Justification

I first heard of the book 50 Shades of Grey when watching the Today show one morning (and by watching, I mean playing in the background while I multi-task).  The intro?  A reference to it being known as "Mommy Porn".  A quick glance at the screen revealed a book cover of handcuffs.  I instinctively grabbed the remote and turned the TV off. 

Similarly, I saw a commercial for Magic Mike one day (regular TV isn't on as much as this post might indicate).  I didn't really think much of it, except to make a mental note that it was NOT on my list of movies to go see. 

And then something strange happened.  An odd sort of buzz began around these two pieces.  Blogs, much more well-known than mine, began writing their quiet protests while the national media promotes the two with rave reviews.  Everyone is talking about them. 

How do I feel about them?  I think it's a band-aid fix of a much larger issue to simply just say "don't read it" or "don't watch it".  (To be clear, I won't be watching the movie or reading the book).  But I think this is just the most recent manifestation of the heartbeat of our culture.  We live in a world of justification.  We tell ourselves the movie is fine because "the stripper part isn't the main part of the movie" or we listen to music because "we like the beat, we don't listen to the lyrics."  Whatever.  I tried that one myself, and I still remember words to songs that I wouldn't let my children listen to.  But that's what we do, isn't it?

I'm over trying to be cool.  I don't feel like I'm missing out here, by choosing not to participate with these two topics.  I'm choosing to protect my thoughts and consequently, protect my marriage.  I don't need to spend my time watching Matthew McConaughey in chaps dancing around on a stage and wooing women in "the rest of the story", even though I've always loved his accent.  Actually, I don't need to watch him BECAUSE I've always loved his accent. 

Guard your heart.  Fight for your marriage.  Because I'm convinced that no one just wakes up in the morning and says "I feel like cheating on my wife/husband today."  It is a series of choices and justification of your actions that lead you down that path.  Am I saying that if you watch this movie or read this book you will cheat on your spouse?  No.  But I am saying that a lifestyle of doing what is popular over what is right and justifying yourself along the way will inevitably lead you down a path where the truth becomes blurred and when that happens, even things you thought you'd never do become things you'd consider, and from there become secrets you want to hide, etc.  Slippery slope, friends.