To beat a dead horse

[Logician]

Well, maybe not too dead...

Um. To start out, anime is "Japanese Animation." It's "cartoons" produced in Japan, such as Pokemon, Yugioh, DragonBall Z, Naruto, Megaman NT Warrior, Megaman Access, Sonic X, etc... etc... etc... What doesn't count as anime is stuff like Mucha Lucha (a Mexican cartoon series about masked wrestlers or "Luchadors"), Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Xaiolin Showdown (has strong Asian influences, but definitely isn't anime), Cow and Chicken, Wren and Stimpy, Earthworm Jim, Spongebob Squarepants, Freakazoid, and of course the old stuff like Looney Toons and Scooby Doo.

Anyway, I've decided on where I stand on the issue(s) of anime (Japanese Animation) but I'd like to know just what you guys/gals think about it and why.

First off, exactly what do you know about anime (and hopefully on specific series' etc...)?

On what do you base your claims that they're anti-Christian, if not simply on the fact that they're not explicitly Christian and "if your not for me, you're against me?"

Where did you hear/find out/come to the knowledge that anime is evil? From eachother? From a priest/pastor/minister/preacher/religious authority? From a document? Do you feel that God told you directly? Do you have supporting scripture? Did you just put 2 and 2 together?

Are you absolutely sure that it's evil, and not just different? (Yes, this question sounds highly sarcastic and/or confrontational, but I didn't mean it that way... Sorry. )

What religions and/or forces to believe to be at work in anime? Satanism? Occultism? Buddhism? Taoism? What exactly? (This is one place where I've gotten very confusing answers. First they say it's atheism, then it's Wicca, then it's Satanism, then it's Buddhism... ) Or do you believe many to be in some sort of anime-producing conspiracy?

Where do you feel other Christians with no problem with anime have fallen short? In their theology? In their attentativeness to God?

Have you made any effort to confirm anything that you yourself didn't figure out?

Have you fully considered what it means if you think anime is evil? Do you boycot companies that support it or retail stores that sell anime and anime products or anime-based video games, etc...? Have you made an effort to see whether or not you're supporting it? Do you care if you're supporting it? And, that doesn't necessarily go only for anime either. That goes for any product/entertainment you believe to be evil.

If you have children and have banned anime from your home and/or TV set, do they know the reason why you believe it to be evil and/or harmful? Did they protest? If you presented them with why it's not Christian, were they satisfied? Are they satisfied now? Do they even agree with you? If so, are you sure they do?

Exactly what anime series' do you consider to be evil? Pokemon, Yugioh, Hellsing, etc... are some that I've seen complete consensus on as to their.... erm... evilocity. But what about the latest Megaman series (actually composed of 2 or more subseries. I haven't kept up with it, but it's known both as "Megaman NT Warrior" and "Megaman Access")? What about the new F-Zero anime (I forget the formal title of it...)? What about One Piece?

And, is every animated piece of work that comes out of Japan evil? Many animated Saturday morning "cartoons" (I place "cartoons" in quotes because the word "cartoon" caries many implications that "anime" does not, for instance being primarily for children) are produced in Japan, but not in the signature anime style (i.e. big eyes, small mouths, little or no nose, etc...) and aren't easily identified as originating in Japan. (I Think of Project GKR. It was a short-lived series of only 13 episodes, but it was produced by Sony, a Japanese company.) What animated cartoons have you seen from other countries that you felt were evil?

Do you believe anything else Japan does (aside from anime and other forms of entertainment) to be evil? If not, why is it specifically Japan? Just because they're one of the few that send a substantial amount of entertainment over here to America? (Well, I've found that Mexico actually does too, but that's another story. I probably should do some research on exactly where most Saturday morning "cartoons" come from...)

And finally, did you think this post would ever end?

And, don't worry about using terms that only a Christian would understand and/or accept. I was once a Christian myself, and I'll take all answers without trying to invalidate them or argue against them because I'm not seeking to be convinced, only an explination.

Edited May 10, 2005 by Logician

[nebula]

You sound like you have an axe to grind.

But to answer your question:

My opinion of anime comes from my own experience.

I think of anime split into two groups - the anime meant for children (i.e. Starblazers, Voltron, Pokeman, Yu-gi-oh) and I guess you call it "hard core" anime, or maybe just "the rest"? Well, the non-children's anime.

I'll go back to the children's variety.

But to the rest:

It has a very, very dark feel to it.

I'm not sure if you understand what I mean by that - but if your "Christian experience" taught you anything about the spiritual realm, maybe you would know what I mean.

I have a sensitivity to the spirit realm, unfortunatly. I say unfortunatley because I can "feel" evil.

So, I don't care about arguing specifics of what makes something "evil" (dark). I just know I feel the darkness in those anime things I have had the misfortune of seeing.

As for the kids' stuff, the Bible is very clear about having nothing to do with magic and associated things. This includes channeling. Even Dragonball Z involves the channeling of power, although they do not claim the spirtit realm with this - if one were to place what they do into reality, it would fall into this category.

I wish you could hear the reports I have heard of what missionaries in Third World tribal communities faced against witchdoctors! But I can only picture your not believing these reports as fact, so I won't.

But to me it's all the same.

And since I'm just telling you my perspective, I'm notexpecting you to believe anything I say - but I hope you can accept that I believe what I know and have the convictions that I do for a solid reason reason.

Fair enough?

[LOVE SONGS]

You sound like you have an axe to grind.

But to answer your question:

My opinion of anime comes from my own experience.

I think of anime split into two groups - the anime meant for children (i.e. Starblazers, Voltron, Pokeman, Yu-gi-oh) and I guess you call it "hard core" anime, or maybe just "the rest"?  Well, the non-children's anime.

I'll go back to the children's variety.

But to the rest:

It has a very, very dark feel to it.

I'm not sure if you understand what I mean by that - but if your "Christian experience" taught you anything about the spiritual realm, maybe you would know what I mean.

I have a sensitivity to the spirit realm, unfortunatly.  I say unfortunatley because I can "feel" evil.

So, I don't care about arguing specifics of what makes something "evil" (dark).  I just know I feel the darkness in those anime things I have had the misfortune of seeing.

As for the kids' stuff, the Bible is very clear about having nothing to do with magic and associated things.  This includes channeling.  Even Dragonball Z involves the channeling of power, although they do not claim the spirtit realm with this - if one were to place what they do into reality, it would fall into this category.

I wish you could hear the reports I have heard of what  missionaries in Third World tribal communities faced against witchdoctors!  But I can only picture your not believing these reports as fact, so I won't. 

But to me it's all the same.

And since I'm just telling you my perspective, I'm notexpecting you to believe anything I say - but I hope you can accept that I believe what I know and have the convictions that I do for a solid reason reason.

Fair enough?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Great Post ......neb !!!!

I too.... am sensitive to the spirit realm.

[Logician]

You sound like you have an axe to grind.

Well... yeah... in a way... but, to extend the metaphor, I don't intend to grind it here.

But to answer your question:

My opinion of anime comes from my own experience.

I think of anime split into two groups - the anime meant for children (i.e. Starblazers, Voltron, Pokeman, Yu-gi-oh) and I guess you call it "hard core" anime, or maybe just "the rest"?  Well, the non-children's anime.

Well, I'd really consider just about everything shown over here as intended for children. The hard-core stuff never makes it over here except in collecters DVD's and such.

I'll go back to the children's variety.

But to the rest:

It has a very, very dark feel to it.

Which one? The stuff intended for children (the Pokemon, Voltron, etc...) or the other stuff? Or both?

I'm not sure if you understand what I mean by that - but if your "Christian experience" taught you anything about the spiritual realm, maybe you would know what I mean.

Actually, I was a Christian for the first 16 years of my life, and tried to be (without much success) for another year. It wasn't exactly a "one night stand."

(Yeah. I know you guys might be thinking that it probably wasn't true Christianity if I abandoned it after 16 years, but you're entitled to your opinion as I am to mine. )

While I'd have a different explination for the feeling now, I definitely know what you mean.

I have a sensitivity to the spirit realm, unfortunatly.  I say unfortunatley because I can "feel" evil.

So, I don't care about arguing specifics of what makes something "evil" (dark).  I just know I feel the darkness in those anime things I have had the misfortune of seeing.

As for the kids' stuff, the Bible is very clear about having nothing to do with magic and associated things.  This includes channeling.  Even Dragonball Z involves the channeling of power, although they do not claim the spirtit realm with this - if one were to place what they do into reality, it would fall into this category.

I wish you could hear the reports I have heard of what  missionaries in Third World tribal communities faced against witchdoctors!  But I can only picture your not believing these reports as fact, so I won't. 

But to me it's all the same.

And since I'm just telling you my perspective, I'm notexpecting you to believe anything I say - but I hope you can accept that I believe what I know and have the convictions that I do for a solid reason reason.

Fair enough?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Basically, what I'm fishing for is just your (well, not just yours, but everybody's here) perspective. I suppose what I was wanting was whether or not you had a reason for believing it, not if you had valid reasons or not. What you've given me is exactly what I'm looking for.

Edited May 10, 2005 by Logician

[Scarletprayers]

Okay, here I go. I watch most of the cartoons with my grandchildren. Some of them I do find alittle over the top, but my grandchildren are watching for the fun of it. Just like I did when I used to watch somebody drop a piano on Elmer's head. I didn't think it was real then, And the kids don't think the cartoons are real now. And when one of them ask a question we can have a nice talk about pretend, and real.

I find its a good way to tell them about God and Jesus, in terms they can understand and we all end up having a good time.

Now........there are some that I don't let them watch anymore than I would let them watch and R rated movie.

There, did that answer anything or did I just babble along?

[Logician]

Okay, here I go.  I watch most of the cartoons with my grandchildren.

Wow. Actually, that much right there is the best answer I could have hoped for.

Some of them I do find alittle over the top, but my grandchildren are watching for the fun of it.  Just like I did when I used to watch somebody drop a piano on Elmer's head.  I didn't think it was real then, And the kids don't think the cartoons are real now.  And when one of them ask a question we can have a nice talk about pretend, and real. 

I find its a good way to tell them about God and Jesus, in terms they can understand and we all end up having a good time.

Really? Wow. If it's possible, I'd like to know exactly what series' you're talking about here.

Now........there are some that I don't let them watch anymore than I would let them watch and R rated movie.

Sure. That's more than sensible. There are certainly series that are obviously too violent or mature or are objectionable in some way to allow kids of any age to watch (let alone the young 'uns.)

There, did that answer anything or did I just babble along?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Perfect.

[nebula]

Well, I'd really consider just about everything shown over here as intended for children.  The hard-core stuff never makes it over here except in collecters DVD's and such.

I'll go back to the children's variety.

But to the rest:

It has a very, very dark feel to it.

Which one? The stuff intended for children (the Pokemon, Voltron, etc...) or the other stuff? Or both?

The other stuff.

Akira is the only one I know the title of.

I've been exposed to others.

(Yeah, and I guess the word "exposed" fits quite well with some of what they just love to show in those things.

Actually, I was a Christian for the first 16 years of my life, and tried to be (without much success) for another year.  It wasn't exactly a "one night stand."

(Yeah.  I know you guys might be thinking that it probably wasn't true Christianity if I abandoned it after 16 years, but you're entitled to your opinion as I am to mine.  )

While I'd have a different explination for the feeling now, I definitely know what you mean.

If I may ask, did you ever give your life to Christ, repent of your sins, confess Jesus as Lord and all that?

Or were you just following "church"?

Just wanting to clarify, OK?

Basically, what I'm fishing for is just your (well, not just yours, but everybody's here) perspective.  I suppose what I was wanting was whether or not you had a reason for believing it, not if you had valid reasons or not.  What you've given me is exactly what I'm looking for. 

Sounds good!

[Scarletprayers]

Has your brain just ever refused to work for ya. Just shut down and said nope not tonight??? I having trouble remembering what we watch.

I know pokemon is one of them and Yu-gi-oh is another. Well of course having your pokemon friends come out and fight for you is VERY cool when your 6. That goes with the discussion that God and Jesus are always with you and they are real, not cartoons. They fight for you and you can call on them anytime you want to.

I tell them in heaven they will be able to fly (okay, I'm not sure about that one, but somehow I think God will let us do that) and they can play and explore God's heaven and never have to worry about getting hurt, or having to take a nap.

Of course being 6, he also loves Superman and Batman, and I just tell him that God and Jesus are even better than the Superfriends, stronger, smarter, nicer. He's pretty impressed with the Father and the Son right now!

[Logician]

The other stuff.

Akira is the only one I know the title of.

I've been exposed to others.

(Yeah, and I guess the word "exposed" fits quite well with some of what they just love to show in those things.

Ah. Yes. I'll definitely agree with you there. It's not exactly Bugs Bunny, or even The Simpsons.

If I may ask, did you ever give your life to Christ, repent of your sins, confess Jesus as Lord and all that?

Or were you just following "church"?

Just wanting to clarify, OK?

I don't blame you.

Yes. I gave my life to Christ and repented of my sins and confessed Jesus as Lord and believed it without question or doubt.

And, at the time I would have told you that I felt the Holy Spirit and communicated with God and felt a close relationship with him.

(Being a rationalist, I have to give a bit of supporting evidence...)

And any member of my church would have told you (or me, and did regularly) that I was bearing the fruits of the spirit.

[Gerioke]

Personally, I think Yogi Bear blows all that Japanamation away