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BULLETIN BOARD :

POKEMON SAVED MY LIFE
Subject: My opinions based on my life and what I know.
Date: Sat, 20 Jan 2001
From: Lisa

Feel free to post my e-mail.. I'd gladly take on anyone's negative opinions on what I have to say. But I don't believe I will receive any e-mails after you guys realized that Pokemon (In which I'd rather call the Pocket Monsters) saved my life, or at least made me the happier person that I am now.

I simply don't understand why most christians refer FADS to evil. It's way beyond stupid. It's like some of you guys just don't understand that the world can't exist without evil. And I'm not saying that all fads are necessarily evil. Just many.... Like fashion... How little kids will dress themselves with make-up so they look like sex-toys for all those horny male teens.... And you guys just don't give a damn... That's really sad.. It's like you don't care if little kids try to turn themselves into Barbies so that guys like them and they can use them.

What I'd like a few of you to chew on, is, "what is evil?? "Answer that.

I think evil is totally right. Evil causes pain in any way. Pain. What is pain?? It's something a being hates.You live with it. It's not as bad as you think it is. You may look at me like I'm some screwed up child, but I KNOW I'm right. Everyone dies, everyone hurts, and such. It's natural. It's natural for humans to do everything that they do now. I don't like pain or anything.. I think it's terrible.... But it has to exist.

I can't quite release my point here. But if you continue thinking deeper and deeper until you actually understand my reasoning, then that would be a real help for me.

Anyhoo, what I said has nothing to do with Pokemon. But it's the beginning to understanding what I have to say.

Most of the people I find around here look at Pokemon negatively. They never look at it's good positive side. If Pokemon wasn't popular, you people would find nothing wrong with it. But just because it is popular, you wanna fight it. I find that pretty lame. It's like you guys don't use your brains, like an animal killing for no reason. Like instinct. Except this instinct is way pointless and stupid. Don't try saying it's not true.

You guys hate fads because they make money, and lots of people turn to it like it's god. Like it's trying to replace your god or something.

If god really was against evil, then why the heck did he create evil? (which you guys think should be gone.) Just find evil's meaning once again. We all need it. And if I'm wrong, god didn't make evil (that would make no sense), then please understand that I don't see the kind of god that you guys see and I don't fully understand what "your" god does.

I believe in a god.. But it's not a god you know..

Another, if god really wanted 'his' people to believe in him, then why did he make the chinese, or the indian?? They all believe in another god. Of course this god is very similar to the one that you all fantasize over. But it's not the same. It's very different in many cases.

I hope you guys understand that you make it harder for people in this world to believe in a god. It's because of people like you that make him look like the evil one. Like he demands everyone to stop at their own free will. To not love what they love... It's totally sick what you guys do... And if there is a god, then I sure hope he's not a thing like the way you guys make him out to be. Why would anyone want to be a christian???

All I can say is that you guys are very unwelcoming.. and you're too strict..... People aren't going to want to be one of you guys if you say they should lose they're free will to love anything they want. Sure, it's ok if you hate murder, rape, and other disgusting crimes like that.. But NEVER compare Pokemon to that!!

How would you guys like it if you grew up having beautiful dreams about original creatures you thought up yourself, or growing up and having remembered the serious times in your life that seemed very adventurous, amazing, or uncalled for? You would remember playing with friends and you would make up wild games. You would catch bugs and give them names. All this happened in the life of Satoshi (the creator of Pokemon, and is also the name of Ash in the original japanese version.. That would be nice eh?? Having your own character named after you to show the whole world.. I know I would be happy) He created a game called Pocket Monsters. It was only one simple game.. The package was green and silver, and had a giant green dinosaur with a flower on it's back. This game was made for the sake of Satoshi. He made Pokemon for a reason. It must've been good to remember all the good ol days while he thought and created Pokemon. Pokemon is a HUGE part of his life. It explained alot of his background, but it remains hidden. He never knew this game would be so popular.. It was totally uncalled for.. It must've made him real happy to know that other people loved his fantasies as well as himself. After that, it took a while, and Pokemon became a big hit in Japan. They brought out new versions of the game which showed the Pokemon a bit different looking (You would understand after comparing the green version Pokemon to the Red version pokemon, then comparing the red version Pokemon to the silver/gold version Pokemon. You'll understand just how much Pokemon changed.. The first Pokemon, which look very different from today, are important in Pokemon's history)

And the last thing I'd want to see, is people coming by, telling me my idea stunk, that I caused evil (which is not true.. But according to you guys, it is) and that Pokemon should just be banned world-wide. It's a very sad thought.. I know it.. You know it.. You're life would be ruined.. And it wouldn't be your own fault.. It would be those followers... And some of YOU are to blame because of it!! It's SO disgusting!! You guys look at Pokemon so cheaply! When really, Pokemon means so much to many people, and especially to the creator of Pokemon. Pokemon is unique. You guys just don't understand it's complexity.

It's sad how a bunch of christians can be so snobby (and that's how I look at you guys.. perhaps it's not true.. But that just happens to be how I see you... Pretty gross eh?? You guys just turned yourselves into slobbery greedy people)

I thought christians were supposed to be kind and caring (it's true.. But some christians can be real jerks.... I'll tell ya that I was once christian, But now when I look at you guys.. I'm glad I'm not anymore... You guys make christians look bad when I'm sure there are tons of other christians that are very nice! You guys are unfair. And it's like you guys don't understand life either. Now, It's ok for to think I'm possessed by the devil because I totally stick up to Pokemon.. I mean.. I just just don't give a crap what you guys think.... I KNOW I'm right. I think you guys are the ones that were taken over by evil... Thinking you love god, but you hate everything about life ... I'm not the evil person here... And if I am and I don't know it...then screw that... I'm a living being.. And that's all that matters...

So... think about it for a while.. and if your thirsty for more, then read on.

As I was saying... I began liking Pokemon at the age of 11. I became obsessed in less than a month... The thing is, is that Pokemon wasn't even popular where I lived.. It was totally hidden from view.. It was totally nothing where I lived. And so far, it wasn't the kind of evil that you guys see.

The last thing I'd want to see is people abusing Pokemon after I grew up with it like it was a friend. I turned 14 last year.. So as you can see, Pokemon has been with me a long time. At first, when Pokemon gained popularity, all my friends loved it.. We would always talk about it.. Pokemon gave me good times I'll never forget.. I gained new friends....... This probably all never would've happened if it weren't for Pokemon in my life. Now when I talk to my friends, they refer Pokemon to childish.. But I love it alot.. And I'm not going to just walk from it after I loved it for so many years. I remembered how I was one of the very first to love it (that's how it used to be...) But now everyone loves it.. and it's hard to get around because everyone says it's for kids (when originally, Pokemon was for people with at least good reading skills, and strategy) But now that little kids (under 10) like it.. Pokemon was turned into something less... (to all those people who just don't give a crud about how other people feel)

But because I know it better than most people, I understand it more than any little kid, and practically every teen (that includes adults.. Not including Satoshi)

And.. My life began getting extremely dull... It was depression.... This just happens to be the time in someone's life where they try to commit suicide.

My life turned into crap... No matter how much I loved Pokemon. I still had my friends.. Nothing made me happy... My life was just plain stupid.. Living for no reason.. being unhappy when you don't have to be.. People pushing you to do stuff you don't want to do.. I still am a bit depressed, and think about committing suicide whenever I become sad or upset (Like school.. I'm failing because I'm sad.. And I get bulled at all the time for it.. Just tell me why you would want to live if you were unhappy like that?? )

I was almost at the peak.. I was beginning to hate Pokemon for no reason.. I just wanted to kill myself.. I've thought about going to sleep on my roof so I would freeze to death.. But there's always something that stops me.. Like how other people would feel if I did this. But my life was so miserable... All I would do is think about how I could be dead while I did homework in a school full of little brats that only cared about fashion.

I remember ordering the Pokemon movies about a month ago.. Both were in Japanese with english subtitles... Mewtwo Strikes Back, and Revelation Lugia... I watched them both with my sister.. We laughed occasionally.. I was really happy. But good times always end. It was not until a week later when I brought the vcr up to the tv in my room, and watched Mewtwo Strikes Back by myself.. This time, I paid attention to the little subtitles instead of staring at the pictures. This movie means so much to me now.. It secretly shows you that there is so much to life.. And that you should live it to the fullest no matter what. That life is all that matters no matter what you look like, or who you are. You should love yourself no matter how much people hate you, or however ugly they think you are.. Or even if you have no friends.... There is always a way getting around these things.. And that's why living your life will help you solve it. Life gives you the time to do it.

If you guys never found any of these messages throughout the movie.. Then I suggest you watch the Japanese version since the dubbed version was poorly done, and they cut out around 20 minutes of the feature length. They also re-did the translations and music.. On the dubbed version (which I haven't seen yet, but heard of it, and that it was terrible) they splattered teeny-bopper music all over it >_<

I find that extremely offensive.. I prefer the Japanese much more to the dubbed version (although I never saw the dubbed version) The Japanese version has music that makes the film more interesting, and makes it's message more clear so that you'll accept it much more seriously. The ending theme to the movie is what really helped alot to my problems.. I don't want to commit suicide... and I hope I never think of death again.. The words to the song inspire you to live long. And when you think of how the main characters to Pokemon live, you notice all the good times they had, some which were bad but were quickly revived with happy times once again. They're adventures would always be remembered.. And it makes you want to live too.

You guys just don't understand. That a movie like this.. Just saved my entire life.

I'm thankful to Pokemon, and I love it just as much as I used to.

I give lots of credit to Pokemon... And what about you?? Will you at least give Pokemon a hand.. Or will you kick it into the mud some more?? Doing so would just offend me entirely.. When Pokemon becomes apart of me, then I can feel it's pain that it gets from you guys. It really hurts (especially on the inside).

It's strange how you guys hate evil so much, yet you continue to abuse Pokemon and everyone who likes it. If you haven't noticed.. It's lots of you guys that cause your own pain, including the ones who love Pokemon.. Because you hate Pokemon, you make your own lives worse for yourselves.

You guys will never understand.. It's because of the way you guys are... And I hate you people for being born like that. I'm ashamed that the human race can be so brutal.. You guys make no difference in human history.

Sorry if my message isn't clear.. But I never really was good at writing.. Although I hang around on a fanfic Pokemon message board with people like me who love writing stories.. All I know is that I'm better at writing, and that will help me with a career when I'm older.. I'm also better with drawing and art now.. Especially since Pokemon inspired me to do so... Since when does Pokemon screw up peoples lives? It's more likely to give you a career you'll never regret.

Thank you for taking your time to read this..
I wish you all well. -Lisa Pytyck

POKEMON MOVIE
Date: Thu, 04 Jan 2001
From: TUANANH

Pokemon is unlike any other kid's fad, or a catoon.Kids cartoons are a bunch of lame characters design to appeal to kids .That's pretty much all you need to please kids in a cartoon.And i mean those y-7 kinds.Pokemon is the same basic thing only with a few variations.Nintendo told many kids to play their pokemon games,and to make more money,they don't include all species in one version.Instead,that put some in other versions;to get them all,you need a friend and a cable link.So to fully complete the game,you need two gameboys,{thats almost $100}a cable link,{thats $10}and two different versions of the game{thats's about another $100}.The way to get kids to buy them is to show a y-7 cartoon full of mindless characters only for kids,then Nintendo says to "gotta catch 'em all!" so kids spend over $200 to buy merchandise,therefore,a complete wast of money.Just like buying cigarettes,you're addicted,so, you got to buy more and more.And the movie doesn't help either, If kids can look past the cute exterior,they can see what fools they are for wacthing and buying such crap.

TEACH JESUS NOT POKEMON
Subject:Pokemon
Date: Sat, 04 Nov 2000
From: Dave

Your opening line " Parents can use this film to discuss spiritual truth with their children " My first question - What's wrong with using the Illustrated bible to teach and discuss spiritual truth with ones children. And secondly, don't you feel The Holy Spirit prompting your spirit and telling you deep within that this whole Pokemon (and Harry Potter ) thing is pure deception to take our next generation's mind off the most powerful and fulfilling story ever told - the one of JESUS CHRIST OF NAZARETH !!!!!!!!! With respect and without guile David, you're being deceived. I challenge you to make an about turn on this subject and let God be God in your life.
May HE bless you, DAVE from South Africa

Response: Thank you for your kind approach. I like your style. In response, however, I do not think it is a case of either or. I do not think my comments here advocate Pokemon in place of Jesus. I hope parents use an illustrated Bible with their children, good idea. I also hope they instruct their children on what to look for in culture. I think you are giving Harry Potter and Pokemon too much credit for Evil.

FRIENDSHIP AND POKEMON
Subject: If Pokemon is EVIL, Then Friendship Must Be Too
Date: Thu, 2 Nov 2000
From: Rosemary roseangel@yahoo.com

David, I found your "Hollywood Jesus" review of "Pokemon: The First Movie" quite surprising in that it seemed that you were actually praising the movie, unlike all other Christian reviews of the movie I have read. Though it does seem that most of your readers would disagree with you. So I thought I would throw in my thoughts on Pokemon, just for fun.

I will start by stating that I am 21 years old and a senior in college with a good paying job. And I love Pokemon! While I admittedly started playing the Game Boy game out of nothing more than curiosity when it was first released in the United States in September of 1998, it wasn't long before I found myself hooked on the franchise. The game was surprisingly fun and addicting, but what really reeled me in was the TV show which gave the characters from the game true personalities. But it goes so much further than just that.

Most people look at Pokemon and see only fighting and the "Gotta Catch 'em All" philosophy for collecting, but if you were to REALLY sit down and watch the show you would see that it is actually about friendship, achieving your goals, never giving up on your dreams, and doing your best no matter what. There is no satanic message. Pokemon unites people! I go to Pokemon events with my roommate (who is also a fan) that Nintendo holds and it never fails that some little kid will start talking to us about Pokemon and maybe ask if we wanna trade. We all speak the language of Pokemon and that's all we need to be friends, if only for a day. And it's not just little kids! At one event a girl my age asked me where I had gotten the plush Pokemon toy I was carrying and when I got home that night I went to her webpage which was advertised on her shirt and before you know it we were hanging out together and having fun! I now consider her a very good friend of mine. Pokemon united us and now we know we've got a lot of other things in common too.

I also maintain a Pokemon website, and the emails I recieve are amazing! Children from all over the world telling me how much they love Pokemon. It melts my heart! If Pokemon was about one thing, and one thing alone, it would be FRIENDSHIP. It is the theme that is stressed most often in both the TV show and the game boy game. When you win the Game Boy game you are told that you did it because of the friendship you have with your Pokemon, because of your love and compassion for them! I am always in disbelief when I hear people complaining that this is bad.

As the Pokemon phenomenon continues (and it is set to continue for quite awhile), we should all just accept it and leave it be. You don't have to like it, but when you tell the little kid who says, "Pikachu's my friend," that Pikachu is evil, you are doing far more harm to that child than a lifetime of exposure to Pokemon ever will.
Rosemary
Feel free to post my email address

IS HOLLYWOOD JESUS A RAVING WOLF?
Subject: WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?
Date: Tue, 10 Oct 2000
From: "Sarah Moser"

I have read some basarre things before, but what you say that Pokemon gives us spiritual truth. How in the world can you compare the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ the Son of the Loving God to that of a cartoon which deals directly with the power of darkness??? please could you explain that to us.

Another thing, you quoted to Mrs; Christian Phillippians 4:8: "Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, if there be any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things." Yes, I do agree with you that we must think about that which is "pure, ...pleasing, ...excellence and worthy of praise...", but could you explain what is pure about pokemon?

The Word of God also says in Matthew 7:15 Matthew 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."!!! Just a question, "Are you a wolf???!!!"

It is plain and simple, 1 Thessalonians 5:22 "Abstain from all appearance of evil."!!! Now I know that you will say "so pokemon is not evil." Let me ask you this, who is the creator of these things? Do they portray Biblical values. These pokemons are being used to introducing them the spirit world and the use of guides that is actually demons. Remember Satan will not come out in the open and screem at the top of his lungs that he hates you and your children. He will come in a way that seems innocent and cute, but if you look behind that which is shown, then you will see that what is portrayed is not according to the standards of the Word of God. Yes, Satan is the master in deception, and the Word of God says that we must not be ignorant of his schemes.

We are in a battle of life and death and we must not think that being a Christian is having a easy life. IT IS WAR!!!!! Satan wants us to be ignorant and think that some people are Bible punchers, but I will rather go against the flow and be radical than allowing the enemy to play yo yo with me. Most of these programs and toys such as the Masters of the universe is created to do noe thing, "MIND CONTROL" Yes, we can decern between what is right and wrong, but not a child. That is why we as parents are instructed to "Train up a child in the way he sould go, so that when he is old that he will not depart from it" It is a basic concept and spiritual truth. If a child is exposed with things like these, it will be only in time that he will be turning more into that direction.

So many people call themselves Christian, but there is nothing different from them and the world. We are suppose to be ambassadors for Christ, not a bunch of confused hypocrates that do not obey the King of kings. HERE IS A CLEAR WARNING TO THOSE THAT SAY THAT THE THINGS OF THE WORLD IS GOOD AND GOLDY THINGS IS EVIL: Isaiah 5:20 " Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!"

BE CAREFUL AND STOP MAKING YOUR OWN COMMENTS AND LOOK AT THE WORD OF THE LIVING GOD AND REPENT. Revelation 3:14 WARNS US THAT MANY PEOPLE WILL THINK THAT THEY ARE HOT, YET THEY WILL BE SPEWED OUT BECAUSE THEY ARE LUKEWARM. I WANT TO ENCOURAGE MRS CHRISTIAN AND THOSE THAT DO NOT AGREE THAT POKEMON IS INNOCENT, KEEP UP FIGHTING AGAINST DARKNESS. YOU MAY ADD MY E-MAIL ADDRESS IN JESUS AND FOR HIS KINGDOM
J Jesus and for His Kingdom

My response: Am I a wolf in sheep clothing? No, actually I am a lamb in wolf clothing. Please read the message from the 15 year old boy posted in the Pokemon comments. He feels that comments like yours puts him off towards God. Do you think you could use a better approach. One that is kind and gentle. Personally, I like my approach better than yours. -David

DO NOT TAKE POKEMON LIGHTLY
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 2000
From: "Solid Rock Ent."

Obviously, I'm a little late - the movie was out at least one year ago. However, my son received a pokemon game and has become obsessed with it. At first, I thought nothing of it. However, I'm very aware of the fact that even as I write this there is a great battle going on. For all of you naive Christians out there - it's called Spiritual Warfare. So, I did some checking. I read the the comics, checked websites, etc. All the while my son is still playing the game. What I found out is this: Pokemon have powers - what kind of powers? And where do they obtain these powers? The way I see it is: either something is for God or it is against God. I don't leave any room for grey - because the spiritual growth and serenity of me and mine is too important.

Within the pokemon world there are too many references to ideology and symbolism that is reminiscent of New Age terminology and paganism. That sounds to me like it is against God. We should be careful of everything that enters our children's consciousness. You put garbage in, you get garbage out. Now i realize I cannot control everything that goes in, but what I can control I will. The Bible says "flee from the appearance of evil" it doesn't say flee from what you know to be evil, or from what you have proven to be evil, but from what APPEARS to be evil. Pokemon, like Harry Potter, Dungeons and Dragons, and I could go on and on - appear to be evil.

Don't let a couple of Christians who sound like fanatics steer you from the truth. I worked in television. Does anyone remember Smurfs? Does anyone remember how Christians came out about the paganistic rituals being performed in the cartoon? Ohhhh, it's just a cartoon, it's not real. Then why do people's attitudes and behavior ge t affected by TV - WHY ADVERTISE, if it is not an effective tool? DON'T BE NAIVE. I know the person in charge of getting the Smurfs on air. And she was very much into Voodoo. However, even if the people behind pokemon do not have alterior motives, don't believe for a second that they cannot be used as Satan's pawns. Remember we do not fight the flesh but principalities. In other words our war is not against conservative Christians, fanatics, etc, but against Satan. IT'S SPIRITUAL WARFARE.

Response: The crowds were largely missing when the sequel was released. It's was a fad. New Age groups reported no increase in menbership due of Pokemon. The Satanist church continues to struggle. Crime continues to go down. Interest in spiritually continues to grow. I talked to some public school teachers the other day who told me Pokemon is no longer a big interest amoung school kids. Your son has lost interest too. Why waste your energy on this Pokemon battle. It's over. No one cares, except.... perhaps, you! Be at peace. God is bigger than you think.

RELIGION RUINS EVERYTHING
Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000
From: Joshua

Pokemon shows nothing of racism or religious persecution. It's the greatest thing ever in the history of mankind.

I'm 15 years old and, in fact, I even dislike all religions of any kind. I am neither christian nor satanist. I am from a clan where such words are meaningless. Religion is the cause of persecution in the foreign countries in the world, and is why bands like Dope, Slayer, Amen, and Sepultura exist today.

The angriest out of all these bands is Sepultura, who are angry at the world for it's racism, war, and religious persecution, mostly in South America.

Many of Jesus' sayings and the Bible may help people out of many problems today, but many of today's christians abuse the power of Christ by saying that Pokemon is evil and satanist. One of them, whom I know about by the name of "Marty Richards", even skewered pokemon dolls on a sword and roasted them over a grill. He should know that the sword serves no other purpose but to kill, and it is the one object responsible for the millions dead, killed in battle thousands of years ago.

A show that I'm angry at on TV is South Park. I used to love this show (at the age of 13, when I was a sick little foul-mouthed street punk), but after learning that it shows nothing more than a harsh reality, I don't love it any more. There's even an episode where it rips off Pokemon with a fad by the name of "Chin Pokomon".

In this South Park episode, Japan creates Chin Pokomon for revenge of losing the war at Pearl Harbor during WWII. You know what South Park is doing? This is just another example of "Live in the past, we make the hate last", and that's just what the TV show, South Park, is trying to make us do. Man, even christ wouldn't kill himself for that pitiful Colorado town, and in the real world today, Japan didn't create Pokemon for revenge of losing WWII.

Can't you guys get it into your head that there is no God?! And if there is one, it's a black God, the ignorant kind that, from the moment he throws people into this world, fates them to bring each other nothing but pain and misery. To hell with South Park, long live Pokemon. (And by the way, I would love it kick Kenny's head "South of Heaven") "Religion is old." -quote from Pantera song, "By Demons Be Driven"
Thanks for your time. Joshua

NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT
Subject: People should focus on more important things
Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000
From: Gabriel, 18 Jersey City, NJ

Please do not post my email address::: Instead of focusing on such a trivial thing as Pokémon, why don't you focus on something that may actually cause your children harm? If you say that Pokémon will lead to the Antichrist, then I say there's nothing you can do about it. The Antichrist will come and all of the ranting and shouting the phrase "________ leads to the Antichrist!" will do no good. Also, it seems to me that you are putting things in the Pokémon game and seeing things that aren't actually there. I have the red and yellow versions of the Pokémon game and I see nothing wrong with them. The likelyhood of these innocent games teaching your children the occult is about the same as the Care Bears teaching how to hate. The only way that your children will learn of the occult through these games is if you make a big fuss about nothing and point things out that aren't even there. I say stop pointing to popular fads as things that are satanic and actually point to something that will do something to your kids. For all I know, your teenagers could be having sex every night, skipping church, doing drugs, and actually doing something satanic. Meanwhile, you are busy worrying about your little one playing this harmless game. If there is anything evil about these games, then it is this: the devil can use these games to draw your attention away from things that really matter. The solution to this is not to rant and rave about the evil, which only draws more of your attention away, but to stop ranting. Dismiss these games as a simple video game and then look for the things that the devil was drawing you away from.
Gabriel, 18 Jersey City, NJ

NOT AS GOOD AS THE BIBLE, BUT...
Subject: Anti-Anti-Pokemon
Date: Tue, 22 Aug 2000
From: Moon

Uhh, well I wouldn't say Pokemon is as good as the Bible, But it's still really good eye candy,and what's wrong with that?I like Pokemon as much as these overripe Christians like snakehandling and skimming the collection plates,but I know that I thank God that I'm alive and no amount Pokemon playing will change that. So what if I like pokemon?Like they say about money, "You can't take it with you" so don't worry you big-haired head about it!

EVERY NEW FAD IS EVIL?
Subject: Commenting on the "Pokemon is evil" furor raised by some readers...
Date: Fri, 04 Aug 2000
From: Joe Admire

I have only one thing to say. If some Christians rant about every new fad - and I mean EVERY NEW FAD - in pop culture being occultic, evil, a harbinger of the Antichrist, etc., etc., etc., ad infinitium ad nauseam... How, I ask you, are they going to recognize the REAL Antichrist when he finally shows up? -Joe-

DAD HAS NO ISSUE WITH POKEMON
Date: Thu, 20 Jul 2000
From: JimmyH

Let me say that your website is truly interesting and the views shared by the various writers were very thought-provoking. I am a 38 year old Christian father of two boys age below 8 and have absolute no issues on my sons playing with Pokemon toys. I live in Singapore, and like every else in the world, have our fair share of worried parents and concern religious bodies. There are even a couple of Christian schools banning anything Pokemon, declaring the product as anti-Christ. When the uproar over Teletubbies subsided and Pokemon started invading the toy shops, I told my wife to brace for the negative tide of opinion. There is hardly any product on the shelf nowadays that will escape the scrutiny of minority opinion groups who for some reason sees it as their personal crusade to debunk anything new.

When He-man and Skeletor were fighting their war on the TV screen, churches condemned it as sacrilege to call that series Master of the Universe. I even remember a lady gospel singer singing about the real Master of the Universe. The blue Smurfs were also classified Satanic too, apparently because there is a Satanic symbol on one of the utensils (the detail escapes me). Barbie dolls were suppose to encourage materialism. What's next? I am waiting for the backlash on Digimon. Has it started yet? When I was a teenager, the Christian had major issues with "back-masked" rock music, and the subliminal messages in Eagles' "Hotel California".

When evangelist Billy Graham came to Singapore during one of his Crusades, some fundamentalist churches were distributing tracts condemning Rev Graham. One of the reaons given was that the Crusade features singers who also perform in night clubs. The aftermath of this smear campaign saw also these fundamentalist churches accusing the Crusade organisers of inflating the figure of people knowing Christ. I remember someone condemning me because I went for a movie saying that the money is going to the devil. There were even Christians who were resisting barcoding because in Revelation it is stated "without the mark of Satan, there shall be no buying and selling". The point I am trying to get is: Just because one is from a church, it doesn't mean that one are right, even though this person may hold a high office. Magicians, dragons, warriors are not new.

Does anyone have an opinion on Merlin the Magician? Did you object to you child touching the Excalibur in Fantasy Land in Disneyland? How about Puff the Magic Dragon? St George the Dragon Slayer? Mickey in the Sorcerer's Apprentice? The Witches (good and bad) in Wizard of Oz? No opinion? No backlash? Know why? Your kids are not after these things! Such icons of fantasy are not restricted only to the west. Chinese culture sees the dragon as a creature of majesty so much so that the rulers of the 7 seas are dragons and any emperor of ancient China is often called the son of the Dragon. The dragon year in the Chinese calendar year especially so if it falls under the element of gold (the year 2000 is such a year). Before Hollywood saw "The Matrix" we in the eastern part of world had tons of movies of people flying around fighting with mythical creatures and warriors. "Crouching Tiger and Hidden Dragon" features such super warriors who are able to glide from house to lake to forest all in a single bound - is this anti-Christian to have super human beings? Ultimately such icons are cultural. Christ is called the lion of Judah. Think about it, the Bible written many years ago sees the lion imagery as a majestic creature with its mane flowing in the wind, these imagery is translated even to this days where at least two stories were written to show this ie Disney's The Lion King and a Japanese TV series Kimba the White Lion. You only need to check out any documentary on African wildlife to learn that the lion in reality is a fairly lazy animal, more often than not rely on the lioness to hunt. I cannot see my Lord Jesus as someone who does nothing but sit around and wait for the food to come. There was a letter to you which stated that such fad are continually introduce to eventually allow Satan to take over. Let me just say this: you cannot stop change. Even the people who has rejected modern civilisation and continue to live in their own enclave (I'd rather not name this community) still need to charge market rate when trading is done. For some reason, most Christian community tend to be paranoia and suffer the persecution complex. There is no way from preventing the likes of Britney Spears, N 'Sync, MP3 Players, and Playstations from coming into yours and your loved ones life. A parent should be mature enough be discerning. A letter that was circulated here goes something like "the makers of the Pokemon cards are produced by a company called Wizards of the Coast etc etc" and followed on with a quotation from the scripture that forbades the fellowship of wizards, witches etc etc. If this is to be taken literary, we should all disable the "Wizard" function in Microsoft Office. Also boycott products from Nike (a Nordic god?), Hermes (a Greek god?), Canon (a derivative from Kwanon which is equivalent to Kwan Yin or the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy). It has to go beyond a name and product to prove whether or not a business is a Satanic establishment.

With regards to fads, the only thing a parent can do is to educate. I used the Power Rangers series to teach my older son colors (at least five of them when he was a toddler)). I am using Pokemon to explain concepts of "priority", "strategy" and have even given him the reason to continue to study hard and excel (like putting the Pokemons to fights to increase experience). There has never been any sign of addiction or devil-worshipping trance etc. He even insists on praying before going to bed to thank the Lord for all that is done for us. My other son does not particular like Pokemon but prefers to be Captain Hook because "he has a larger sword than Peter Pan". Is he on the way to being corrupted too? My kids do not insist on me buying toys or threaten me when I tell them not to play their Nintendo. My kids excel scholastically, are progressively God-fearing, respectful of the adults, well-behaved in public - and are constantly being fed with Starship Troopers, Power Rangers, Pokemon and Ninja Turtles. They are also taught from young the truth in the Bible, virtues of life and the reality of change (technology) To any parent who feels that Pokemon is bad - it is alright, it is your perogative to decide what your child comes in contact with.

To parents who are blaming products for their children's failure, don't - it is your own fault. There is a line in the movie Gladiator that goes something like "If a child fails, it is really the parent that failed." To Christians who think that the 1611 KJV is the only way to go - learn Greek , Hebrew and Aramic - that is the genuine stuff, unabridge.
Regards, JimmyH

THE POKEMON IS NOT EVIL
Subject: A lot of people doesn't know the real thing! Pokemon
Date: Sun, 9 Jul 2000
From: Christian Menéndez

Hello, I'm 16 years old and I live in Mexico City. In this country, the Pokémon phenomenon is not bad and evil that a lot of people in this pages and other places in the Internet think, here all this stuff is good and it doesn't affect the children. I know a lot of people that is fan of Pokémon, including me, and they are good students, friendly and respectful, not EVIL that Mrs. Christian and others in this forum think. The Pokémon is not evil, it teaches to children useful facts like friendship, cooperation, care, love, support and team work.

Also, the Game Boy game teaches to children how to take care about creatures and make them grow up. With this, children learns how to be persevering and how to be the best in all the things that they do. In the case of addiction, this can be controlled like a lot of Mexican parents do with their children. In fact, the children have fun with the TV cartoon, the game and the cards, and the events that Nintendo organizes keep children entertained and they love the cooperation with other children when they trade Pokémon in the Game Boy. I think the people that SAYS that Pokémon is evil or occult are wrong. They SHOULD think about and considerate the good points of a phenomenon like that. It's absurd that Pokémon can cause any bad effect in children.

And one last thing... People who thinks that Pokémon is bad and evil should considerate that this haven't cause any negative effects (like deaths, murders or others) in the children of the world. Also the thing that really cares here is that children enjoy it, they feel happy and proud of their Pokémon and with what they are capable to do, and that's all, that's the real thing. I hope that they change their mind.
Thanks, Christian Menéndez

WHAT ABOUT POKEMON IN BRITIAN?
Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2000
From: Stuart

Dear All I was wandering whether you could cast light onto the pokemon cards which have hit the schools in Britain as well as the movies which is to be shown in April this year. I look forward to your reply
Yours
My response: Pokemon is stupid, but brillant commecialism

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