I get this a lot. (Dominatrix vs. God soapbox)

I got this from a fellow writer the other day:

Do you mind if I ask you a slightly touchy question? I've noticed from a few of your posts that you are a Christian. Furthermore, I found a link that you had posted on your wall to the Christian Comic Art Society (which I promptly joined).Here's my question: How do you reconcile your Christian beliefs with writing the Dominatrix comic? I admit that I've never read the book so it may be rated G; but based off of the covers and the few things that I have read about it... I don't think that's the case.I'm asking not to attack you; but out of genuine interest. I am mostly into art and there are a lot of jobs that I could go after if I were willing to do more graphic or sexual illustrations.How do you reconcile the disparities in your mind? Or is it that you don't try. Just look at it like a job kind of thing and leave the morality for Sunday morning. Again, I'm not trying to attack you. I'm trying to understand and maybe learn something that I could apply to my own life.

My response:

I love that question actually. I used to work for the North American Mission Board, and no longer do. Was asked to leave for my PG book Fishnet Angel, actually. They'd freak if they read Dominatrix. I tell folks at cons the book is not porn, even if the marketing points that way. It's like a Tarantino film. Very modern pulp. And ultimately it has a redemptive message in it that is subtle.As for any language, violence, or nudity, my take is that the Bible I read is filled with violence, genocide, infanticide, incest, rape, holy sexual love, and yes, even course language in the original Greek (Paul, no less). To make the Bible into a literal film would be rated X not even NC-17, and so such topics are not off limits for Christ followers, when pursued with obedience and faithfulness.If they cause other Christians to worry about me, I can live with that. If they cause non-Christians to worry and stumble, then that would be an issue, but honestly the fact that I choose to write redemptive tales in subjects the contemporary church would probably prefer to ban has only opened more doors to real relationships with people who would never darken the door of one of our churches.The very question you asked is the one people ask me all the time at cons and particularly in online interviews and such.My morality is a 24/7 thing, though many do "treat it as a job" and leave morality "for Sunday." For many, I just choose not to ignore "dangerous" topics that the contemporary church has issues with.It's like the art question for me. Is nudity okay? Sure, great art is filled with it. Is it appropriate for all people or all ages. No. But then again, neither are certain parts of Scripture, which is why you don't see Bible stories for kids based on Song of Solomon or Lot's nieces seducing him. Still applicable though. The modern church just has a view that everything should be sanitized and "kid safe" by and large, and I simply disagree with that based on my reading and understanding of God's Word.I don't profess that all Christians should follow my take. There's still a place for Max Lucados and the Left Behinds. That's just not my calling.I'm called to travel the most dangerous path that causes all kinds of misunderstanding and potential condemnation by the church. But I can live with that. I have good role models from Christ to Bonhoeffer.

Well, I thought I'd throw in my two cents. "You see, this is what can happen. Weak Christians who think it is wrong to eat this food will see you eating in the temple of an idol. You know there's nothing wrong with it, but they will be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been dedicated to the idol. So because of your superior knowledge, a weak Christian, for whom Christ died, will be destroyed. And you are sining against Christ when you sin against other Christians be encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong. If what I eat is going to make another Christian sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live--for I don't want to make another Christian stumble." I Cor. 9:10-13 New Living Translation. There are things that I have the liberty to do, such as drink without getting drunk. But as an assistant pastor, if someone who may have a problem with drinking sees me drinking, that may cause them to stumble. And I would be sinning by causing them to sin. I could say, "That's their problem." But I don't have that liberty. It comes with the responsibilty of being a church leader. So I choose not to drink for the sake of my brother. There will young Christians, who will have sexual weaknesses, and we have the responsibility to trying to keep them from stumbling. Just something to consider in this discussion. I pray it helps.

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Comments

Brett Burner January 26, 2009 at 11:22am

Anytime!
Sean Taylor January 26, 2009 at 11:20am

Thanks, amigo. Especially for the iron sharpening iron.
Brett Burner January 26, 2009 at 11:16am

Though I would argue that none of these girls embodies the same sexual overtones or themes, I would likewise agree that much discretion should be used on what we choose to display, here or anywhere.

Lotsa love on ya my friend!
Sean Taylor January 26, 2009 at 10:54am

Absolutely, hence the mention of Supergirl (jailbait in a revealing outfit), Power Girl (with a big circle at her chest), and the "belly dancer" version of Scarlet Witch or even the fetish-based Tigra (furries). Certainly Betty and Veronica are a different thing altogether.

Thanks for the suggestion to talk to a pastor. I'm actually am in regular contact with my pastor and seek his advice frequently on publishing ventures.

Thanks again.
Brett Burner January 26, 2009 at 10:27am

Sean, it goes beyond the outfit, but the message presented by it. I'm not thrilled by the message portrayed by many of the outfits you mention, but there is a different message portrayed by Betty and Veronica in a two-piece bathing suit than by a Dominatrix, regardless of how much skin is showing, making sexual innuendo. Surely you understand the difference.

And if Betty and Veronica decided to start getting crude, I'd have to cut it off! (Nor would I place them in a two-piece in the first place!)
Brett Burner January 26, 2009 at 10:20am

It's much appreciated. But I do want to encourage you to go the next step.

Consider what I have been saying. It goes far beyond "I don't want to see this", or simple nagging. It goes beyond the passage Ralph gave of "Eating meat sacrificed to idols." It has to do with actually sacrificing that meat, and profiting from it. In the end, it's not worth it.

I'll leave it there. I'd talk to a pastor about it, and get some insight. (Though you have two here willing to share with you and support you! THAT is what I love about this site!)

I am sorry if this has been discouraging. If anything, I hope to spare you from worse discouragements. I would be happy to share with you the long road that got me here--my experiences in printing (as mentioned) and publishing (Alias and Lamp Post)--to reach these conclusions. I'm speaking from the heart.

God bless you Sean!
Sean Taylor January 26, 2009 at 10:12am

Ralph, thanks for the comments. Hence I removed the images from the site. I would hope that we would apply that equally to other comics such as Power Girl, Supergirl, The Avengers, etc. that feature scantily clad females heroes. as well. Just an ironic thing for me is that Dominatrix was more covered up than a lot of female heroes who don't get the same rap. Thanks again.
Sean Taylor January 26, 2009 at 10:02am

You're welcome. Happy to do so.
Brett Burner January 26, 2009 at 8:51am

Sean, thank you for the removal of those images. That says a lot...thank you.
Ralph Ellis Miley January 25, 2009 at 10:41pm

Well, I thought I'd throw in my two cents. "You see, this is what can happen. Weak Christians who think it is wrong to eat this food will see you eating in the temple of an idol. You know there's nothing wrong with it, but they will be encouraged to violate their conscience by eating food that has been dedicated to the idol. So because of your superior knowledge, a weak Christian, for whom Christ died, will be destroyed. And you are sining against Christ when you sin against other Christians be encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong. If what I eat is going to make another Christian sin, I will never eat meat again as long as I live--for I don't want to make another Christian stumble." I Cor. 9:10-13 New Living Translation. There are things that I have the liberty to do, such as drink without getting drunk. But as an assistant pastor, if someone who may have a problem with drinking sees me drinking, that may cause them to stumble. And I would be sinning by causing them to sin. I could say, "That's their problem." But I don't have that liberty. It comes with the responsibilty of being a church leader. So I choose not to drink for the sake of my brother. There will young Christians, who will have sexual weaknesses, and we have the responsibility to trying to keep them from stumbling. Just something to consider in this discussion. I pray it helps.

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