or non-fiction.We are to remove ourselves from it.

Comment from Joyce Brumfield
Time: April 1, 2009, 7:40 am

I have read all the Twilight books because my daughter did. I try to find a learning lesson in whatever my daughter finds interesting. To me, Twilight is a story about love. But at what cost? Love is a powerful thing… We need to make a commitment to ourselves at any age to not sell our souls for love. Remember what our beliefs are and what Jesus has taught us. Stand up for what we belive in. It is easy to get caught up in the world just as Bella did. But if we try to stay focused on Jesus, he will help us through life’s uncertainties.

Comment from Wendy
Time: April 3, 2009, 6:00 am

I, too, think we blame the media more than we should and or use it as a cop-out for poor choices and acts of sin in general – by the parent and or by the child. Parents, mentors and other role models who are parenting from a distance, surely must expect any child to act out on something they don’t understand or find to be so desturbing.

Children will act out even when they don’t know what it is they’re disturbed by – they can’t always communicate what’s got them so upset. Parents, mentors and role models truly must stay actively involved in their childrens’ lives and know what their children are doing, who they’re seeing, what friends they’re hanging out with, etc.

Parenting in itself is a full time job, it comes with a promise that it will take a great deal of your time, effort, tears, and submission – in short – it come with many responsibilities. The good news is that it also comes with a guide-book (the Bible), and it comes with it’s own Parent, Mentor and Role Model – God and His Holy Spirit to lead guide direct and counsel. ‘Children Learn What They Live’, and ‘Garbage in – Garbage Out’ come to mind.

Often children don’t know any other way to deal with something that is suddenly thrown at them, and to make matters worse the avenues of communication in the home are often closed so children have no way of talking about their issues in a Safe Zone.

By ‘Safe Zone’ I mean, either the child is not going to get into trouble for talking about it to a parent, mentor or other role model. Or, the children know they may face correction or consequences for the poor choices they have made but they know they can safely discuss what happened with the parent, mentor or role model. AND they know that the consequences or correction they’re going to receive will be just, fair and not done in anger or retaliation for embarrassing that person they’re talking to.

Safe Zone: Trusting that when speaking to an adult about absolutely anything, the child knows they will find God’s love for His children in action.

We need to re-think, as a society and as Christians, what we consider a child ‘grown up’ enough to deal with on their own. When did our children become their own parents, and when did we turn them over to the wolves and expect them to defend themselves?