More Sinister Than The Hunger Games

I write this post with a bit of a handicap. I haven't read The Hunger Games trilogy. I haven't seen the movies. But I knew the controversies would stir over this one. Many Christians whom we respect completely disagree with the assertion that there's ANY value in reading this series.

But, my son Ink, thought there was.

The point of my post isn't to defend or criticize The Hunger Games. There are plenty of other places to do that, so please don't miss what I'm saying because of your opinion about the books or movies.

When our children are little, we shield them from much of the ugliness, the sin of this world. It's our job not to let a 7 year old view content meant for a 17 year old. We ground them in the truth of the Word and the seeds of discernment grow ever so slowly. We can't preview every exposure, every book, every movie, every conversation they overhear. The goal is to equip them to stand fast and stay faithful, long after we're six feet under and unable to whisper cautions in their ears.

In our home, you'll find the Hunger Games trilogy on the shelf, but you won't find Harry Potter. I'll tell you we loved Saving Private Ryan, but can't stand Fiddler on the Roof or Secretariat and think they're much more dangerous than the gritty truth of the battlefield. My 11 year old daughter still hasn't seen Pride and Prejudice and won't for some time. Sometimes we, especially as Christians, cling to a pretty outside and completely ignore the heart of the matter. Are our children doing the same? Are they thinking they're "safe" because a book or movie they watch doesn't have language or violence, thus, it must be acceptable?

And how equipped are they to speak themselves what they believe?

I read a reply my Ink wrote to a concerned mother yesterday regarding the Hunger Games. Here it is in part:

For one thing, the books are remarkably well-written *and* thought-provoking. To my mind, they prove that YA fiction doesn't have to be dominated by wizards-in-training and love-struck vampires. On the one hand, they tell a gripping story; but underneath the story are a lot of ideas worth thinking about. In many ways, the books are a critique of big government (President Snow, the Capitol) and voyeuristic culture (the Hunger Games). Suzanne Collins' essentially imagines a future where our lust for entertainment trumps all moral and ethical boundaries, just like in the Roman games of old. It reminds me of Russell Crowe's line in "Gladiator" (2000), when he shouts to the crowd, "Are you not entertained?"

There are tons of other themes worth considering, too: lost innocence, the exploitation of children, abuse of power, self-sacrifice, and more. I also find it interesting how people recoil in horror at the thought on slaughtering children in an arena... and then have no qualms whatsoever about slaughtering them in the womb. This connection isn't directly made by Collins, but it's so plain it's hard to miss.

Now, here comes the caveat... I wouldn't hand "The Hunger Games" to just anyone. I guess I somewhat agree with Berit's assessment, and so yes, discernment is a big part of whether or not the books should be read. My age recommendation would probably be 15+. The first book is pretty grim and violent, and so is the second one. The third book is my favorite because I think it's the richest... but it's also the darkest and the most violent.

It troubles me that the books are marketed to 12 and 13-year-olds. Why? Because I think most of them read the books, get an adrenaline-high off the intensity of the Games, and totally gloss over the deeper themes. And when that happens, I fear they're desensitizing themselves to the very thing Collins in trying to sensitize them to.

Whether you agree with what he wrote, you have to agree he knows what he thinks about the books and why. That's not something I learned to articulate very well as I was growing up, and it's still something I struggle with today. I have a book review I've been wanting to write for months, BUT it's against a book that's endorsed by very wise godly men. Who am I to disagree? And, yet, I do. 

We're instructed in Scripture to have a teachable spirit, so I'm not equating knowing what you believe with the arrogance that says, "I have nothing to learn," but rather the firmness that says, "I heard what you've said. I've measured it by the Word. I've considered your concerns, and my position still stands because....." 

If what we teach our children is simply a parroting of what we hear from our favorite family-friendly organizations and not from the conviction of our hearts (which should be based on the Word) because we've studied the matter, then we offer our children a foundation that will quickly crumble. Opinions we form based solely on the opinions of others and not because we've learned to think through the matter for ourselves quickly collapse under the least bit of pressure.

This is one of the reasons good Christian children walk away from their faith when they walk out the door to be on their own. They've never learned to think through a matter for themselves, digging in the Word and owning what they believe. They've never had to struggle with, "What do I believe and WHY?" because Mommy and Daddy have never been quiet long enough to force the child to do so. They've never been taught that the most dangerous worldviews are often wrapped in the prettiest, most alluring packages, sometimes with "Christian" pasted all over them and lovely horses running in the fields or people dancing on the rooftops.

To leave our own children handicapped in such a way is a sinister thing, even though done in the name of loving and protecting. And the consequences are far more dangerous than the latest movie or book that stirs up controversy and disagreement.

With love,

Trisha