From Dion: i read you articles on how pokemon and magic the gathering affects kids. i am a 15 year old who does nt give a ___ what you think. You are extrimists and for the bible it states god had to gamble with abrhams life
if he didnt he could have died. Magic is not evil i hope some of the dragons from the devil come take tyour soul back to who you really belong to and thats satan.God doesn't gamble with anyone's life, Dion. He knows what is in our hearts and how we will react to the circumstances He allows in our lives. He also know our future -- what will happen in each of our lives. He didn't need to test Abraham's obedience in order to see the heart of his faithful servant. He knew that Abraham would obey, therefore He had provided a ram as the needed sacrifice.
Through Abraham's test, we learned the significance of obedience to God's Word. It also shows that, when we trust and follow Him, He leads us and keeps us from doing anything that deviates from His purpose for our lives.
Anonymous: If you take time not worshiping the lord by spending it oppsessing on some thing, is that not a cult in away? Is it better that children, young adults and adults go out and do ilegal and inmoral things or play cards? Should people steal cars and do drugs or sit at there freiands houses and look at some books and use there minds to have fun?
The answer is "no" to all your questions. I suppose the people caught up in a cult might be obsessed about a particular aspect about their beliefs, but that alone doesn't define a cult.
Of course children shouldn't do illegal or immoral things. Christians don't justify one action by saying it's better than something else. That's relativism. If you truly want to follow God, you don't do anything -- big or small -- that conflicts with His values.
This site and the people who think of some cards and books as evil are starting a cult, you infact are a cult. You spend time away form worshiping the lord to try to keep people away form paper, would the lord rather people looking at paper or out killing and stealing.
From TJH: This is MY response to all of those who just haven't got the guts to confess that they are brainwashed by all of these psycho-spiritual cartoons and RPG's. First off, I have read all of the letters to the Kjos', and more than 3/4's of the writers don't even know how to spell correctly or use the English language in it's proper context. If that isn't the first warning of the stupidity of these ridiculous faddish cartoons & games, then maybe we should move on to the other warning signs that you have been ensnared by this garbage.
One warning sign is a bratty child whining that he or she just HAS TO HAVE the latest Pokemon Booster pack, or toy. It may not be the child's fault. More often than not, it is the fault of the parent for teaching that little brat to think they need material things to make life good.
Another warning sign, especially of interest to CHRISTIAN parents: If it doesn't find any support in God's Word, it is NOT of GOD! Does Ash teach children about the great SACRIFICE Jesus made for us, to Pikachu? Does Misty behave like a respectable Godly young girl when things don't go her way? Most importantly, does the Pokemon series preach the word of GOD? Of course not, and neither does Sailor Moon, DragonBall Z, Magic: The Gathering, or any of that trash.
What you so-called christians (in name only) ignore is the plain and simple fact: These programs have no place in a REAL Christians life! Those of you who write in DEFENDING these stupid, insipid games & cartoons, need to get your heads examined by the Lord Jesus Christ.
To me, the worst thing is this: Shame on those of you who call yourselves Christians, and ALLOW yourselves to get indignant towards Mr. & Mrs. Kjos, and other genuine christians, for simply telling you the TRUTH. My message to those of you who insist on allowing this garbage into your lives is this: GROW UP!!Thanks for standing with us, TJH.
From Jerry: I know lots of kids that are my neighbors that are pokemon card collectors and they haven't or don't want to use Magic the Gathering Cards. Contrary to the article on this site about Pokemon not all Pokemon Card collectors start using Magic the Gathering Cards.
I also feel that there is nothing against the Bible or God or Occult in Sailor Moon, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Z.
It doesn't matter how we "feel" about it, Jerry. What counts is knowing and believing what the Bible tells us, then acting on it.
The Scriptures and explanations in these two articles apply to anime as well as to Harry Potter: Twelve reasons not to see Harry Potter movies and Harry Potter and the Power of Suggestion
I agree Dragon Ball and Dragon Ball Z weren't made for children. And yes the Dubbed in english versions are much tamer than the Japanese. Just my opinion, God Bless
Thank you, Jerry, for taking time to share your thoughts and read my response. May God bless you with His wisdom and encouragement.
From Mrs. Michele: I was just reading this pages on pokemon, witchcraft etc. I'm not sure who I am writing to, but I was linked to your page for info to help me get out of witchcraft.
I just wanted to say you or whoever wrote it got it right. This is how I started: First it was the pokemon cards, supporting the kids, helping them learn to play with them, learning to enjoy them myself. Then I began to collect magic cards, then Harry potter books. I didn't think any of it would affect me. After all, I am an adult. I know what is right and wrong. I can handle it.Well guess what. Our church lost its preacher whom we loved dearly. I was a new Christian, angry and confused to loose our preacher. I became depressed, even suicidal. So I turned to witchcraft.
Now we have a new preacher, and here I am trying to reclaim what I lost. I'm trying to rid myself of witchcraft and wicca, but it is not a easy road.
So burn those cards and Harry potter books!
Second note from Mrs. Michele: Yes, go ahead and post it. If it would save one person from witchcraft it is worth it. I just returned from church, yet I hold in my hand 2 witchcraft books that I took back. It's really hard to resist this power and break its hold on me.
I just finished reading some of the comments on pokemon not being harmless. It made me very sad to see all the people defending it. What happens to the kid who grows out of the childish pokemon and moves on to the next phase: magic cards. From then on it gets worse.
It just breaks my heart to listen to a pagan person's comments. These people don't know what they are missing by rejecting the grace of God. I can give a handful of bible verses against it. And now I will put those witchcraft books away.
Thank you, Michele. I so appreciate your kind heart and commitment to follow God. I thank Him for leading you back to Himself and opening your eyes to His love and power -- which can't even be compared to satan's false promises. May He continue to give you strength, peace, perseverance and a wonderful victory -- moment by moment -- as you set your heart and mind on the King of the universe.
"You.... have overcome them, because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world." 1 John 4:4
Those who appreciate your warning may also want to see Armor of God, The Nature and Tactics of Satan and Unequal Contenders in the Spiritual War.
"...in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
"For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:37-9
From Carlos: Hi, this is a reply for your Pokemon Article ( http://www.crossroad.to/text/articles/pokemon5-99.html ) took work to make eh? But as you know (or may not know) Pokemon es Anime and this anime is for children.
I'm chistian, and none Pokemon, Akira or any anime made me kill/atack/destroy any person.
That's good. But I don't expect anime fans to attack anyone. Please read the letter from Amy (posted tonight 4-22) on the Harry Potter page. It shows a far more common consequence of filling your mind and memories with occult images and suggestions.
Try looking at my favorite anime Akira. Tell me if you write an article on Akira
Or you may want to write on my "Evil Anime Page." It has over 50+ animes so you can find the evil in every one eh? bye! replay if you make an article!I will try to see it, Carlos. And if my Lord prompts me to write that article, I will.
From Austin: I'm 18 years old. i am a big fan of the pokemon franchise as well as other role playing games and was reading one of your articles on it and was completely shocked by the amount of ___. in the article. the show itself is good for children. it teaches kids about the joys of friendship, sticking to goals, as well as following your dreams.
if you say that pokemon is a cause of evil, you should wonder what type of morals you have had placed on yourself from your religion. i hope you are aware of the popes blessing of pokemon and how he says it's not evil. if you have not read anything about it, here's something about it.
Please read Twelve reasons not to see Harry Potter movies and Pokemon Movie and Conflict Resolution. They summarize and illustrate why Pokemon and other occult-based messages will affect a person's beliefs and values.
From "a self-confessed pagan": I wanted to respond to your article on role playing games, after reading I found that I was nearly nauseous at the thought of people actually having believes such as yourself. I found your article to be extremely offensive being a sixteen year old pagan who is also fond of Magic cards. Thebest way to respond is to tackle each issue you raised individually beginning with the "financial conglomerate" remark. the church you support is unto itself a business. Innocent and rather ignorant individuals are coaxed into providing time, MONEY, and effort to a company for nothing in return.
I agree with your statement that these role playing games create a fantasy world. However, I'd been interested in hearing what your definition for that is because to me a fantasy world would be one that opens people's imaginations and suggests the idea that there is more than the physical world whose presence we are bombarded with every waking moment. And if your definition is even similar to mine than you will agree that heaven and hell are merely fantasy worlds as well.I agree with your first point, but not the second. A fantasy world does indeed stimulate and guide the imagination, suggesting all kinds of possible ways to stretch one's understanding of reality. In other words, it fills the mind and memories with imagined scenarios that may seem to fit reality but force the person to stretch and redefine what reality is to them. [See Harry Potter and the Power of Suggestion ]
But I cannot agree with your conclusion that "heaven and hell are merely fantasy worlds." While I cannot prove scientifically that heaven and hell are part of the spiritual reality God has shown us, I know that the God who told us about their existence has proven His credibility over and over. Hundreds of His Old Testament prophecies concerning wars, famine, the coming of Christ and the establishment of empires have come true and are validated through history, archeology, climatology, etc. Unlike the broad and ambiguous divination by Nostradamus and other self-made "prophets" and mystics, God's prophesies are clear and identifiable. Nothing He has told us has been proven false. So when He speaks to us about heaven and hell, I believe Him.
The rest of your letter has been posted in Multiple Topics
From Dylan: I share your religion but totally disagree with you. Pokemon is totally harmless. It doesn't make my child like you say about other children. You wrote about one of the shows and you got it all wrong. Talking about stealing Sabrina's Kadabra is way off what was really happening. I have never seen such a rediculous thing in my life. You people misunderstand the word of GOD! I am very upset about the way you look at Pokemon. I do agree with you about Magic The Gathering but Pokemon, come on.
You are right. That particular battle had little to do with actual stealing. But since the theme of Pokemon's marketing is "catch them all," the perception for many young or infrequent viewers is that you need to catch, win or buy more Pokemon. That's why Wizards of the Coast, which publishes the Pokemon game, spends a fortune to instill this vision in the minds of Pokemon fans around the world.
In addition to the spiritual (or supernatural) messages, each movie or television episode has two sides: the politically correct and nice-sounding message about loyalty and oneness - and the less obvious but more seductive message call to use and accumulate supernatural power as well as pokemon characters.
From Pat White: Hi, I was searching under the topic of Pokemon today and happened to come across your interesting little article about Pokemon and why they are evil. After reading it, I went to see how people responded. I have to say that they are getting upset over nothing. I mean, they were warned that they did not have to read it. I mean, it's just a person's opinion.
I personally do not agree with your stance on Pokemon and Magic: The Gathering. I played Pokemon for two years and Magic for only one. I have fallen out of the fad, although I still do watch the Pokemon television show.
You did bring up some interesting points which were true. I was glad when the schools here in Hawaii banned Pokemon cards from the elementary down the road because of the teenagers which would come down from the highschool and cheat kids out of their cards.
What kind of people do we have in this society?! Doesn't the bible preach, "Thou shall not steal."? Those kids may have not been Christians, but it still seems like a rotten thing to do. I myself am not Christian. I choose to believe in a sort of "mixture of religions".
Keep up the good work and keep giving us comprehensive and interesting articles. This one really made me think...
Thanks for your understanding and encouragement, Pat.
From Mixmaster: Magic and Pokemon the CCG are very friendly games. They build character and stimulate the mind.
I agree that they stimulate the mind. But since they fill the mind with a new view of spiritual forces, they stimulate children in Christian homes to interpret God's reality in a way that conforms to the contrary spiritual messages in Pokemon and Magic cards. I tried to explain that in Harry Potter and the Power of Suggestion
From Himura Kenshin: I would like to remind you that most of the quotes etc you put on your website are from the American Version, which is extremely different from the Japanese version. "Gotta Catchum All"? You have to be joking. That's an American made phrase to go with the game, show etc.
When I share my concerns, I am speaking primarily to American parents and others who share our values.
The above slogan is an effective marketing strategy, and children who love Pokemon hear or see it continually. Such repetition effectively plants suggestions in the minds of children regardless of the source or of the motives of those who communicate it.
I find nothing wrong with the phrase "Pokemon Master". It simply means beating the video game and catching all 251 Pokemon. Simple as that. If children are spending to much time playing the games, restrict them. Take away their game boy for a little bit, tell them they can only play for so long everyday and things like that. If they don't like it and cry, well that's too bad. If you let them have their way then they wont learn.
I assume you haven't had a lot of experience with parenting willful children, Himura. Training your children to follow God in a culture that teaches the opposite values isn't as easy as you think.
Same with the cards. Who is buying these cards? That's right. The parents. Just say no. If they have saved up their money to buy their own cards then let them, but of course who is the person who's driving them to these stores? That's right, the parents. What's this about "supernatural powers"? I know many many many Pokemon fans and not one thinks that by getting Pokemon you gain the ultimate powers or things like that.
Of course not. I didn't say that. And the statement below refers specifically to Magic cards -- not to Pokemon. You may want to review How Pokemon and Magic Cards Affect the Minds and Values of Children
About the kids on the playground summoning things, those kids are just plain messed up in the head, either that or are playing around. Pokemon features no summoning, possessing or anything of the sort. If they were playing a game like Magic, then I would understand since that features such things. They aren't being controlled by Pokemon. Now about the kid who stole money to buy cards. I'm not trying to insult anybody since I am a strong believer in God. But what I think is that this kid should lay off the "Holy stuff" (sorry I couldn't think of any other words) If this child didn't go to church every sunday I can bet you that he would be saying other things.
Which deity do you believe in, Himura? It's clearly not the God I know, but you are certainly free to choose and follow whichever spiritual path you choose. This right has been one of our most treasured freedoms in America.
Max: hello, I was recently shifting through the web and fell upon your website, and surely enough I found your article on Magic The Gathering, I am a true fan of this game and was the same about Pokémon, (it was a fad so i eventualy got out of it) but i have been interested in Magic for at least 5 years and, seem perfectly normal. I play D&D, and many roleplaying games such as, Final Fantacy, Dark Cloud, and I own every Legend Of Zelda game ever available.
But thats not what i came to talk about, it is the fact that the people (kids) that you mention in your articles of whom where "raising sticks in the air and saying 'deamons enter me'" or something to that extent, where Christains, am I wrong?
They were not Christians. The Christians kids who were on the playground saw it. They knew enough about spiritual warfare and satan's tricks to be concerned. So they reported it to their parents and to a grandparent -- who, in turn, told me about it.
Because these kids are christains, as small children they where told that is is possable to resurect someone from the dead (god Of Whom Did This.) So they probobly took it that it is possable for the same events to happen once more.
Also the people who play Magic And D&D are too smart to belive in "god" and the bible. We also however are to smart to belive in Magic the gathering as being real. for an example, i was doing bad in school untill i started playing Magic and D&D. My grades went up, that effecteed me in the exact oppasite way you described. Please may I have a responce, I would appretiate it very much.
Max, would you please read my article called Harry Potter and the Power of Suggestion. I think it would help you understand why fantasy can be even more powerful in changing your beliefs and values than the real world. Then read these Bible verses: Proverbs 12:15
From J. T.: This has given me quite the laugh today . To think that you can possibly say that D&D, Magic the Gathering, and even Teletubbies lead to the occult ! There is so much worse in the world and it is quite sad that this is what u can come up with to make a fuss about. I used to be a strong Christian but after sermon after sermon of talking about money i lost faith. I know what u are thinging, that the aforesaid was because of Magic. People need to loosen up. Magic, Pokemon, Hairy Potter, and the Teletubbies are either television shows and or card games. Loosen up and have fun. Life's too short. Thanks for listening.
Are you sure? Perhaps life is too short and fragile to waste time filling our minds with images and suggestions that mock God and His truths. Whether you choose to believe His Word or not, God actually does exist. You can't imagine Him away any more than you can imagine away the recent tragedies. The sovereign God of the universe will hold each of us accountable for the choices we make during our brief lives within His vast eternity. Please read Deliver us from evil
First letter from Austin: I am 17 years old. I am curious what your upbringing was that would lead your life into a place filled with so much hate, fear, and outright bigotry. You are ill-informed of Magic: The Gathering card game, which is a fantasy game involving creatures, spells, and which objective is to kill the opponent. You fear change. You beleive in a cultish, hating relgion that condemns all who are not like themselves.
You are both ugly. The condemning, preaching and puritan like behavior you display on your website revolts me. I just thought you should know. Thank you for your time :)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Austin. Would you like me to post your letter? Many would agree with you....
Second letter: Sure, that'd be cool. Turn the other cheek mentality. So nice, yet so aggravating. But i guess that's what its meant to do. Thanks for responding, i take back the ugly comment. How can a person maintain proper hate, when the other responds with kindness? :) Magic the gathering rules. Its bad in that it drains money, but don't bash it or dungeons and dragons (which i have been too lazy to fully learn) until you know exactly how they are played. Thanks!
From "Inferno": Magic: the Gathering, sir is a staple of "losers" "geeks" and "nerds" around this country. MtG is a game where people can play, it requires almost no physical involvment, but it takes a toll on the brain. Magic has some cards that look scary. Soul Feast? Oh, because of one card I'm going to abandon sound logic, years of scientific proof to become a Satanist...sure.
You know well that there are lots of magic cards that are just as "evil" and many that are worse.
While I have the advanatge of playing the game, I also must represent it in a positive way. It should be noted that for every "evil" card, there is a angel, or a "christian" card. Not all of magic is black and white, there is red, green, and blue. If you choose to focus on two colors so be it, but not all of Magic is black and white.
You just pointed to a key deception, Inferno. The angelic or New Age cards (showing the bright side of evil) cannot be Christian. Everything in this game clashes with Christianity, including the pleasing images of counterfeit good. God warns us not to blend His good with any kind of evil. 2 Cor 6:12-18 By identifying New Age images with Christianity, you illustrate the power of this game to deceive children and confuse their understanding of God's truth. Col 2:8
In a different article you asked why such fervor, why such hatred? The answers because, you took what was a great PASTIME for us, and turned it into something it never was. We don't worship Harry Potter, or magic, or Pokemon. We play the games, for fun, we read the books for fun, and we are sound people. So some go overboard? Is that our fault? No. However, you would punish all for the sins of a few.
I don't punish anyone. No one has to read what we post on this website.
In Pokemon, there is a couple things you neglected to point out. Number one: Nothing dies.
Please read Pokecomics.
Number two: I've yet to see someone go raving mad because of a Pokemon addiction. But, on to D&D is it evil? No, it isn't evil because it doesn't force you to hate God, worship another God, or force you to brutally murder, rape, steal, or break any commandments. I have a Pokemon game, and I've yet to kill my parents, go on a shooting spree or spend five hours in my rooms praying to pieces of wood. To beat a dead horse, the hatred is because, what was once a good game to us, and our parents, is now under heavy fire by someone who had never played the game, or has never read the book with his mind open to the possiblity that Harry Potter is in the FICTION section for a reason.
A quote from the page: "Sorcery as practiced by a witch or witches." On page 62 in her book, The Spiral Dance, a practical manual on witchcraft, Wiccan leader Starhawk explains...and you actually believe this? There is less to
you than I thought. It should be noted that "we" aren't worshipping these cards. We use them to play a GAME. If you want something that is pure, and holy, here on earth, you're gonna be sorely dissapointed. Magic as a game is a joy to play, when you don't take it seriously. If you take it seriously, the danger my friend, isn't in the cards, but in your head.
From a "READER OF HARRY POTTER PLAYER OF MAGIC AND A VERY CRISTLY CRISTIAN: Pokemon? I am a cristian and go to church every sunday. I used to love pokemon though I am to old for it now. It is in no way linked with satan. It is a bunch of cute caracters runing around tackleing each other and they dont even die. I think u say that cuse ur kids use up all ur money on cards and games.
I used to play all the time there is not any gore or violence it is a littel kids game . If u wana use ur time to talk about satan talk about games like mortal kombat and other stuff with gore and blood and death. Could u please write me back on what is so wrong with magic cards i play them and to me seems as harmless as a game of monopoly.
Did you read The Dangers of Role-Playing Games? If not, please do. There you find a paragraph showing one important reason why this game desensitizes children to occult images, magic and other forms of occultism. If they seem spiritually harmless to you, you have already been desensitized. After a while, frequent exposure to occult images destroys Biblical discernment so that you know longer recognize evil.
I also read harry potter. A lot of what u said is wrong. Have u ever read the books it is not all about learning spells. It is 5% about learning spells and the readers dont learn them the caracters do. It is a F-A-N-T-A-S-Y. it is in no way real a story as real as humpty dumpty sat on a wall. u probobly think that is affeliated with satan too dont you. u should talk about more importint problems like porn online and violence on tv insted of little harmless childrens games books and stuff.
Why would big companies spend billions of dollars to advertise their products on television using fictional scenes and fantasy images they didn't cause people to desire their product? Remember, the thoughts in your mind and the images you see help form your beliefs and values. See also Answers to Pokemon mail.
From Miranda: "I just don't understand what you're saying. I collect pokemon cards. I assure you they are harmless. Kids don't think they are real. Sailor Moon just happens to be my favorite show. But I've never tried to magically tranform into a sailor scout and save the world. And yes, I've read Harry Potter. There's a difference between fantasy and witchcraft. By the way, have you read it? My guess is no. Pardon me if I'm incorrect.
Why do companies pour billions of dollars into advertisements, Miranda? Because they know that people will absorb the suggestions -- and hopefully act on them -- even though the message is communicated through fictional images or entertaining fantasy. What you read and love influences your thinking and values.
From Angel: I happen to like these little creatures you people call monsters.
We didn't originate the name "pocket monsters." That name was used by Wizards of the Coast long before we wrote about Pokemon.
if you ask me you people are the monsters, always coming to my door or calling on the phone asking they same stupid qeustion! "IF YOU WOULD DIE TOMORROW WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU WOULD GO?" I am so sick of that, nobody knows where they go after they die, but i can tell you one thing it isn`t heaven or hell, Because the end of the world has to come before anyone is jugded.
Perhaps those who asked you that question did it because they cared about you. Why else would they take the time to share their faith? Since I know Jesus Christ and what a wonderful Shepherd and Friend He is, I can understand why they would want to tell you about Him.
I recently lost my daughter and my mom and i do not think that they are in heaven and i know they are not in hell,but i know they are somewhere waiting. you people waste soooooooooo much time putting kids tv programs down. i used to know someone who was not allowed to watch or have anything to do w/super heros,monsters whatever and that person grew up and murdered. SO LEAVE POKE`MON ALONE, I WOLD RATHER FOR MY KIDS TO WATCH POKE`MON THAN TO WATCH AND FOLLOW PREACHERS WHO SLEEP AROUND AND RIP PEOPLE OFF!! H___ I LET MY CHILDREN WATCH HOWARD STERN (THE MOVIE) And they love movies by Steven King and so do I.
Please don't be offended by those who want to encourage you after the painful loss you have suffered. If you would listen to them, you might discover that you can know for sure whether or not you are going to heaven. When we really seek His love and peace, He changes our lives and give us the wonderful assurance that we will spend eternity with Him. Though I risk offending you even more, I would like to invite you to read this page: What it means to be a Christian.
Second note from "angel": Of course I would and thank you so very much, its like when that preacher was putting down Tinky Winky down saying that he is gay or something. I also love the teletubbies, Tinky being one of my favorite, I am not a bad person, I love all the creatures of this world. All the kids shows but also i agree there are somethings that i don`t want my children to see but they are going to anyway and i would rather for it to be in front of me than somewhere else.
And i do beleive that Jesus died and shed his blood for all man/and woman. For they`re sins to be forgivin but i just don`t beleive you go to heaven or hell when you die. Because All man and woman shall be judged on judgement day. It says so in the bible it also states somewhere in rev. that the dead cry out to god asking when oh lord when is judgement day or the end coming. Or something like that.i don`t know where you go after you die but it has to be a mush better place than this world. Sincerly, Angel
From Devin: i was reading another artical and i came across something you said and this is a direct quote from you "Thanks for illustrating my point, Mewtwo. Since your namesake dies and is resurrected, he illustrates supernatural power."
Could you be confusing resurrection with resuscitation, Devin? Paramedics provide emergency care for those who are having a near-death crisis such as a serious stroke, heart attack or drowning. While paramedics and doctors might revive or resuscitate someone whose heart or pulse disappear for several minutes, they can't bring back to life someone who has actually been dead for a long period of time. Jesus had been dead from Friday to Sunday morning. His miraculous resurrection has never been duplicated.
Anonymous: Magic is not an evil game. In fact, there are some White cards that have names like Preacher, and Prayer, and Blessings, so are these ones evil? Not once have I heard someone say "I summon the spirits to possess me." Or anything to that affect.
That's not much of an argument, is it? Do you always have to experience something yourself in order to believe it?
I play daily, I go to High school. My GPA is 3.8, and several of my friends that play have 4.0. Are we evil? I am not Christian, but my parents are Mormon, and they obviously don't think the cards are evil. And NOT ALL CARDS REQUIRE YOU TO SACRIFICE A CREATURE. I would like to make the point that I think you have some evil in you. You told the story of kids BURNING their cards. A huge bonfire in sacrifice to the gods? To satisfy the urges placed in them by their parents? Sounds Paegan to me.
Again, I'm not sure I understand your logic. Knowing that you have as much right as I do to choose your own beliefs, may I suggest you try to base your conclusions more on facts and than on your feelings?
From Toshiya: Okay, I'm assuming I'm sending this to the right people. You are the ones that wrote the Pokemon thing and talked about roleplaying being evil correct? If I am wrong please forgive me. All right, to begin with, I would say that you are very wrong. I have played video games, card games, and things of the such. I am perfectly normal, now if these things were evil wouldn't I be evil...to say the least I'm not. I roleplay, sometimes once a week, I don't feel superior to anyone, I don't think I have 'magical powers' everything you listed I have never saw people do before. I have saw kids play imaginary games were they pretend that they have Pokemon and such, but that is all it is...imagination.
Forgive me if I have angered or insulted you in any way, I was just wanting to discuss how your calling these things 'evil' is in fact, wrong.
I think I understand what you are saying, and I am not a Christian.Thank you for taking time to write us, Toshiya. I tried to explain the answer to your question in a message we titled Answers to Pokemon mail to Pokemon letters. We are not saying that a person will suddenly become "a bloodthirsty maniac." In fact, most wouldn't change at all. Our main concern is Christian children whose understanding of Biblical truth would be blended with a world view that clashes with Christian values and love for God. Does that make sense?
Please tell me whether or not you are a Christian -- then I will answer accordingly.
Toshiya, that may be be why my comments don't make sense. If you don't know my God, you would have no strong reason to follow His ways. But Christian parents want their children to delight in God's protection, provision and all the wonderful things that He offers those who love Him. They knnow the inner peace and joy that comes through faith in Him, and they want their children to share the same blessing -- for all eternity. They have reason to be concerned that today's most popular fantasies will change their thinking about reality and truth so much that they no value His peace and presence. I explain this more thoroughly in From the Littleton CRISIS to Government CONTROL.
The continuation of a letter from Stratos (I'm sorry I didn't get back to it earlier):
Never has evil appeared good, and good dismissed as boring.
Do you really know what you are talking about? Just take multiplication drills which are vital to the ability to solve practical everyday math problems. They have been eliminated for being boring -- for being classified as "drill and kill." Other good activities now considered boring" are: reading the Bible, seeing movies that show the nice side of reality rather than evil fantasies, traditional good literature, going for a hike in the woods.
I'm not going to repeat what I already wrote about popular evils that looks good to kids today. Just read my articles on Pokemon, Digimon and Harry Potter.
In Pokimon, Team Rocket represents evil, as they are villains and attempt to steal other's property, and as evil usually is, they are thwarted in every attempt they make. For Magic, there are 5 colors, White -Honor, Justice, Truth; Green - Nature; Blue - Neutrality and interference; Red - Chaoticness, irregularity; and Black - Dishonor, Lies, Distrust.. They've included the "evil" aspect into their game due to the fact that evil is omnipresent.
Wherever you go, evil is there with you, as is God and all that is good. You can not have one without the other, for what is honor without it's opposite, dishonor? Or justice and truth without injustice and lies? Without the opposite their is nothing to distinguigsh one from the other.
2 Cor 6:12-18.Evil may surround us on all sides, but you have believed a lie. Opposites don't have to complement each other. Can't you see a beautiful rose without garbage in the background? Can't you appreciate a magnificent sunset over the ocean without also seeing something ugly? How about kindness and genuine love?
What a sad world it would be if everything good must be tempered with all kinds of destructive influences. Yes, in our world both good and evil are present. But the evil doesn't make good better. It is more likely to distort and compromise the good. That's why your other point falls short of reality. From God's perspective, even the good that has merged with evil is no longer good. The two cannot be synthesized or joined together. Please click on
Your quotes from Pokimon players seem quite... selective... to me. You've specifically chosen those few phrases that, when combined with an utter lack of knowledge for the game itself, induce a general mistrust and misunderstanding of the game.
The child that said, "I'll just use my psychic powers." was obviously hearing with selective ears. Not once have I heard anyone claim to have psychic powers as a result of playing the game, you simply heard a comment like "I'll simply use my Psychic Pokimon," or "I'll just use PsyBeam (A name of an attack present in the game)". And simply by hearing this child's comment, with or without selective hearing, you can not just assume that Pokimon has corrupted his world.
So Magic has developed a cult following? Of course, cult simply means an enthusiastic devotion to something. Occult and cult have been warped and twisted by others to become "anti-Christian" terms, while in actuality they're perfectly fine and can be used without harm.
Which dictionaries are you using? I have several unabridged dictionaries with different dates. Together they show the changing trends and twists in language and meanings. But they all support my statements, not yours.
The card which said "Sacrifice a white creature" does not inspire demonic rituals where Magic players acutally sacrifice animals to gain power as some people who share your belief would accuse. In magic, sacrifice simply means to lose, to sacrifice a white creature just means for you to move it from in play to a discard pile, not allowing you to use it. And the mentioon of the "summoning" on the playground was quite hilarious as well, I doubt this has ever occured, but if it did that does not mean all followers of this game share this dimwittedness and stupidity. Those are an isolated few whose idiocy will not spread through those possessing a sound mind. And your comment about violence erupting from teens, that violence is so minute in comparison with the teens who do not commit violence that it's less than 1% of the teenage population. And that less than 1% of the population are most likely those isolated idiots who "summon" damonic spirits by playing with sticks.
While yes, occult roleplaying games probably do teach the lessons you refer to, name an occult roleplaying game. I'll bet you'll be hardpressed to find one that inspires occult beliefs. And not all role-playing games are demonic and evil, just because of an isolated one or two, you have no right to judge the rest simply from those poor examples.
I could start with Magic the Gathering, but we obviously view it differently. I had considered posting some of the horrible Magic pictures of demonic creatures and occult rituals, but I am afraid I would violate the copyright. Let me instead quote a familiar Bible verse:
"Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil;
Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes,
And clever in their own sight!"
Isaiah 5:2-21
From Jeff: Are you serious? Kid's are kids. Stop envoking fear in parents. Everything in life isn't so black and white. It's simply cartoon's and books. However...I know from experience, if you control children at a young age regarding entertainment and passing fads they will definately develop a contempt for religion. Rethink what your saying. It's insane. Really.
Do you base your "definite" conclusion on one experience? Or do you have some research to support your certainty? I happen to know a lot of families that set limits and provide alternatives, and their children love God and want to follow Him. They are also polite, gracious, mature, fun to be with, and delightful to be around. Choosing to say "no" to entertainment that violate their values makes them more, not less, determined to guard their minds and to please Him.
It's not as hard as you might think. God not only helps His friends make the right choices, He also fills them with a special joy that only comes from fellowship with Him.
From Jake: When i first read your article about how pokemon was evil i was outraged. and i imediately was ready to deliver a hate-filled letter. However, i took a deep breath and sent you a well-thought-out objection. i later visited your webscite in wich your response to hate-filled letters was: if pokemon is just a game, why do you respond so violently when i discriminate it.
The truth is, with all my faith and love in the lord, who has guided me through so much, the greatest non-living gift he ever gave me was pokemon. (living would have to be my familly) meeting wonderfull people in trading parties, competing with trully talented friends in tournaments, and watching pokemon, mere pictures on a gameboy screen, grow and become better and more powerfull, it all truly touched me.
Everytime one of my pokemon would evolve, it reminded me of one person i touched. one person who's life was changed for the better because of what i did. my pokemon showed me how i helped other people to evolve. and my strive to be the best pokemon trainer eventually became my strive to be a better person. i was touched in a way no other game has touched me before. truly a gift from god. and it pains me deeply to see people like you, who have tried so hard to understand the word of the lord, so easily blinded and turned violent against something you merely did not understand.
Mankind has always feared the unkown, but your blindness scares me, and i pray to god that christian parents will disregard the ignorant comments you have posted. i don't know about other pokemon fans, but i believe they have been touched more or less in the same way, and because they are afraid to reveal anything so personal via the E-mail, they simply respond in violence. which is probably no better that what you have done. One day, my great-grandfather told me, (2 days before he died) "it's all how you look at the world jake, if you go trick-or-treating on holloween night, in rejoice of satans work, than hollowing truly is the celebration of lucifer. But if you dress up, in beutifull, creative outfits of imagination, and celebrate a holiday with friends, the sharing of candy, then holloween is merely another holiday. Obviosly not holier than christmas or easter, but still a holiday. and every one knows you can't say holiday without saying 'holy!'"
I am sorry that our website and my faith has brought you such grief and outrage. But Jake, what do your reactions tell you about your emotional attachment to this game and to anime? You say you love God, but your letter suggests that your love for Pokemon guides your thoughts and relationships far more than God's Word does. Think about it.
God said, "Do not love the world or the things in the world. If you love the world, the love of the Father is not in you. These are the ways of the world: wanting to please our sinful selves, wanting the sinful things we see, and being too proud of what we have. None of these come from the Father, but all of them come from the world. The world and everything that people want in it are passing away, but the person who does what God wants lives forever." 1 John 2:15-17
From Brett:
Hello. I'm 13 years
old and I play both pokemon, and Magic the Gathering. But guess what. I also play
dungeons and dragons, vampire the masquerade, and many other roleplaying games. By now i
bet you are thinking "oh what a sinful boy." well who are you to judge me?