May 26
An Open Letter to Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus
Originally Posted May 10th, by Dannah Gresh, Creator of Secret Keeper Girl
I’ve built twelve years of ministry on many things. One of them is this: always stay positive. Instead of boycotting sexual clothing, I staged a 28,000-mom thank you for those who provide age-appropriate clothing. When Carrie Prejean was attacked for defending one-woman/one-man marriage in a bikini, I took a controversial stance and defended her…and suggested some public forgiveness for the immodesty! I like to stay positive, and that is why what I’m writing today is painful. I can’t find a way to be as positive as I’d like.
Perhaps you’ve seen Miley Cyrus’ new video, Can’t Be Tamed. (Sigh.) I wish I could have coffee with Tish Cyrus and ask her what’s really going on in her daughter’s heart. I can’t do that. I’m not connected enough. Not to her. But I am connected closely to many of her daughter’s fans (including two that have grown up in my own house). Through the years, I’ve stayed positive and placed a lot of hope in this family. I’ve prayed a lot of prayers. I offered positive thoughts about Miley when my readers asked, and encouraged forgiveness and a lot of second chances when I couldn’t be outright positive. But now I’m faced with a dilemna: Miley has just figuratively run across an eight-lane highway, and I know there are a lot of little girls who will follow her if I’m not strong about how I respond. Thanks to twelve years of researching the behavior of teen and tween girls, I know the carnage that will result if they keep feasting on Miley’s example. She has just pioneered the transport of transgressive sexuality into the view of little girls who love her and want to be like her, and I feel like not saying something would be wrong. Let me be honest: I hate this! I could say that “I love Miley” and other countless good things that I have in my heart today, but they will be muted by what I’m about to write. I write it with confidence. While I wish I had their ear to say this privately, I don’t. So, here’s my open letter to Billy Ray and Tish Cyrus.
Dear Billy Ray and Tish:
I was pulling for Miley. I vouched for her when others asked if it was OK to watch. I blogged my encouragement at the tasteful choices made along the way. I gave her room to make mistakes and encouraged forgiveness. After all, I have three kids her age and I know that sometimes despite the best parenting, they make decisions that I wish they didn’t. I know how hard it is to parent, and as far as I can tell you are—in many ways—fantastic parents and a solid family. You deserve congratulations for staying together in this culture. I can’t imagine the pressure your marriage and family bear. You’ve endured it with grace. Maybe that’s why I—and countless other moms—believe in you so much! I wanted Miley to be The One who would say no to the money-hungry industry that turns perfectly adorable, talented young girls into common sex toys. You—her parents— were my hope. That’s why I’m so utterly shocked at what appears to be the parental approval you placed on Can’t Be Tamed.
From a distance, your daughter seems confused by her role in the recent video. In defense of it, she told Ryan Seacrest that yes, “it is a sexy video…you can’t take that away from it, but it’s not the premise.” She said that she didn’t want to be like every other star and feel like, “oh, I have to stand here and do the sex thing the whole time. That’s not what this is about.” Really? Isn’t the highly sex-charged environment and scantily clad girl dancers the reason she wouldn’t let her boyfriend stay on the set? It wasn’t just her dancers who were over the top. While I posted photos of your daughter in my eblast to parents, I won’t post them here in the event that we have tween visitors. Suffice it to say, they are both sexual and transgressive in nature.
Maybe what is confusing her is your consent. You see, she may be individuating but she’s still looking to you for her direction. (Again, the fact that she looks to you is a testimony to great parenting because how many seventeen-year-olds make that clear to the public?) She said so in her interview as she reasoned that none of this could possibly be too sexual because “my mom’s sitting on set. I’m not going to do anything that I wouldn’t be proud for my family to see.”
Let me tell you why I wish you would have spoken up, Tish! At each of my Secret Keeper Girl events, I’m reminded of how powerful a role model your daughter is to hundreds of thousands of tweens. I’m reminded because they show up in their Hannah Montana shirts. They want to grow up to be just like Miley and when you signed your contract with Disney, you took on that trust. I think you know this. At least, your daughter does. She told Seacrest, “A lot of my fans have grown with me on the show, and I think it’s [referring to the video] the first step to growing up.” A girl doesn’t have to and shouldn’t grow up to be what Miley portrays in Can’t Be Tamed. I’ve been on the front lines of counseling sexually broken teenage girls for twelve years, and they get broken by imitating the behavior they see in videos like this. The media fuels behavior, especially when a face as trusted as your daughter’s is showcased. A 2007 American Psychological Association task force’s report (available at their website) states that music lyrics, Internet content, and sexual clothing are now being marketed to younger and younger girls. The smutty content—while creating no immediate effect—is clearly linked to eating disorders, low self-esteem, and depression when these girls become teenagers. With Miley’s vocal encouragement, I can only imagine that the little girls following her will keep following her. Well, her fans aren’t going to get a $25,000 bustier or millions of dollars in royalties for acting like your daughter did in that video. They’ll be trashed for it! Miley has just placed hundreds of thousands of little girls on a fast track to sexualization, unless their parents pull them off by unplugging them from your daughter’s influence entirely.
Billy Ray, according to Miley you were the father who told her that “if you love to make everyone happy, you’re never going to stop working.” The irony of this is that no one was asking Miley to make “everyone” happy. We were happy when she was making little girls happy, and we didn’t need for her to expand into this conflicting dual role. Miley told Seacrest, “This isn’t anything that’s going to take me away from what people know me as. It’s just a new step. It’s not a new Miley. It’s just part of me.” What is the message to our daughters? That they can be Hannah Montanna—sweet, funny, innocent and age-appropriate—in one setting and Miley Cyrus—sexual, violent and self-pleasuring in another? That’s not a message that I want my daughters to have at the age of 8 or at the age of seventeen! Living a dual life is hypocritical at best, and disastrous at worst. I want a role model for my daughters who is single-minded—knows who she is and consistently acts accordingly—so my daughters can learn to be single-minded, strong-willed women of integrity.
The irony of Miley’s new Can’t Be Tamed video is that Miley is showcased as “a creature so rare.” Really? I think it’s rather common to play the tramp in our culture. What would have been rare would have been to dare to send both our daughters and yours a better message.
It’s not too late. It never is. You still have a platform to speak from and you can still show us that you’re made of what we believe you are made of: character. Harsh as my words may be, I still believe in you. Please prove me right. I know parenting is really tough for those of us watching, and we do it without all the added pressure that you face with the celebrity surrounding Miley. But I think that’s what makes the way you parent so important to the rest of us. We just have to remind you that though anyone can play the sex object in Hollywood, there are the few who have proven that you can walk with character in that pressing industry. Please, parent Miley to be one of them.
With Sincere Sadness,
Dannah Gresh
179 Comments so far
Give us your thoughts
So truly spoken, Dannah. My husband and I were shocked that she slid off the deep end when she had such a good thing going. Very disheartening, to say the least……….
Dannah, I so agree with this letter- my daughter is 13 and has grown up with hannah Montana and loves her….
Please Billy Ray and Tish- stand up for what you know in your heart is right for Miley and thousands of our little girls!!!!
Be an example!!!
Thank you-
Lisa
Amen, Sister! I pray Billy Ray and Tish will be able to read this with the heart you intended it.
Thank you, Dannah. I completely agree.
BRAV-O!! Even my 6 year old LOVES Miley, and she needs someone to prove to her that you can be cute as a button without being a prude or a prostitute. Present yourself as a temple to God, with pride that you are above all, His.
I’m a mom that actually enjoyed watching Hannah Montana with my little girls. But I was afraid that Miley Cyrus was headed in this direction when suspicion came up about the end of Hannah Montana… how far would Miley go to shake her “little girl” image? I watched the “Can’t Be Tamed” video (without my daughter present) and it was bizarre for me to see Miley’s face and body communicating in that way. I just kept thinking that she looked so uncomfortable in her own skin; trying TOO hard to grow up and TOO pressured to ’sell it’ to a new share of the market. How sad for her to have to endure that embarrassment, and how irresponsible to be taking a generation of little girls along for the ride.
Reminds me of the episode of Hannah Montana where she trys to re-invent herself: Miley Stewart thought twice about taking her fans down the road of rebellion, so she chose not to change Hannah’s image. Unfortunately, the real Miley didn’t step up and display as much character as her television character.
Dannah,
Thank you for putting how many of us moms feel into words. I was pulling for Miley too. I think her parents have done an awesome job parenting her and her siblings. My prayers for her will be many in the days to come.
Dannah, thank youf or speaking so boldly and openly. I was shocked when Larissa, home from college for the weekend, showed me the video. She was as horrified and I was. Thank you for continuing to take a stand for our girls, of all ages. My first reaction was to fire off a letter to her parents and I still plan on it, but your voice will speak loud and I pray it is heard.
Dannah, I too had high hopes for Miley. I really thought she was grounded and would be the ONE to be different. I have eleven year old twin girls that adore her. I wish you would also post some advice for us mothers as to how to adress this issue (specifically - not following Miley anymore) with our own daughters. She has really put us in a tough position.
this is so mild compared to other videos out there right now. SO mild. i understand people are upset because OMG its miley…but 12 year olds grow up and become young women who get to make their own decisions. i dont think the key is keeping your kids away from hannah montana, i think the key is being able to talk to your kids about the decisions people they look up to make and how they will affect them. i am not only a mom, but a christian too. its not that i think this is okay, or that i would want it for my own daughter…but since we have no control over media, what we should be doing is talking to our kids about all the things they are going to see and what it means, and how it makes them feel.
Very well said Dannah. Thank you for speaking for all of us concerned parents and children’s pastors.
Not to mention, that not too long ago, Miley & Billy Ray were really into the True Love Waits and the particular ball for fathers and daughters where the daughters make an abstinence pact with their fathers present. I don’t think that with that pact and that belief present that her actions in Can’t Be Tamed. It’s like playing with fire and telling your kids that they can’t do it because they’ll get burned.
thank you Dannah…my 11 year old daughter is not allowed to watch this video, which upsets me because she is a huge fan of Miley’s. It is quite a shame that she made this video, and even more a shame that she had her parents consent. I know for a fact that I, nor my husband, would want our daughter to be a sex object for viewing. I wouldn’t care how much money was on the table. Thank you for your letter.
Good thoughts so far, girls! I appreciate that everyone is keeping it kind…and pulling for the Cyrus family. It does not good to be negative. Let’s keep hoping for the best. Man, I love my readers! Such good hearts. I’m processing through some practical steps you can take to talk to your daughters about this. Will post it later this week. Love you guys! Dannah
I’m sitting here reading this as my 9 year old dd is reading the words to a Hannah Montana album. My child HATES to read. How is that for influence? I have not seen the video, and I am not going to even dare until she goes to bed tonight. I just have no hope anymore if everyone is going to end up using their influence to flaunt themselves for our little girls and boys.
Dannah,
I’m in total agreement with your letter. I have an 8 year old daughter who loves Hannah Montana AND Miley Cyrus. I’m disillusioned but will explain to my daughter WHY I’m disappointed in Miley Cyrus’s behavior. Women and girls are NOT sexual objects….Miley has just perpetuated this.
Amen! I agree with everything said in this letter.
I am stunned at this video and saddened by how flippant she is about the not-even-latent-but-BLATANT sexuality and the lyrics about having so many boys. My heart breaks at the thought of all the young girls who admire her. I DO understand that it is our job as parents to monitor and discuss what IS seen, and at the same time, we should also be teaching that people are fallible and not to be admired so or put on a pedestal. That said, it is still heartbreaking for someone so young to be allowed to express an activity and emotion that she doesn’t even understand really being ready for and we ALL know her fans aren’t ready for at all. I am thankful that I have two boys and I pray that the girls they encounter in their pre-teen and teenage years are NOT those who emulate this behavior of Miley’s or anyone else who takes this road of entertainment.
I
I have often wanted to voice these same sentiments. With your high profile and this ministry that you have for our girls, your words carry more weight than any of ours would individually. I agree with every word, from looking at the positive and allowing for mistakes and forgiving to expecting and asking and praying for more. We don’t just want Miley to stay clean as an example to our girls, but for her own sake. Thank you, Dannah.
Thanks for voicing this issue. I have literally watched tweens practicing in the mirror to be like Miley, and OH! MY! WORD! how I am praying for the Cyrus family now.
I agree with a previous comment — this video is relatively tame compared to a lot of what’s out there. That’s why in our home we block MTV and VH1, and primarily listen to Christian rock music. My dd 14 and I watched and discussed the video, and even she could see some of the things wrong with it. It breaks my heart to think Miley will go the way of the other Disney stars. I believe there is only so much control you can have over a 17 year-old, but she seems like she values the opinions of her parents, so I’m not sure what went wrong here. I certainly wouldn’t let a 10 year-old watch this video OR even listen to the song, even if it was her older sister!
Dannah, Thank you for articulating so well the pain inherent in taking the direction that Miley has taken at the express consent of her parents. It is our job as parents to keep our children’s minds and bodies safe. In their growing up years, when I chose to protect my children in areas where they did not see the far reaching potential for personal devastation, I often quoted from Romans 16:19b,”but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” It saddens me for the Cyrus family that they have taken this unwise course, and it is sad to me that many young girls will want to follow and will be allowed to follow by undiscerning parents. I pray for our Christian community to take their marching orders from the Bible for today, rather than from the world and its confusion.
Personally, I have chosen not to let my 9 year old daughter watch Hannah Montana from the start. When she came home from school one day in 1st or 2nd grade asking “What’s the big deal about Hannah Montana?” I explained to her that there is no big deal and that I didn’t want her getting caught up in a fad or watching something just because everyone else did. I am glad I made that choice. I have yet to see a role model in today’s pop culture that we can actually say “yes, I want my daughter to watch her and listen to her music”. I am not surprised by Miley’s turn at all..I am saddened that she has gone this way, but not surprised at all.
I completely agree with your letter, Dannah. I have pulled for Miley and still have hope for her and her family. I’ve enjoyed them in the past as entertainers and have hoped nothing but the best for them. I think you are right to make a public stand against Miley’s actions in this situation. My teen and tween daughters recognize that Miley is making negative choices and hope other families of young girls recognize this as well. Despite it all, we still pull for Miley and her family and hope, with deep hope and love, that she gets back to the right path of their genuine faith that is rooted deep within them.
Destiny Hope Cyrus, you were created to praise our Lord and let His Hope shine through you. Let that rise out of your God-given talents rather than the current distortion of your talent.
very well said. I pray they will read this, and get many other concerning letters reguarding it. I wanted to just let you know though, Britany spears (in whom i think u were referring) was on the cover of rolling stones in full on seductive lingerie at I think 16, so sadly she wasn’t in her 20’s.
I will protect my insanly beautiful wicked talented, little girl from that industry as long as humanly possible, no matter how strong (i think) the foundation is, I will encourage my kids to minister to the enemies territory, but never be a part of it.
Well written Dannah. Let’s pray that it reaches and touches their heart. Thank you for being the voice of so many parents.
Thank you Dannah for such a well written letter. Thank you for caring about a generation of young girls out there today and caring about their moms enough to try and help us navigate through this very worldy world.
We need a nationwide boycott of Walmart (who sells her line of products) to get Billy and Tish’s attention… hit them in the pocket book. Anyone interested in trying to start?
They overstep their bounds reaching out to the souls of our daughters… we’ll reach back, right into their wallets.
I am the mother of four (two girls 11 & 5) and I remind my children that just because someone is a “celebrity” they are still just people like we are. We are all God’s children and we are supposed to raise Him up with all we do in the life He has blessed us with. I do not mind the Hannah Montana show, however I have explained to my girls that the character as well as Miley are also people and should not be put on a pedestal. We enjoy her voice God has blessed her with and her acting abilities, and because she is a person she will make mistakes in her life and remind my children of this. I have not seen this video, but am also not surprised at the road she is going down because of how the media is and how sex seems to be so important with selling just about anything. I will pray for the Cyrus family and for all the fans (even the boys and young men because for my 14 and 9 year old boys, it is just as embarrassing and uncomfortable for them, and it puts a bad influence on them thinking that it is okay to view girls and women (as well as girls and women viewing boys and men)as sex objects). Modesty is best in my home.
Thank you, Dannah. Wonder if there is any chance they will read it! I pray so.
While you are minding their business, who’s minding yours?
Once again Dannah, you have come to the defense of our young girls. God will bless your efforts despite the likelihood that the “world” will sniff and look down their collective noses at our belief that our young girls MUST be PROTECTED by their parents from such behavior NOW while they are still young and emotionally pliable. Stay strong in the Lord and I will be praying that Billy Ray and Tish see your letter and realize the importance and truth of your words.
I pray that the do what is best and show the world that you don’t have to do everything everyone else does to be great..YOu and be a nice girl and be great…Because Miley you are great..Trisha and Billy Ray you know what you should do..Good luck and I sure hope my 11 and 5year old can keep watching.
Question - did you write a letter to all of the other parents of teen stars that aren’t portraying as the role models as they should be? For example, Anne Hathway went from being a sweet, innocent young teen star in the Princess Diaries films, however, she did GROW UP to star in roles such as Havoc which had sexual content in it.
So I believe that Miley is just growing up. You shouldn’t bash her parents for supporting what she is doing. She has her own personality just like your daughters do. If you don’t approve of your daughters following in Miley’s footsteps, then you have the authority to control that. Don’t blame her for growing up and out of her ‘little girl’ stage just because the parents of her fans aren’t approving the Miley she is becoming today.
Miley is not being hypocritical when she says that “this is just a part of me.”
Stop blaming Miley and her parents for things that you parents have a say-so over. Let her grow up because she can’t be the little girl you want her to be forever.
I am 19 years old and I must say that while yes this video is quite scandalous I feel I must also say that Miley is her own person. She makes mistakes as the rest of us do. Her mistakes will be of a different nature because she IS a star and lives life in a different way than said “normal” people. And to top it off, people like yourselves and the media blow it way out of proportions. She is young, she is living life, and making a career. Just because she made one video that some people frown upon does not mean that she is anti-God or straying from the path. She sees this video as art, which it is. If you look at this from an artistic perspective, then you should see the art of it, not the “discrace” or “tramp” side of it.
I am a Christian as well, and no her music is not in any way glorifying God, but her music is one way she can get her feelings out. So stop judging her so harshly. No, don’t let your children watch it if you plan on sheltering them from the world, but do teach them that this is something that they shouldn’t do. I’m not going to sit here and say Miley is wrong for growning up and showing it, but I’m also not going to say that children should grow up this way either.
I agree with you Dannah. It broke my heart after seeing this video. I am 23 years old and even seeing that a seventeen year old girl has to use sex to get attention really makes me sad. As a believer, over these last few years has been a journey of finding my self worth only from the Lord and not in the things of this world. I work with 14-15 year old high school girls at my church and knowing that they are at a vulnerable state in their lives and having such a strong desire to want to feel wanted and to have a boyfriend is so important. As a role model for them it’s crucial for my walk to exemplify the life of Christ. I don’t want to sit here and condemn Miley and her family. Although, I do agree that her parents play or should play a huge and vital role in the decisions of her career. However, I see and understand the desire for a girl and for women to search for their significance. It happens all of the time with young women, even if they aren’t in the public eye. They make decisions based on the desire to fill that void of having self worth and a lot of times it leads them down a path of destruction. My hope is that even though this video is released and I have no idea what is going on in Miley’s heart…my prayer for her is that she truly knows and believes that she is beautiful and that God loves her and she is worth so much to Him. I hate that she may feel like she has to toy herself around like a sex object…but having been in a place where I was searching for my worth..I know that it’s a struggle. But I have also come to understand that our God is so much bigger and so much stronger than we could ever possibly imagine. I pray that Miley gets that and understands that and through all of this can begin a journey of restoration in her heart.
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:26
I agree with everything you said. However, I do think that we have control over what we let our children watch and who our children will imitate. Our children will go through many phases and like many different stars. As they do, I believe it is our job to not let them get “caught up” in it. For every concert they attend, for every show they watch, for every piece of clothing they wear that says that stars name on it, they get more and more influenced. The industry knows how to capture our little girls and we have to be vigilant in protecting them by prayer and discernment.
I understand why you wrote to Miley’s parents…the video is very dark to me and sad. It is sad that she is going down that road. It is sad because Satan is having a “hay day”. Let’s pray for this family. One reader said we are all God’s children. No, we aren’t. We aren’t His children unless we have accepted His Son as our Savior and asked forgiveness of our sins. Our fruit will reflect what is in our hearts. Yes, we are all God’s creation. We should love the person but not the sin. Let’s rally to pray for this family…and our own.
A Facebook friend posted the link for the video. Here is my reply to her response to the video:
“It sure isn’t “Hannah Montana” but I didn’t see anything that bad, it follows right in the footsteps of Lady Gaga, Brittney Spears and the other recent “trampy” style videos. What we have to remember is that Miley Cyrus is not 12 anymore and she is stepping out of the Hannah role that she’s been playing on Disney.
Personally I’d give it a thumbs down only in content of the video style. I don’t care for the out there story line or the constant flashing from one scene to another, to jerky for me.
It’s good that you watch these videos with her and can explain why you have concerns about them. Stay with it, you won’t be sorry. You’ll help her see that her time is valuable and when she does choose to watch, she’ll be much more discerning about her choices.”
That said, I’m the mother of three daughters. The youngest is 17. They all had the “star” that they loved and yet they didn’t follow in their footsteps. Why? Because they are well founded in their faith, as are their parents. Our girls have been brought up to know that they are special in that they are precious and children of God, because we tell/told them that daily.
I’m not going to bash Miley or her parents, I’m going to pray that they all see the direction that things are going and do a U-turn. God allows those you know.
[…] Watch the video and read the letter
Read the article and, of course, wanted to see the video for myself. My nine year old daughter could hear it playing lowly, but I told her she could not watch. As she heard the music she said, “That’s not Miley!”, then she heard her say, “…hell” and she gasped and said, “Why would anyone want to watch something like that?!” Smart girl…. My kids will no longer be watching Miley, if this is her new thing. The world does not need another Britney Spears. Like the author of this article, I have defended Miley in the past, but not now. So sad! …. And the words to the beginning of this song (which my daughter did not hear) are apalling. Ughh… frustrating.
I just went and read some of the others comments… it is so disturbing to me that there are those that think this is a normal part of “growing up”. I would personally like to see Miley grow up in more mature fashion. And that does not mean boring and stuffy. Being risque is not mature… being trampish is not mature. She could have chosen to be trendy without being trashy. She could have chosen more modest clothing and still portray a bird. We don’t need to see her boobs or watch her rub on her own body. We do not need to see her rubbing her body against other’s bodies. We do not need to hear about all the “men she has been through” (which is not even believable… thank God). I truly hope the Cyrus family reads this article and theses comments. They have the power to stop this! Do not sell out to the industry. The fans do not want this sort of trash. We would much rather see Miley grow into a young lady making Godly choices for her life. To the Cyrus family and, especially to Miley, ask yourself what you think God thinks of this. That is the only opinion that will matter in the end.
Dannah, My friend (and pastor’s wife)posted this on her facebook page. I logged on, read the letter and was so happy that my daughter who is 15 is ahead of the Miley Cyrus thing - but that does not mean she is not influenced by worse. It just so happened that I am in the process of beginning my second year of using your SKG as the outreach for the girls at a home for children. I had met you in Hershey, PA in November and left with your manager the ‘outreach version’ I had made of your book. Well, this week I am putting the final touches on the tea party for the girls as the kickoff - so I call my friend mentioned above as she is one of the ladies partnering with me in the ministry and she asked if I could call her back - she was just listening to you on Moody radio over the internet. So I quickly plugged in and heard the tail end where the caller called in. And, she was so right. The junk (and that is saying it politely) is going to be out there - but we have to do everything in our power to not allow it in our homes. It is so hard right now - from the clothes, music, INTERNET - and every day there is a new thing on there popping up from YouTube videos to …well - it is just endless. We have limited a cell phone to NO texting (we have had to call the state police on three persons sending inappropriate messages - they were voice ones, then to texting asking for photos of her top half naked!!!) Then we have the new smart phones that give you internet access EVERYWHERE - that is where we drew the line. A cell phone is a privilege - and for the purpose of talking. I applaud you and all you do to be someone to turn to. Someone on our side - when we have a teen screaming that we are being unfair and “well, everyone does that …or … everyone else’s parents let them, go, do, see or have this that or the other thing. I actually love when I hear my mothers words coming out of my mouth - because I know what those words saved me from. It is just soooo tough! Thanks for being someone who is laying down the track in the right direction that we can jump on and keep on that track! (How do you ever get any sleep -so much to be concerned about!!!) Blessings! - and your SKG has touched so many in ways you would never imagine with the outreach program as the staff that brings the girls sit in on the lessons and they are also hearing God’s plan for woman! Thanks!
I have to say as I read through some of the comments, that I too, was very disturbed by some of the other posts.
This video and the content is not a “normal part of growing up”. Sexualization of young girls is not “growing” up….it’s simply “growing” bank accounts. Let’s be honest….it ALL comes down to money. It’s not “artistic expression” or “an avenue to express her feelings”. This a child that is surrounded by adults that are allowing her to go down this very dark path.
I for one, appreciate Dannah’s open letter and speaking out. It is my prayer that if we that disagree will speak with our wallets, then hopefully we will see the change that we want to see.
My prayers are with the Cyrus family. It is incredibly hard to raise pure and loving daughters not in the public eye, I can only imagine the struggles they face in the “fish bowl”.
May God Bless you for the work you have done. I have four children, two of which are girls, and the oldest being 13. I have sheltered my kids from the world as much as possible. We control what they see on tv and worldy music is off limilts. There are no good role models for our kids today. Hannah Montana is a good show as is others on Disney and Nick. However I have seen Miley on a downward trend for sometime. When doing interviews I have seen her in very inappropriate attire and the pole dance she did at the award show a few months back was a disgrace. And her father was in the front cheering her on! Not a good example.
America has lost all morality and I fear for what my children will face in the years to come. I have had my battles with my own kids because they want to wear and do what there friends are doing. My daughter still does not understand fully why I will not let her wear a bikini.
I hope the Cyrus family reads your words and may take some of it to heart. I pray they see it as a help and not just a bad critizem. I have read your books, they were given to me by my daughters youth leader. I wish I had them when I was a teen because I would have saved myself for my marriage. You will be in my prayers that God will continue to use you. Thank you!!!!!!
I watched the video with my 13 year old. She’s not as much of a fan of Miley as she was in the past. We have had many conversations about the path young stars take once they reach their teen years. We have also been hoping and praying that Miley would choose a different path. I watched my daughter’s face as she watched the video. Although I’m not sure she could voice this, the look on her face was the look you see on one betrayed. My heart is heavy tonight. We will continue to pray for Miley and all the little girls who look to her as their role model. Thank you for giving me the tools to talk with my daughter about this other things. I am so grateful.
Thank you for all you are doing for young girls. My girls have are younger and they love Miley. I just seen that video and its just so difficult to watch. I dont want to be negative about it either, but I would not want any girl to think its ok to do what the celebraties are doing, no matter who they are. There will be enough going on in their lives before i know it, i dont want to expose them to all of this stuff early or later as a matter of fact. they definately wont be seeing that video of hers.
Yes, Dannah. And I agree with Brooks on May 10th. We all love Miley and her parents…all of whom are humans. When humans make imperfect choices, the thing to do is realize it, discuss it, learn from it and do better. We all live in a world filled with temptations and difficulties. Supporting each other to be our bests and get back on the right path when we step off is what we have to do. Jesus didn’t let His deciple to drown because he took his eyes off Jesus…We have to constatly keep turning back to Jesus when “the world” wants to avert our eyes.
Hang in there, Billy Ray, Tish, Miley, and all. As a fellow Tennessean, I know you can! We love you and want The Best for you.
I am conflicted here. Although I do agree that the video is not appropriate for young ladies, I do not agree at all with this article. Who are we to sit here and judge Miley and her family? Who made us God? Does not the Bible say that God will be the judge of all men, that He will take vengeance and that we should not? God counts all sin the same in His eyes. So is not the name calling and judgment passed in this post and letter to her parents just as bad as the video itself? Maybe we should all get off of our high horses and down onto our knees and do what we need to do: pray. We should pray for Miley and her family that God will strengthen them to make the decisions that He would have them to make. The Bible does say that before we go remove the splinter out of our neighbor’s eye, we should remove the plank out of our own. So I think we all need to take a step back and remove the planks out of our eyes.
I think your open letter is appropriate enough in its admonition, and parents should encourage one another to be mindful about choices they make for their children and to safeguard against the waywardness of a child’s heart. However, I think the letter is too little, too late. From the very beginning, at least in some ways, Miley has run the show in her family. It’s written all over her personality, her relationship with her family, and even her name. Did you know that her given name is Destiny Cyrus? But when she was just a child, I think it was even before she took on the character of Hannah Montana, she begged and pleaded to have her name LEGALLY changed to Miley, because it’s what SHE wanted. I read somewhere that she liked the name because her nickname as a small child was “Smiley” because she smiled alot…and while yeah, that’s cute, you don’t then go and allow your kid to change her name legally to be what she wants it to be, I don’t care where it originated from. That to me was the beginning, if not before that. Her parents have continually allowed her to have her say and to get her wishes, at least on some levels. What parent allows a child to have so much unwarranted authority that she is allowed to choose and legalize her own name, different from the one that the parent lovingly chose for her at birth? Can we say child-centered? This is the root of the issues they have today. Not just with the name-change. If that was allowed to happen, one can only guess that other things were allowed…and then one day, your kid poses for a slightly risque photo shoot with a world famous photographer, for a magazine designed for ADULT readers, but you allow her to do so, because it’s “such a great opportunity” and it’s “not that bad”…Satan’s lies infiltrate slowly and subtly over a period of time; they don’t just show up with bells and whistles one day giving us plenty of warning. This latest music video is just one more installment of lies perpetuated by the enemy in Miley’s life, and her parents are the ones who will have to answer for this. I understand that we ALL are victim to Satan’s lies at one time or another and me making this statement about Miley and her parents is not to imply that I think I’m any better. However, we all have choices and we all have consciences, and I think the beginning of this road that Miley is on now started from her cradle, with her parents lack of discretion and protection over their daughter. I take very seriously my role as teacher, guide, and role model for my daughter and it breaks my heart to see how Miley’s mother has dropped the ball in some pretty major ways…and her father’s role is to be her protector, and has he done that? It doesn’t look like it to me. I think prayers are definitely in order for Miley. She’s at a crucial turning point in her life; about to be an adult by the world’s definition, turning 18. Where will she go from here?
I teach at a maternity home for young women who have been raised with our societies wrong picture of what a young girl and young lady should be. I see the heartache and we so desperately need good role models for being godly not worldly. Thank you for writing this letter to her parents. I will pray for these words of truth to penetrate their hearts. I use your material as I teach these girls God’s truth - keep up the good work.
If parents would look for girl bands that have been good role models, they are out there. Check out Superchick and look up their newest music video, CROSS THE LINE! I am soo proud of the 2 girls, Melissa d Tricia because I am their MOM!
Peggy is right- there are young women Miley’s Age who are great role models: Britt Nicole, SuperChick, Rebecca St. James - they are CLEAR about their stand and they can be supported whole heartedly
yes, sadness is what i feel. for miley, her family, and all of her fans.
still praying for her.
Thank you so much Dannah, for stepping up and saying what all of us want to say. My daughter is 10 years old and loves Miley. I also, believe we must be forgiving, so I hope as parents they stepup and make that decision for Miley. I will be with you in pray for the Cyrus family.
I was shocked when I saw the performance on dancing with the stars-what a shame she has gone this way. My daughter who is 10 was watching, and asked why she was acting that way, it’s gross!
Please Billy Ray, talk some sense into her, she will lose in the long run! she has so much talent, she does not need to sell herself that way! Please be an example that you can have moral
integrity and be sucessful too!
Sad to see Miley exploited in such a manner!
Thank you for your open letter. My only prayer and hope is that Miley’s parents will somehow see it and do everything in their power to protect their daughter from the machine that is Disney/Hollywood. My concerns however, go beyond Miley and confront the culture our TV viewing has allowed to infiltrate our children’s lives. Disney is a sex promoting industry.They take a girl, Selena Gomez (among others), with the face of a five year old, and put her in prostitute makeup. Give her rebellious, disobedient characteristics and pass it off as cute, even witty. They use 17yr olds with developed bodies to play 14yr olds and they always give them weak, foolish fathers who have no ability to discipline or protect them as they always find their own way of dealing with their problems. Is this really okay to use as role models for our children? Do we really want the men and women behind Hollywood finding role models for our girls? I don’t want my daughter to grow up thinking her best will be how good she looks and how well she can perform sexually for some older man. Let the pedaphiles of Hollywood find themselves out of work because their audience has finally woke up and removed their daughters from the TV set. I only hope you wake up to how this evil is to be exposed, not applauded.
I completely agree with you. Miley was once a good role model for teens and younger children. It’s difficult to remain firm in the Lord when the business that the Cyrus family is in does not give way to the Lord. The bible says not to conform yourself to the world, but rather be the salt and the light of it. I am only 16 years old and I can understand the pressures that both Miley and her parents have, but in the circumstance they are in, the best thing they can do is to pray before every move they make and to make sure that before taking a step that it is the Lords will. They must be receptive to the Lord and be patient. From what I can tell, the Cyrus family has a great heart and much love to give. Don’t change who you are to please others, but remember that the big guy upstairs has the final word in all.
Great letter. Great thoughts. She used our kids to catapult her to a higher level, now she’s stepping on all of them with no regards to their development. Our kids are still young. Now she’s reaching out to a whole new fan base. Who knew she needed a sleezy audience to fullfill herself more?
Simply put, nobody is ever satisfied with anything. This is greed at it’s best. Doing anything to steal the limelight. She sold herself short.
Thank you so much for sharing this letter with us! I’m only 14, but Miley is visibly headed down the wrong path. I’ve watched a few episodes of Hannah Montana, and I really didn’t like that Mr. Cyrus was so weak in his discipline of her. Unless the fathers of this generation step in, our country is going to fall(and already is falling) to immorality.
I really pray that God will totally step in and stop Miley and her family from carrying this any farther.
Just watched the video on youtube. I am very disappointed. I agree with the letter you have written and hope that it is received well. I was listening to Chip Ingram yesterday on Moody and he was talking about how hard it is to tell some one ,especially a friend, the hard truth. I think you have done this and I hope it helps. This song is definitely something from the dark side. I hope Miley doesn’t end up in a pig pen eating slop before God gets her attention and she decides to come home.
Here’s a thought. Why don’t you mind your own business? Miley’s parents are able to discern right and wrong for their own children. She’s also nearing adulthood and will be 18 in November at which time she’ll be able to make her own decisions. Not everyone’s version of what is moral is on par with yours. The only thing you can do is make sure you’re living YOUR OWN LIFE the best way you can.
Worry about your own house before you throw stones at someone else’s.
No offense to anyone here, but really… CAN YOU EXPECT ANY LESS FROM HOLLYWOOD?! I am surprised that as CHRISTIANS, you parents have allowed your children to have a role model from Hollywood. Miley’s association with Disney, considering the liberal path that Disney has taken, should be WARNING ENOUGH. Miley’s video “Can’t Be Tamed” should come at no surprise. She has signed a contract with Hollywood, so how can she serve two masters? I think it’s been their agenda all along to allure young girls’ attention by creating a clean, wholesome character and then once that character shifts and changes to the worldly scene, oh the masses of young adoring girls that would follow!!! Shame on you parents for allowing the wolf in sheep’s clothing into your home. Unplug your TVs and get your kids to read and then they’d have true role models such as America’s founding fathers or women in history who have stood up for morality and Christian principles.
Miley’s parents can only help her mature as far as they themselves are spiritually…that’s a truth all of us as parents have to face every day.
As a single dad, I have also had to fight the Miley Cyrus influence. Fortunately, my daughter seems to have avoided the Miley train, though was initially headed down that path….Dannah, this really started way before her latest video….the Vanity Fair photo shoot, the pole dance, parties and sexually charged dances without supervision, allowing worldy influences and not countering them….Every time I walk into Wal Mart and see this bigger than life poster one thought pops into my mind, sorry to say….slut of the month…sorry if that’s too direct, but it’s the honest truth. Is that what any christian mom and dad want people thinking of their daughter?
I agree with you completely. My daughters loved Miley growing up and now at the ages of 17 and 20 they have chosen to stop supporting Miley due to her last video….they were so ashamed that her parents would actually approve of this knowing how much society pushes sex on young girls anyways and then to have Miley who millions of kids follow do this……….heart wrenching. Some readers write other stars have made same mistakes and they are absolutely correct…Olsen twins, Lohan, Spears…to name a few but none of them claimed to love the Lord and be Christian girls…….look where they are all at now. Hilary Duff….good head on her shoulders because she decided to follow her upbringing by her parents and she is a great role model still today. Disgusted in Miley and her parents……..don’t preach the ‘Christian’ attitude if you are going to influence our girls with that kind of trash….extremely disappointed…………
Are we really suprised? I applaud your letter to the Cyrus family. I am once again stunned at the perverseness of so called christians. To stoop so low and wallow in the this sexually charged preverness, all the while they call themselves Christians.I mourn not only for their souls but, for those little ones they are leading down the path of destuction. The lyrics alone are against God and His Christ; So vain and cruel is their rebellousness, wiping their slime on so many innocent ones already struggling to “fit” in. The lyrics, the dress, the dance is a performance I can only imagine at a ring side seat in Hell. It certainly is from there. While I listened to the song’s lyrics, I kept hearing the hiss of the serpent defiling & luring our kids, while mocking & taunting our creator.
Miley sings,” I ‘m not here to sell ya”, YES, you are ,Miley. “or tell ya to go to Hell … I wanna be a part of something I don’t know…. don’t change me ….” This is hell and all of it’s vaunting.
Malachi 3 says, “Who will abide the day of His COMING? and who shall stand when he appeareth”?
May this family repent and be cleansed by the Lamb of God whom they say they love.
My children are grown and gone so haven’t been staying up with this at all. Excellent letter. So sad for the family.
I mostly agree with the folks who are posting that it started a long time ago. Maybe you shouldn’t have been trying to be so positive. After viewing the video which is absolutely ghastly in its portrayal of the underworld of sex, prostitution, homosexuality, promiscuity….etc. (Isn’t she saying “I cannot be saved” many times?) I don’t think it missed anything ugly. Absolutely appalling and you said you thought it wasn’t too bad to look at with your daughter? I’m praying that the Lord help me erase the images I saw. Granted I’m pretty sensitive to this kind of provocativeness. You might think I’m sensitive because I’m old but you would be wrong! It is because as a daughter with a non-christian background I was there, did that and got the t-shirt. That is exactly why I can see what is going on here.
She has sold out and when I then clicked on another music video of a sweet looking innocent girl singing from a baby grand piano I saw - no difference! She was saying words of rebellion and provocative and running along in baby doll gown with her developed body practically exposed. Of course we know that God designed boys to be visual so to them she was fully exposed. No imagination necessary to complete the picture.
Dannah, I don’t know you nor did anyone I know grow up on Hannah Montana (heard about her of course). I have just read most of the posts and I too appreciate the attempt to be positive and uplifting but that is like trying to carry water in a sieve. All the good intentions don’t cut it. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways (many times I’ve heard folks rattle off this verse and leave that phrase out. It is not the unsaved God is speaking to.); then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”
As all posters have agreed, we are not posting to say that we are any better. I can assure you that I ask for ALL of your forgiveness for perpetuating the horrendous ’60s and all the turn in our society that those years brought. I too had parents that thought, ‘Oh, she will grow out of it. She isn’t hurting anyone.’ What foolishness and what a lie.
There of course is not one of us that shouldn’t turn from our wicked ways but instead it is so easy to point to someone doing worse. God has redeemed me and forgiven me and set me on a new path 25 years ago. I praise God for amazing miracles of redemption. I love much because I have been forgiven much. I also see much because I have lived much. Miley, appears to have begun her slide a long time ago and folks were missing the signs. Several have posted how sneaky the devil is and he is. “He that is in my is greater than he that is in the world.” I try to bath myself in His word and walk all day with Him in the center of my focus. If something feels ‘funny’ it is because it is outside that beautiful relationship with my heavenly Father and I know to RUN from it.
We tolerate way too much in this permissive society. The pendulum needs to swing back but of course Scripture points out that it will continue to head in this direction we the redeemed must continue to stand for Jesus and Jesus alone. I can’t imagine how a follower of Jesus could not see the ’slide’ even in these softer music videos. Oh, and don’t forget, it was horrible in Sodom and Gomorrah and still the day of the Lord had not come. We do not know when it comes so we must continue to pray for hearts to be turned back to the Father.
I too lift my prayers in unison with you all for the family and for our country and for God’s name to be Holy, to be held in esteem, to be Hallowed.
Thank you for saying exactly what I feel about this situation!
We watched in horror at the transformation of sweet little Britney and Christina during the Mickey Mouse Club days as they became overtly sexual tools of the trade. Seems they will do anything to maintain their celebrity and bring in the bucks. Lindsey Lohan, another tragic story.
I too supported and made efforts to make excuses to tell other parents ’she’ was different. I have seen the video. She is not!
I am praying that something will bring about change … in this case … it will take a miracle. WAKE UP BILLY-RAY!!!
The sex card does not have to be the “next step” in anyone’s life. Just because Hollywood has become another Sodom & Gomorah, doesn’t mean the world has to follow. There are reasons God placed restrictions on us and when we allow our children to follow after the world, then we fail. I pray this letter will jar Billy & Tish.
Thank you so much for taking a stand and saying what all of us parents want to say to Billy Rae and Tish. Im sorry but I totally do blame them and believe they will be held accountable on the day of judgement for allowing this to happen in their daughters life. I was so hoping to that she would be one that would not fall into this trap. It so saddens my heart and I pray that they will see the error of their ways and turn from evil. God has such a BETTER plan for Miley and wants to use this platform He has allowed her to have to so impact her world for Christ! It not to late to change this path for your daughters life and all of the millions that will follow her.
There’s only one way to be a Christian and to follow Jesus, and that’s to be 100% sold out. The times we live in are in now way a time to have one foot in the world and one in Christianity. I don’t really feel like defending the Cyrus’ for living this way.
Have any of you watched other shows on the Disney Channel? Our daughter watches some of them, and they have NO pretense of being Christian at all. Most of the characters are portrayed as “nice” and “tolerant” but ALL of them act like fame and fortune are the goals of this life. Disney bows to the dollar.
Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Anyone who calls this video just an art expression is probably a female who does not understand men.
I watched the video so that I would be able to see what was going on. There were many themes in the video as well as the lyrics that are very contradictory to God’s will. I am no person to throw stones at this point, however; I realize that today’s dancing is very sexual and often involves males and females alike clamoring over the female stars. This has negative connotations. The way she laid there was very sexual and I found myself hard-pressed to see any resemblance of a Christian in this video. The dancing and outfits could have been different, period! The lyrics are just appeasing the world! I have seen many beautiful videos by non-Christian artists who are very successful which had no sexual overtones or this dark, sinister theme. I think that Miley is becoming full of pride and forgetting that her actions are not in God’s will. She needs to trust Him that if she sings and dances in a way that celebrates the body and wholesome values, that He will bless her and her career. She will have to experience this and turn from this sinful behavior or suffer the consequences. We all have to do this and we have all been through it.
Thank you so much for writing this letter. While I do agree that it IS our responsibility as a parent to monitor what our children hear and watch, we cannot be with them 100% of the time. There will come a time when our children will be at another person’s house and will see these things. We too watched Hannah Montana (my daughter is 5) because it was a good show. It was one of the clean and decent shows on television. But even at 5, my daughter knows that Miley IS Hannah Montana, so when she sees her acting in a very distasteful (and yes, hypocritical) manner, she thinks that it might be ok. From day one, Miley and her family talked about their faith and how they were family oriented. This type of acting, however, does not show that. As most girls who come off of the Disney Channel (do I really need to name them?) she has lost her role-model status. Why can’t being modest and actually wearing clothes be attractive? It truly saddens me.
As for the reader who commented about Anne Hathaway, Anne stated somewhere that she was not into making those types of movies. That it was for the money and to make a name for herself. So really, you cannot compare the two.
Billy Ray and Tish - Please save your daughter from the ways of this industry before it is too late!! We are all praying for you!
I forgot to mention that I had a similar experience being a fan of Madonna! As I learned more about her, I just phased her out of my life. I vowed at that point to never buy my children any clothes or dolls or go to concerts of people like these flashy stars. It’s fine to buy the music, but I was not going to have my children going around dressed as mini stars and I was not going to be one of the crowd who worshiped these fallible child stars and be part of the so-called “fan base” that they felt they had to keep appeasing.
We need to direct our children to Jesus and his Word through our daily example. The only person who can handle a pedestal is Jesus Christ! Phil. 4:8
Just read your letter to Miley’s parents. Good job! Just went online and watched the video. Not only was/am I saddened and horrified by the physical aspects of it, and I agree, she doesn’t look comfortable in it, I was appalled by the verbal message of the song as well. “I can’t be SAVED” — “I can’t be BLAMED” - ok it rhymes with “tamed” but that’s one of the huge things that’s wrong with so many out there. Of COURSE you can be blamed for wrongdoing! There ARE consequences to actions, both good AND bad. And kids need to know this. Miley/hannah montana telling little girls there is no blame, NOR any way of being ‘SAVED’ is just oh-so-WRONG.
These kids need more role models who say, “Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life” - and that it’s FUN to put their lives, hearts, trust, and minds in Him!
Blessings on your on-going work.
Bumpin your site to my Facebook.
There is a great deal of irony in the “I can’t be tamed” video, seeing as how she is completely being tamed by Hollywood and molded into their view of a girl. Those that think there is not too much wrong with this video need to watch it again and pay attention to the “visual insinuations”. In these music videos, things don’t just happen, they are directed and directed according to the moral compass of the director.
I am typically engulfed in political forums but I came across a link to your site and was absolutely pleased with the work you are doing here. As a father of a 14 year old who loves Miley, I am glad I came across your site.
I have a daughter who is ten and has spoken in favor of her. Now I’m mad. I understand contracts and all, but wouldn’t it be advantageous to publicly express true and sincere regret for this thing and request/demand that the video be pulled? This nasty video is already going to be forever conjured up into the memories and imaginations of all of those who have seen it; not to mention as well during the times if and when the song is ever heard again. If I can keep my daughter from doing such an evil thing as this can’t any parent who is paying attention? This has forced a conversation with my daughter that I never should have had to have. Sex is to be a private thing between a husband and a wife. There is a Book that I can recommend that supports this moral thing throughout. There is not to be so much as even a hint of what is sexually immoral among us Christians; and we are living epistles that are read by the rest of the world whether we like it or not. Dad and mom Cyrus, if you are reading this, let there be an apology by you, the parents, for allowing this, and, as well, please attempt to get the video pulled. Did you really sign your daughter up for this? Your daughter was taken advantage of and you should be very upset about this.
Miley’s justification of her video antics brings to mind the verse of Judges 21:25 ” .. and everyone did what was right in his own eyes” She may be developing her own preferences as to what she considers appropriate entertainment; she’s obviously deceived thinking this type of activity is OK. Moreover, Miley IS still a minor and has parents who should be doing everything in their power to pull her off this destructive path; destructive not only to their daughter, but to her legions of impressionable fans. It is not too late to turn this around, but God help you if you don’t repent and wake-up.
I too am saddened that they took the easy road and did what Hollywood expected them to do. I am so glad that my daughters, who are big fans of Hannah Montana, were turned off by this video. They could clearly see that she gave in. How incredible would it be to have the most influential young lady in pop-culture take a stand for modesty and purity?
Miley, don’t fall into this trap. You will be more successful if you come back and tell your fans that you have decided to stay true to yourself and not fall into the Hollywood stereotypical female.
My ten year old who is still very innocent in her understanding of male and female relationships came home after spending a night with a friend and was clearly very disturbed as she said, “Momma, we need to pray for Miley Cyrus”. My response was, “so you’ve seen the new video?” She confirmed that she had. Even though she understands little of the sexual symbolism of the video, she was very disturbed as she could tell it wasn’t consistent with Miley’s claims of following Jesus. We have worked through other Miley mistakes, recognizing we make mistakes too, and we have to choose to try to be like Jesus, rather than like someone we idolize because we will make enough mistakes on our own and don’t need to copy someone else’s. This video crosses the line too far. Interestingly for a huge Miley fan, my child has no interest in seeing it again. We are praying for the Cyrus family, but I also believe that Miley needs to make choices consistent with being a Christian or quit claiming to be one so publically.
I completely agree with your stance. As someone who works in a high school and sees the influence that she has all the way down here in the Caribbean, I know how dangerous this is. I was encouraged when I heard they are a CHRISTian family, but I started questioning some of their decisions even before this video. I’m even worried about the closeness of her relationship with her boyfriend. I must admit there are times when I wonder whether she is not now sexually active. The Bible still says that fornication is a sin, regardless of how much you think you love each other. If you’re going to live for CHRIST, it definitely means being willing to obey HIS Word. Let’s keep them in our prayers. GOD can turn ANY situation around.
Hi, I am not sure i would have written this letter. I think it will be a very difficult transition in the young fans of Miley because she is now a grown up. She is old enough to go out on her own. Writing a letter to her parents about how they have failed is not fair, and I might say not appropriate.
As parents we have to protect our children from the world. We cant blame the world for being the world. In my house we have very limited TV watching and we have the control to take away music that we think might not be appropriate. I dont have girls, but I do know girls are becoming more and more promiscuous these days, and I do worry about how my sons will stay pure in high school. But I am responsible as their parent, not a pop star’s parent. In my opinion, the best thing to do would be to spend the time teaching and talking to your daughters, and stop worrying about the parenting of someone you dont even know. We are all responsible for our own actions and own children.
Boys are different to raise I know, but maybe even talk to the girls who idolize Miley or look to her as their role model and want to be just like her. After all, the bible also says having an idol is wrong.
In my humble opinion, pointing fingers and what seems like directing blame is not a fair action. When this stuff happens I am embarrased for Christians and how we use our words. Show love, not blame, teach your own children what is right from wrong, and live your own positive example. Your children will follow if you raise them in the ways of the Lord. If you allow them too much exposure of the world you are sure to find situations like these. If you dont like her, just dont buy her music…. its not that hard.
I feel for Billy Rae and Tish. I really do. I would be devistated if I received this letter. Miley is old enough to have her own job and make her own career. How about you send it directly to her. The parents have enough to worry about, and they are good people.
So embarrsed for you… really.
ps- I read this “Im sorry but I totally do blame them and believe they will be held accountable on the day of judgement for allowing this to happen in their daughters life.”
There is an age of accountability to take into consideration. You are speaking as though this girl is 3 years old. She is an adult! SHE is responsible for her own actions. There is a HUGE wave of people my age leaving the faith, abandoning their churches. Many of them have said “I dont hate God, I hate his people.” If I hadnt been raised in the church I might not want to be a part of it either. Some of these letters are sick.
Unless you are perfect, I think God will have some things to say to you as well. We must all watch our tounges and actions.
Great letter. You can tell you are really torn about having to say something. I’m happy most of the posts are positive and really saddened by a few of the post who say you should “mind your own business” and “not judge” etc,. The Bible says to correct those who falter in a loving manner so they can repent and change (paraphrase). It isn’t judging. It is saying, “I love you enough to try to keep you from losing your way”.
Please keep up the good work. I have 2 young girls (and 2 boys) and appreciate the site.
Thanks for making your feelings public Dannah. Miley is quoted and her words sound like the work of the network. There is a battle for every kid and Miley is missing the opportunity of a lifetime, too influence young girls in a positive light is such a rare find. Find a new direction and stay pure or go the way of the network, make the next video worse than this last one, and give into such areas as lust, deceit, and temptation. In fame and success you only lose your voice to the popularity of the crowd. Its true we all struggle but stand now or find your journey filled with lots of “achy breaky heart.” Your right we all had hire aspirations for Miley. And I really like your work Dannah, we will follow your blog more often as our daughters grow.
Thank you Dannah for taking a stand for purity and for the future of young children. As a grandmother it not only grieves me that Miley has taken this road, but, like other celebrities, she seems to be oblivious to the great responsibility that she has as a role model to the children who emulate her. Maybe this is just a case where the ball started rolling on this video/song, compromises/decisions were made, and it just couldn’t be stopped. Somebody stopped listening and somebody stopped standing for goodness. I am sorry for that. It’s a difficult thing to be under scrutiny at all times. …for whom much is given, much is expected. It’s never too late to turn things around. Sacrifice always demands a price.
Thank you for writing this letter. I will post it on my FaceBook for other moms to read. I think much can be attributed to the day she legally changed her name from Destiny Hope. I’m still rooting for her and the Cyrus family as well, because I know the words of Jesus are rooted in their hearts.
I recently heard that Miley also appeared in the latest movie, “Sex in the City 2.” I was also disappointed to hear that. It seems that Miley might be on her way to the same path as other child stars who grew up to follow the Hollywood morality, etc.
Just found your blog…Great letter to the Cyrus’! I too was shocked to see Miley’s ‘Can’t Be Tamed’ song…I watched in live on Dancing with the Stars. I was sooo glad my 6 year old daughter was already in bed. She loves dancing and singing and I want her to always enjoy both but in a good, tasteful manner. Dannah, your stance is standing up for God’s will. Keep it up! God is great!!
Dannah that is so well stated. My son is in Demi Lovato’s band and as she nears 18, I get worried too where she might head. She has solid parents and supposedly a Christian background but when they are in that entertainment world, it is hard to stay age appropriate. I think some of it is outside pressure but I also think it is in the girl’s heart to want to be sexual as a way to break away from being a girl and being seen as a woman. I think for being only 17, Miley’s video isn’t even close to being age appropriate. I have to wonder if these young girls don’t in their hearts love the attention this brings. It would be a big temptation. These young kids in the entertainment business (even Disney) are exposed to a lot things (values, temptations for drugs, alcohol, older guys, too much self focus) that aren’t appropriate for their age and maturity level and so are not equipped to handle it properly. I have a 14 y.o. daughter so between what’s on TV and all the stuff my son tells us, we are in the thick of the battle with the culture too. Thank you so much for your great work!
I have to make one more comment. I am so impressed by many of the comments to your post. There are lots of thoughtful, Biblical expressions that are so well stated!
I’m not sure I would have written the letter either. In one sense, it seemed like you needed to write this because you had previously said Miley was okay to listen to… like you had felt betrayed? Perhaps that is not how you are feeling, but some of the letter gave off that vibe.
My question is… who is actually making this girl a role model for the young girls? I am sure that 8 year olds cannot buy their own T shirts, cds, tvs, posters and magazines? The parents supply those things. If these young girls look to Miley for guidance in their individual lives, perhaps the parents are at fault for allowing their children to keep their eyes focused on someone other than the true example- Jesus. Anyone who puts their lives in the hand of hollywood is sure to be disapointed and should have seen this coming. Just a thought.
Wait, am I totally missing something here? Why are we allowing anyone in Hollywood, or anyone that we don’t even know, for that matter, to be “role models” for our girls? Our children need REAL people they can connect with in a real way to be role models for them, but even then, we can’t put our hope in individuals- it’s just a matter of time until man (any man, or woman)will disappoint us. At least if there is a real relationship, our daughters can work through the tough lessons of offense and reconciliation etc. Keep on praying for the Cyrus family and all of those caught up in the money making schemes of this world, but by all means don’t let your children get caught up in it with them- even a little…. Turn it off, unplug it- teach your children to do the same- be set a part from the culture! Reminds me of the verse- some trust in horses, some in chariots, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. He is the only one that will never disappoint us!
Not suprising. Why are we encouraging our children to “idolize” singers, dancers, etc., instead of having them focus on Jesus? When children learn that it is OK to “praise” another human being who makes them “feel good” intead of praising the Lord, there is bound to be troubles in paradise! We need to put our children back on the right track and get back to the old hymns and psalms and “put away childish things”.
Miley has clearly made her decision about where she wants to go from here. She wants even MORE fame, even MORE fortune — whatever it takes. She wants her place in the world, at whatever cost to her own soul and to the souls of the young people she certainly influences. So sad! As the saying goes, one is either part of the problem or part of the solution! I am sorry to say that she makes herself part of the problem by influencing young girls to embrace the world, the flesh, and the devil.
This video is incredibly suggestive, absolutely awash in sexual innuendo. And she is not yet even an adult, barely 17 years old! Clearly, she wasn’t “made” to do this. And either her parents approved, or, if not, she no longer respects their opinion.
But after seeing the unbelievable and jaw-dropping photo of herself and her dad of a few years ago, one can only conclude that his own moral compass is not functioning. Sadly, it does not appear that she can look to him for sound moral guidance. View the photo, if you haven’t, to see for yourself. One young viewer commented that she couldn’t even imagine posing in that way with her own father!
Yes, the family should be prayed for, but one must also objectively speak the truth and say that Miley’s behavior is an atrocious example to her young fans. It is scandalous! If this at 17, what is next in her “career?” I don’t want to imagine. It appears she has chosen her path. And I agree with those who have said that she should at least have the honesty to quit projecting herself as a Christian. This makes the matter even worth, implying that one can be a follower of Christ and the bearer of His Holy Name while at one and the same time defy His holy precepts and lead others on the path to perdition.
Harsh sounding? No truthful. And what this world needs more than anything else is Truth! I am a grandmother of a ten-year-old girl. Her parents guard her carefully, but evil influences are everywhere. I pray for her daily. Shame on Miley! A good old-fashioned word — shame. But who cares about shame anymore. Realize yourself, advance your career! But there is still the day of accountability. Miley, please consider!
We should all pray for Sandy Manning (who posted above) and her son (who is in Demi Lovato’s band). Let’s really encourage her and pray that her son will be a solid voice of Biblical truth and God’s love for Demi. Maybe she’s our hope for Hollywood! Come on, Demi!
hi everyone i do agree with the letter that you wrote, i feel that the media is leading our little girls to grow up to fast and to be as sexy as they can be to be accepted. i do pray that the parents but most of all that Miley to really understand on the message that she is giving to our girls. Miley if you could only see beyond the fame and the money but really see the girls who admire you, who wants to be like you, i hope that you may take a step back and re-think you behavior.
the letter was good..
we need to be like elijah… peter or even paul.. bold n stand up for truth…
we are not judging… we are discerning…GOD IS THE JUDGE ONLY..
if we are in a grocery store… we arent picking a bad fruit… its not logical… is that judging? NO
a christian is to let her or his light shine to the shine…
NOT LET THE WORLD DICTATE N LET U COMPROMISE YOUR LIGHT..
BY THEIR FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM…..
george from the country of BERMUDA …
I heard you on the radio today (listen while at work) and I read your letter to my 19 and 17 year old daughters tonight at home. “Right On”
We saw Miley perform this song on Dancing with the Stars and were surprised. Although my girls are older they both said, “Wow, does she realize what she is saying to her young followers/” Although my daughters are older they really like Miley’s songs and movies/tv shows. My 17 year old said after watching the video, “Mom, I would never let my little girl watch this. Hannah Montana would be banned in my home.”
That’s my 17 year old speaking - she is the same age as Miley and realizes the influence she has on her young fans. How could this be missed?
We are a “theatre” family and think of ourselves as “outside the box” type of people and more “liberal’ than some Christians, but we strongly believe that as a Christian you must be the example to the world around you. We need to TRANSFORM the world, even when it is difficult.
This past weekend I saw the video with her dad singing Butterfly Fly Away - and it made me cry. I want that Miley back.
I will keep praying for her and her family. None of us know what their lives are like and the pressures and temptations that are presented to them daily. We must as a Christian community continue to show love, concern and continually pray for them.
I think that what you are doing for girls across this country is amazing. I am so sad that more women & men do not care what is happening to all these girls. It also makes me sad that young innocent girls like Miley always end up into the sexual scene only to ruin them as they begin to reach the age of a teenager. I stand with you and believe that writing to Billy Ray and his wife is out of love and not judgment. I am really tired of hearing people say oh you shouldnt judge others but I do believe when your standing up for God and what is right it is not judgmental your only pointing people to God. I really pray that Miley’s family will have a conviction and there eyes are opened before Miley’s life is destroyed by these things she is doing.
I have heard you alot on the radio and I love when you explained that girls are not a trash paper plate but a real beautiful and valuable plate…I love explaining this to all the girls I know. Wish you had been around when I was younger and had this kind of encouragement.
God Bless you for taking this straight to the Cyrus family and I pray God will help them.
Blessing’s,
Belinda Cress
Lakeland, Florida
My daughter is almost 10 and has been asking for a few years now to watch Hannah Montana but I said no because I think the show is/was not appropriate for her. I feel sad for Miley but another thing that makes me sad is how we throw our support behind anybody who says that they are “Christians” without checkinbg the “fruit” first and making sure that they are walking the talk. I even have my reservations about The Jonas Brothers when the lyrics they sing are kind of “ify”.
We need to encourage our kids to not make anybody an idol. There have been several Christian artist recently too “come out of the closet” We need to teach our kids to keep their eyes on JESUS and follow him ONLY. We can enjoy the talents of others to some extent but not to the point of idolizing.
I see Lady Gaga’s influence all over this . . . an artistically fascinating and morally horrifying trend in music performance right now. I’m just so very sad. Yes of course there is redemption, yes of course a u-turn is possible, Dannah did not indicate otherwise. She presented a very gracious analysis of the truth.
But this video and others have already done some damage. For those of you raising daughters in solid homes and building a strong foundation of morals and esteem into them, perhaps this will have little or no effect on them. But what about the millions of girls watching who have not been given roots, who do not have a mother who has the time, passion or courage to discuss these things with her? These precious young women are looking for role models and they will imitate what seems desirable and accessible. They will ingest this false definition of womanhood. And what about the young men in this country, being fed yet another animalistic and objectified view of women, by a young woman! I work with children every day and I see up close and personal the POWERFUL role that music and media play in their lives.
Dannah, thank you for this letter. I pray the Cyrus family has the opportunity to read and reflect on it, even though I can imagine that a family in the constant public eye has to limit how much they read and watch various media on themselves. I pray Christ blesses your letter and uses it to encourage and guide many. I pray that young men and women everywhere will be given the hope and freedom of true and pure sexuality.
In the peace of Christ,
Julie
Thanks for writing this letter! Very disappointed in her choice to do something like this… Very disturbing!
My daughter is young enough that she hasn’t grabbed on to Miley quite yet. So unfortunately for Miley - she’s gone from our house now. I was pulling for her too and stood up for her a little bit when people freaked out about her “pole” incident at the awards show. Having been in theater I thought it was a little off color for her but understandable to make her portable and a fun gimic to dance while she was moving across the room. Now I see she was already dabbling in making this transition and enjoyed the controversy that ensued.
Bye Bye Miley, would have been fun to watch you show the industry a way to roll without all the sexual content but apparently you weren’t up for the challenge.
That’s ok - someone else will come along I’m sure.
Appreciate your letter and the difficulty you went through to decide to write it. Someone needed to say it….why not you!?
kw
I was drawn to this via OneNewsNow.com. Like you, Dannah, I was hoping that Miley would be the noteworthy exception to the wonderful “child stars” trashed by the culture of “celebrity” we now have. Drew Barrymore, Christina Ricci, Lindsay Lohan, the Spears sisters … too many have seen innocence, modesty, and purity as something holding them back in the industry. I won’t argue that it does hold them back. But is that such a bad thing?
I mourn these girls. Granted, Ms. Barrymore has cleaned herself up, and Ms. Ricci may be trying to recover. It sickens me, though, to see what they have gone through, and what so many others are going through.
The entertainment industry needs shining stars, people who can be famous and still be pure. I applaud people like Pam Dawber (Mindy to Robin Williams’ Mork), who has remained married to the same man (Mark Harmon of NCIS) for roughly 30 years. I thank God for women like Alexa Vega, who not only claim Christianity, but also try to live it. (At least her MySpace profile message refers to trusting “Him” with a capital “H”.)
My note to the Cyrus family: goodbye. I thought you were trustworthy. I gave the benefit of the doubt. I cannot continue to do so.
An additional thought to those who think that Miley’s dipping into the fountain of “grown up sexuality” won’t affect daughters of “solid families:”
We thought the Cyrus family was “solid.”
Your disapproval with Miley’s attitude is justified. However, where most of parents go wrong is that they put their hopes and “faith” in other human beings–Mrs. Gresh you repeated several times that you “had faith” or “believed” in the Cyruses. This is a simple reminder that parents should train their children to look up to Christ; that He is the role model by exellence. Indeed, Christ said “be perfect as I am perfect” and not be perfect as your neighbor or the Cyruses (it should be emphasized that what we know of this family [commitment to Christ, relationship etc…] is only what is portrayed by the media). Whatever the case might be, this family needs prayers.
A new reader of your blog.
Very sad to see Miley’s latest venture, it’s bruises my heart that she feels that she has to do this, and wants to break away from the good girl image. Can’t Be Tamed is supposed to be about being yourself, but the whole way Miley and other are dressed and moves, and lyrics shows that Miley feels she can’t be herself (I assuming and hoping that the true Miley is not like that) but has to conform to the “sexy” to please others. I’m close to her age and I pray that she and her parents will turn back form this road NOW before she becomes like Brittany and others. Their lives tell how “showing it all” is empty. Please reconsider this Miley your worth more than that.
I genuinely find her new video quite disturbing for someone who professes to be a Christian. What I find very worrying is that her actions are getting worse and worse, and each time she professes ‘I’ve done nothing wrong’. I’m just genuinely very concerned that she doesn’t seem to be learning from these things, and that she doesn’t seem to have the discernment to see the danger. And she has also recently simulated a kiss onstage with a girl. She seems to be doing a lot of the things that people said she would start doing, and proving them right!
As well as the example to young girls, I am concerned with her own walk with God. If this is what’s coming out of her, then what’s going on inside?
I think we really need to seriously pray for her, not just for her to be blessed, but that she’d have discernment to see that not everything done in the name of ‘art’ is harmless, but can be powerful.
I just watched the video and i was so dissapointed and shocked!! It’s sad when these artist’s start out innocent and then just go wild. Makes me want to not watch any secular shows. Miley i hope you see what ur doing to ur life and millions of young girls who look up to you.
how shocking!! i have friends whose kids watch Miley !!
5 points for dannah. how she’s needed.
how shocking!! i have friends whose kids watch Miley !!
5 points for dannah. how sad she’s needed.
http://www.examiner.com/x-43367-International-Headlines-Examiner~y2010m6d1-Madrid-Sexy-Miley-Cyrus-17-admits-2-boyfriends-Full-Circle-about-Nick-Jonas-Live-Video-Pics
Continues prayers are needed for Miley!
Dear Dannah:
Thank you for opening up this whole topic with our daughters and Miley’s lack of sound judgment lately. As much as it can be easy to judge and be critical of this young lady, I think your open letter to her parents was a nice approach to raise awareness.
I decided to check out her website below after hearing on the news that Miley is telling everyone to “Just get over it”… I feel it’s very sad that she has had many fans support her through the years and all of a sudden because little girls don’t wish to follow her choices in life, her easiest answers are to justify a wicked-styled type of behavior in front of our children instead of maintaining some type of dignity through these choices as a representative of Disney TV. I am really concerned for the kids who might think it is not cool for them if they “Just don’t get over it” and choose to follow her lifestyle to be cool and fit in. Not giving the girls confidence to stand up for what they believe in, inspite of what Miley chooses to do with her life right now.
I have a daughter who is 8-years old and we had a long talk about some sad and bad choices we feel Miley is making at this point in her life. I explained we can love her, pray for her, but we can not support her desires. We must let her go in every way right now so it does not weaken our daughter to the point of heading into the darkness as well. I hope this doesn’t sound to jaded, but if there is any chance to help my daughter see the light verses the dark, I want to teach her to let go of bad things with love right now.
Keep up the great work you do! Sorry, I don’t blog anywhere to post your letter. Thank you for this outlet to use to speak to you.
A very concerned Mom. I pray for God’s wisdom and insight to come into her heart once again and show her his will for her life.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Here are her quotes on the site:
Fri, Jun 4, 2010To all my fans,
Thank you for all the support you all show me. Sometimes youre the only thing keepin’ me goin’ strong!
There are so many people out there that are so negative and always causing new issues. I feel like the entertainment industry has become nothing but a disgusting tabloid.
I performed Cant Be Tamed this week on one of my favorite shows here in the UK Britians Got Talent. Which is totally true, there were some amazinnnggg acts (but of course no one could focus on that.)
I had such a blast and was so honored to be on that stage. That being said during my performance I supposedly “KISSED A GIRL” and this is the newest thing to cause controversy.
I promise you I did not kiss her and it is ridiculous that two
entertainers cant even rock out with each other without the media making it some type of story. I really hope my fans are not disappointed in me because the truth is I did nothing wrong. I got up there and did my job which is to perform to the best of my ability. I just want to put an end to this right now and just say one thing to everyone out there making this performance such a big deal.
GET OVER IT! NOTHING HAPPENED. THERE ARE WAYYYYYYY MORE IMPORTANT THINGS IN THE WORLD.
Lets start focusing a little less on making up ignorant rumors and focus a little more on world peace!
We gotta a lot of work to do if we wan this earth to be here much longer. Lets make a change! It wouldn’t hurt the world to show a little more love.
X M
http://www.mileycyrus.com/
I watched one episode of Hannah Montana years ago, and that was enough to know that there was nothing of value in it for my then 5 year old daughter, though all of her little friends’ mommies were all over Hannah and Miley.
My friends all thought me the prude, yet when I shared my objections to it (the boys being made to look stupid, i.e. the feminist movement in full swing; a young man making the symbol for “up yours”; the fact that a young man had gone on a date, at a much too young age, and had left his date to push his broken down car home, exemplifying the direct opposite of Biblical Manhood and Womanhood) I was made out to be, yet again, the overprotective parent.
When are we going to wake up in America?!
When are we going to realize that we have been ENTRUSTED by God with our sons and daughters, and that we will one day give an account before Him for what we allowed to shape their world view?
As Christians, when are we going to accept the high calling of discipling our children…and not just by taking them to church 1-2 times a week, but by TEACHING THEM the WORD of GOD on a daily basis from home?
We have only 18 short, short years with them. 18 years to teach them the veracity of Scripture. 18 years to instill in them the TRUTH in a world of relativity.
What they choose to do with what we pour into them, once they leave our homes, is their choice before God.
But WE will be called to give an account to the Lord God Almighty as to what we did with them during the time that we had them.
We are to teach, train, disciple, love, rebuke, discipline and prepare them for the world into which they will soon be called to be salt and light, cities on a hill, a people for God’s own possession, men and women SET APART for the glory of God, that the lost world may see in them the Spirit of God and thus be drawn to salvation through Christ Jesus.
Why are we instead turning them over to the pop stars of the hour, and allowing THEM to shape our childrens’ world view, when God wants their world views to be shaped by His Spirit and His Word?
Did we honestly not see this coming, as we watched a family turn their daughter over to the hands of Hollywood Executives?
Do we not realize that the very people who shaped the careers of some of the most recent teen pop stars were the same ones who were responsible for the production of much of the pornography we battle against in our homes and in our world today?
I appreciate your gracious heart, I do.
I just think that it’s time that we as mothers WAKE UP and seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, for it’s all that we have to give our children that is eternal.
In the Love of Jesus Christ,
Jes
I am SO glad that I never allowed my daughter to get caught up in the whole “Hannah Montana” craze. Didn’t we learn from watching Brittany Spears and many other young girls like her turn from innocent star to an absolute disaster? I think what we need to remember is that people are human and WILL fail us eventually. I hope my daughter will turn her eyes to heaven when she begins looking for her “idol”.
[…] Christian author Dannah Gresh, aka ‘The Secret Keeper Girl,’ shares a concerned one-parent-to-another open letter to Billy Ray and Tish, mom and dad to superstar Miley Cyrus. […]
Can you please tell me where I can find the info. Dannah posted on “How to talk with your daughter about Mily Cyrus. I wanted to go back to it and now I can’t find it.
Thank you so much
Elaine
Dear Dannah,
I just discovered your web site/blog today, so I admittedly write without knowledge of your past writings and reputation. I learned that you co-wrote the fine book “Lies Women Believe” with Nancy L. DeMoss, which our ladies used here for a Bible Study, and I greatly respect that work.
I decided to write after I saw the letter you wrote to Miley Cyrus’ parents. I was surprised at how much you praise them for their good parenting and high standards, basically lifting Hannah Montana up as a role model for little girls. That floored me! I confess that I have watched very little of that TV show, but what I had seen did not impress me in the least. In fact, I think the ‘coming out’ of Miley Cyrus was very predictable with her sassy attitude, rock music, tight clothing and heavy make-up. Did you not know about the suggestive pictures of her that came out several months ago? I’m confused as to how someone like yourself that is supposedly in tune with the way culture is going and is trying to lead Christian girls and women in character and modesty is so “shocked” by what has happened in a show-biz family.
Isn’t it time we stop holding up anyone in Hollywood or the entertainment business as “role models” for our precious Christian girls and ladies? Let’s look to the Scriptures and truly godly women for the inspiration, instruction and examples we need today. Do I have a valid point here?…and if so, I think your ‘open letter’ was far too open-minded and complimentary to the Cyrus family. I applaud your concern for them and their daughter, and they should be held accountable for their permissiveness, but my guess is that they need spiritual regeneration, not just social reformation. It is highly unlikely that Miley Cyrus will ever return to G-rated entertainment (which still doesn’t impress a holy God), unless and until she experiences repentance of sin and justification by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Again, you may have inside information about their professions of faith, but if not, perhaps a second open letter to the Cyrus family should be forthcoming that addresses their real need…the salvation of their eternal souls.
I have to say that I am amazed at the number of people whose children held Miley Cyrus up as a role model. Really? I have trouble fathoming that there are Christians who have allowed someone in the entertainment world to have that much influence on their child. I have three girls that have watched Hannah Montana at different times. We have never bought t-shirts or idolized her in any way. My girls have no idea about this new video because they don’t need to watch it nor do I feel the need to explain it to them when they remain unaware. I agree that we as Christians need to stand for something but I believe that as Christian parents we should be looking to God for our guidance. Maybe I am off base but I find it scary that parents need an organization (any organization) to tell them that something is okay. Watch the shows yourself first, listen to the music first, pray if you need guidance and decide what you as a family stand for.
I am sorry (and I know that I am in the minority) but I think you missed the mark on this one with the letter to her parents. Perhaps you felt that need because you have condoned her in the past but I don’t believe that this blog was the correct forum for this. I don’t believe that it follows God’s word in that we are to approach people with our concerns one-on-one. A earlier poster stated it best when she said,
“In my humble opinion, pointing fingers and what seems like directing blame is not a fair action. When this stuff happens I am embarrased for Christians and how we use our words. Show love, not blame, teach your own children what is right from wrong, and live your own positive example. Your children will follow if you raise them in the ways of the Lord. If you allow them too much exposure of the world you are sure to find situations like these. If you dont like her, just dont buy her music…. its not that hard”
I too am saddened. My 9 year old daughter loves (loved) Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus. I had hope that she would be above Hollywood expectations. She is so talented.
I agree. Our daughters are 13 and 9 and have grown up watching
Hannah Montana. I have always monitored the shows they watch, even on Disney. It breaks our hearts that Miley has chosen this
path. We will not allow our girls to watch her shows, videos, or listen to her music anymore. It is so sad that “fame” changes these young people.
I also used to LOVE Miley and I’m 13 and since I was 10 I watched her and I knew she’d be diferent…but…I’m TRULEY dissapointed in her musik video…she’s so beautiful but she duzn’t need to be doing videos like this! She has THOUSANDS of little girls looking up to her! They wear her clothing, sing her songs EVERYTHING! How could she do this?! UGH!!!!!!!!!! I feel bad for her! I can’t imajine how hard it must be out there! But thats NO excues! I pray that the Lord helps her find her way back and make her back into that amaing girl she once was!
~Daughter of the kind
I think the saddest part for me is that Miley and her family came out and became the spokeperson for modesty and Christians. Because of the content and good values, I allowed my girls to watch the show. They are in High School and came to me to show me how she has become so sleezy and sold out..they said see she is doing just the same thing Brittany Spears did! I remember when Brittany became 17 and they started making her look and act more sexy and look where that ended. I agree, parent her and give her direction! All kids need it and will appreciate the protection. I am afraid Billy ay and his wife are enjoying the fame and fortune just as much as their daughter is.
It is heart breaking to see any young woman buy the lies of the world that state that expressing sexuality publicly and in a transgressive manner is “growing up” normally. Those are just lies. I pray for Miley and her family and appreciate your post, Dannah.
I do believe that setting any celebrity (even those from the Christian music industry) on too high of a pedestal is a mistake that we often make with our children. They don’t need any idols in their lives. However, it is important for them to see young men and women with whom they can relate who are living and walking out their relationships with Jesus Christ. So, if you are looking for some good role models for your young girls, check out Barlow Girl–beautiful voices, take a stand for modesty and purity, and have recorded some truly great songs with lyrics that have a postive impact.
I just came by your site via referral from another blog. I just need to say thank you. Thank you for so eloquently stating what so many moms and dads are thinking right now. I could not possibly agree more with your thoughts.
I will be sharing the link to this post and following along here. I have three daughters, aged 10, 8, and 3. I KNOW that I will be needing your site.
I have to say that I’m surprised that YOU were surprised by the video. I will not allow my children to watch Disney period because of what they stand for as a company (pro homosexuality to name one). So you can’t expect their stars to turn out any differently. I would have been surprised if Miley never made a video like this one. It’s a given in that industry. Our daughters need to be looking to godly role models in their lives already. Hopefully, women such as their grandmothers, aunts, teachers, and of course mom. I don’t want my daughter to look for life answers from Miley or any other Hollywood associate.
I just wanna say that in the letter Dannah wrote, she said exactly the right things in the right way. And she didn’t make it sound like she was condemning them, she wrote in a different way.
Miley’s parents need to hear the truth, and Dannah did give it to them.
I am saddened at the state of Hollywood. We should be on our knees for them. But let us remember that we are all sinners and ALL of us fall short. ALL of us! We don’t always understand the big picture, but God is always working!
Just my two cents worth!
Dannah, I just finished reading your book (And The Bride Wore White) in preparation for a True Love Waits camp in Romania this summer. The people group I will be sharing with is just the age that views the states by what the media portrays. Sad, I know but if Miley would just stay true to herself and not to Horrible Hollywood it would not only make parent’s jobs easier but missionaries too! Thank you for sharing!!
Dannah, I am sixteen years old and I am definitely a fan of Miley’s. The video didn’t push me over the edge.. (I didn’t find it sexy, just very strange.) But it made me rock on the edge.. That is when I saw the new CD cover. That is what pushed me over the edge. Go, right now and google Britney Spears’ ‘Oops I did it again’ Album cover. Keeping in mind that Britney was 17 when the photo was taken. Then compare it to Miley’s ‘Can’t be tamed’ Cover where she is also 17. It saddens me. Miley made mistakes, but she always recovered. I never thought it would get this far. I, however find that the only thing that affects me personally from anything she does is that in the pictures she has a perfect body. (Probably edited.) But it does make me feel a little bit bad about myself. (and I am skinny!) It doesn’t cause me to want to dress like that, or flaunt my sexuality at all. Her lyrics don’t make me want to be a player and go through all the guys I can, they just make her seem like a hypocrite to me.. (when she says “don’t change me.”) Well, I’m not changing her. She is changing herself. And I continue to pray that she will get back on track. I am not sure how I found this site, but I am sure glad I did. Thank’s for writing an awesome blog, Dannah!
I posted it on my FB page. http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1376747570&v=wall&story_fbid=100405166676290&ref=mf. Long discussion with my 9 year old. She’s never been a fan of Miley, because we don’t get Disney Channel. Long before now, we’ve discussed the wisdom of appearing to lead one kind of life while secretly leading another kind of life and the problems and compromises that such a life brings. Thanks, SKG, for being a voice of reason in this maddening world!
I appreciate your gracious, yet truthful tone in this letter. Thanks for carefully considering your wording and for not being judgemental but instead concerned for our children and for Miley.
Dannah,
Thank you for giving me a wonderful resource to help raise my girls in a Godly fashion. We no longer have TV at our house, so the only time they can watch Miley is on the internet. I feel I am better able to monitor their viewing time.
I thank you for your letter to the Cyrus’. Someone needs to hold them accountable. I personally do not feel Miley and her family will change the direction they are moving in, but pray they do.
I have posted this blog link to both my personal Facebook wall, and my Back to Basics Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/backtobasicsholistichealing
I so much appreciate your concern and exposure of such a poor role model for our little girls. I pray Miley’s parents will read your letter with an open heart. What Miley needs, more than parental guidance, is Jesus Christ in her heart. I’m praying for her to accept Him as her personal Lord and Savior. What an impact she would have on our little girls!
I posted a note on my FB page. I wish the Hannah/Miley my girls looked up to had not fallen to the stardom. I wish she would have taken the road less used and said NO to a sex icon video. I hope that I as a parent can use this to lead my girls down the right path and keep them far away from the wrong path.
I am also praying that the Cyrus family will read your letter and more importantly that the will return to what they know in their hearts, a set apart life for God. We like many of the above commentators enjoyed Miley in the innocent years and have slowly backed away as she has slidden down the slippery slope of sexual promiscuty so celebrated in our culture. I take role models and their influences very seriously and recently wrote a Bible study for girls on authentic Biblical Beauty. We have printed 50 copies and are educating our church Body of young girls to what the Scriptures say. At the end of summer we are going to celebrate with a “Truly Beautiful Tea”.
Blessings, Shelli
We never did allow our girls to watch Hannah Montana nor did we purchase any of the promotional material, but my daughters have friends who do. For their benefit, I’ve posted a link to your letter on my facebook page…I’m not that technical, so I don’t know how to give you access to my posting. I appreciate your insight and research on the latest trends/hot topics for our little girls. Thanks so much for your continued efforts to build SKG…it makes my job as a mother SO much easier!
I have been praying for Miley ever since my daughter started watching Hannah Montanna, hoping she would be different from the other child stars the media puts their claws into. My daughter recently came to me and said “I don’t want to watch Miley because of the choices she is making, but I want to pray for her that God will protect her and make her stong enough to stand against what people are asking her to do.”
Praying,
Heather
Though not at all shocking to me, very very sad. Hollywood got it’s holds on another talented young lady. Can I just voice my opinion…God gives us talents to glorify Him, not the world. He gave Miley this voice (though I am not a fan of hers, cause I don’t like the context of hannah monatana or the music involved), she went from singing in the church choir to singing for men’s praise, fame and money…therefore, all of this is no shock, you can’t take God out of the gift/talent and not fall into this sort of behavior.
I can’t talk to my daughter about this! She’s 11 years old and has Down Syndrome. We don’t watch Hannah Montana, but my daughter does wear some clothes that picture her.
I am saddened to hear how far Miley has strayed from the sweet, innocent girl she portrayed. Miley…it’s not too late. Come back!
Praying for the Cyrus family.
Trisa
I appreciate you taking a stand for our young girls. You have given them, as well as us parents, a voice speaking out against our tweens being programmed at an early age to act, talk and dress too sexy. I don’t know why the different types of media are wanting our children to portray themselves to be older than they are. I believe in the message you are conveying to our young girls, and that is why I posted your website, as well as mentioned your letter to Miley Cyrus’ parents. Thank you for standing up for our tweens, when it’s not the popular message. I am thankful there arey others who agree with my thought of not having my 8 year old dress like she’s 20.
I am so sorry for Miley and her folks. I just finished watching the video. It is like your many moms that have written and said “it’s not too late.” Her influence can be turned back to the media. It takes a very big hearted person to say they made a wrong decision and I believe they can shine brighter yet by turning the tide for many many sweet young girls that love Miley.
Thanks for telling the truth, Danah. I sat down to watch her video with my 16 year old daughter and could hardly stand it myself! She has crossed the line and I hope for her sake and the sake of many who are influenced by her, that she turns around before she brings more harm to herself and others. God has an amazing plan for Miley. He has “a plan to prosper her and not to harm her.” The enemy of our souls wants to harm her. This is a great reminder to pray for Miley.
[…] Tamed”, Dannah Gresh made a choice to choice to do something about it.
Thanks for writing that letter to Miley’s parents! It is so discouraging to see the #1 girl teen performer turn into the music industry’s typical “trash” that they can’t help but produce. My own girls know that she is now a bad image for them, and our house refuses to honor Miley and other young women who have made horrible choices for their careers. What is the difference between today’s young women singing pop music, and the common prostitutes on the street? One obviously makes a lot more money at their profession, but both have sold themselves into a life of sexual slavery in some form or fashion. The bible says that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to enter Heaven,” and that “Money is the root of all evil.” I just wish Miley and her parents would realize that it’s not worth all the money in the world to sell yourself out!
I am so glad you wrote this letter. However I do not think things will change. I have told my daughter that I did not want her watching Hannah because i knew this is how it would turn out. She always ask why, “there is nothing wrong with how she dresses and she is nice and the show is funny”. She has seen the show a few time but I do not allow it. Sometimes she will sneak and watch the show, but I don’t want her to get attached to Miley because I know it is only going down hill for her.
Here’s a thought - what kind of Christian example are you sending to judge someone as harsh as this? As someone said previously, it is the parents job to decide what your children are watching. WWJD? I don’t think he would do this.
I agree. I do not let my 2 yr. old daughter watch anything other then cartoons. This is why. No one is willing to stand against the money. I have a 10 yr. old niece who loves her. She is down here visiting and I will not let her watch Hannah M. because of the role Milley has choosen to go down. I carly is another I don’t want my kids to look up to, not because they are bad. But one day these girls might do just like Milley. So I choose to not allow them to watch this stuff. I think it is sad when you have to protect your kids from the kids channels. You said everything I would want said to me if it was my daughter I was allowing to go down this rd. Thank you for speaking up for millions of girls who now think they can do what she has done. She might not like it, but she willingly took that role and responsability when she took that role with Disney. I have taught and am still teaching my kids to leaders not followers. Why would you want your child to look up to some one who is following everyone elses role. If she caves on this what more will she cave on?
I agree with the letter, not the comment above me. WWJD? He say’s we are to go and talk to them out of love. This is as close as you could get to them. I could hear the love in your letter. You did great. You did not judge her, but you did let them know the right stuff according to God. You might not had mentioned God, but your speaking goes with in those guid lines. Thank you and I pray blessing over you in Jesus name… Thank you for not judging her and for having the courage to take the good and bad comments.. God bless you!
miley needs to get it together and get back to doing what she does best: meaking good wholesome music for little girls. ive even heard her say that she wants to start going to church but cant because of crazed fans but i think that she should try harder because i think it would be good for her to learn more about the lord. i have been to a secret keeper girl thing before and it really changed me. danah, if you get this i just want to tell you that i love to watch miley’s show bbut i dont think that i will ever look at her the same way. thank you for writing this letter. if they see it, i would think thst they would be ashamede of the fact that they let miley do this and ruined her name for millions of people everywhere. thank you for being there for people like me who need a good role model and want to grow in there faith. thanks again, sarah oakes.
I too am praying for the Cyrus family today. I pray that they will be able to see what is true and right. It seems easy for so many of us to be confused by what the world portrays as “good.” The message that seems clearly displayed from Miley recently is that “when good girls grow up” they will conform to an image that includes sex and promiscuity. I should hope that we can allow and encourage good girls to grow up without assuming or insisting that they become promiscuous in order to do so. Growing up includes a recognition that the world around us is filled with both good and evil, it includes an understanding that there is pain, it includes understanding that we have a role to play and it includes choosing what our role will be. If we choose only to speak about being peaceful and helping others, but we live in a such a way that causes harm to others or leads people to make poor decisions for themselves, aren’t we merely creating more confusion and causing more harm? It must be very confusing to the woman who has been abused to receive such mixed signals from Miley. To speak about helping those who are abused is one thing…to act in such a way that will help those same women and others to overcome the patterns and behaviors that lead to abuse is another. I pray that Miley will truly “grow up” and learn to do both, not just the former. If a girl is really good, she will continue to be and do good, not harm, to others. If she does not continue to act in a way that is good, then perhaps she was not so “good” at the start. Because Miley has placed herself in a public forum, we can judge her actions and statements for what they are…I do not know her heart and cannot judge that, but she has made her voice and thoughts known to many, and those thoughts should be sorted through by parents who care about their kids. I will no longer purchase or allow any Miley Cyrus products in my home because I have judged her statements and products to be harmful to women. Acting like a sex object will only cause women to be treated like a sex object, not respected and valued as they should be. I hope other parents will protect their kids from being negatively influenced by such confusing and potentially harmful messages.
It grieves my heart to see this happen to Miley. We see it happen to most pop and country singers. Their managers (and parents, too) believe it’s what they have to do to be popular and sell records. It’s really sad.
The media portrays women in a way that harms girls and women. They are taught that nudity, perversion, and promiscuity are “the norm”. We who know and practice God’s truth about beauty, purity and chastity are the strange ones.
I reared two girls during the “Madonna” years. Needless to say, my ideas were not popular. My oldest daughter (now 37) told her friends she was in prison because she didn’t get to watch MTV. I held my own and stuck to my guns even though it was really, really hard. Today she thanks me for the stand I took. I always remembered that I was responsible before God to teach her what God said. I encourage others to do the same.
Thank you for this letter. I pray it has an impact on Miley, her parents, and other parents out there. And thank you for what you are doing to teach girls and women to be pure and modest. There are many who teach girls/women to be coarse and vulgar, but few who teach them to be pure. It’s becoming a lost virtue. God bless you and your work.
dannah im so agreeing with u right there miley has been trying to grow up to fast and needs to remember all those young fans that are to young to see that kind of inappropriate behavier.
I just read this letter, and I can honestly say that I understand your point of view. It is sad that ANOTHER Disney girl star is going slutty. However, I was a little bothered by the fact that Mrs. Gresh seemed to be pinning all of her daughter’s female perspectives on Ms. Cyrus. I have caught episodes of Hannah Montana and have been utterly disgusted with the teenage attitude presented. Hannah Montana has always stood as a symbol for deceit, manipulation, and disrespect. I would never allow my kids to watch Disney simply because I do not appreciate the way almost all the teen or “tween” characters treat the people around them. So my question to you, Mrs. Gresh, in all due respect, is- Why do you allow your daughters to seemly worship Ms. Cyrus? It seems to me that if you want so badly for a single-minded, strong woman of integrity as a role model you should not be looking toward Disney or Hollywood.
Furthermore, I would like to point out that this is not Ms. Cyrus’ first video of sexual implications. It has been brought to my attention that she wears immodest clothing in all her live concerts and in her previous video “Party in the USA.” It seems to be that Ms. Cyrus has inevitably been headed in this direction for quite some time, so I fail to see how this comes as a shock. Again the lack of diversity in a young girl’s circle of influence can be another mistake. Of all the successful women in this world, and in the Bible for that matter, it is a shame that all the parents’ hopes have been pinned on a Disney child star.
Hi Gang! Dannah here. Just wanted to clarify…since some assumptions have been made….my daughters do not and never did worship, idolize, regularly watch, or even prefer Miley Cyrus or Hannah Montana. They did occassionally watch Hannah Montana and we had some great talks about boys, dating, beauty and more! But my girls, while thy have appropriately viewed her, are not die hards! No Miley gear in our home, and these days my girls just use the word “stupid” to describe her career choices. Hope that clarifies things for some who are distraught with how I have been honest about my girls’ exposure to Miley.
I’ve watched this happen numerous times thru the years: Some person comes to prominence in the Christian community who has integrity and then becomes widely admired. They gather a loyal following. After a few years, their good reputation is well-established. Then gradually they begin making compromises. When alarm bells begin to go off for their followers (IF they ever go off), the followers think, “Hmmm. That doesn’t seem right. But if so-and-so (the admired person) does /says it, then it must be okay.” Eventually, (or perhaps suddenly) the admired person goes off-the-wall and it takes the followers by surprise. Some are offended, others admire that person so much they are taken down with the admired person, or are so jaded that they swear off the God whom that person initially upheld.
Could this be a tactic of the Enemy to infiltrate and undermine the Christian church?
On another topic: Miley signed a contract. That means that she is expected to make money. Sex sells. Period. As sad as it makes me to think of her decision to do so, should we be surprised? To be fair, it could be she didn’t want to do the video. (Thus the confused appearance to which some commenters have alluded.) But perhaps she was forced into it by her Disney contract. Something to the effect of, “If you want to stay with us, then you have to become the next sex symbol.”
Let us pray for the Cyrus family, and let us keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. Let us worship and serve Him only.
i think it is really sad that she has gone this way. me and miley are the same age so i did grow up with her when her show frist came out i watched it i though. it was cool but as she got older she started to change alot she started to come out with songs all about boys and at frist i listend to it but once i started to really think about it i asked my self when i am listening to this am i pleaseing GOD or am i thinking about some guy. i had some great talks with my mom about boys about dateing and how you should wait and become GODS BEST. well i am praying for you miley if you ever read this i still belive in you and i pray you stop on this road you are on right now and turn and follow christ with all your heart:) oh and dannah your books have really help me thrugh the years thamks:))).
Should we really be surprised? I am shocked and surprised at the number of Christian families that have allowed their kids to be Hannah Montana “followers”. From what I have seen they have never really portrayed themselves as a strong Christian family, set apart from the world…they are Hollywood all the way. I only watched a portion of the video and that was too much, it disgusts me and is very sad. We do need to pray for the Cyrus family, but I believe that we must also pray for the church, that we would be discerning in what we allow our kids to get caught up in and that we won’t allow our kids “idols” or role models to be the Hollywood, rich and famous.
what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and still losses his soul. each day god set before us life and death, blessings and curses, now choose life. do not be deceived god is not mocked. a man reaps what he sows. let us pray for the cyrus family. satan is there to steal,kill,and destroy. u give him a inch he will take your life away.
Thank you for writing this. I am only 10 years old ,but I understood why you wrote the letter. Since my name is Hannah everyone always calls Hannah Montana. I use to not mind it but now she is not very modest at all.
Thank you
I am so glad I found this blog site. I have been so frustrated over Mylie’s behavior and change of music. I am leading a teen/adult mentoring Bible study right now and we are learning about the lies the devil tells us and the truth that Jesus tells us. No matter what Mylie says she is just doing for stage performance, her behavior reflects what she believes in her heart, which is that she is not worth more than that. By calling herself a Christian she is saying this is who Jesus is. And because so many of her young Christian fans will not abandon her, but will be transformed into what she puts on stage, she is telling every single one of thing that they are not worth more than this. It is sad. I pray that Mylie will remember and begin to believe the truth of who she is in Jesus again. The Bible says it will not be good for those who cause my little ones to sin, she better listen up!
This is a Spiritual battle that cannot be won through just behavior correction.
While I’m grateful that at least someone stood up for modesty, it appears on the surface that this letter is somewhat praising Miley’s parents. Just because a couple has stayed together for years gives no indication into their parenting. On the contrary, the decisions their daughter is making and has made shows a great lack of judgment on the parent’s part to provide Godly counsel to Miley Cyrus. While a great many have agreed with this letter (and I too agree with some points made), the letter is at best…light. I considered just how much Miley Cyrus and Hannah Montana have influenced a great many youth. Miley’s image will indeed have an effect on youth for many years to come.
What am I saying here? I will have to say that it takes a lot of courage to write a letter to Miley Cyrus’ parents. Billy Ray Cyrus and his wife have made millions off of their daughter’s image. So I’m not sure how much of this letter will settle in their hearts. It’s no secret that Billy Ray’s musical career was C- at best. Who knows their true motivations? But the actions of their daughter can give insight into their parenting…which should not be commended at all.
One can only pray that this family will come to repent and truly seek the Lord. We as Christians should take a stand against Miley Cyrus buy not purchasing any products, tee-shirts, etc that she represents. Taking a stand for righteousness is what we Christians are called to do.
Dear Dannah,
thank you for the update concerning Miley. In case no one has mentioned before, it is obvious that Miley Cyrus is not suitable entertainment for minors: Concert vendors need to be held accountable for offering “R” rated concerts for minors. Miley may entertain to adults(over 18) as she pleases but not to minors any longer. She is not “G” or “PG” entertainment. It is too clear to the public what she and her parents represents. They may continue making all the money they wish with their skillfull arts and entertainment but not toward minors. They may have had a true conversion in Jesus Christ at one time or they may have not. Their actions do not speak their words. Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits…’Therefore by their fruits you will know them.’” (Matthew 7:16-20). He also made it very clear to us that we may not judge(or condemn) those not in the Body of Christ but we as Christians do need to judge(rebuke) and if necessary stay away from those that have turned from the faith or those who are twisting the faith to allow their sins to be justified in the faith of Jesus Christ. May the Lord bless the Cyrus’ family with true wisdom and grace from the Holy Spirit and to come back to the real meaning and lifestyle of Jesus Christ and to know what is the hope and calling on their lives through our saving Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. May their eyes be opened and enlightened with His truth. May they have the courage and strength to turn from their own deceptions and to turn to His truth and love. May parents and singles also be enlightened in their eyes and their minds to see what is the calling of God in their lives. May they also have the strength and courage to to turn to and live for God’s perfect will in their lives.
To God be all the glory.
Very well put and thanks for someone speaking up! My 15-trying-to-be-19 yr. old is growing up with She-Wolf Shakira, Rhianna and the like, now one of their own has joined the Sex-Needed Level. I am just surprised that Miley went this direction so fast. The video is never on, the song is never on radio here….. hmmmm…….do we hope Miley gets it? Let’s hope so… my God, she’s not even 18 yet……. will she end up like Lindsay Lohan???
Thanks for writing this and taking a stand! Good point! I love Hollywood and my greatest desire in my heart is one day is to see people like Miley come to truly know the Lord and that’s why I pray for her, and many of the other wonderful celebrities!! Because there just people like you and me created in the image of God. Instead, I decide to pray for people like Miley whose under all that pressure and it’s just something that I love doing:) Through the power of prayer I believe that God can change her heart (Miley’s) and not only that other’s in Hollywood as well who have such a strong influence on all the young girls!! Thanks again for taking a stand. I even have a picture of MIley on my wall (I make prayer walls of celebrities) to remind myself to pray for her every day maybe other’s can start praying for her as well. And perhaps pray that God to give her and many others a heart for purity. Prayer certainly changes things!!:) Just a thought! Thanks again for the wonderful open letter you wrote!! I love your ministry Dannah!!:)
u made an awsome choice by writing this 2 her parents.Hopefully they will take 2 heart! i used 2 luv watching Hannah Montana and now i can’t even bare 2 see her face !! i’m very suprised she’s not ashamed of herself ! and the she says she’s a role model not even close. god is not mocked !! the devil is just an inch away to stealing her life and making it his!! wake up miley u say ur christian make people and us christians believe it!! r u going 2 god is waiting……..
and one other thing .. i know u live in holloywood , but u don’t hav 2 be like them miley:(
I am 17. I have enjoyed Miley’s singing when she was younger. As a 17 year old and in the process of growing up myself, I know that there are other ways to grow up than copying what other singers like Britney Spears or other sexually oriented singers do. When I see these artists, I see how they could be so great. I see how they are so beautiful and how they downplay their beauty by selling it. The most beautiful woman is one who is modest and who portrays that to others. I pray Miley will become a better role model for others. Miley, if you are reading this, I can not imagine the pressure you have on you to conform to this world. I am praying for you. I pray you know the worth you have in Jesus.
I am sad to see the people who think Dannah’s letter is judging Miley and her family. I see her trying to bless her by trying to protect her and help her save herself and keep heself pure for the one God has in store for her. I agree with the letter. I pray Miley’s parents will see what is happening. The few interviews I have watched of Miley, I see how she respects her parents. I love mine and I still need my mother’s guidance. The Bible talks about accountability. No matter how old a person gets, we will always need that person who will hold us accountable. That is what Dannah’s letter is doing for Miley and her parents. She is showing them that they need to guard their daughter more and guide her. They need to show her that growing up does not mean showing off your body on TV.
This letter does not judge Miley. I think many people confuse judging with love. If one of your daughters had been in a video like this, would you talk to them about it? Would you beg them to return to their beautiful innocence? If you really love someone, then you say what you have to to help bring them closer to the Lord. It makes me so sad to hear people saying Dannah is judging her. There were times where I was in the wrong and I needed my mother’s help. If my mother let me do something like this then I pray someone would send her a letter like Dannah sent the Cyrus parents. As to WWJD, in Matthew 18, Jesus says “if a brother sins against you, go and show him his fault.” Miley has sinned against her young fans and the parents. She has promoted sexual behavior to these children. One of the 10 Commandments is Do not commit adultery. Jesus says if you look at a woman lustfully you have committed adultery in your heart. I am sure many boys and men have stumbled because of this video. It encourages girls to dress and behave like that and it causes men and boys to stumble.
This letter is an example of Matthew 18. Dannah is lovingly showing Miley’s parents a fault and bringing to their attention what is happening to their little girl and to other girls who follow.
Dannah, I appreciate your example to teenagers. Thank you for this letter to the Cyrus family. May God bless you and keep you.
Hey! I’m 14 and my sis is Meg (from above post) :D! I read the letter and I totally agree w/ Dannah and my sister. I hope and pray that the Cryus’ take the letter w/ an open heart and talk to their daughter. As for Christian role model singers I know a WHOLE lot of Christian singers. To start with Britt Nicole is a Christian artist. (She’s more Christian pop artist) You may know her from ‘Set the world on fire’ or ‘Lost get Found’. Others r Barlowgirl, Zoegirl, Toby Mac, Flame, Skillet, Fireleaf, Grits, and Group 1 Crew. Barlowgirl and Zoegirl sing songs that say you don’t have to act and dress and sing inappropiately to get a guys attention or to ‘fit in’. What matters is to fit in with God. So hear is just a few artist that I know. I’m praying for u Miley! And I really respect what you wrote Dannah!!!!!!
Hi! I’m not sure if you’re referring to me Elena but just in case you are I don’t live in Hollywood yet I’ll be going back there soon for a semester off campus!!:) But, I just find it sooo very important to pray for these young celebrities and I have no desire to be like any of them. (I put pictures up just to remind myself to pray for the celebrities:) Instead, one of my truest desires is that when I go back to Hollywood and do another internship that people would see Jesus!! To see a revival in Hollywood and to see people like Miley especially turn around would be a dream come true!!:) She has such a strong influence in our culture and one could only imagine what our culture might look like if she truly took to heart what Dannah is trying to say and really being a true Christian is all about how affecting would that be!:) Hopefully, some day she just may be:) That’d be awesome!! I just want to be used by God when I go out there:) God has forgotten about Hollywood and we can’t forget that God loves Miley!! And thanks for the reminder:) I’m continuing to pray for Miley that God would release the blinders off of her eyes!! Maybe one day they will be:)
Dannah what you wrote takes courage and fortitude, because you won’t be “liked” by everyone, but so what! I love what you wrote. You have disappointment and sadness regarding Miley and her parents. However,you also state it’s not too late! It never is. I will definitely be supporting you as long as you follow Christ.
Proverbs 3: 5 -6
I work with at-risk youth here in Johnson Ctiy Tenn. I find the children we teach already know too much about wrong decisions. What we need are Girls in Media willing to stand up and make right decisions for purity. If your enviroment surrounds you with baby daddys, no fathers, early pregnancies at 15 or younger,who will they look to if not the media.When you can’t look at home and you can’t look to the media how long do you think it will take to repeat bad patterns? The answer,everyday. It only takes a minute to ruin a young girls life,with no guidance. Kudos to you Dannah, for telling the simple truth.
Mrs. Gresh, I myself am a teen of 18 years. I am sad to see Miley do this…My 5 year old niece looks up to her, but her parents still let her watch it. I have to constantly remind myself not to judge her for her actions, but to pray that God reveals to her what she’s doing…. I’m afraid for the thousands of young girls who are following in her footsteps…..As a fellow teen i’m ashamed to say i’m in her generation XD I just want to thank you for the letter you wrote and i do pray that God blesses it that they may read it and understand….And I also want to take you for all you do
God bless.
Having suffered many consequences to my own poor teenage choices 20 years ago, I have lots of compassion for all teenage girls and have loved working in my church youth group as a sponsor in the past. God is such a faithful redeemer and friend!
My two teenage girls and 10 year old have enjoyed Hannah Montana for about 4 years. Knowing human nature, I was concerned this day would come but cautioned them all the while that she was NOT their role model…only Jesus and loving parents and family, godly teachers, etc., were those people. When news came out that Miley was going this direction, I remember praying for her… and my girls (first to know, of course) told me they didn’t like Hannah Montana anymore. Thanks to her ‘pole-dancing’ (I never saw it), my 10 year old now knows (via her 14 year old cousin) a bit more about life than I was ready for her to know. All said, we have high hopes for Miley and know that God has a great plan for her life. Thanks for your courage and well-written letter. God is good, all the time.