Move over Harry Potter, and make room for Edward Cullen.

Cullen is the fictional vampire featured in the “Twilight Saga,” the worldwide bestselling* four-book series, a pop culture phenomenon by Stephenie Meyer. Born in 1901, Edward still looks, after a hundred years, like a 17-year-old. He also manages to get in touch with his former human self by becoming enamored with a 21st century teenage girl.

The first book of this quirky gothic romance (and the subject of the review which follows) — Twilight — successfully debuted as a major motion picture this past holiday season. The movie was so anticipated by obsessive fans (mostly young females, known as “Twihards”) that opening night parties were held all over the country. According to The Belgrade News, even a public library in tiny Manhattan, Montana, hosted such a party and offered 50 tickets to the flick.

Authoress Meyer, a homemaker and mother of three sons, says the idea for the plot came to her in a dream. She has crafted a page-turner that can be described as Romeo and Juliet on steroids: Girl meets boy. Boy is a monster. Girl is smitten. Chaos ensues.

Yet Meyer, perhaps in keeping with her Mormon faith, keeps the content tasteful (no gratuitous anything), funny, and action-packed. Despite the warnings from concerned Christians, like respected researcher Berit Kjos, it’s not a dark tale. On the other hand, it’s not a work-out for the brain or food for the soul, either.

The plot in brief: Vampire Edward is, as the kids say, a “hottie.” He also belongs to a socially-responsible coven that has chosen to, er, snack on animals, not humans, although temptation abounds. He is charming, intelligent, and noble in his determination to avoid Bella, the new girl in his class whom he’s instantly attracted to, and yet save her from peril. (The latter happens frequently as she is rather accident-prone.) Pretty Bella is bookish and shy, and, apart from weathering her parents’ divorce, has led an uneventful existence in sunny Phoenix with her mother. Then she moves during her junior year of high school to the wettest locale in the continental U.S. — Forks, Washington — to live with her police chief father. It’s also where she encounters Dracula 2.0 in the most mundane of places – the school cafeteria.

Edward’s unusually chalky and cold skin, reflexes that make a NASCAR driver look like a clutz, and the ability to “hear” other people’s thoughts make even the hormonally-charged Bella realize that there’s something weird about this well-spoken hunk.

An already complicated situation becomes more so when a trio of human hunting vampires set their sights (fangs?) on Bella. You’ll have to read the book or catch the movie to learn how it all finishes. The more pressing question for those of us who have nightmares, not over otherworldly beings but over the future of our country, is “Why.”

Why does this type of infantile, escapist entertainment enthrall so many Americans and generate so much ado (about nothing?), and serious issues, events, and people demand so little attention?

Perhaps one, or even two, clues are offered in Meyer’s book.

It’s no coincidence that a sizeable part of Twilight occurs in an educational institution and feeds into the whole “school culture” mindset — that scary parallel universe where packs of unsupervised adolescents incessantly fret about being in the right clique, while deliberately avoiding any meaningful contact with adults or doing any real learning. Newt Gingrich, of all people, rightly observed that the government school system is “subsidizing dating.”

It’s also no coincidence that Bella’s ‘nice’ parents are clueless about her angst or her whereabouts. Like many real-life contemporary gals, she drives herself to school and is largely left to fend for herself. Her father plays a minor supporting role in her day-to-day existence and offers scant guidance or protection — a scenario repeated countless times throughout our modern society.

Twilight seems to be a mirror into the soul of a substantial portion of our culture, and it’s not pretty. And if issues like national security, immigration, sound money, sovereignty, etc. are important to you, the rage surrounding this make-believe drama (and others like it) should tip you off as to why you might feel alone in your concern.

It’s tough to compete with today’s bread and circus, because, after all, there’s no business like show business.

*over 20 million copies sold

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bturner said:

	... these books are the very definition of calling evil good
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December 30, 2008
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After all, there’s no business like show business. Duh!, Lowly rated comment [Show]

RichardR369 said:

	Good Article Some people miss the point in articles like this. That Americans are so consumed by entertainment that they could care less that our country is turning Socialist or too distracted. It doesn't directly teach us about the Constitution, it talks about one of the distractions in our society so that people remain uneducated about what the Constitution actually means.
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December 31, 2008
Votes: +1

Peter Steele said:

RE: God knows us before we are born - the spirit within us, that is. God knows us before we are born and He tests us as we live. God knew my late father and made him great as he said that Karl Marx would replace Jesus Christ and God with man. I ad often warned myself not to upstage God the be as God. I respect God and fear his anger as I feel my fellow countrymen in this free nation of ours don't respect God as free moral agents. FDR and LBJ did not respect God and went on to their destructive devices on George Washington & Thomas Jefferson's country. God knew George Washington before he was born and made him the great leader that he was. God knew Captain John Morrison Birch, Douglas McArthur, and George S. Patton, Jr. as He knew me, Dad and mother who did the Lord's work. BGen Peter F. Steele, USMC [Ret]

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December 31, 2008
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Pat Henry said:

neo-paganism Well, thanks JBS for keeping me informed, however slightly, about the current passing cultural icons. This latest vampire incarnation attests two things: that people are aware of flesh-eating, blood-drinking satanists (cf. Marx & Satan by Richard Wurmbrand at Voice of the Martyrs bookstore - should be in ShopJBS, too); that there is already subtle innuendo against Christians with a spirit of discernment by portraying the evil imitation through this half-dead cafeteria idol. Discernment will be needed, indeed, in this coming year. "You will know them by their fruits," said the wisest Prophet of all.

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December 31, 2008
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weed said:

... i don't understand why jbs would air this vapid drivel, and even more puzzling, i don't understand why someone who claims to be of the morman faith would write it. was it the leading of the holy spirit; if so, where's the beef; or was it the leading of the american greenback - that temptress who has gotten us in this nasty fix in the first place? be that as it may, i must say that if jbs can't do better than critiquing pop culture, and letting us know that there are still some young athletes out there that still believe in god, i need to find a better place to spend my time.

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December 31, 2008
Votes: -5

GaryRLewis said:

'A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves' - Edward R. Murrow At first glance you may conclude this article is a waste of space, yet, as some have acknowledged this piece touches on two important areas: entertainment and school. I really think it all begins with school. We aren't teaching kids: how to ask questions, seek the truth, barely anything concerning our Constitution or the responsibility every citizen of this country has in safeguarding this very important document. As far as entertainment goes, I think a lot of it keeps us preoccupied or let's us 'escape' for a while. I don't watch TV anymore because it just began to seem rather mindless. I'll watch my sister sit in front of the TV screen with this completely blank expression on her face and who knows what's getting into her brain. In summation I'd say a lot of people fret over the insignificant things such as, cliques, the latest trend, the recent episode of Amazing Race or Survivor, while there are much more relevant and pertinent issues at stake.

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December 31, 2008
Votes: -1

Peter said:

Thanks Thanks to those who have commented that this article is a waste of space. If you don't know by now that our schools are in disarray, and parents haven't a clue about what's really important in life, than you must have just arrived from another planet. What we need is not the same old rehashing of the problems, we need creative solutions and people dedicated to implementing those solutions. Here's a solution for parents: pick up a copy of Ralph Waldo Emerson's essay titled "Self-Reliance", read it and live it. When your children are old enough to understand, sit down and read it to them, paragraph by paragraph, until they understand it. Only thru action are problems solved. We've got enough talking heads and so-called experts telling everyone what they should do, and how they should live. Find something that makes sense to you and do it. Otherwise, hush up and get out of the way.

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January 01, 2009
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RichardR369 said:

	Feedback Was this article really a waste of time? It got some us to debate and some have offered solutions to America's social problems.
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January 01, 2009
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Eagle4life0608 said:

Who ever said this, I'm talking to you. "After all, there’s no business like show business. Duh! ...yep, where else would I learn about Vampire love? From JBS.org!!!! How in the world does this have anything to do with restoring morality and defending the Constitution? I guess, Ms. Lyman fell into temptation anyway and read that book and then watched that movie and now her conscience led her to the JBS.org blog!" With my utmost respect to you who siad this I must disagree with you, for understanding one's culture is the basis to reaching out to that culture, the Twilight series as evil as you may think it is, possibly satanic in your oppion is a great insight to our culture. I guess you would think less of me as a born again Christian for reading these books myself, but I could care less, for we as Christians are called to test every thing an see if it is from God and of God. Are we not? You are so quick to attack Ms. Lyman, saying she gave into temptation, you of little understanding, how much filth have you read? What may be temptation, sin, etc, to you may not be to others, and in this case I believe you are dead wrong. Maybe before condeming others you should stand condemed for your own fualts and think more wisely of your words. Exspecially if you are saved through the blood of Christ. I expect more out of a Christian than what I've read from you, if in fact you are one, then with all due respect conduct your self in a manner befitting a believer in Christ. Ms Lyman, thank you for writing this article, I have read these books, and seen the movie myself and it is insightful and I appreciate the work you and other Birchers do regardless of what others may think. Keep up the good work. God bless you all.

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January 01, 2009
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Jack in the Box said:

I beg to differ Dear eagle4life0608: Philippians 4:8 says: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." KJV Perhaps you can justify reading and watching this garbage under the guise of "reaching out to one's culture" but the Apostle Paul, inspired of God, appears to disagree with a vengeance. Perhaps we should all start watching Maury Povich and Jerry Springer to get an even greater understanding of how sick our society really is; or maybe our time and money could be put to better use.

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January 01, 2009
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RichardR369 said:

	Social Garbage I never detested Jerry Springer until I watched it '1' time. I got so nauseated that I fight against it with a vengeance. How does one fight something that he has no knowledge of?
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January 02, 2009
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Eagle4life0608 said:

We can agree to disagree... Dear Jack in the Box. The Bible while inspired by God was written by men, and was written not to us but to the people of that time, while there are many truths of the bible that stand the test of time and the message of a saviour for all to hear. Yes you are called to think of the good things, but if you focus just on those then you ignore the bad things and therefore can't stop the bad things going on. If the John Birch Society had just focused on the good things and not the bad then they would not be here. HM??? I wonder??? You can not pick and chose what you want from the Bible, but must except all of it and learn the context and meaning behind it. 1. The back ground on what you are reading. 2. What's going on? 3. Who does this message apply too and why? 4. SPECKA, sin confessed, Promise to be kept, Example to follow, Command to obey,Knowledge aquired from this passage, and Apllication to your life. When I have time to look up the verses, that are on my mind, then I will have a Biblical discussion with you and hopfully things will not be taken out of context, as people have a habit of doing. Then again that's why our country is screwed up they way it is.

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January 02, 2009
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TwiddleDee said:

Gotta be more Neither I nor my children are plugged into the false world that is constantly pushed in front of us by the media to blind us to the Truth... But I would suspect (without needing to watch it -- if it's not from Jesus, then it must be from where, huh?) that the tentacles of this show, in an attempt to appear "harmless" ("he's a 'good' vampire!") reach much farther than what this article indicates. The first commenter is probably on the right track...

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January 02, 2009
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PatriotPreacher said:

... #1, everyone who is actually a member of the JBS should know that Robert Welch, the founder, spoke out against debate societies. Are we all going to just sit here on the blog comment threads and debate back and forth with each other instead of trying to get out and win our country back? #2, and more importantly, everyone who is a sincere Bible believing Christian ought to know that Christ's disciples taught them not to debate. It's of the devil. #3, Eagle4life0608, your comments are not correct, concerning the Scripture. The Bible makes it clear in II Timothy 3:15-17 the following: "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." - KJV The Bible never ever teaches that it is only good for application in the 1st century. It's applicable for all time. And furthermore, it's not the "message", it's the "Words." Without the Words of God, there is no salvation and by His Words you will be judged (John 12:48, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day." - KJV) #4, after all, our organization actually is named after a Baptist preacher who believed the Bible and fought against apostasy and compromise. #5, don't live principles in life based on acronyms like SPECKA or TULIP or anything else like that. Cute little acronyms diminish the truth of the Scripture and the author of such acronyms always forces their ideas into Scripture to make their acronym work.

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January 02, 2009
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PatriotPreacher said:

... #6, your comments were disrespectful to Jack and you even ended up with some lite foul language to boot. I think any discerning Christian would be able to see that you're off. #7, while it is important to know what is going on around us in our society, it is not good and never good to focus on evil or glorify it in any way. This blog post definitely glorifies it, as "...failed to get a Law Degree this past year?"'s comment eluded to. How does it benefit us, as the JBS to be immersing ourselves into such debauchery and wickedness? Often, by such blog posts we actually "lend power" to the evil itself by having such a focus. We are about to inaugurate an illegal alien as President of the United States who will be a usurper to the office! We may very well lose our US Constitution with a new con-con coming. Our economy is about to crash and the elites will win their battle. People, we have much more important things to focus on and fight for!

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January 02, 2009
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Eagle4life0608 said:

... I have many mentors, spent many hours upon hours in the word and will continue to do so. I make no apologies for any thing I have said. Nor did I mean that the Bible was out dated in any way, it is the living and breathign word of God, but written by men who were from different cultures, back grounds and different times than from what we are. Unlike them our women almost have an equal footing with us men and Imporovements still need to me made there. Or are you like Pual who culturally lived in an area where women where dominated by men and think that's the way things should be? I do not care to debate you further for it will get know where, I am not willing to back down on my beliefes and I doubt you are either. I will agree with you on one thing that we have other pressing issues to address and debate about.

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January 02, 2009
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Eagle4life0608 said:

	... plus we can agree that the other is off.
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January 02, 2009
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PatriotPreacher said:

... So, you will say that you are of Cephas and I will say I am of Paul? I quoted Scripture to you. How is one passage, given by inspiration of God, penned by the Apostle Paul any less or any greater than one penned by the Apostle John. Furthermore, I see you carefully phrasing your words in such a way as not to allow the Scripture to be of ultimate and final authority. The Bible certainly does teach that men are to be in authority and apparently you don't like this; it doesn't fit with your view. You said, "we have other pressing issues to address and debate about." That's the point, we are not to debate! Why is the JBS allowing it's site to be turned into a debate society, when ROBERT WELCH WAS FLATLY AGAINST THAT?!

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January 02, 2009
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Eagle4life0608 said:

I wonder... Sir do not but words in my mouth or pervert what I am saying and what the word of God says. You say that debating is evil, so pray tell why are you debating if not even the disciple's of Christ were not suppose to debate? did not the founding Father's debate their ideas and come together to form this Republic sir? If debating is a sin then why are you partaking in it? I'm sick of legalistic closed minded Christians, who are in essence modern day Pharise', who attack people for reading things like the twilight series, or who are against debating like your self yet are here debating with me. I smell hypocrocy in the air.

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January 03, 2009
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Eagle4life0608 said:

	... Please excuse my spelling errors. I do not compare my self to any saint or to Christ or above his word sir. Becareful where you tread, and chose your words wisely.
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January 03, 2009
Votes: -4

Eagle4life0608 said:

Further More... Further more I would like to add to my defense. It was bugging me why you said some of those things and now I can put a finger on it so here it goes. You said and I quote Patriot Preacher. " I see you carefully phrasing your words in such a way as not to allow the Scripture to be of ultimate and final authority." Clearly you did not read my message after jack in the box's comment. where I said and I qoute myself here and you can go look at the previous post. "You can not pick and chose what you want from the Bible, but must except all of it and learn the context and meaning behind it. 1. The back ground on what you are reading. 2. What's going on? 3. Who does this message apply too and why? 4. SPECKA, sin confessed, Promise to be kept, Example to follow, Command to obey,Knowledge aquired from this passage, and Apllication to your life." Specka is a simple way to get more out of you daily devotion and helps you personally dive a little deeper than just reading the word. So clearly sir I do not pick and chose like some do, what does and does not apply to my life, but thank put for trying to put words in my mouth.

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January 04, 2009
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Eagle4life0608 said:

If we are going to be completely honest then.... As far as it comes to living a life honoring Christ and following his commands in that aspect, we both can be honest with our selves and the world and say, no we are not perfect, there are days when we honestly don't try like we should to live a holy and pleasing life to God and we stummble and fall into sin, due to ignoring the word and and doing what we want. I'm not mad at you sir or any one else here, you guys are not my enemy, for my enemy is my own sinful nature and the things of this world, which satan lives in. I am a sarcastic person in nature and get that from my family also very sarcastic, I'm sorry if I sounded extremely harsh or really rude to you or any one else. Please for give me sir. I do repsect your oppions and that of others, but I can not always agree, due to my own personal convictions and beliefs with how I've been raised and all that. There is truth to debating not being the best thing, but communication is key in any thing wether a relationship, with a family memeber, family or a significant other, you have to be able to talk things out rationally and give an take where needed to find that middle ground. Hopfully I'm making sense. I wish you all a great day and may God bless you and yours.

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January 04, 2009
Votes: -3

Lyle said:

Moral Restraint It is a tragedy that public schooling promotes an environment that leads to promiscuity or that parents take little interest in the lives of the children today. But these two points only demonstrate the goodness of this book. Twilight demonstrates the capacity of the soul to do what is right, to practice moral restraint, even under the harshest of circumstances. Here is a young man who must control his appetite for the greater good. The implication is for, not against, moral restraint even when government promotes liscentiousness and parents fail in their moral responsibilities. This is a love story that emphasis true love, sacrificing ones own desires for the best of another individual. Truly explores the emotions, appetites, urges, and feelings common in a romantic relationship and the necessity of controlling all of them. Truly restraining the means justifies the end. Wait for marriage young men and women...it's worth it! I surmise the enmity for Twilight by those commenting to be the result of Meyer's Mormonism. It is too bad...they missed the whole point! It was not long ago that the JBS was cool with showbusiness. Anybody remember the favorable reviews for C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia?

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January 05, 2009
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Lyle said:

	Moral Restraint II One last thing...everyone forgets about Original Sin. One might argue that the young man who is a vampire represents the Natural Man and the Christian's responsibility to overcome by putting others before self.
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January 05, 2009
Votes: +2

Ebert said:

2 thumbs down Dear JBS: Our country has a real debt of over 50 trillion dollars. Obama promises that we will carry trillion dollar deficits for years to come. Our government is infiltrated with liars, cheats, and immoral people. Our society is infiltrated with liars, cheats, and immoral people, ala Bernie Madoff. We have given away our right to life and freedom of religion at the doorstep of the US Supreme Court. We have terrorists chomping at the bit, with most experts in terrorism predicting a devastating attack in the coming year. Meanwhile Obama appoints Leon Panetta - a man with absolutely no intelligence experience. Let me give you some advice. If you want people to respect and be drawn to your organization and website, please don't give them book and movie reviews that they can just as easily obtain at Amazon.com. If that's the best you can do in these "times that try men's souls", you might as well shut down.

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January 07, 2009
Votes: -1