Christian Contestant Stands for His Faith, Despite ‘Sex Positive’ BACHELORETTE
By Movieguide® Staff
After a few seasons of reported Christians leading the franchise, ABC kicked off Season 17 of the popular romance show THE BACHELORETTE on June 7, with “sex-positive” bachelorette Katie Thurston.
“With this theme of ‘sex-positive’ you wonder if they are trying to do whatever they can to get a declining audience. But at Movieguide, we know, from the stats, that sex doesn’t sell,” says Evy Carroll of Movieguide®.
Thurston appeared as a contestant on the most recent season of THE BACHELOR and is remembered for her sexually explicit introduction to Christian Bachelor Matt James.
“You’ll see it incorporated throughout my journey, conversations around sex,” Thurston told Us Weekly. “Because it is important in a relationship. And it’s important to be with me to be able to talk about those things. And if you’re not ready to talk about sex, you’re certainly not ready to get married.”
Despite her strong words, one contestant, Mike Planeta, proudly took a stand for his Christian faith and told Thurston he is still a virgin.
Faith is the foundation of the 31-year-old, a former baseball player who now works as a personal trainer. He “grew up in a very loving family where the cornerstone of his upbringing was his faith,” his ABC bio describes.
“Most people when they see me, they think I’m a huge player,” Planeta said. “But that’s not morally where I’m at, so I’m waiting for marriage. I’ve never had sex. The stigma is, like, ‘Oh, you can’t connect with that.’ But I disagree with that. I want Katie to understand that I don’t think there’s anything wrong with being sex-positive. I personally want to share that within marriage, that’s me. I mean, if I fall in love with Katie, maybe that’s something that we can take that road together.”
During the second episode of the season, the men were required to tell Thurston what makes them “the greatest lover of all time.”
“I’m more worried about showing her how much it means to me. This is not something I take lightly, and I won’t compromise that,” Planeta shared, adding a poem he wrote to his “future wife.”
Planeta added that the “best way for me to show you [love] is by saving myself for you.”
Thurston, who cried during Planeta’s poem, awarded Planeta “the greatest lover of all time” trophy.
View this post on Instagram
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
- Content: +2Share:
- Content: +4