Help, please!

[Jaela]

I may or may not be returning here after today.

Some of you may remember a post I made awhile ago, asking if anime was "bad". Well, after reading our information our(my friend's and mine) pastor decided that yes, anime was "bad" and "evil". My best friend follows everything he says, so she agreed and told me I should too, that it was the right thing and if I did not give up anime, then we could not be best friends anymore. I don't necessarily agree that ALL anime is evil, but it's not worth loosing my best friend over.

Please help me, someone. I'm doing the right thing... right?!

-Jaela

[inkhana]

I don't know what information your pastor was reading, but his decision is based in ignorance. His broad-brush assumptions are probably based on the fact that when many westerners consider anime, they only see the bad (ie, hentai)and not the good. Also, your friend needs to consider your convictions instead of allowing this to be a wedge between you. Does your pastor consider all movies to be bad also, because of the large amount of American movies with bad content? If not, then he has a double standard.

Heh...rant mode off...^^;; I should answer the question. If God tells you not to watch, don't watch. But don't ever take someone's word over what He tells your heart.

[Jaela]

Well, here's one problem I'm facing. Obviously I don't want to loose my best friend, but...

I had prayed to God and asked him to send me a sign, considering tho whole anime issue. I recieved a sign earlier that I've decided not to discuss, that basically seemed to be that sign, like God giving me the go-ahead. But then, Sam(best friend) came to me telling me what Pastor John had said, and pleading with me to give it up, saying it was evil. Now this could have been the sign too. Which one is the right sign to follow?

[inkhana]

Difficult to say. I will say this - anime is not evil in and of itself. Certain SHOWS may be evil in content, but the style itself is not. If that were the case, I'd better give up working on my manga right now. And there's no one on the face of the earth who can convince me that what I'm doing is wrong morally. I would go with the first sign, myself.

What you may want to do is do some study and educate yourself on the cleaner anime titles out there, so you can prove that it's NOT evil when you're asked. There are a lot of members here who can help you with that.

[ShiroiHikari]

I just want to state my agreement with what Ink said. American movies are often just as "bad" as anime.

As for your friend...she should respect your views, if she's a real friend.

But yeah, like Ink said, it's between you and God (and your parents too since you're still young).

[Jaela]

Okay, thank you... and I know I'm burdening you with all these questions, but...

I have a manga, too... Sam says it's okay for me to continue it, because the style is not evil for me to use, being a Daughter of Christ, as well as an innocent kid. But she says that the anime/manga style is evil in the same way as ouigi boards, or tarrot cards, because it is a tool that has been used by the devil. she allows me to continue drawing my manga, as long as i don't call it a manga and instead call it "graphic novel"... She won't even read Christian manga, because again she says nit's a tool that the devil has used and she doesn't want to be "caught up in it".

[inkhana]

It's no burden at all...^^ It's my pleasure.

Tell me, does your friend EVER watch TV? Movies? Listen to the radio? All of these mediums have been used as tools of the devil. ALL OF THEM. And graphic novel...manga IS a graphic novel. If she chooses not to read, then fine. She doesn't have to; that's her conviction. But she should NOT be forcing her convictions on those who do not believe that these things are evil, especially when she has no proof that they are except second-hand knowledge from a pastor who's ignorant of the facts.

I'll refer you to Romans 14. Have your friend pay particular attention to verses 3 and 4.

Romans 14
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations.
2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him.
4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.
5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
6 He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself.
8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.
9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.
10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

[Kinkosami]

[cbwing0]

I think you should definitely talk to your pastor about this. Specifically, ask him if everything that can potentially be put to an evil purpose is inherently evil and something that should be avoided.

If he says yes, then you may wish to point out the following:

A razor can be used to slit one's wrists, but does that mean that you shouldn't shave? A car could be used to murder someone, so should we not drive? A television can be used for viewing violent and pornographic material, so should we also throw out the History channel and CBN (Christian Broadcasting Network), with it?

If that is not enough, consider the following example:

"Then the devil took him [Jesus] to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. 'If you are the Son of God,' he said, 'throw yourself down. For it is written: He will command his angels concerning you, and they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.' Jesus answered him, 'It is also written: Do not put the Lord your God to the test" (Matthew 4:5-7).

In this famous passage, the devil quotes scripture to Jesus in an attempt to pursuade him to disobey God. Does that mean that we should never read our Bibles, or believe what is written in the Word of God? Certainly not. In the same way, the fact that there are some "bad" animes does not mean that you should avoid the style and genre altogether.

If he says no, then ask him why he would make the mistake of thinking that all anime (even the style) is evil, due to the objectionable content of a few titles.

And, if your pastor still does not see the truth, I would seriously consider finding another church, because he is clearly in error.

[One and Only]

sounds like your friend sis one of those people who would burn harry potter (i dont read it but i dont yell at people who do), how can your friend think anime is evil but not manga... they go hand in hand (kinda) has your friend seen anime! or just been to a hentai site by accident (has happened many time to me.... makes me mad!)

[Jaela]

Thank you, Sam has to see that! But then I'm not sure if she'll understand anyway... because here's the other thing.
She thinks by leading me away from anime, she's "saving" me, and assuring that I get to heaven. She thinks she's doing me a favor, and is very sweet about it really.
She does watch TV, listen to music, etc... and she doesn't understand the "medium, not genre" thing I keep telling her, not exactly.
She keeps using the "poop theory" against me... let me explain.
The "poop theory" suggests that if someone cooked even just a little bit of poop into a batch of brownies, you would not eat them.... even though normally brownies are good, they are entirely contaminated by the little bit of bad.
I tell her that this would apply to all books, movies, and Tv as well if they apply to anime, she says no, because they are wider genres. I tell her that I'd just go get some brownies WITHOUT any poop, from someone else, she doesn't quite buy that.
I tell her I'm allergic to brownies anyway, she says that's beside the point.
Um... help?

[Jaela]

Okay, heres the other thing... sam is kinda of hypocritical I think? Because she LOVES Harry Potter. And she's seen GOOD, Christian anime... she just follows Pastor John's every word... even though he's like, and awful pastor(which I'm afraid to tell her I think that), like he calls homosexuals the f blank g word, if you know what i mean, like it's no big deal.

[inkhana]

I think you and your friend need a new church, if your pastor has that attitude. It sounds like he's twisting your friend into a nice little hypocrite. I could not respect a man like that and you should be able to respect your pastor.

[cbwing0]

In response to the "poop theory," I would direct you to Matthew 15:1-20. I'll quote the most relevant part:

"Jesus called the crowd to him and said, 'Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him 'unclean,' but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him 'unclean' (vss.10-11)

"Don't you see that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and then out of the body? But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man 'unclean.' For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man 'unclean;' but eating with unwashed hands does not make him 'unclean" (vss.17-20).

From these passages, we can clearly see that it is not what we put into our bodies, but that which comes out of our hearts that must concern us. Therefore, the "poop theory" misses the point. If anime is causing you to sin, then you should stop. If it is not, then you are free to continue; furthermore, it is not your friend's place to pass judgment upon you in this matter.

[Jaela]

Yeah, I totally agree! That's exactly how I feel. But she thinks Pastor John is a saint or something! How can she not see how awful he is??

[One and Only]

sounds like sam might be the christian straying from the path (with the pator john thing... sounds like she is... umm... almost worshipping him instead of God) tell her that she has a stupid theory (sorry but i'm am not known for being the kindest person) and that if she does not want to be friends with you because you watch anime, then say fine... she may not be a good friend if that is her reason. or if you dont want to go that far... ask her why Harry Potter is not a big deal... it has magic in it!!! thats just my take

[Jaela]

Wow, I have alot to talk to her about now. But um... problem. She already made me sign this contract, saying I's give up anime. I did it reluctantly, one morning when I was too tired to think straight. Watching anime again would sort of be going behind her back.

G2g, I'll be back in 5 min(library computers allow 1 hour sessions, with five minutes between sessions)

[ShiroiHikari]

Okay...if your pastor calls homosexuals by derogatory terms like that, I personally wouldn't trust much of anything he says.

Also...to your friend,

Matthew 7:1-5 (NIV) "1 Do not judge, for you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

[One and Only]

ok, forget the dumb "contract"... for some reason this girl is amking me mad... course if it was a guy i would just hit him have her watch one anime show with you.... tell her to point out what is "evil". and tell her thx cause now i have to buy more rounds of ammo to go hunting with (i shoot when i get angry)

[Jaela]

Please don't judge Sam the wrong way. She's really a nice girl, she is just under the false(in my opinion) belief that she is doing the right Christian thing... my hope is that she'll come to her senses eventually.
Thank the lord that atleast I don't have to go to that church anymore, because I told my mom that Pastor John was referring to gay people in that way, and she says she doesn't want me going to a church where the pastor is allowed to blatantly curse like that.
But how to convince Sam, who already thinks everything he says is automatically correct?

[ShiroiHikari]

Well, there may not be a way to convince her. If she won't listen, then she may have to find out for herself.

(Sorry if I sound harsh...)

[One and Only]

hmm not sure how to do somethin like that... ask her question that... dang... i used to know how to do this... oh yeah! have her show you in the bible someplace that supports her side of the story. not something like "the Lord said, "anime is bad!" but soemt hing like that... u could use that verse from, mathew i think it was, that cbwing0 quoted. hope this helps

[Jaela]

"the Lord said, "anime is bad!"
lol! I'm sorry, that stikes me as hilarious.

[One and Only]

your friend still made me shoot 50 rounds that could have been saved for later *grumbl grumble*

[Sam*ron]

I didn't mean to post here, my computer made me do it!!! *points at computer* ^_^;

[Azier the Swordsman]

There is no excuse for a pastor to refer to a homosexual with such a word;

Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.

Collosians 3:8
But now you must rid yourselves from all things such as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

There are many passages in the Bible relating to loving sinners, and reaching out to help them. (While not getting yourself caught up in their sin as well)

Your pastor is clearly in error if he uses such filthy language the Bible clearly says to get rid of, and directs hate toward the homosexuals, who need Christ's love. This is not a man that anyone should be following. Such a man can cause your friend to backslide away from God. I say this with full confidence because I HAVE seen it happen.

Second, if you feel that God is giving you the go ahead to watch anime, then He is the final authority. You do not have to listen and follow the opinions of other people, since by human nature no one is perfect and every last human being is flawed. No one's perfect. You are not required to only follow what everyone else says.

There is good anime out there, I highly encourage seeking it out and enjoying it to your heart's content. God has nothing against having things as long as they don't have us. God wants us to have enjoyment in life, and you have every right to enjoy watching a good anime series. But don't let anyone else drag you down because of what you enjoy.

[Zarn Ishtare]

Grr....Narrow minded Zealot that I am, I cannot stand these foolish hypocrites...GAH! If your friend is such a hypocrite, than make her explain why Harry Potter is good. and also, what denomination is this Pastor of yours? He sounds like a pentecostal gone bad (I'm pentecostal, so no flames please) with a good dose of Pharisee. Gah, we've become the ones we've hated, and now we have false prophets teaching doctrines of Demons...Grr...calming down now, calming down...These people here have all given awesome answers, but I'd PM Old Philospher even still...him and Shoorajin, and Rev. Doc could run circles around your pastor friends demented theology.

[ShiroiHikari]

Okay, let's not trash other denominations here.

[Zarn Ishtare]

Edit: Rudeness to a mod.

Anyway...I am a pentecostal, so I'm talking about my own denomination, shirioi.

[Mave]

I have no feasible solution for you. However, I will pray for your situation.