--- description: But religious protests aren't stopping skyrocketing ticket sales title: 'Fifty Shades of Grey' Is a 'Direct Assault' on Marriage, Archbishop Says image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc25671399769f6e0/69877e5f35ba6f2920c06f9a/fifty-shades.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Entertainment](/section/entertainment/) ## Entertainment Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [movies](/tag/movies/) ## movies Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # _Fifty Shades of Grey_ Is a 'Direct Assault' on Marriage, Archbishop Says  by [Eliana Dockterman](/author/eliana-dockterman/)  ## Eliana Dockterman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Correspondent Feb 11, 2015 8:52 PM CUT  Dakota Johnson and James Dornan star in Fifty Shades of Grey Dakota Johnson and James Dornan star in Fifty Shades of GreyChuck Zlotnick—Universal Pictures  by [Eliana Dockterman](/author/eliana-dockterman/)  ## Eliana Dockterman Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Correspondent Feb 11, 2015 8:52 PM CUT Cincinnati’s archbishop does not approve of _Fifty Shades of Grey._ “The story line is presented as a romance; however, the underlying theme is that bondage, dominance, and sadomasochism are normal and pleasurable,” Archbishop Dennis Schnurr wrote of the erotic book-turned movie on the archdiocese’s [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/CatholicCincinnati/posts/635847566519423 "undefined"). “The movie is in direct contrast to the Christian message of God’s design for self-giving and self-sacrificing love, marriage and sexual intimacy.” “The movie is a direct assault on Christian marriage and on the moral and spiritual strength of God’s people,” he added. Several religious groups have cautioned against seeing the film before its release Friday. But their protests seem to be falling on deaf ears: Ticketing website Fandango has sold more advance tickets for _Fifty Shades_ than for any other R-rated film in the site’s history. And the book series upon which the film is based has already earned a devoted following among many Christian women. A survey of 1,075 adults by the Barna Group, a faith-focused polling firm, found that 9% of practicing Christian women in America have read at least the first book, [_The Atlantic_ ](http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2015/02/consent-isnt-enough-in-fifty-shades-of-grey/385267/ "undefined")[reports](http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2015/02/consent-isnt-enough-in-fifty-shades-of-grey/385267/ "undefined"). That’s roughly consistent with the percentage of total U.S. women who have read _Fifty Shades_. ### Fifty Shades of Grey: TIME's Exclusive Portraits of the Cast and Director  Dakota Johnson (Anastasia “Ana” Steele) and Jamie Dornan (Christian Grey) photographed at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 2015. Malerie Marder for TIME  Dakota Johnson (Anastasia “Ana” Steele) photographed at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 2015. Malerie Marder for TIME  Sam Taylor-Johnson (director) photographed at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles on Jan. 13, 2015. 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