CAA: Christian Anime Alliance

I've always been a pretty carefree otaku until a little while ago when my mom and others started to bombard me with questions about christian themes and anime. Then she went full out. Interigating me about Evangelion and why the aliens are called angels and so forth. Some of the things she said really got me thinking. Is anime wrong? Do I have to give it up? I don't want to, but if I have to I will. My mom says the devil is tricky and trys to win you over anyway he can.I don't know what to think .
HEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Cwp

Well, first I'd say that Eva is not the end all and be all of anime, any more than Adam Sandler* films are representative of American cinema (one hopes anyways). There are certainly many anime with considerably more uplifting themes, "Now and Then, Here and There" for example (which I highly recommend).

Anime is really just another medium of expression, like novels, films, etc. Your taste in them will tend to reflect your own beliefs and interests. If you want to see trash, you certainly can find it; if on the other hand, you want to see films that equal or surpass much of what is produced in contemporary North American cinema or television, you can certainly find that too (you can also of course, find as much harmless, inoffensive fluff as you please as well). In other words, individual programs may be good or bad, but that is no reason to judge the entire lot.



*Note, I am not comparing Eva to Adam Sandler so don't start that up

I'd say invite your mom to come explore this site, and she's free to question myself or the other admins about it too. Often times parents see one or two bad examples of anime and judge the whole lot by it, and that's what we're trying to clear up. My parents were the very same way, but when I sat down and told them why I liked it and the whole movie-type thing, they really began to understand better. Anime is just the same as movies, music, novels, etc. Besides, I've seen some great themes arise in anime just as I've seen some horrible ones and ones that made my blood boil. Sacrificial love, for example--the Japanese are big on this one, and it makes an easy entry way to talk about Christ's ultimate sacrifice. At least it makes a (if somewhat paler) analogy that segeways into the foundation of our beliefs. Honesty, drunkeness, the value of life, murder...I've seen a lot of good messages portrayed on all of those aspects.

Like Ink mentioned, if you're looking into a certain title or want to know about one, let us know, ok?

Oh, one last thing...we're also trying to use anime/manga to get a Christian message out there. That's the OTHER purpose of our little community here. ^^ (raise awareness that not all anime is porn/use anime in a good way to glorify God/fellowship together)

I won't repeat the messages of these good people. Reading their posts, which I'm sure you've done, would be a good thing.

I'd have a brief little test for you: give up everything anime related for a brief period of time. What happens? This can say a lot about how important it is to you. If anime is not taking up too much of a priority in your life, then I do not believe there is any problem with that.

Also, you aren't giving the Devil quite enough credit. He's a good deal more devious than that. It could serve his purposes just as well for you to shun all anime for the rest of your life, and try to tell others off it. As has been endlessly rehashed in the Eva thread, some anime that seem much more innocent can be far more harmful because of the subtle and dangerous messages they slip in.

The fact that you consider this is a good thing. Keep up the good thinking.

Faith is more important than anime for sure if you ever have a dout take a minute and ask God what he thinks you should be doing

Hey Mineko. You know how I found a way around that whole "what's appropriate thing"? Toonami...yeah, the other half of the anime world absolutely despises the "butchering" they do, but at least it kept it clean for me, which was a big, big plus. You take your chances with adult swim, but the regular line up is usually fairly trustworthy. I also research anything I'm considering buying -heavily-...multiple reviews, and what trustworthy friends of mine are saying about it if they've seen it.

Well, I had almost the same discussion with my mom while in high school (married now and in college)about all the horror novels I was reading But she backed off after I calmly and rationally explained that I knew enough to tell the difference between fantasy and reality. And she also agreed that I was old enough to make my own desicions. However, I don't know what age range I'm dealing with so maybe your mother is just looking out for you as annoying as it may seem. Maybe she's hinting more towards moderation rather than fear of your salvation. Parents are great at fear tactics
Quote:Since you're picking shows that would be appropriate for younger viewers, that should automatically ensure that it will be safe for you spiritually as well.
I hate to break it to ya, but Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon was geared towards younger veiwers in Japan and they cut and rearranged a bunch of it over here.
As for Adam Sandler movies, I'm a big fan(well, except for Water Boy, I think my dog could've written a better script) and I have all three of the Chanukah songs. I mean, they;re not "Gone With The Wind" or "Harry Potter" but they're good.

Wait, ami on

she can ask me about Evangelion. and i'll answer anything.

As has been said before - faith is more important that anime. I rather hope this is a given. Obviously, I am an anime fan - but I am first, and forever foremost I am a Christian.

It's not a matter of whether or not you have to choose between anime and faith. It is a question of "are you willing to give up anime if you feel led to?"

My personal testimony is tied up in that question, and I'll put it in the proper thread later and link it back here.

For now, I (and the other admins and mods as well) would love to discuss anything and answer whatever questions your mother might have. We won't be on the defensive or anything like that - we're just open to share what we're doing here. She can email me at wanderinggypsy34@msn.com.

Celtic_Moon wrote:I hate to break it to ya, but Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon was geared towards younger veiwers in Japan and they cut and rearranged a bunch of it over here.

By OUR standards, not JAPAN'S standards.

Everything is permissible for me"-but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me" - but I will not be mastered by anything.
I Corinthians 6:12

Thanks for everything You guys have helped a lot. I showed my mom this web site and she's realizes the truth now. Christianity and Anime can survive together as long as you realize God is #1 and always will be.
God Bless

Yay! Glad to hear it!

Omedetoo gozaimasu yo!

Nice! I love it when things work out.

I just HATE when this comes up. Its pathitic. I mean, there are already TOO MANY obsessed religious people. Don't go to the EXTREAM guys.. ahhg. :starts smashing monitor: I HATE IT!!! AHHG! :takes pills: Sorry about that. ^^;;;

What if God WANTS us to be radical and extreme? The apostles themselves were "obsessed religious people", you know ^^ And not to mention the countless times Jesus praises those that abandon everything to follow Him. Just a thought ^^

And choosing between anime (which you might lose interest in a decade or so) and God (who is you are forever bound to by His sacrifce) sounds like a no-brainer to me.

God is alway #1 even more than your soul mate and yourself, let alone anime. Then of course, each of us come to this at different levels and time. I'm not as avid a fan I was but I still watch a couple that I like, but slowly He IS becoming the focus little by little.

Him first always, everything else second to none ^^

And that's exactly the attitude that we should have. As a long time anime fan, I understand what it's like to have your parents, or other older Christians frown upon it. They're not trying to hurt you - just the opposite actually. Yeah, some people do go to amazing extremes, and I'm not saying it's the right thing for them to do, but it's usually backed with the right intention. People that talk to me a lot hear this often (I've even been called Pollyanna before), but you have to look at the good in situations like this.

For instance, we'll take the scenario of a mother questioning anime at every given moment. Yeah, it gets old and annoying really quick, but the big issue is that she cares about you, and you're spiritual walk. She's accountable to God as to how she raises you, so of course she's going to be seemingly overprotective at times. So, while she's hounding you about what you're watching, the underlying fact is that she loves you and is watching out for you. If you remember that when you're getting "chewed out", and if you have a mature enough thought process, it's amazing how calm and smooth the conversation will go. I'm not saying that every argument that you'll have with your parents is going to be a bowl of cherries - but when you're inwardly wishing that they'd be more understanding, you should give it a try yourself.

So how's that for going off topic?

Gypsy wrote:And that's exactly the attitude that we should have. As a long time anime fan, I understand what it's like to have your parents, or other older Christians frown upon it. They're not trying to hurt you - just the opposite actually. Yeah, some people do go to amazing extremes, and I'm not saying it's the right thing for them to do, but it's usually backed with the right intention. People that talk to me a lot hear this often (I've even been called Pollyanna before), but you have to look at the good in situations like this.

For instance, we'll take the scenario of a mother questioning anime at every given moment. Yeah, it gets old and annoying really quick, but the big issue is that she cares about you, and you're spiritual walk. She's accountable to God as to how she raises you, so of course she's going to be seemingly overprotective at times. So, while she's hounding you about what you're watching, the underlying fact is that she loves you and is watching out for you. If you remember that when you're getting "chewed out", and if you have a mature enough thought process, it's amazing how calm and smooth the conversation will go. I'm not saying that every argument that you'll have with your parents is going to be a bowl of cherries - but when you're inwardly wishing that they'd be more understanding, you should give it a try yourself.

So how's that for going off topic?

If anyone said that in PERSON to me, I would kill them on the spot. I am religious and all but not obsessed.

Um, said *which thing* in person to you?

You're pretty violent, dude.

Then comes the question:

If Jesus said it to you in person, would you kill Him on the spot? ^^

Kenchii or whomever hacked Kenchii's account: calm down. PLEASE.

Psycho Ann wrote:If Jesus said it to you in person, would you kill Him on the spot? ^^

Many years ago, around 34 AD, people did just that. Different issue, perhaps, but the same theme behind it. I know this isn't news to you, but people like a Jesus who doesn't interfere with their personal lives. It's when he starts asking us to change that we crucify him.

Revelation 3:16
So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Strange...in at least 2 books of the Bible now 3:16 is one of the most important passages.

Anyway, think of it this way: When you're "hot," you are on fire for God and are filles with the Holy Spirit.
When you're "cold," you're against God.
When you're lukewarm, you're in between. Undecided, "religious," "non-Jesus freak," hypocritical, "Christianity? *shrug*"

So personally, I'd stay on the safe side and risk being a little "obsessed."

But it's really your choice.

inkhana wrote:[color=darkgreen]Please do not mention that sort of thing anymore, Kenchii. Even if you are simply joking.

Oh, Kenzo, I totally agree with you. The only thing in all eternity that it's good to be a little obsessed over...]

I was kidden...

Everyone has diffrent opinions.