A request for guidance... concerning anime.

[Nightshade X]

My mom and I had a conversation a while back about things, and the subject came very briefly to anime. To keep things brief, my mom considers all anime to be demonic in nature... which makes it very difficult to bear, considering how I like anime and all.

Wouldn't be here as often if I didn't.

Now, I've been very careful about what I watch. However... I can't get what she said out of my mind. It makes me think that I haven't been careful enough... and, by extension, nothing that I like is good or fit for me. I don't like that feeling at all, since what I like is a part of who I am.

Let me make this explicitly clear: I don't want to care about being right.

I'm not making this request for validation that my viewpoint is correct and my mom's is wrong. I'm absolutely not seeking to be told that it's not that big of a deal that I like anime and it's not her life or whatever.

All I want is to be shown the right path... what GOD wants, not me. That is my only request.

[EricTheFred]

I'm floundering a bit here, but I suspect I understand what's going on.

My father is of the opinion that "all anime" is effectively soft porn. He has presumably come by this opinion based on the very few examples that he has seen, and obviously... what he has seen was intended for an older audience.

There most certainly is anime that I would consider corrupt, and a corrupting influence. Some of it we recognize as "Hentai", but some 'milder' things slip by into mainstream. This may be the 'demonic' nature she means. Or, she may have encountered something more direct, like stories that have "demons" (not meaning Christian demons, but creatures of Asian mythology) as good guys (example: Inu-Yasha). Or, stories which are unkind to the Christian clergy, or are set within one of the Asian belief systems, which may seem to her as an effort to spread those religions.

Or, it could be something more obsure, like one of my younger relative's interpretations of the large number of dragon stories out there, not only in anime but in TV, movies and literature. She sees this as the Devil's influence, because the primary mention in the Bible concerning dragons is the characterization of the Devil as a dragon (Revelation). She sees in this a conspiracy to make people think of dragons, and by extension the Devil himself, as good.

Whatever it is, you need to recognize that there is a source for your mother's belief, regardless of whether you agree with it. You also need to realize that, as an adult, you do have a responsibility not only to respect your parents (which I'm sure is part of your concern) but also to use your own head, and pray for guidance on your own.

If you've seen as much anime as I, then you should know by now that it covers as wide a territory as "television" or "the movies". Plenty of people lump these entire categories into a single "evil" category as well, but if you accept this, you have to recognize that's what you are doing.

For my own part, I can't see characterizing only anime as "demonic" unless you plan to lump in American and European animation, and Live-action TV and movies as well. I can't really see how it is any different from the rest. In fact, I tend to see less overall immorality in the anime series that I watch than in the typical fare on TV and in movies, which is a large part of what attracts me to anime.

[Cognitive Gear]

I'll be praying that you receive guidance. Continue to seek it, and God is sure to answer you, one way or another.

[Doubleshadow]

Praying for the situation.

[Blitzkrieg1701]

I think Eric put it pretty well. Any argument someone can make concerning the "evilness" of anime is just as valid when directed at any other art form. It's just that, since anime is less familiar to a great many people, it's not as easy for them to look away from the bad stuff as it is with homegrown media.

But I think the attitude you've got regarding this issue is already the answer: when looking at any anime (or anything else) ask God what His will for you concerning it is. Continually seeking that is much better than having one official answer on whether or not anime is permissible.

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.
1 Corinthians 10:23

That could be what's bothering you about this: not that you are watching something you shouldn't, but that your criteria for judging these things isn't what it ought to be. I know that's something I struggle with constantly, at least. In any case, I'm praying that God will give you peace on the issue.

[LadyRushia]

I went through a very difficult trial in China and part of the issue was the subject of anime and whether or not it's "evil." I read articles online and they hurt. I didn't want fellow believers looking down on me because of my interest, but God has directed me and He has made clear what He wants me to do. Ask Him, and He will give you the answers you need. You never know; He may want to use you in the anime world somehow.

[SnEptUne]

Simple. Don't watch "evil" anime. :p

My mom and sister doesn't like anime either, probably because of how Japanese tends to protrait woman as a object (they call it "moe"). But that is only "tends to", there are still many Christian-like anime out there.

[Fish and Chips]

Actually, I'd subscribe reading Romans 14. For both of you.

[Etoh*the*Greato]

FaC: Augh! I've been looking for that verse since I saw this post the first night. I need to have it checked in like every Bible I own because I end up needing it at least once every three months.
That said, guys, I totally agree with the above post.

[SnEptUne]

There are electric bible, such as sword. But anyway, I don't see how Roman 14 relates to whether he should watch anime or not.

[Momo-P]

There are electric bible, such as sword. But anyway, I don't see how Roman 14 relates to whether he should watch anime or not.

I think they were relating it to how his mom is telling him all these things. If you read Romans 14 and then think about what his mom is doing to him, it connects very well.

[termyt]

It's a tough row to hoe. There are negative aspects of anime that do rise to a level where some believers should refrain from the whole of anime for their own sakes.

Fandom of a particular entertainment medium is certainly not worth denying God's will for you.

Of course, condemning an entire medium because some people use it improperly is bit on the extreme side as well.

I pray you find the balance you need.

[Kaligraphic]

If your mother believes anime to be evil, don't bring it around her. If your conscience is clean regarding anime, then there's no problem for you to watch it yourself, but for your mother's sake, you should hold back, at least in those realms which intersect with her life. If you live with your mother, that may mean giving up anime completely for a time, or it may not. You'll have to pray about the nature of the application of that.

The question really isn't one of whether a particular medium is good or evil, but of how love would deal with your mother. Pray for greater wisdom and greater love toward her, and the direction will become clearer in your heart.

[SnEptUne]

Fandom of a particular entertainment medium is certainly not worth denying God's will for you.

How is being a fan of a medium or literature denying God's will? Sometimes, I found fan fictions to be in rather better quality and more in depth than the original work, but it IS time consuming to write one myself.

If your mother believes anime to be evil, don't bring it around her. If your conscience is clean regarding anime, then there's no problem for you to watch it yourself, but for your mother's sake, you should hold back, at least in those realms which intersect with her life. If you live with your mother, that may mean giving up anime completely for a time, or it may not. You'll have to pray about the nature of the application of that.

I don't think watching behind your mom's back is a great idea. It would be better to convince her her to trust that you will have sufficient ability to judge for yourself good animes from bad ones.

[Nightshade X]

I'd like to take the opportunity to say thank you to all of you for supporting me in this exercise. My thinking is a little clearer now, but I'm sure that my dealings with this issue are not over.

The situation did prompt me to go through my DVDs and seek out what I know for sure is not right for me to watch. That part's done, so let's just say... I'm taking a step in some sort of direction? But, please... for the sake of civility, let's not make a debate of such things. There are more important things for we Christians to fight for.

[LadyRushia]

Right, it's all about strong faith. If you can prove to your mother that you know what is true, then she might not have as much of a problem with it. Maybe you can show her a series that doesn't involve anything she considers evil so she can see that not all anime is bad. At least try to reach some sort of understanding, and remember Romans 14 like Fish said.

[ADXC]

Yes, I would agree that reading Romans 14 should help.

Basically its a really good chapter, the first few verses state that if your weak in the faith then you'll only eat vegetables, but if your strong in the faith you will believe that you may eat of all things. What this means is new christians in the faith have no business doing things that won't further their walk with the Lord, but for a person who is strong in the faith then he may be able to watch something very inappropriate(Accidentally sometimes) and still have his faith intact knowing whats right and whats not. These are just the first few verses, and through thorough study you can see the message the Lord is telling you.

[AsianBlossom]

Nightshade, I can totally understand what you're going through. I've had several likes that my mom disagrees with, and I felt that just because she didn't like them or criticized them that what I liked was bad, even if it wasn't.

Anyways, I'll keep you in my prayers. When it all comes down to your likes and dislikes, it's between you and God. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself: "Will this help or hinder my relationship with God?" Naturally, try to eliminate the harmful stuff, and keep the beneficial things. With the neutral things that neither help nor hurt, it could go either way. You can also ask yourself: "Would God be okay with me liking this?"

How is being a fan of a medium or literature denying God's will? Sometimes, I found fan fictions to be in rather better quality and more in depth than the original work, but it IS time consuming to write one myself.

You're telling me. I haven't even finished many of the fanfics I've started, although those who have read it said I've captured the characters, at least. But anyways...