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Name removed by request: I wholeheartedly agree with what he [Menmay - letter below] is saying. This isn’t the ‘60s here people. No more peace, love, and safe neighborhoods. This isn’t candyland. It’s Monopoly, and right now we’re rolling a loaded dice with fifty cents left, and we’ve just landed on one of the most expensive places on the board: faceoff with Iraq. Coming up is War place, and Unsafe neighborhood utility. Oh, and there’s also mob “protection” tax of $100,000 or 100% of your profits. Games like Grand Theft Auto Vice city and Grand Theft Auto III are just games that over exemplify the grittiness of real life. However, with each passing day, it gets more and more real.

From Menmay: I just had to say that its nice and all that you belive in strongly about your religion. On the other hand I belive that doesnt give you the right to be so uptight about everything!!

Are you saying we don't have the right to share our beliefs and values on our website -- in spite of the First Amendment -- because they offend you?

I'm a huge anime fan I love DBZ and all the anime you had something to say about !!! I also love Harry Potter and I truley belive its a wonderful book. Now does that make me evil and am I going against GOD?!

I'm a Christian also and I attend church but that doesnt make me a person that is closed minded and is always on the look for something that is differnt or in your point of veiw EVIL! If you truley had faith in what you belive in then you would not be brain washing your kids.

You seem to be turning the facts upside down, Menmay. Do you know what "brainwashing" is? I suggest you read Brainwashing and "Education Reform" and Brainwashing in America

Let your kids make their own decisions whats the harm in that??

To make informed decisions, they need to know some important facts and truth. That's what we try to provide.

No matter how hard you try kids cant be shellterd forever. Lets face it the world is not a land of lolli pops and candy cane trees. Yet then again violence is ever where, but dont go looking for it!! You say that Harry Potter is evil just cause he's a wizard dont you think then that you're teaching your childern that anyone differnt and not of your religion evil??

Hmm why dont you just stop juding everything and please try and live a normal life. Let kids be kids and stop telling them what to belive in!!!!

Since you say you are a Christian, you may want to consider these Scriptures: Psalm 52:3

From Michael: You said, "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." 1 Corinthians 3:19

Well if this is so, we shouldn't teach math and science in schools.

Michail, I believe you have misunderstood the context of 1 Corinthians 3:19. Paul wrote this chapter because within the church at Corinth there was jealousy and quarreling. These problems were based on "worldly" philosophies and ideas that were not from God. Paul was not at all referring to math or science.

Here are some other verses that relate to the fact that God's wisdom is much higher than human philosophy:

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:6-9

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things..."  2 Timothy 4:2-5

As Michlos pointed out, math proves through Godel's Incompleteness Theorem, disproves the existance of God.

That's rather presumptuous, don't you think? It's certainly not true! No one has ever disproved the existance of God (although many would like to think they have).

YOU CAN"T HAVE IT BOTH WAYS! Either you believe in science in which case you are bound by the methods of science which means you need to provide physical, non-falsifiable evidence....

In that case, Michael, you have to throw out Darwin's beliefs about evolution. There is no "non-falsifiable evidence" or proof that any new species have evolved. Evolution is presented as absolute truth, but there are serious problems with the evolutionary theory that still remain unresolved.

Darwin knew well the weaknesses of his "theories" and he admitted it in "The Origin of the Species." No one has yet found an authentic "missing link" in the fossil record, which is why the late Dr. Stephen Jay Gould and others have continually been changing their answers and explanations. Please see What Darwin didn't know. I hope to write Part 2 soon.

... or you believe in the Hebrew Mythology just because someone told you it was true or you believe it in your heart. It's your choice, hard observable truths or pleasant internal truths. I have made mine and it looks like you have made yours. Just admit to it.

Michael, both of us are acting on faith. I cannot prove to you that God exists (although the evidence of His existence is abundant), and you cannot prove He does not exist. God wants us to love and follow Him by faith (faith in what He has revealed in His word, not in "pleasant internal" sentiments). That is why, as Jesus says, "Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29

From Peggy: To quote you: "I suggest parents base their teaching on facts and truth"....

How on Earth (third planet from the Sun) can you say that while using the Bible as your reference book of choice? The answers, if any, cannot not be known until after death.

Also, the Brothers Grimm fairytales, of my youth, were far more frightening than today's movies, games, etc. In fact, the brothers were fine old Lutherans and probably far more rigid theologically than you. Whatever greater Power there may be, or not be, has endowed us with brains and I am grateful that there are still those able to think for themselves.

However, I do agree with Jon Babcock [next letter], you seem very sincere and sweet; albeit, misguided.

Peggy, I realize that it is hard for non-Christians to believe that the Bible teaches the truth. In fact, your comment validates what the Bible tells us about our human nature apart from God:

"For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God." 1 Corinthians 3:19

"...the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned." 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

As for the old fairy tales, we need to remember the key difference between today's popular occult entertainment and most of Grimm's tales. The latter usually presented occult characters and forces as evil and scary. The good guys fought against the terrors of magic, spells and evil character.

In contrast, today's most fascinating books, games, movies and anime idealize "the beautiful side of evil" as "good" witchcraft and wizardry. Harry Potter, like Star Wars and other popular entertainment, presents a pantheistic force that has two sides: good and evil. The person chooses which to pursue. But from a Christian perspective, both sides are occult and will sway minds toward an occult way of thinking.

I tried to explain the difference between the old fairy tales (which I don't recommend) and today's occult books in Bewitched by Harry Potter.

Second letter from Jon Babcock: I don't agree with your beliefs but I respect the fact that you have
published this on your site. I may be singing a different tune after I have read your response :-)

You seem like you have a good heart in you--to me it seems misguided however. Good luck in life!

Thanks Jon.

From Jon Babcock: To be quite honest, I am frightened for the children who are being raised by people such as you. Many of your articles refer to the designers of the games like Pokemon, Magic, and D+D as "programmers". Can't
you see that the suggestions you give to people for how to handle their children's interest in these topics are also "programming"? I guess you would rather children be little robots in your image (or God's--you could pretty much make this substitution in all of your rhetoric and it would still make "sense"), believing only what you have told them is OK and/or true.

Your view turns my views upside down, Jon. I suggest parents base their teaching on facts and truth, not the images and suggestions that are fed into children's minds and emotions through strategies based on behavioral research and the mind-changing dialectic process. To understand this problem, read Brainwashing in America, The UN Plan for Your Mental Health and Harry Potter and the Power of Suggestion

When I have kids, I will let them explore the whole range of options around them in the magnificent world we live in, making sure to keep a loving (NOT smothering) eye on them when they start to wander into things that could seriously harm them, then let them make their own decisions. No one TRULY believes in anything if they have it forced upon them, which is what happens when you expose a child to only one way of thought from the moment they are born. If your God is as powerful as you keep saying he is, children should have no problem finding him on their own as they grow up. I guess your faith in God is not as strong as you profess if you think that a marketting company in Japan is more powerful than Him.

All kinds of beliefs are being marketed to children these days. Most of those beliefs and values appeal to their feelings, not to their minds. Instead of rather than prompting rational decision making, they manipulate children's desires and build cravings that are almost irresistible. Unless Christian parents share God's truth, values and warnings with their children, the children are likely to build world views that will blend all the influences into a world view that twists or mocks Christianity. See Psalm 1:1-6

I also take offense to the fact that you keep referring readers to certain Bible passages. I hope you are aware that the Bible as we know it today is a compilation of many earlier stories, myths, and parables, assembled and written over a great length of time by many people and full of contradictions. The selective use of certain passages, which rarley if ever refer specifically to what you use them for, is quite frankly pointless and pathetic.

Like many others, you have been deceived by popular arguments against Christianity, Jon. I doubt that I can say anything to change your mind. If time permits, I will try to put together a page with facts (historical, archeological, climatological, etc.) and fulfilled prophecies that have validated both the Old and the New Testament. Meanwhile, you could read books such as Josh McDowel's Evidence that Demands a Verdict" for such information.

I think if Jesus was alive today (oh, wait...he should be coming back soon anyway, right? Those "End Times" you people have been babbling about for the last millenia are almost "upon us"), and walked in on a group of children playing Pokemon, he would sit down with them, pull out his own cards, and play a couple of hands with the kids. He would then probably make an incredibly wise comment that related to some aspect of the game, and the children would leave that much wiser. He certainly wouldn't burn the cards and chastise the children for being interested in something that is, quite frankly, kind of neat.

That may be what you would do, but the God I love would neither enjoy nor approve games and entertainment that oppose His Word and turn children's hearts and attention to other gods and forces. See Psalm 50:21 and Ephesians 5:2-17

When I die, if God exists he will judge me. I'm a good person, who played Dungeons and Dragons as a child, knows what is good and what is evil, doesn't lie or cheat, reads Harry Potter books, and thinks the Dhali Llam has more spirituality, compassion, and understanding in his little finger than you will ever have. When you come before Him I think you will be in for a big surprise. His first words to you will most likely be: "Wow, you really didn't get what I was trying to say, did you?"
I'm sure you will not post this letter on your site, and I would be shocked if I got a response from you.

From William Forcier: I'm the twenty-year old son of two loving parents, currently trying to get my life in order after four years of illness.

This may sound strange, but thank you. Thank you for setting up the Crossroads website. I'm not mailing to try and argue the point on any of your articles. I don't even know why I'm led to email you, but I'm not going to question it either. I already know the answer.

Many of your articles address things which I enjoy. Anime, RPGs. The words fail me now with what I wish to say, because I'm not going to try and defend these things. I know what is wrong, and I play them because I enjoy them. I try to fight hard, yet falter many times. There's just a lot of things I need to work through, and I have only myself to depend on.

William, you have God "to depend on."

Today, I managed to finally read your article on digimon. I shall admit, that I do enjoy the show, and the universe it creates. The first two seasons of said series, I loved to death. But now we approach the third and fourth seasons. My interest has declined to a vicious point of disliking.
I write this to "add to the guns", so to speak. Now, children themselves are merging with their digimon in the third, and in the fourth, themselves are inhabited by ancient spirits of digimon, allowing the children to ascend to a higher form of sorts to fight off the evil. Once it's defeated in a certain sector, they use their power to restore it back to it's previous beauty. I must say, the third series sent up the red flag at an instant. Seeing one episode and doing a small tidbit of research cinched it. I want nothing more to do with it.

I am so deeply saddened by all that is happening around me. Each day, I am exposed more and more to things which I wish I never had been. Even trying to remove such things from my presence, it only seems to find me once again. It is a constant battle for myself to stand firm in what I believe, from the teachings I receive from the bible, and put them into practice.
It's like my heart is fighting against my body. One wishes to sin, the other wishes to do what is right. I know there is a scripture verse addressing such an issue, but forgive the fact that I forget it in writing this.

Yes, there is a battle raging in all of us -- a battle between following truth and following our feelings (human nature or “flesh”). And yes, there “there is a scripture verse addressing such an issue.” Read the last half of Romans 7. Then delight in the last verse – and the first part of Romans 8. God provides the strength and victory in our weakness.

At times, I feel like the seed among the thorns. Only I'm too stubborn to be choked out. I'm doggedly closed-minded about what I read in the bible, and refuse to alter it for anyone. What's written in there is my guide, and I try to the best of my ability to be like is described in there. I faulter many many times over, to a point of once again not feeling forgiveness should be granted. But that is not my decision to make; it's Gods, and his alone. I need just ask, and try my best again.

I thank God for your sincerity and humility, William. This postmodern age with its relative values has dulled the conscience of most people. Few even think in terms of right and wrong – it’s all fun and feelings.

While we all falter and go our own way from time to time, God encourages and restores those who are broken and humble. We don’t need to prove ourselves worthy to be loved by God – in fact, we never can. If we think ourselves worthy, we have blinded ourselves to Him. But when we trust Him, He will make us worthy through Jesus Christ, not because of any goodness on our own.

When we are honest with ourselves and Him, and admit where we turn off His path, He gives us something far greater than the all the world’s thrills: His gracious forgiveness, freedom from bondage and His wonderful presence – all through the cross. It is such an exciting life!

Once more, thank you for producing this site. It helps to have another means of insight along with my own, and I pray that I am able to remain strong, despite how cracked my Armor feels at times. I refuse to let Satan win this battle against me. No matter how difficult my life gets, I won't give up on God. It's my choice; And I know in my heart it's the best one.

I, too, am saddened by the shift from God’s Truth to occult myths. But it does make me all the more grateful that our God reigns in the midst of it all!

From Dale Cope: I am sure that you must get many people who will question, insult, laugh at, and advise you about the content that is on this site. So many things do you "attack" with your statements. But where would we all be without the freedom of speech and thought? I would not even dare wish to think about such a thing. I have had the pleasure of reading through several of your pages, and many of the comments and replies.

How long have people been telling stories of magic and adventure? Violence and honor? Centuries? Millennia?

In one of your replies to a comment about Tolkin the reply stated, "Believe it or not, there was a time -- before TV, computer games, videos and Tolkien's mythical worlds -- when God's people loved reading the Bible."

When you analyze a situation about that pre-television, pre-industrial, we have stories still about such things. Some even more violent than what we have today. Except for possibly some of our horror movies such as Evil Dead and on those sorts. However, people have been telling such grand tales for longer than we have a written history.

Much of what you bring up has little standing, I have yet to meet a role player that believes what is going on is real. That any aspect of it is real. That is because it is understood that it is not real.

The human response to fantasy may be just as strong and memorable -- often more so -- than to reality. Role-playing blinds the person to his own acceptance of evil even as it makes that evil seem normal and acceptable. Here is part of a letter I received a few days ago which explain why so many children and youth are now rejecting God:.
However I warn you about another danger in playing RPGs. It is the storyline. You see, in many of these games, although magic does not play a big part in the story, religion does. And most of what they say about religion is negative.

Even as a non christian, I am surprised at the obviousness of anti christian references in some of these games. In Breath Of Fire 2, You control a Dragon-Human half breed investigating the "Church OF St. Eva". The Church has priests, nuns, paladins, zealots, apostles etc. Later they find out the Church is nothing but a massive conspiracy that sends the peoples prayers to an evil demon, "Deatheaven", and its followers have been deceived to feeding it. The disturbing thing is how Christian-Like the fake religion is, like how the priest say "Praise the Lord!" and "There is no use going against God, in the end you will submit to Him. (yes the G and H is capitalized)

In another game, Xenogears, God is actually an alien weapon, Deus, coming to destroy Earth, I have not played that game so I don't know all the details. All I know that it also involves evil churches as well. Final Fantasy 10 also mocked religion with their in-game made up religion, Yevon. Yevon is a religion which is a mix of Hinduism (Multiple Gods), Islam (Way of dressing) and Christianity (Teachings of Yevons unchanging truth).

In the world of FF10, the citizens are plagued by a monster, Sin. The "Yevon" church preaches against the use of machines, which, to them are satanic. Later they find out the Church is corrupt in every possible way and they contradict their own teachings.

I do have a theory on why there is such an anti christian stance in these games. Please take note that all these games are from Japan. It could be because how American culture sometimes mock "eastern mysticism". Therefore, Japanese use these games to mock western culture. Of course another reason could be that it makes a good plot device as no one would expect a religion resembling Christianity to be evil.

In all three games, the final enemy is God. You may want to check out these games. Although I risk having some of my favorite games criticized, I just thought I should let you know.

You can manipulate anything by looking at only small parts of it, for that reason one can not judge on a small basis and believe that everything means something. Much of stories mean nothing at all other than a way of amusement. Such amusement offers nothing against religious aspects.

There are many other things to which I would like to hopefully bring to your attention. Your comments about the sorcery, necromancy and such. No one who plays D&D, reads Harry Potter, Tolkin or any such things even attempts nor believes that such a thing is happening. If they do they are probably mentaly unstable and have a chemical imbalance which is not within their control to do anything about because reality is mixed up with imagination. I would also like to say that by playing and reading such things would not cause such a state, nor would it escalate the bringing on of such a state. Some drugs may do so, but there are no accepted studies that have proven that at this point.

From Gordon Goesch: I've read a few of your articles and, well, I'm sorry you feel the way you do. You don't have to call things evil. I also read several reader responses to your articles and some I agree with, some I don't. But really, calling Pokemon, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Tellitubbies, and all C.S. Lewis books evil is going a little overboard. I'm especially surprised about C. S. Lewis. My dad and I both read the complete Chronicles of Narnia and it's a very spiritual story full of scenes that are almost exactly like scenes from the bible.

That's part of the problem, Gordon. When you immerse yourself in fictional images that supposedly portray the Bible, it doesn't take long before the fictional context gives new meaning to God's Word. In other words, we learn to interpret the Bible through the filter of myths. But God wants us to see the world and its myths through the filter of His Word. Does this make sense? Please see Psalm 119:11
By the way, I didn't call C.S. Lewis or his books evil. I suggested in Tolkien's Lord of the Rings: Truth, Myth or 'Discovered Reality"? that there is little evidence that the supposed conversion story linked to Tolkien proved that Lewis actually received Christ as his Lord and Savior that particular night. He may have done so later.

Read through the series again (or maybe for the first time, I don't know) and look for the good in it. Take The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. Aslan represents Jesus. Edmund represents the sinners of the world.

True. But neither one is a true Biblical representation. To those who don't know the Bible, Lewis' storytelling might suggest that only those who do obviously bad things are sinners. The Bible tells us that, apart from Christ, we are all sinners. See What it means to be a Christian.

The sacrifice of Aslan represents the crucifiction. You'll remember that Aslan was taking the place of Edmund when the witch killed him at the stone table. Also in the later books Aslan makes references to his father in the mountains beyond the edge of the world. Now who do you think that represents? God the Father. Also if you understand that Narnia is a parallel world to ours and that mainly animals inhabit it, it begins to make sense when in the second to last sentence of The Last Battle it says, "And as he spoke he no longer looked to them like a lion..." Well, what do you think he looked like? Figure it out.
Now I've said my piece, but if your looking for some way to call me wrong it might help that I'm a Mormon. That makes me a Christian. The definition of a Christian is anyone who believes that Jesus Christ, the son of God, died for our sins. If you're not convinced that I (or any other Mormon) fit that criteria then you might want to take a look at the official name of our church: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

May I encourage you to read the Bible itself? Please pray that God show Himself to you through His Word rather than through human stories and mystical revelations. It's all too easy to focus on God's amazing love and mercy without remembering His guidelines and judgment -- or to count on His promises while ignoring all the commands and conditions. Remember, God is not like us! Nor are His ways like our ways. See Psalm 50:21, Isaiah 55 and Rom 11:33-36.

Anonymous: You are obviously very insecure in your beliefs, and you must be full of self doubt to think that things like D&D, Pokemon, M:tG and other "fantasy" games are a threat to His word. I learned to play D&D from a catholic minister, and we were able to recreate, relive if you will, the stories from the bible, and from history. These included Joan of Ark, and several stories from the Crusades, along with the adventures of the characters from the bible while dealing with the oppressive attitude of the Romans.
It is too bad that bigots like yourselves ruin the world for free-thinking people. Your oppression of children and youth is despicable.

Do we really ruin the world for "freethinkers" like you? Should only those with your views be allowed to think freely?
The fact that contrary positions upset you so much makes me wonder if you might be a bit insecure in your beliefs. If so, that might be good. Perhaps you would consider the foundations of your beliefs.
My foundations are in the Bible, and it is solid as a rock. That's why I don't need to be insecure. See Psalm 119:11

From a "Very Perturbed Person": I am a Christian, and I love God. Do you agree with any kind of fantasy? I look at your list of topics, and I see Atlantis, Pokemon, Shrek, Teletubbies, Harry Potter (you did a lot of cracking down on that subject), and Lord of the Rings.
Second of all, if you think they're so evil, why do you go watch the movies? All you do is ruin them for other people that actually have imaginations!! Just because you don't have imaginations, doesn't mean you can go around saying anything to do with magic is bad. And I know you've gotten tons of letters like this, and I hope you weren't surprised when you started getting letters of this kind. Ok, here I go.
Pokemon, a world of pocket monsters which are little creatures that are just like any other animal except that they can fight and do some other things. The person who created Pokemon, just wanted to make a game where kids could go and have some fun, he didn't want kids to learn that you can catch people's souls. NO WAY, I think that it's only because senile, narrow-minded people look way into things. You know, some things don't have any meanings at all. You can't say Pokemon are evil because they have a theme that says "Gotta catch 'em all," because maybe they only mean that you gotta catch all the creatures.
Haven't you ever had a fantasy, oh wait a second, that's right, you don't have fantasies.... well, haven't ever thought of going out into the world and catching all the animals you could? Mewtwo in the movie just didn't want to be a copy. How would you feel if you were a copy of some other creature? You probably wouldn't like it very much, either. The point of the movie is that fighting is not always a way to get what you want, and you can resolve problems without any violence.
Well, going on to Shrek. How can you say a smelly ogre, a talking donkey, and a tough, tom-boy princess is evil? That's crazy!! The point of that movie was that looks don't matter. Fiona couldn't help acting the way she did because she had some ogre in her.
Ok, Harry Potter. I'm pretty sure that it's alright for people to use their imaginations. If you don't like Harry Potter, that's fine, but you can't just ruin it for other people just because you don't like it. Harry Potter is harmless. Just because it has spells in it and they go to a school of witchcraft and wizardry does not mean that kids are going to go and start practicing spells and hexes, and if they do, they aren't real. They wouldn't work. Like the avada kedavra curse? You can't actually point a stick at someone and say avada kedavra and expect them to keel over and be dead.
And about that interview with the actors, the question directed to Tom Felton asking if he'd rather play a bad or good guy? He's saying that from an actor's point of view. I'm sure you wouldn't know, but I wouldn't be surprised if the bad guy had a funner part in a movie. That doesn't mean that Tom Felton or any other actors are possessed by some evil spirit.
By insulting Harry Potter, you insult me. Harry Potter is one of the best books ever written, and it's just some piece of literature. It's like Snow White or Cinderella. Do you think they're evil, too because of the magic? Does that mean that you don't believe that any of the Disney movies are for children? Should Disney be put out of business because they're trying to make kids practice magic? Magic is something that is in people's imaginations. They can't help but think about magic. If the world had no idea what magic was, it would be a boring world indeed. And you can't argue that with me, 'cause you know it's true. Harry Potter is just a story about good versus evil. Good conquers evil.

I will write a response later this morning

From Erik: Since you have your twelve reason not to see Harry Potter, I thought
it would only be fair if I shared this [twelve reasons not to trust the Bible] with you.

1) The Bible is not scientifically accurate. The Bible says that hares and coneys are unclean because they "chew the cud" but do not part the hoof. But hares and coneys are not
ruminants and they do not "chew the cud." Leviticus 11:5-6

I will try to answer all your good questions, Erik, but I will post them in the Q&A section on this page: Questioning Biblical accuracy

And one final question, that I have never had answered in a way that makes any sense. You claim God is all powerful, however state that people do evil because they have free will. If God is all powerful, that means he can do ANYTHING, so why did He not just create people with free will that would live according to His rules?

God didn't want robots. He wanted a loving relationship with people who would choose to follow His way. Even so, I couldn't even choose to trust Him, if He didn't first touch my heart so that I would stop resisting Him.
God's way is far better than ours, Erik, whether you agree or not. See What it means to be a Christian

Response from Erik: Thank you for starting to answer my questions. But I believe you missunderstand my point. You write: "God didn't want robots. He wanted a loving relationship..."

But what I am describing is humans that DO have free will, they CHOOSE all the time to follow God, just like God CHOOSES to do what is right all the time. Do you understand? God is all powerful therefore he can do anything including create a humanity that BOTH has FREE WILL and CHOSES to follow God's Laws.

God didn't choose to create your kind of universe, Erik. Nor has He revealed all of His plans to the people He created. Remember 1 Corinthians 13:12, "For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known."

At this point in time, God has shown His people all we need to know in order to trust and follow Him. From day to day, He gives us all the resources we need to triumph through faith in Him. But one day -- when we see Him face to face -- everything will be known. Until then, I am very satisfied with the wonderful assurance that God, our sovereign Creator and King, is right -- and does all things right.

From Justin Fernandez: OK i have spent some time and read some of your articles and I'm kind of
shocked. I am a 16 year and go to a Christian school. I am a Christian. I believe in the one and only God, but I also enjoy star wars, Harry potter, dungeons and dragons, the spider man movie and no dont worry I hate pokemon, and Lord of the Rings.
Some of my favorite books are fantasy and science fiction books. If I get the picture right you are warning my against these things. They haven't influenced me at all.

How do you know that, Justin? The fact that you so fervently defend what you crave suggests to me that those occult fantasies have influenced more than you think. They seem to have blinded you to God's call to follow Him, share His values, abhor all forms of evil, and serve His purposes rather than your own wants.
I know that sounds boring to many Harry Potter fans who believe that God's highest purpose for you is to fill your days with fun thrills so that you will be happy in this life. The problem is that those thrills and fantasies won't ever satisfy you. They are like alcohol in some ways. You become desensitized and want more and more. What satisfies today becomes boring tomorrow, and eventually, the worst you can imaging of blood and gore won't satisfy. That's what is happening in our culture.
If we could sit down and talk, Justin, I could tell you about the fun things in my life. I have no doubt that if we could compare our lives, I have a far more exciting life following my Lord and my heart, than you do, following your heart and fantasies. Nothing is more exciting that walking each day with Him, but only those who do will understand that incredible joy of fellowship with the King of the universe. You certainly won't learn in from Harry Potter or D&D.
Jesus said, “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:11

I love fantasy but that is exactly what it is fantasy. Spirits and occult things and the doing of magic in praticular are things of the devil but come on, how can you denouonce the things i mentioned above. I like to term people like you "Super christians". I think you looked a little to far into the things mentioned above. I think it is a state of mind.
YOu went in looking for things evil and of the devil and you found it. I wen tin to read "fantasy" and thats all i found. I am sorry if i have offended you in any way. I went you to respond back. i am very interested in what you have to say. I am looking forward to a great intellectual debate on the things mentioned above.

No, you didn't offend me, Justin.

From Adam R: After reading most of the nazi/christian anti-evangelion messages I feel..hmm... completely disgusted. I am unsure as to how or why you feel the need (or whomever is doing it) to insert constant subliminal messages in the middle of every letter. It makes me feel sick. I know all your gonna do is say something like:

"Jesus said people are gonna shun and hate us but, blah blah blah, were better than them, blah blah blah, even though there is thousands of other types of beliefs and a different "technical" idea for every person in existence, This is the right one!"

Wake up. open your eyes and leave the blinder behind. In your ignorance you throw aside every type of common sense! just shun everybody and make everyone believe our ideas are better than theirs. no. your ideas don't mean ____. In truth, none of our ideas mean anything! we're all cogs, mites, atoms on this worthless world, in this worthless galaxy, in a worthless mass of needles in a haystack. that's all religion is, a useless search for a needle in a haystack, the only problem is there was never a needle in the first place.

Yours is certainly a sad, depressing worldview, Adam. No God, no plan, no eternal wisdom or love.... Just chaos and confusion.

*sigh* I know this is a tangent. I just can't see why people keep on living thier lives so seriously. why do you do this? why do you make it your job to find the underlying, anti-christan, plot behind everything. You say that harry potter endorces witchcraft..so what? I have plenty of whicken [wiccan?] friends and they're good people. they are nice for the most part. it's you people that have the real problems. by now you probobly arent reading anymore because "I am not akin to you". You are just used to "preaching to the quire (spelling?)".

I am not out to make enemies but I just don't understand anything of what your saying! it makes no sense. you hate people for no reason at all other than "it is said they're bad". by word of a book you base everything you hope and dream for! don't do that. you need other goals than "live and die without pissing off a higher power". Man. now i'm preaching to a man who probably hates me.

I just ahve to ask. why? why? why do some people think things like "gays are bad" or "peganism is wrong". I have not heard a convincing reason. I can't find logic in people who hate for no reason. It's like i'm being toyed with by these people. please, PLEASE! read this and reply. consider it at least. I know your probobly not going to like it because you've been taught your whole life that the bible and god are always right.....well. just respond if you wouldn't mind. I truthfully have nothing agains people. i am sorry.

Adam, I don’t know how to explain the wonders of the Bible and the God I love any more clearly than I have already in the various sections of our website. I wish I could open your eyes to His truths, but I don’t think you would believe anything I say. Only He can speak to your closed heart and help you understand. If you decide that you want to know Him, please go to What it means to be a Christian or The Names of God.

From Caitlin Hope, "a practicing christian": I have recently visited your website and after visiting it, I seem to find myself both confused and believing that you are exploiting the bible and the christian religion.

Many things in this world like Star wars, the television show Buffy the Vampire Slayer or the books Harry Potter for example are created to entertain us, not to try and make us change our minds on how we feel about God or our religion or to brainwash us into giving into sin. They're forms of entertainment and they aren't meant to be compared with the bible or the christian religion.

That's right. The producers would far rather we didn't measure their products by Biblical standards. But God tells us to always walk by His guidelines and warnings. And He makes it abundantly clear than we must guard our imagination from all kinds of occult suggestions. See Genesis 8:21
and Psalm 119:11.

As I have said already, I have just about 15 minutes ago or so, so I have not been able to look at the majority of articles that you have posted here but from the 5 or so that I have read already, I am infuriated and extremely confused. I see that you get your point of views from the bible and other holy works of the christian religion and as a practicing christian I see that some of them may be justified but in only a small percentage of the articles posted at your website.

Your radicalistic views on the way that you seem to believe certain things affect us teenagers today (I myself am only 15) can compare though, to the radicalistic views of even certain islams such as the infamous Osama BinLaden and although I'm sure that you firmly believe that you have no views or anything at all in common with that man at all (which most Americans would also like to believe) you each seem to take your religion and view it to the extreme, critisising many of the things in life as sin as did he when he was planning out the horrific events of September 11. (As a native New Yorker, I was deeply impacted by the tragic event.)

I must say again that I am also a practicing christian but I don't and I also believe many other people do not agree with the way you twist many aspects of life today and compare them to the bible. I also would like to ask that you consider my comment and think about it. Not everything in life is based on religion, nor should it be.

From my perspective, Caitlin, everything I am and do is part of my faith in Jesus Christ. He is my wisdom, my strength, my King and my very best Friend. He fills me with peace and love -- and helps me reach out to lots of people who hate me for my beliefs.
I don't mind their hostility, for that's part of walking with Him. After all, He was crucified for His "radical" expressions. I wouldn't want to do anything apart from Him -- or in rebellion against His wise guidelines! Please see What it means to be a Christian.

Anonymous: There is one comment that I read on your site that troubled me. Someone said that we are all children of God, and you said that wasn't true. You said that we had to "accept" Jesus Christ to be "saved" and that we are not His children until then. That is wrong. It is so very wrong. Our Father in Heaven loves you just as much as he loves Hitler. Just as much as He loves me, or Moses, or anyone else who is alive, or ever was alive, or is yet to be born. If you don't believe that, pray--sincerely pray. You will know the truth of all things. He loves you, and me, and everyone. EVERYONE. Whether they love Him or not. Whether they're Christian or not.

I don't care if you don't post this on your site. I don't care if you are laughing at me right this very second. I know I am right. It is called faith. When I have crossed the bar, I will see you there. I know you are trying to live correctly, even if you sometimes mislead yourself. People need to choose what is good and evil for themselves. That is why we are here. It is a great test. A test of our characters.

Please consider what I have you say. I hope this letter helps you a little bit. It made me feel better. Thanks for reading it. I do feel rather silly writing it though because it seems to me that if you know you are right, what is the use of arguing?

Perhaps the main difference between us is that the Heavenly Father you know is not the same as the one I know. My God tells us about Himself in the Bible. Perhaps you learned about yours through the Disney movies, Star Wars and Lord of the Rings. I don't know. The world of entertainment offers countless feel-good suggestions to our minds and imagination.
You have the right to choose your own beliefs -- and I can see why they make you "feel good." But if you want to know my Lord, you have to believe what He tells you, not what you want to believe about Him. Our human nature has always tried to remake God into a more comfortable and permissive image. Here is what God shows us about our arrogant attempts to design more pleasing gods:

"You thought that I was altogether like you; But I will rebuke you...." Psalm 50:21
"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 prudent in their own sight!"  Isaiah 5:20-21

From Amy: I do not know what is wrong with psychic Pokemon. They don't do any harm. This is a little something from my son Nicky.

"First thing first, you got every thing mixed up. Pokemon that's psychic aren't evil. Then you got the ____ attacks wrong. Pickachu say Pika because it's their language. Duh! What ticked me off is you saying HARRY POTTER IS EVIL. You say that "Hogwarts teaches dark arts." You seem to have left out the words "Defense against " the dark arts. You say Pro. Lupin changes into a werewolf. It's true but do you think he wants to. He got that bite when he was a little boy. Whats more is that Divination is fake. It said it right in the book. And wizards do not conjure the dead. The little excerpt you took where it says Dark V's victims rose was just shadows and they were not I repeat conjured. I think your just jealous."

Though my son's writing is not the writing of an angel, it is from his heart and feeling. His words are offensive and childish and I apologize. I hope you understand. May God bless you and your family.

It doesn't matter whether (in your imagination) you practice "black arts" or "defense against black arts." Both deal with occult forces -- they stir the imagination and feed the fan's appetite for the kind of supernatural power that can be manipulated by the human will. They learn how to use ancient occult formulas (a timeless set of steps if not the same words) to direct those forces. So either way -- defensive or offensive -- your imagination brings your thoughts and feelings into the realm of dark magic or black arts. Please see Harry Potter and the Power of Suggestion.
Nor does it matter why Professor Lupin's turns into a werewolf. This is an occult concept and shouldn't be planted into a child's imagination. Go to Wiccan symbols and do a search for werewolf to see how it fits into ancient witchcraft practices.
The answer to your question about psychic Pokemon can be found in Digimon. May God lead and encourage you as you seek His solutions to these difficult issues. And may He help your son understand and resist the pressures to participate in these things. Perhaps my book, The Invisible War would help. You can find it online at The Invisible War.

From Will: Why must you criticize EVERYTHING that's being produced by pop-culture right now? For example, Shrek, although it may contain "cruel humor," you have overlooked its a bit cliched message of true greatness being spiritual and all else being transitory. I think Jesus would appreciate that message, he being one who would argue the same point. Look for the positive aspect in some of these movies -- you might find your disposition a bit cheerier.

Good question, Will. The main answer is that the pop-culture seems to be as popular among Christian youth as among the rest of the world. And if we want to follow God, we cannot follow the world's changing values which clash with Christianity. You cannot love spells and magic and also love God and His Word. I explain why in Harry Potter and the Power of Suggestion. Biblical love is not simply a noun that suggests "good feelings" about something; it's based on a verb that implies that we know and follow God's Word. (John 14:21-23)
Your statement, "I think Jesus would appreciate that message," suggests to me that you don't really know the Lord I know. He shows us His values and guidelines throughout the Bible, and the spirituality promoted by Hollywood usually represents the occult forces that He told us to shun. In other words, today's popular counterfeits of the good things God offers us are evil in His eyes. The Scriptures I used in Twelve reasons not to see Harry Potter movies apply to all the other popular features as well.

From Mona McNee (On medicine, vaccinations, control and education): In today's (Sat. June 8th) Telegraph Magazine (insert of the Daily Telegraph) is an article about Dr Andrew Wakefield who with his family, is "leaving their home and moving to the States, because Dr. Wakefield can no longer continue his work in this country. His crime? To question the safety of the combined measles, mumps and rubella [MMR] vaccine." ...
"Why has Dr. Wakefield's telephone been tapped?... Why, too, do his supporters in the medical establishment fear speaking out openly on the issue, preferring secret meetings and off-the-record briefings? And why do so many parents of autistic children believe there has been a concerted cover-up of evidence suggesting a possible link between the vaccine and their children's condition?" ...
"Dr W... believes that money lies at the heart of the matter. ... a court case involving more than 1,000 children...if these... actions are successful, "There is potentially a massive liability that would bankrupt the vaccine manufacturers.
"In California last year there were 3,000 new diagnoses of autism: the great majority of those are MMR-related." (Already in the US more vaccine damage payments are made after MMR than any other vaccine, and the total payouts to date are close to $1 billion)." "...mothers... not rabid, anti-vaccine crazies, but highly articulate, professional people saying, 'This is what happened, my child was normal, then they had MMR, and then they lost all their skills...."
The article goes on that the mothers were sometimes blamed. "In 1996 I said to the Dept of Health, "There's something in this. Can we talk?" They refused.
So then "Dr Wakefield's work was held to be 'no longer in line with the department of medicine's research strategy' at the Royal Free."
"Each side continues to attack the other's methods of research. talk off-the-record: "We've all seen what happened to Andrew Wakefield, and we don't want our careers destroyed," they said... "But what continues to emerge is.... an under-current of unease about the way the debate is being conducted..."
"There is a little known yet immensely powerful quango made up of a select group of doctors and scientists who provide advice to the Department of Health..."
"Yet when I put these points to Yvette Cooper, the health minister responsible... she says with the conviction that has made her a New Labour star, "I find it astonishing that any of it should cast doubt on the integrity of their review." "..when you get the MRC and independent bodies saying there is no evidence to show a link [between MMR and autism], that's the conclusion, based on the science, that I have to respect."
"The Department of Health has put together this nice little jigsaw saying that MMR is completely safe - but there is an extra piece, which the Dept of Health can't explain away, and that's our children. And they're not going to go away."
***********
      And the parallels?
      If thousands are affected by MMR, millions have been affected by Whole Language, and the neglect of phonics. And those millions of all ages now "will not go away".
      Publishers have made plenty out of look-say schemes, with lots of storybooks, but they are not the real culprits. It is the teacher-trainers. But we have the quangos since 1998, Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, Teacher Training Agency, Literacy and Numeracy Centre, Ofsted, all full of "qualified" people that politicians choose to trust, but nevertheless millions of children failing in reading and therefore in all else, and universities complaining at the decline of their intake. Blair's Education"! Education! Education!" has been a total flop!
      If there is a court case, who will be fined? The government? - and that means the taxpayers. It should be the culprits. The mistrained student-teachers should be suing their lecturers personally. That is the only way it will hit home.

From James: I've just read your article on the dangers that Pokemon (and I guess from reading the comments things like MtG, RPGs and Harry Potter) pose to Christian children in that they "manipulate" a child's imagination and promote non-Christian, pantheistic imagery. Ignoring your point about globalist conspiracies about conflict resolution (and there was I thinking Christ was a man of peace) I'm curious about how you can resolve your calls for these "harmful" forms of children's entertainment with faith.

Surely in order for faith to have meaning it must be able to overcome any trials placed in its way?

True, but in order to be an over-comer, we need to follow God's guidelines. That means that we don't put obstacles in our own way. To fill our minds with occult suggestions rather than God's Word is like going into battle with blinders on our eyes and extra baggage on our backs.

Someone with a "faith" so weak that they can be turned from God through playing cards and films does not seem to me to have had much faith at all, and similarly someone that needs protecting from such "menaces" in order to keep their faith strikes me as having little faith at all. After all, even Jesus had his faith tested in the wilderness and returned stronger for it!

Yes, Jesus said no to every temptation. Occult entertainment is one of the most seductive temptations our children face. If they want to know God and share in His victory, they would be wise to say no.

It strikes me that your position is either that you believe that Christians out there are so weak in their "faith" in the Lord that they need protecting lest they turn away, or else you have some other reason you've not shared with us.

I don't expect everyone to agree with me, James. Most people -- even in churches -- are conforming to the world's philosophies and ideals. See what God says about that in Rom 12:2-9.

From Chris Fuller, Director Of Baptist Student Ministries: I have a perfect reputation on Metaexchange.com and E-Bay. Shipping is $1.00 for all the cards you want. Take as many or few as you like. I have other promo cards not listed here.

5 Holo Grass energies $1.75 each
6 Holo Fire energies $1.40 each
11 Promo Magmar $1.40 each
11 Promo Psyduck $ .25 each ...

This interesting email, which is marketing pokemon cards, must have come as a response to our Pokemon articles. It gives and interesting glimpse into the "relevant" activities of today's Changing Church.

Troy Galle: I did not read a lot--3 articles--but from what I read, I formed the opinion that you -- with all due respect -- do not completely know what you are talking about. For instance, in your article, "How Pokemon and Magic Cards affect the Minds and Values of Children," it said: "Like all the other cards in this ghastly game, it offered a morbid instruction: 'Sacrifice a white creature.'"

Like all other cards? Are you sure? I'm sorry, but that's incorrect. For example: a card called "Samite Healer" has text that reads, "Prevent 1 damage to target creature or player." Yes, it's a very 'morbid instruction.'

You are right. I shouldn't have used the word "all." At the time I wrote it, all the cards I had been given gave a morbid instruction. So did the 20+ cards pictured in a report I had read. But the game does also include more neutral cards that give simple instructions. But in the context of a game that majors in occult and dramatic forces, even those imply the participation of protective powers.

You said, "He told her that during recess on the playground the children would 'summon' the forces on the cards they collect by raising sticks into the air and saying, 'Spirits enter me.' They call it 'being possessed.'"

Nothing about this statement is correct. This game is a game of strategy, in which you use resources (which you obtain from land cards). Either someone lied to you about this or you're lying to everyone.

What I told you is correct according to the boy and his mother. Whether or not there was any participation from demonic spirits, the children did do what I described.

"Strange as it may sound to American ears, demonic possession is no longer confined to distant lands."
It never was.

"Today, government schools from coast to coast are teaching students the skills once reserved for the tribal witchdoctor or shaman in distant lands. Children everywhere are learning the pagan formulas for invoking 'angelic' or demonic spirits through multicultural education, popular books, movies, and television. It's not surprising that deadly explosions of untamed violence suddenly erupt from 'normal' teens across our land."

There is no such thing as a normal teen. You seem to ignore the fact that people killed, stole, fought, lied, cheated, and hated before TV and other 'evil' forms of entertainment came into being.

I would now like to say, that I am a 'normal' teen (16), I play Magic, I watch violent movies, and I am a Christian. I do not believe any of your arguments or points are valid. You do not know what you are talking about, and you should probably research your articles. Good bye.

Troy, at age 16, you haven't lived through the changes that have taken place in the last 40 years. Please read these two pages in our charts section: Paradigm Shift - Total transformation & America's Spiritual Slide

From Kevin Carr: I just wanted to get your take on how you see the scandals in the Catholic Church. It is my view that this will further erode the standing of Christianity. It doesn't matter that it's the Catholic Church, many of the unchurched in this country view most of the mainstream religions as the same. This erosion of trust in my view will hasten the rise of a "new religion", a possible amalgam of many religions that people will place their faith in. It seems the other structures are in place to contribute to the entrance of a global government. The political, economic, and military structures are in-place but need to be strengthened.

In my view Islamic terrorism is a problem and a opportunity for the E.U. to assert itself. The problem is Islam is a very fundamentalist religion, very exclusive. Because it has a violent component it must be taken to the woodshed (so to speak). True Christianity is a very fundamentalist and exclusive belief. In that we say Christ is the only way to salvation and will not allow addition or subtraction to his word. I believe we will taken to the "woodshed" at some point.

The E.U. is already murmuring that the U.S. should step aside in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, it is building it's military. I think true Christians and the U.S. are standing in the way. One way or another the two must be removed or neutralized.

I agree with you Kevin. The above scenario fits God's warnings in His Word as well: Matthew 24:7, 24:9, 24:10, 24:12; Mark 13:10-11, 13:12-13

From A. M., the Unbeliever: Hi there you sad people. You must be very insecure. Seems to me like you can't allow a bit of fun or imagination into your boring lives. If your faith was really strong, you wouldn't get worked up about stuff like Harry Potter, etc. Have a nice day now, y'hear.

From A.L.M.: You believe that Christianity is the solution to all of your problems. (Or so I am inclined to perceive by the articles and issues displayed on your website.) It seems as though in reality you are merely being selective as to what the Bible truly says and define all its morals and values as the simplest and most foolish options available.
On several of your articles (the Nazi correlation with American school systems being the most predominant in my mind) you mention the need of children to be raised to by independent thinkers, and it appears you have no concept of such a term. An independent thinker is one whose opinions and ideas are that of a very informed nature, one who basis their perceptions on the entirety of a situation, and yet you preach the necessity of censorship and "protecting" young minds from the evils of literature like Harry Potter novels.

Where did I "preach the necessity of censorship"? Remember, my aim is to inform Christian parents with facts and studies concerning the transforming power of suggestion and images in contemporary entertainment. Is that wrong in your mind? If you measure my writings by the opposition I face, I must be a fairly "independent thinker." Right?

It is not the American government that is ridding this world individuals and replacing them with mindless fools to carry out apocalyptic plans, it is groups like you. Refusal to accept witches as those involved in a religious practice makes you people operate on the same playing field as all others (Hitler included) who attempted genocide. You orally bash those who respond to your insanity on your comments pages as judgmental, and yet you judge more than I've ever had the experience of fathoming.

You equate factual criticism with murderous genocide? Do you really understand what Hitler actually did to millions of Jews. They were physically starved, beaten, tortured and killed! I can't believe anyone would so minimize such horrendous action. Do you believe that religious freedom -- including the First Amendment that gives you and me each the freedom to believe that our chosen pathways are the best - should be banished? Remember, if I am not free to follow my convictions, neither are you -- unless you happen to walk in step with the new UNESCO standards for a global spirituality. If you wonder what that is, please do a search on our website for UNESCO's Declaration on the Role of Religion.

I do not believe in a god of any sort, but that does not make me a moral-less satan worshiper (I do not believe in satan, either). However, as it is that you do, I wonder if you have ever actually read the Bible as a whole and if perhaps any of you have come across this passage:
"And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners, but when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray… " Matthew 6:5-6
I am not so foolish as to believe this will change your minds about your ruthless religion, but I do hope your god will help you to find love one day in this temple you have built out of hate and isolation. I thank you for your time.

I am very familiar with Matthew 6:5-6. It is not a command or suggestion that we no longer speak up and share God's truth and love with others. It's a warning and a reminder that on our own -- apart from the life and leading of Jesus in us -- we are all sinners, for none can meet God's standard for holiness by strict observance of a legalistic code.
The "hypocrites" in this situation were mainly the Pharisees who thought they were "righteous" by their own effort. In their pride and bloated self-esteem, they saw no need to come to God in repentance as sinners. They missed the points of Jesus' teaching, for they didn't recognize their own need. Though they professed to know God, they were parading their own achievements, not God's.
God tells us repeatedly that He wants us to share what He has accomplished with everyone. I love what the apostle Paul said,
"God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world." Galatians 6:14

From Dennis M: I don't think we have all that long to wait before the real Christians in
this country will have to go underground and hide their Bibles just like it is in China. Your postings on the Randolph elementary school in Vermont clearly show how this nation is raising up a whole generation that will preach tolerance and peace but will actually be the most intolerant and hateful group we have ever seen. All of this same stuff is happening right now in almost every city and town in the entire country. Nikita Kruschev's "We will bury you" is alive and well. But the Lord will prevail!

From A. G.: As I mentioned in my first letter, you repeatedly use quotes from your Bible in response to people's comments. I would like to extend a challenge for you to read the history of the origins of Christianity and your Bible. Their are many valuable and respected authors out there
I have read your Bible back and forth, and have done extensive research on the origins of Christianity. With reading extended beyond your Bible, and what you were raised to believe in, the door will open for more intellectual exchange of conversation on the topics within your web site. Using quotes from your Bible to respond to the comments section on your web site does not address the differences of opinion with intellectual debate. Instead it puts you in a constant stance of defense.

Actually, I didn't know God until I was thirty years old. By then I had studied philosophy, Darwinism, different kinds of governments, psychology and the world's religions. I made charts to compare their similiarities and differences. But when I became a Christian, I realized that all my former opinions and views were wrong.
On what authority to you base your arguments, A.G.?

The Bible is filled with violence, abuse, war, genocide, incest and especially abuse against women. It is also wrought with inconsistencies within it's own authors. The stories within the Bible, especially on Jesus, parallel with an uncanny exactness several of the lives of the gods of ancient myth.

Look back 2000 years, A.G. and tell me one culture or nation that showed more respect for women than did Jesus and the early Christians. Then ponder this chart: Biblical versus Cultural Christianity

From Vince: You people are sick. Star Wars is evil? You criticize Shrek for not being PC, and everything else is bad BECAUSE it's PC. It's paranoid delusional conspiracy theorists like you who give Christians a bad name. And it's not 'a worldwide base of potential customers that favor "inclusive" and "tolerant" pagan entertainment and turn their backs to Biblical values', it's intolerant evangelists like you who made me reject church. You are so caught up in your condemnation of anything that is enjoyable, like Dungeons & Dragons, you don't even know what you're talking about anymore. I thought your religion was about love and compassion, not bookburnings.

Bookburnings? Where did you find that, Vince? If we are sick, how do you define healthy? What is your standard for goodness? Anything goes?

From Karis: Oh dear. Having read your website, I feel I must say, it's quite laughable.What tiny unassuming and sheeplike minds you must have, to pick on such innocent things as Harry Potter, Dungeons & Dragons and Magic the Gathering. This kind of hysteria is so unhealthy, I can't imagine that you have any real experience on which to pick on these innocent hobbies.

But in case you've forgotten. Here's a reminder: God creates games, and I'm sure he doesn't bias against Pokemon or the Christian CCG, just because one has monsters and the others has Saints. They're both games.

Karis, though you confident that God "doesn't have a bias against Pokemon," I am just as confident that His Word -- my standard -- shows the opposite. He allows us to choose whether we will stand with Him or follow the world. Most people will choose as you have. That's why He warns us about the broad way and wide gate that lead to destruction. I have chosen the narrower way so I can walk with Him. I may be more difficult and less popular -- and now as always, it draws a lot of criticism and ridicule -- but none of that diminish the wonder of walking with Jesus.
Please don't just assume you know Him and His way. Read the Bible, pray and ask Him to show you His heart.

Your indoctrinating attitude is very sad, but you wouldn't see how far from reality such hyppocritical comments are. Summary: Despite your hysterical whinings, sometimes, a GAME IS JUST A GAME! Please stop being so pathetic. God would no doubt be shamed by such ludicrous protestations.

Look up these two Scriptures, Karis. They show another perspective. Isaiah 5:20 and John 16:2

From The Kid: Subject: BEHOLD the deafening ABSENCE of aplause for your critizicems.

Yes, I have noticed. But keep in mind, I only post the personal notes of appreciation if they contain useful information. The purpose of this comments section is to help Christian families understand the battles we face, not to praise our efforts. Anything good we do is through Christ, not by our own efforts.

Todays subject is your unbelievable cabability of critisizem! You are right about some things like Pokedorks, Didgidweebs and Moron Moon. those are genuinly EIVIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and you should stay away from things like that. HOWEVER D&D, Star Wars, Shrek, Harry Potter, The Olympics, ect ect (aka everything in the world except the Bible) are way, well not way, but cool stuff like that are not to be critisized. I hope you do it for money because if not, BBBBIIIIGGGG WASTE OF TIME.

The rest will be posted in the Dungeons and Dragons section

Second note from Anna: oh, by the way. God didn't crate man, man created god.

Man has indeed created an amazing diversity of gods with his imagination. I suggest you and others turn from those gods and seek the God I love. He did create everything else in the universe, including you and me - and He knows us far better than we know ourselves. See What it means to be a Christian

From Dennis: From the articles that you post, from my own daily local newspaper, from the evening news on television, from the filth that pours forth every night from the latest television prime time programing, from the humanism of the Olympics, and from many other things that I have not mentioned, it is very obvious that what is happening to the real Christians in China and Indonesia, to mention only two places, will soon happen right here in the United States. How many Christians here are ready for this, I wonder? Am I ready for it? I pray about it everyday, because it is just around the corner.

Thank you for mentioning readiness, Dennis. This is so important. The church was totally unprepared for the calculated assaults on truth and Biblical Christianity back in Hitler's days. We had better be more prepared. See Preparing for Victory

From Anna: You seem to have the impression that everything you say is right, it's called obsession!

Or could we call it certainty - a confidence based on faith in the unchanging Word of God?

I read Harry Potter, it is one of the best fictional, let me repeat that FICTIONAL books i've EVER had the pleasure of reading, normally i stick to DragonLance guess what their whole world revolves around clrics - magical ones! white, good, bow to the god Paladine, he answers! he heals, oh and there's Takahisis, the Dark Queen obviusly with a following of black mages.

Thank you, Anna, for illustrating how "fictional" fantasies create familiarity with occultism and delight in its many gods. Please read Harry Potter and the Power of Suggestion

But anyway Neon Genisis Evangelion was shown to me in a class at school - oops sorry i went to public schools where we got stickers or praise when we were good instead of having the torture of going to the church to 'pray thankfulness to the mighty one for good work' ACK! my friend had to do that, guess what she decided to go to a public school after that, couldn't stand it! but anyway

I'm not here to abuse your beliefs. I'm a neutral I do not have a religeon, heh i guess that i have put the put the odd hex on people and had Séances on a choir camp, my choir was highly religeous, I dropped out, couldn't stand it!

This Scripture may show why you couldn't stand it: 2 Cor 2:14 (I realize you might not like such references, but please consider it) Of course, since I don't know that church, there could be many other reasons as well.

you know you shouldn't just go round on your high and mighty, you ___ oh and it's not a good idea to ____ hackers, just a thought, oh sorry i swore in the presence of the all mighty bible bashers, give people a chance, just cause they don't have the same beliefs as you, doesn't mean they're bad, i get top marks every year at school, because i study, not because i clasp my hands together and kneel at the side of my bed every night before i go to sleep, heh in fact i read.

Oh one other thing, i draw manga so you know it's a big part of my life, have you ever thought you may be taking things a 'little bit too seriously? just a bit?!

oh just one question. have you asked God if he agrees with your views or are you just deciding what his views are?! ~Deeply concerned for your level of sanity ~ Anna ~sinful and sadistic - in your views anyway~

The issue is not whether God agrees with me, but whether I agree with God. I do. If you would ask a specific question about any of my views, I will tell you where God shows me that view in His Word.

From Shirin: long live J.R.R. TOLKIEN, J.K. ROWLING, WALT DISNEY, GEORGE LUCAS, NAOKO TAKEUCHI, AKIRA TORIYAMA, C.S. LEWIS, ANNE RICE, ROALD DAHL, YU WATASE
AND THE OTHER CREATIVE ARTISTS WHOSE GENIUS IS EVIDENT. May the biased bible thumpers be ... for not knowing good literature and entertainment.

It's all a matter of perspective, Shirin. When you look at reality and values from the new postmodern perspective, almost anything that feels good is considered "good," and anyone who opposes your view becomes an enemy. But from a Biblical perspective, a lot of feel-good experiences -- sensual, occult, etc. -- would be considered both harmful and evil. I see you, not as an enemy, but as a person created by God -- one who might well be a victim of deception.
Our two opposite positions or worldviews shape our values. My worldview and values are based on the Bible. It sounds as if yours is based on popular opinion, peer consensus and your own feelings. Would you agree? Please see these two charts: Modern vs. Postmodern and 3 Paradigms.

From Tai: Your website is possibly the most articulate, tolerant, and informative Christian website I have come across in my years of surfing the Internet for novel and evocative perspectives. I commend your immaculate research, which leads me to believe that you are well educated. This praise aside, I would like to offer some refutations.

I am a deeply spiritual person. My communion with God is a profound and personal experience, of which I opt to remain silent about, generally, in the same way that I do not share details of my sexuality or political views with others. Stating this, your site presents some issues I feel compelled to address.

1. Censorship/infowars/battles for the minds of children: What bothers me about Christians and Wiccans alike, about heterosexuals and homosexuals alike, about the right and the left alike, is the insistence on influencing those around them: what is so wrong with presenting the information, without bias, so our children can decide-- as your God would have them (with their free will) the perspective most suitable for them?

Tai, our children face an onslaught of biased messages the compete for their attention and consent. Take the television set. Most families have at least one, and it provides a stream of ads -- not just for products to buy, but for all kinds of foods, ideas, supernatural forces, moral or immoral persuasion, political activism.... None is neutral. Shouldn't parents be free to present what they believe -- and have learned over the years -- to be a wise alternative to all the other confusing voices?

Your God, among others, says it is not our place to judge. Following this line of reasoning, if God did not want this information available, God would not present it. Those who censor information are going against the will of God. I would implore you to have faith in your children. If you have taught them well, they will be able to remain true to themselves regardless of this hateful and materialistic world we live in.

Tai, the word "judge" is used in many different ways. The Bible doesn't tell us not to judge. It tells us not to judge each other. But we must judge ourselves and the ideas, actions and beliefs we face all around. There are lots of verses that tell us when to judge (or use our judgement) and when not to judge. For example:

Don't judge each other: "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: 'As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, and every tongue shall confess to God." So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore...." Romans 14:10-13

Do judge what is right and wrong. This refers to ideas and actions, not people: "Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time? Yes, and why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?" Luke 12:57

Do judge yourself by God's standard for right and wrong: "For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged." 1 Cor 11:31

Eventually, God will judge everyone according to His holy standard: "'The Lord will judge His people.' It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Hebrews 10:30

God never tells us to "have faith in our children." He tells us to put our faith in Him, not in people. He also tells us to "train up your child in the way he should go...." That means teaching our children the truths of the Bible so that His Word becomes a light and a filter, showing our children what is right and providing the discernment they need to evaluate -- on their own -- all situations, challenges, books and ideas according to God's standard.

         Does that make sense to you?
2. The "feminist agenda": What is evil in preventing over-population, rape, prostitution, incest, and discrimination? Granted there are extremist feminists just as there are extremist Christians (you know, the ones who bomb Planned Parenthood clinics and shoot doctors-- certainly, not what God had in mind), but this does not detract from the overwhelming benefits women have experienced due to the feminist movement.

Tai, I too want to prevent rape, prostitution, etc. That's why I encourage people to trust and follow God. I believe He is the only One who can counter the capricious and self-centered tendencies of human nature. And He does it, not by legalistic rules and boundaries, but by showing us our own inadequacy so that we turn to Him for mercy and strength. He takes our uncontrollable nature to the cross and fills us with His life so that we are able to follow Him. See What it means to be a Christian

I am a woman. I am a university student, studying to become an ethnographer. One hundred years ago, I would not have been allowed to enter post-secondary education. One hundred years ago, by this age, I would be married, have children, and would spend my life cooking and cleaning. Furthermore, I would be considered property under the law.

Not in a Christian community. Jesus Christ radically changed the woman's position and value in a community.

Last semester, I came first in my class in two of my courses, and maintained an average above 90%. It pains me to think of a life without intellectual discourse, without a role other than wife and mother. How can you turn your back on me? I feel, often, that the Christian right overlooks the humanity of those it preaches against. Cooking, cleaning, and serving a master (be it husband or God) is a far cry from that which could possibly satisfy my soul. I am not a slave.

Neither am I, Tai. I am married and I do want to serve my Lord, my children and my husband. But Andy serves me far more than I serve Him. He works outside the home, freeing me to read, study, research, travel and speak... He takes care of our cars and other household problems. Without his fellowship, encouragement and support, I couldn't fulfill my part of the work God has given us.

3. Chi: In your diatribe against Pokemon (which made me laugh, because I absolutely detest Pokemon, along with all other fads-- in fact, I was the sort of child who had an anti-New Kids On The Block club), you seem to equate Chi with evil: this is like a Buddhist calling the Holy Ghost an evil force!! This is one arena in which I feel you are ignorant. Asian religions, be them Buddhist, Taoist, or Hindu, are authentic expressions of spirituality.

I agree, Tai. They trust and utilize a very real spiritual force. But the force is different from the strength we have in Christ.

Practice in them fills one with integrity, kindness, tolerance, and emotional depth, just as authentic practice in Christianity does. When you condemn other religions, you look like a fool-- a pot calling the kettle black, so to speak. These religions have as many-- more, even-- participants as yours does. While I no more prescribe to them than I do to Christianity, it bothers me to see them misrepresented.
Buddhists and Taoists comprise much of my inner echelon, and they are compassionate, gentle, and tolerant people. Furthermore, quantum physics has not ruled out the possibility that there may just be energy akin to soul or chi in the universe. It seems to me that you are arguing semantics, caught up in the dogma of your particular faith.

Contemporary Buddhism is consistently presented as gentle and compassionate by the mainstream media. But I have many Christian friends who have come out of a Buddhist tradition, and they describe a different picture. The roots of the Dalai Lama's "peaceable" spirituality is filled with shamanism, spiritual oppression and human sacrifice. Please see Biblical versus Cultural Christianity, Five Types of Religious Expressions and 3 Paradigms.

Last part of Tai's letter: 4. The New World Order: The New World Order, the vision of a totalitarian state, is a terrifying one, and you have every right to speak up against it. In this, I commend you. I do wish, when I have children, to limit the amount of
media influence they experience. We are on the same page here. I intend to give my children the love and
support, as well as the intellectual endurance, to think critically about that which is presented to them. I suspect you will counter that this in step with the N.W.O's agenda.

It all depends on how you define "think critically." To the UN and educational change agents it means a feeling-based criticism of traditional values together with "open-minded" acceptance of the new global values. I am totally infavor of factual understanding -- as contrasted with feel-good experiences that bypass traditional facts and logic -- of current events and diverse cultures.

As far as I am concerned, one must know one?s enemy, and be prepared to learn to defend oneself. Whether you or I like it, a global culture is evolving-- goodness, human beings now populate most of the planet! Neither of us can prevent this, for culture is a creature of its own, with its own evolution.

Actually, that's usually not true. Cultures change, but people and their values steer that change. Look what happened when a few loyal men established this union over two centuries ago. Or when Hitler persuaded Germany to worship and follow him. Or when Christian missionaries built schools and hospitals in troubled parts of the world.

Some of key factors that influence the cultural transformation are strong political and/or religious leaders, wars and migrations of people groups.

As a student of anthropology, I understand this, perhaps, better than most. I would urge you to remain vigilant, fill your heart with love, and try to understand that which is novel to you. I would encourage you to shed the dichotomies of the Christian-- the religious-- absolute. In the face of the N.W.O., it is certainly a liability.

You are right, Tai, if a person values earthly comforts more than eternal security with God.

We live in an era of deconstructionism. Arm yourself and your children appropriately. Define your own agenda. I
would urge you to stand for openness, objectivity, and kindness. For censorship, subjectivity, absolutes, and so forth, are tools of the totalitarian.

Keep in mind, openeness is word that changes with the person's perspective. I believe I am objective and open to truth, facts and people of every race. I am not "open" to occult philosophies (though I will rationally argue the differences) or the mental strategies used to literally brainwash people today.

I don't promote censorship or subjectivity, but I do take a stand on certain absolutes that I cannot compromise.

Has it ever occurred to you that your personal experiences, such as a Christian upbringing, have influenced your fear in Satan? There are much greater things to fear. I would start with the great tyranny present on earth.

I didn't have a Christian upbringing. God didn't open my eyes to understand His truth and love until I was thirtieth year.

Genuinely, I wish peace be with you. I look forward to your reply. Yours, humbly, Tai

Thank you, Tai, for your kind words.

From Nick: In your response to Vic, the RPGer, you said,
"I don't force my views on anyone, Vic. You, like everyone else, came here and read our information by your own free will. People ask questions and we respond with answers based on our convictions. Nobody is obliged to listen. But I hope that those who do read and listen, will learn both "love and and good sense" based on Biblical truth and logical thinking."

I wholeheartedly and 100% agree with you. Your web page is well laid out, and it makes you sound extremely accessible. I think one of the great properties of the internet is that we all have a growing access to so many differing opinions. If I don't agree with what I hear on a web site, I should turn my web browser somewhere else. I just wanted to say that the people who write 'scathing' self-important letters to you don't represent the majority of people who stumble onto your site.

Thanks, Nick. I appreciate the encouragement.

From Christine: When I first came to your site, I felt as though you were extremely anti-secular, with your strong opinions on Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, Dungeons and Dragons, Pokemon, and Disney. I was looking at your site again today and noticed that you also have a strong opinion on The Prayer of Jabez, the Left Behind series, and the Veggietales. Now I see that you are the type of person that will find wrong and evil in everything.

There's a lot of other things to enjoy in life, Christine. I can assure you that my life is full of exciting and wonderful times. I may have strong opinions, but so do you. Otherwise you wouldn't be so offended by my concerns. The difference seems to be in our choice of beliefs and values -- what we love and what we leave out. I want to enjoy the very best God offers us.

All previous letters have been moved to Multiple Topics - 1 or 2 or 3 or 4

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