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The Examiner wrote:How far is too far in our Twilight series fandom? With newspapers gaggling over film stars Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson's choice of wardrobe and hairstyle on a near-daily basis, a readership of Stephenie Meyer's hit series that has reached over 30 million, the film reaching the number one spot for the year (see here), and children running around biting other children in the name of Twilight (supposedly - see here), we have to step back and wonder, when is our fandom getting to be too much?

Pillow Biters, one my favorite Twilight blogs, is reporting that the so-called Cullenist religion might be going "overboard to a realm that would make Mormon mom Stephenie Meyer cringe."

Cullenism, as a term, stems from the name of the wildly popular characters Edward Cullen (played by Robert Pattinson in the film adaptation) and his family (Carlisle, Esme, Alice, Emmett), fictional vampires from the series, who come into and change the life (pun) of one Bella Swan (portrayed by Kristen Stewart in the film), whose narration of the story takes us through a very suspenseful and winding few thousand pages at the edge of our seats. I love Twilight just as much as the next person, but is it possible for the devotion to have gotten out of hand on this one?

These Cullenists believe "[j]ust like any other religion," that there is some spirituality to be had in the Twilight series, forming rules and principles upon which to base their tenets. Their creed, say the Cullenists, includes a base set of beliefs that "Edward and the rest of the Twilight characters are real," that "[t]he Twilight series should be worshipped," and that "f you are good in life, you will be bless[ed] with eternity with the Cullens." Other than that, say the Cullenists, there "is not a limit to what you can believe in when it comes to the Cullenism religion . . . we will accept any other Cullenism beliefs you may have." Cullenists are also expected to read some of the books on a daily basis, "like the Bible" and make a pilgrimage to Forks.

While religion and spirituality are a first-hand and very personal experience, and others who formulate their own principles and guidance to help them maneuver through and stay afloat in this challenging, frustrating, and sometimes depressing thing we call life are often praised for their individualism and bravery, the Cullenists might be stretching it a little.

It is one thing, in our fandom of the series, the film, its cast, etcetera, to spend inordinate amount of time, say the fans, on reading, re-reading, discussing, and watching things about the series, but it is a whole other to devote the core of one's faith to a set of fictional books and films, don't you think?

Siege wrote:Sounds like pretty much exactly the kind of thing I'd expect teenage girls with slightly overactive imaginations to make up...

Crazedwraith wrote:I was hoping this was the belief that trucks will one day transform into giant robots that will save us from our sins.

Also the truth, as ever, is less exciting.

PeZook wrote:You couldn't believe your eyes? In a world where Scientology is a church and people engage in "gorean relationships", you consider this somehow...shocking?

Really?

Temujin wrote:Being Meyer is a moron Mormon, can anyone who read/saw this shit attest to whether she incorporated any of her own religion's overtones into it?

Maj wrote:I've only read the first novel (hated it) and done a little research into the rest, but from what I read, there's not much Mormonism directly in the books.

Some ideas that Mormons strongly value play a starring role, but they're not ideas necessarily unique to Mormons: the value of sacrifice, chastity, and free agency (everyone chooses and is responsible for their own actions).

Oni Koneko Damien wrote:You read wrong. The books are entirely soaked in not-so-subtly masked Mormon propaganda, Edward Cullen's description nearly perfectly matches Joseph Smith, and their entire relationship progresses along perfect Mormon lines.

This is an in-depth look at the heavy Mormon influence in the books, written by an ex-member of the LDS church.

stoney321 wrote:he was handsome, shockingly so, he could draw you in with just his presence, let alone when he spoke, down to his freaking nose and hair color

stoney321 wrote:Edward is pure white

stoney321 wrote:Edward also doesn't believe in open mouth kissing, swearing, chewing tobacco, drinking caffeine, and enjoys time with his family.

stoney321 wrote:now we can be a proper family for eternity

stoney321 wrote:Perfection = a constant drum beat in the Mormon church. You aren't supposed to try to be perfect, you are supposed to be perfect... Everyone in Edward's family is: you guessed it, perfect. They all look like they stepped out of a catalog.

GrandMasterTerwynn wrote:It's probably about as serious as people who refer to themselves as "Jedi" or "Haruhiists."

Temujin wrote:I don't know, people get pretty fucking weird when it comes to religious shit. It wouldn't surprise me if they were truly trying to tie some elements from the fictional material* into some quasi-spiritual/religious thing; kinda like how some Matrix wankers tried to do for philosophical ideas. Besides, hardcore Twilight fans aren't exactly known for their intelligence.

Being Meyer is a moron Mormon, can anyone who read/saw this shit attest to whether she incorporated any of her own religion's overtones into it?

Stark wrote:What's sad is I thought this thread would be about a religion based on Optimus Prime.