Posted by editors
Mar 18, 2012
‘The Hunger Games’: A Christian’s response
Anticipation of the potential blockbuster movie release of “The Hunger Games” has sparked much debate on moral code and ethics. How should Christians respond to the trilogy?
By April Allbritton
Suzanne Collins got the idea to write “The Hunger Games” while surfing TV channels. On one channel was a teen reality show where participants competing for a vain prize. On the next was a group of young people fighting in an actual war. The lines between the two pictures began to blur, and she developed the trilogy that is now a worldwide phenomenon.
So, what is all the hype about? The books take place in a futuristic dystopian world. Panem, in what used to be North America, is divided into 12 districts which are under control of the Capitol. Every year, each district is required to send two teenagers – one girl and one boy – to the Capitol to participate in the annual Hunger Games. In the Games, participants fight to the death, and the events are nationally televised throughout all of Panem. It is one way the Capitol maintains control over the people.
The people in the districts live in an oppressed poverty; not because of the country’s lack of resources, but because the Capitol wants to remain all-powerful. There are some strong similarities in the Hunger Games with many Third World countries today. Look at the recent hype of KONY 2012 and the forcing of children to go to war: unimaginable horrors happen in our world every day while we’re concentrated on who is going to win American Idol.
That is why Collins wrote these books. She grew up with the reality of war as her father fought in Vietnam, and she began to fear that today’s society is getting desensitized to images of war. In an interview for the School Library Journal, Collins said, “If there’s a real-life tragedy unfolding [on TV], you should not be thinking of yourself as an audience member. Because those are real people on the screen, and they’re not going away when the commercials start to roll.”
Yet Collins has received much criticism from Christians and parents about the intense violence in these young adult books. In discussion boards online, some wrote that the characters in the books who find entertainment in the Games are no worse than those who read these books. After all, if we are entertained by books about children killing each other, what’s the difference? Many parents were outraged that their children wanted to read them.
One mom wrote, “Allowing a child to feed on something like this is just downright irresponsible! Parents don’t think for a moment that you will draw your child closer to Christ when they have been enveloped by the madness of books like this.”
Douglas Wilson, an editor of a religious and philosophical journal, wrote that “The Hunger Games” promotes nothing more than situation ethics. He believes the books are unsettling because the characters are put in a situation where they are forced to sin. He asked if they were about a different sin, such as the Rape Games, would there be as much love for the books?
On the other side of the spectrum, many Christians are embracing the trilogy. Some church leaders are developing Bible studies to correspond with the novels. Pastors from North Carolina, Rev. Andy Langford and his daughter Rev. Ann Duncan, created “The Gospel According to ‘The Hunger Games’ Trilogy.” Langford told the “Christian Post,” “Sacrificial love is the most obvious theme throughout all three books, many of the characters have biblical parallels, which seem so obvious to us but most people missed.” Many other Christian reviews say they are a great way to initiate discussions with kids about violence, oppression and their solution in Christ.
I have personally read all three books in the trilogy and have pre-purchased my ticket to the midnight release of “The Hunger Games” in IMAX. You could say I’m a fan.
Until researching the books online, I was unaware of any Christian opposition. I am appalled at some of the statements Christians have made against The Hunger Games, many of whom have not even read the trilogy. Yes, these books are violent, but they are mild in detail and are incredibly well written. Collins did a great job conveying violence without crossing the threshold into descriptive gore.
Panem is a godless society and the entire time I was reading the books, I was so grateful for the presence of God. I believe any society without Christ could easily turn into that type of violence. Quite frankly, we’re already heading there.
After reading “The Hunger Games,” I realized I had drawn closer to God. It gave me a deeper appreciation for the freedom I have in Christ. It also gave me a burning passion for souls.
There are children being forced into warfare and sex trafficking right now all over the world. There are parents desperately searching for their children, or mourning over their capture while some American parents worry that their child will not be able to handle a toned-down fictional version of war.
Ignorance isn’t always bliss; sometimes, it’s just selfish.
There are also a number of positive elements in “The Hunger Games.” The main character sacrifices herself for her sister. Many characters realize the importance of love and respond sacrificially. Isn’t that what the Gospel is based on? Without giving away any spoilers, the citizens finally realize they can fight for their rights and many are persecuted for it.
Remember the book of Acts and how Christians were martyred for standing up for the truth found only in Jesus Christ? “The Hunger Games” go much deeper than a mere excuse for violence; they are eye-opening.
The reality is that we live in a sick world. Christians are persecuted and martyred still today. Lost souls are passing on into an eternal damnation nearly every moment; that is the real tragedy. Why are some Christians more concerned with picketing the next blockbuster than spreading the love of Christ to a dying world?
Yes, the setting of “The Hunger Games” is depressing, violent and hopeless, but so is the world we live in. Don’t we know a Christ who came to save us all from such a world? We have the answer; we should spread it just as Christ calls us to do.
If you haven’t read “The Hunger Games” yet, I recommend it. If anything, it is a conversation starter and can open the door to talk about the need for God. If you would rather just watch the movie, the national release is Friday, March 23, 2012.
Awesome article!! Very true in every aspect.
This is article a terrible justification for using a violent movie to teach kids about real world issues.
“There are children being forced into warfare and sex trafficking
right now all over the world. There are parents desperately searching
for their children, or mourning over their capture while some American
parents worry that their child will not be able to handle a toned-down
fictional version of war.
Ignorance isn’t always bliss; sometimes, it’s just selfish.”
I am a Christian and neither I nor my 15 yr old daughter will be seeing the movie or reading the books. This is not ignorance nor selfish it’s realizing that I will not allow mainstream media to “educate” my family. It seems most parents believe in the system of letting mainstream media educate their families. When learning about the REAL horrors of this world (child warfare, sex trafficking, etc) we will consult real FACTS and the real world NOT an author or directors version being influenced by sponsors.
All too often books and movies keep our society detached from what is really happening in our world because it’s excused as “oh, it’s just fiction”, or “oh, it’s just a book/movie” Dismissing it as fiction is the way most teenagers, who this series is geared towards, look at it and the majority of parents/guardians will do very little, if anything at all, to use it as an education tool for what is going on in the real world. Pay your $7.50 for a movie ticket, buy your popcorn and watch others being murdered on the big screen.
Don’t you see, it’s the MEDIA that desensitizes us to what is happening in the real world?!?! Maybe if we stopped being numbed to violence and immoral living in the media we would more readily recognize it and do something about it in real life.
Tell us how you really feel. You cannot accurately dismiss books you haven’t read or a movie you haven’t seen. There is so much more to this story than violence. As a parent, you watch it with your child and have discussion after instead if shielding them of something that they could ultimately resent. Read it for yourself first before you make a decision; for yourself and for your child.
How was it that we were able to teach our children to be caring people before such books and movies ever came about? There has always been enough violence that children hear of or see. We don’t need to actually have to make them read about it for them to understand it is horrible. Psalms 19:14 Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Phillipians 4:8 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.
I highly recommend hiding from media. It’s not like it’s at all prevalent or domineering in any way and staying in Christian bubbles must absolutely be the way to combat this overpowering entity. It’s a good thing there’s no violence, sex, or any other offensive thing in the Bible. Not the one I read any ways. Good call. shelter yourself. Shelter your child. That way neither of you can possibly be affected by that dirty “Secular” world. You know, the one that Jesus died for.
Is it really necessary to mock someone who holds different views from you?Aren’t your opinions able to stand on their own?
Mavgirl41 & FrodoBaggins, When you are a parent you learn that there are certain things that have no place in your family’s life. For my family, this book and upcoming movie are one of those things. This is not called sheltering it’s called knowing your values and using the judgement God gave you based on what he wants for us. My opinion is as I stated. I don’t need to read this book or watch the upcoming movie to have an informed decision on how my family learns about and interacts with the issues of our world.
And, most certainly I am not hiding from media, but there is no way that I will let it decide and dictate how my family learns about and the very serious issues in our world. Doesn’t it ever anger you that our society sometimes makes “entertainment” out of very real issues?
My child is not sheltered, as you so sarcastically stated (I’m not sure why you are being condescending and nasty Frodo. Why are you so defensive?) When you become a parent (pardon me if you already are) and have the challenge of raising your child in this sexually immoral, vanity filled, and violence saturated world I am sure you too will exercise your judgment about what is right and wrong for your family. Thank you both for this great opportunity to talk about such things
Amen. How many parents are really going to talk to their kids about this? Are really going to take the time to use it as “a conversation starter”? We are desensitized today–there’s a word for it– “infotainment.” Despite all the articles and opinions to the contrary, in the end, I think many will treat or dismiss this as one more entertaining movie they saw this year. Should we really just dismiss or gloss over the violence in this movie and many others saying “it’s justified,” or “it’s toned down,” or “it’s acceptable since that’s the theme of the movie,” in other words, the violence is not _gratuitous_. Finally, just because the trend in teen lit these days is “dystopian” and dark and hopeless doesn’t mean everyone has to jump on the bandwagon.
How do you then justify the sex and violence, the incest, and other content in the Bible?
How does watching or reading the Hunger Games letting the media dictate how you learn about the very serious issues in our world? Would you keep your child from reading the Bible because of the violence in it? Did you refrain from watching the Passion of the Christ because of its gory scenes?
If your argument is based on “Its wrong because its violent” then your argument is flawed from a biblical stand point.
I read the books and found myself drawing closer to God because I was so thankful for His presence and the hope He brings to a lost and dying world. Christians need to be educated in this world so we can reach the lost. Merely pointing the finger will usually not bring that person to Christ- Especially picketing something so mild as The Hunger Games.
If we can relate and come from a point of love, then the door can be open for Christ to enter in.
I believe it IS sheltering. I heard a couple of my friends discussing this just a few days ago. There is a line between keeping them from something terrible and sheltering and not letting them watch the movie or even read the books is, in my eyes, sheltering. They are undoubtably going to experience things like this eventually, so I think it’s actually to let them experience it sooner than later. I know, for me at least, it actually helped my discretion that my parents allowed me to experience these types of thing earlier in life. I am a fairly devout Christian man (by fairly I mean not an extremist) and I have no problem with the series. A lot of people (I don’t know about you) think that the books are promoting these things (killing children, people enjoying it, etc) but it’s actually the contrary. I doubt this will change your views in the books, but I just wanted to get my opinion out there.
I applaud you for your stand! well done, you can see from some of the comments here how believers are so luke warm and compromise the things of God. Oh yeah lets expose our kids to this movie and it will drive them closer to God?!! Get real people, look at our society today and especially things that are going on with our kids are you that detached from the things of God that you cant see how such movies as this has influence, its dark! Its not light, we should be walking in the light and exposing our kids to that. There are plenty of other good material out there in which to get a point across. If its coming from main stream media+ red flag more than likely. Lets wake up here and smell the coffee. Sheltering- I dont think so my 13 year old son has seen more and learned more out there on the mission field than he ever could through a movie. Stand up for biblical principles and set a standard of godliness for our kids. Amen!
If you actually took the time to read through the books, or at least look up a detailed synopsis, you would see that alot of the points you raised in your own argument are raised in the books themselves. In a few instances, the evils of media brainwashing and propoganda are illustrated and demonstrated.You say the media should not educate your family, and you’d be right. But you fail to realize that you can use the media in order to educate your family yourself. These books raise many opportunities to discuss issues that Christians are facing in modern times, the sinful state of humanity, sacrifice, unconditional love, the importance of sticking to your beliefs and thinking for yourself, and much more. Do some more research into what you are bashing. You might be surprised at what you find.
Some of the comments I’m seeing are judging the books (and the movie) based on a two-line plot. They don’t understand all of the unfortunate/situation aspects of the storyline. It’s good to not let Hollywood dictate what we believe, but this is not one of those movies. This was made in a completely different age where every year kids were forced to fight to the death for their district. It’s showing how cruel the world can be. There are evil characters that show no sense of feeling towards the other contestants. The main character, and a couple others, basically just try to survive, not wanting to kill. Again they were FORCED to do this. In fact, one girl sacrificed herself, to save her sister from entering the hunger games. There is good and there is evil. Just like in the Bible. I don’t think anyone below 13 should watch this movie, but I don’t have a problem with anyone else seeing it. There is nothing in these book (or movie) that is any more graphic then some of the stories in the Bible. It’s good for teens to understand that there are horrible things going on in the world; this movie will make them appreciate everything they have! And to have compassion for what people might be going thru in other parts of the world.
This is precisely the point of this article. To explain, yes, there is violence in these books, but it is not the main point or theme of the story. There is violence in the Bible. Christ was crucified for our sins, but the violence was not the main point or theme of the gospel. His Resurrection and our salvation is the point. If we were just consumed with the violence in the Bible, we would miss out on the redeeming love that saves us.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. Let these issues spark a passion for Christ, who saves us all from a violent and sinful world.
I am in agreement with Matt on this one. I just finished reading all three books this week, and I don’t think its for young children, but I don’t think its forcing violence, or desensitizing us either; events of our world do that well enough. The characters are forced to fight to survive and if you’ve read the books, you will see that they rise up to fight the injustice that is forced upon them by the capitol. I think that young people today are faced with alot of issues that can be compared to those of the characters in the books, and they can learn to stand up for what is right as well. Not to mention we do see similar issues in other countries where children are taken from their families and made to fight in other peoples wars…yet we let it continue (sound familiar?) However, on the other hand I do agree that we have to be careful as followers of Christ, what we allow into our homes and families. I do have children and I do filter what they see and when they see it. I do see this as a discussion started for teens and parents, and a great opportunity to talk about standing up for Jesus and their beliefs no matter what the cost.
i dont get it.
Given the 2000-year tradition of Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day massacres of Jews to the cry of “Noel! Noel!”, I find this reviewer’s claim that “any society without Christ can degenerate into this type of violence” to be very ironic.
Excellent commentary! My own first reaction to The Hunger Games was that I could never support a book where the dominant theme was children killing each other for sport. My sister suggested that I read it anyway because there was a lot more there, and yes, there is. Having read the entire trilogy now, I know that positive themes and messages abound throughout — family loyalty, sacrificial love, the thirst for freedom from tyranny, maintaining one’s honor in the midst of the worst circumstances, fighting oppression, etc. The violence isn’t graphic. While it’s not young children’s literature, I allowed my 4th grader to read it without qualms and her dad and I took her with us when we saw the movie.
What you think .Today we have nothing but wimpy christians that compromise and compromise truth .The whole seeker friendly is built on this . Come on who do you follow Jesus or your own flesh .James 4:4 Lover of the world instead of Jesus shame ….
God doesn’t exist. Deal with it
look around you…. jesus loves you and will save you. you know its true, you’re just ignoring it. say that again and you’ll get another sermon.
Funny – but some friends of mine are reading 50 Shades of Grey right now. They are gushing over it’s love story. From reviews I know it is erotica – which at least in the first book, focuses on bondage, dominance, sadism and masochism. (aka BDSM). I don’t have to read it to know that it’s not for me as a christian – and yet they are telling me “oh the sex scenes aren’t so bad…” – Everyone wants to justify themselves. That it’s not really all that bad. Well, its not if we compare ourselves to other people. I mean, some people view porn on the computer for hours at a time. 50 Shades is nothing compared to that. But we aren’t supposed to just keep up with the Jones’s. We are called to “be holy, even as I (Jesus) am holy”. Holy means “set apart”. Different. Following Christ’s example. Jesus didn’t shun sinners…but he didn’t participate to be entertained by sin either.
erm im a teenager do i get a say in this, to show my view instead of adults saying how it would change my view on things? yes im a christian but how is this relevant i do not know because when i read the books which i absolutely love it shows nothing of a god, so i really suprised this debate has come up its completely futile. you’re all thinking about the main thing in the book ‘its about war and killing oh no we cant have that!’ well have you ever read it or seen the ending? katniss joins the rebellion and says that all this is wrong, and in the end the games stop, because it is wrong, and thats the message the readers leave with. violence is in this movie, but it didnt create it and its actually showing that its wrong, that this ‘futuristic dystopian’ is the consequence. so how ahout you read the book and find out what its truly about before judging it.
The words she speaks are true. why are you arguing over this!? jesus wants us to be unified. the hunger games is wonderful.
then i also guess you wont let your children read a lot of the bible….
to one of the guests that said there is no violence or sex in the bible, youre wrong. what about the rape of tamar, what about sauls body being hung upon the walls of the city? is that not offensive violence and sex? i would go through the bible again if i were you.