LifeSiteNews, Family Research Council, and others: NBC "should be ashamed"
FRONT ROYAL, Va., Feb. 9, 2015 /
Christian Newswire/ -- Americans should boycott "Fifty Shades of Grey" on Valentine's Day, say more than 60,000 signatories and a growing coalition of groups that accused NBC Universal of "using a romantic holiday to promote a movie about abuse and degradation."
The news organization LifeSiteNews, joined by the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, the Family Research Council, and the website Counter Cultured, released the following statement on Monday about the controversial movie.
"Feminists and social conservatives agree: "Fifty Shades of Grey" promotes misogyny, abuse, and manipulation, not relationships based upon mutual love and respect," said the coalition. "This film normalizes and glamorizes behaviors such as stalking, threats and physical violence. Its portrayal of relationships and sex is offensive to real life victims of domestic abuse. The film sets a particularly dangerous example for younger viewers, who may not understand that attractive, charismatic young billionaire Christian Grey is also an abusive sociopath, especially since victim/narrator Anastasia Steele continually describes and portrays him as a god."
"Valentine's Day is supposed to be a celebration of love; however, the relationship between the two main characters in "Fifty Shades of Grey" is anything but caring or loving. NBC Universal should be ashamed of themselves for using a romantic holiday to promote a movie about abuse and degradation," said the diverse group of organizations.
"'Fifty Shades of Grey' is drawing criticism across the board for its pornographic portrayal of abuse, threats, and physical violence," said LifeSiteNews co-founder and Editor-in-Chief John-Henry Westen. "It is the latest move in the porn-induced slide to complete moral depravity, which is why this movie is being condemned for the trash that it is."
Dawn Hawkins, Executive Director of the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, said that "once the glitz, glamour, and soundtrack are removed, Fifty Shades is really just a disappointing story that tells the public to embrace violence against women. We are thrilled to join the coalition in their effort to bring attention to the sexual violence and domestic abuse agenda of Fifty Shades of Grey. "
Likewise, Arina Grossu, the Director of the Family Research Council's Center for Human Dignity, said that "'Fifty Shades of Grey' objectifies women, glorifies sexual brutality, and encourages domestic violence. Our culture cannot claim to be against the debasement of women and simultaneously celebrate such debasement. This is moral schizophrenia."
"'Fifty Shades of Grey' gives Millennials a poor representation of what true love is all about, as it promotes abuse, narcissism, and misogyny," said Counter Cultured co-founders Gabriella Hoffman and Anna-Maria Hoffman. "Our generation needs to tell Millennials the truth about this film and show them better alternatives to it through the power of social media and grassroots activism."
The coalition formed in advance of the release of "Fifty Shades of Grey" on Friday, and is expected to grow throughout the week.
About LifeSiteNews:
Founded in 1997, LifeSiteNews is the world's largest pro-life, pro-family news organizations. With reporters and contributors in10 countries on six continents, it is a vital resource for the promotion of traditional values around the globe.
LifeSiteNews' first-class reporting, insightful commentary, and other petitions can be found at www.LifeSiteNews.com.
About the National Center on Sexual Exploitation:
Founded in 1962, National Center on Sexual Exploitation is the leading national organization dedicated to opposing pornography by highlighting the links to sex trafficking, violence against women, child abuse, and addiction.
About the Family Research Council:
The Family Research Council is a D.C.-based policy organization that stresses the importance of traditional values related to abortion, marriage, religious liberty, and other pressing public policy issues.
About Counter Cultured:
Counter Cultured was founded in September 2012 by conservative sisters Anna Maria Hoffman and Gabriella Hoffman. It advocates for culturally conservative issues, using small government, non-theological arguments, through blog posts, videos, interviews, memes, Q&A discussions, and other forms of new media.
