Drowning in anime/manga

[Kaede]

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ--

I'm not sure of what to say... but I feel that it needs to be addressed. I ran into CAA about a year ago via a Christian entertainment review website, but I forgot about it and haven't really been back since. However, for some reason a CAA link came up via a google search today, so somehow I restumbled onto this site and decided to create a new username to post on the forums.

So here's the problem.

Have you guys ever heard about the otaku stigma in Japan? Otaku are basically fanatics. Most commonly the term refers to anime, manga, or videogame fans, but it's possible to be, say, a fishing otaku. To be an otaku is to be extremely "into" something to the point that it's kinda..well.. it's idolatrous :x

I'm having some difficulties because I think that I'm living vicariously through the anime/manga/game characters. I find myself identifying with, say, Akito in the Fruits Basket manga or Lain Iwakura from Serial Experiments Lain. It's really bad. I feel like I understand them so well and thinking about their struggles brings a sense of comfort in my own life. What makes it even worse is that I find their stories more comforting and easier to relate to than the stories in the Bible.. I know that it's wrong. I should be thinking about how much Jesus suffered, and theologically I know that he knew what it was to be both fully man and fully God. He understands everything that I go through..yet, i still feel distant from him.

I try to go to websites like Focus on the Family's ,Brio for practical spiritual nourishment. Bringing the whole "bearded, carpenter Jesus + fishing disciplines + bloody cross" imagery down to more day-to-day, identifiable terms. However, it all just feels so.. sterile and superficial. It feels like whenever I've gone to church lately, or read "Christian" literature, that everything is so.. hrm... like a plastic smile. It reminds me of those little notecards with a Bible verse over some rainbow or sunrise. So... kitsch. It's either that, or this extremely hard doctrine with talk of rigid obedience because He is of supreme magnificence/holiness, and who are we as his mere creations to do anything but bow in awe.

I know that I should be feeling the utmost awe and continual thankfulness. But... i don't... everything feels so cold and hollow. God is feeling so impersonal right now. The theology rooted somewhere in the depths of my mind tells me that he isn't going away, but I've been going through a desert phase for what seems like nearly 1.5 years.

It's bad. I feel that like, anime/manga calls resonates with the deepest pains in my heart, but God is acting like some sort of bandaid quickly slapped on the surface.

It shouldn't be this way. It's wrong. So I've decided to stop reading/watching manga/anime. I want to read Christian literature, like.. the Bible (duh) and maybe things like The Chronicles of Narnia. I want to be "fed" by these things because that's what the logical part of me says is right. However, it just makes me feel.. it's bad, but when I read scripture it feels like reading a textbook assignment or something. It pisses me off and I don't really like it, and it doesn't feel deep... when people post things about how God's word is like a fresh spring of water or a lush field, it just doesn't feel that way to me... it feels like I'm reading a dry, harsh encyclopedia article, or something.

Please.. although I don't know you guys, I feel that out of all the people out there, you guys might have the clearest insight as to this type of struggle. I was starting to feel like there wasn't anyone who I could turn to who would possibly understand. I don't really know what to ask you guys to pray for, but thanks

[Roy Mustang]

Frist I like to say, welcome to the board and if you need to talk to anyone, you can pm me anytime.


Now about your problem. I think maybe God was showing you a way to get help by coming here, since you found the link again.

I don't want to say that you should cut ties with all anime or manga, but maybe you need to slow down a little bit and watch and read less and try to read another things other then manga.

There is nothing wrong with liking something a lot, but you can't let it take over your life.


Sorry, if I'm not a lot help on the matter, but I will be praying for you.


Wingzero22

[paradigm_shift]

Things such as anime\manga should and always be viewed in moderation and that any form of entertainment or fiction should be put second to living our lives with God. With that said, I would object to completely avoiding anime and manga. To put it in another perspective, God gave us the gift of creativity and that when we experience anything fiction, we are enjoying His gifts (for His own creativity had made us and the universe). But it is all up to the person to carefully apply the meanings of what he\she takes in with fiction and not let it ruin their relationship with God.

I've been through a couple of spikes during my own fandom and I certainly understand what you're going through. I will most definately be praying for you.

[Nate]

I really can't say much beyond what has already been said. ^^;; Suffice to say, I will be praying for you.

[Syreth]

I'll be praying for you. I've struggled with things like this before, being too consumed by things that don't really have any weight in life. I don't know you, so the best I can say is perhaps change the way you read the Bible and the way you relate to God. God's word is living and powerful, and it is that spring of life that you've heard others talk about. I noticed that you used the word "feeling," in your request quite a bit and even if you might think this is a "duh" statement, I think it's important to be reminded of: truth doesn't change with feeling. Feelings can be good, but shouldn't be the basis for fulfillment in life. The promises of God are true and they never change. Satisfy your soul through the immutable promise that you will be with God forever and He will take your spiritual dryness and exchange it for 'all things new,' trading His beauty for your ashes. Although through fleshly eyes we may sometimes fall sway to the lie that God's word can get old, that promise at the end of the Revelation guarantees an everlasting freshness and fulfillment. Welcome to CAA, by the way.

[I]Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.â€

[K. Ayato]

I agree with what's been said above. Cutting out all anime and manga completely may be what's necessary in your case, but I wouldn't recommend going cold turkey yet. First, start off by limiting your usage of those materials, and then, if it's still hindering your walk with the Lord, then maybe it's best to remove them from your life.

Take care. You can do it. We're here to help if you need it.

[Sakura15]

I know EXACTLY what you mean, and how you feel.

I just want it to stop, I continue to go back to God and apologize for not spending more time with Him, and letting manga and anime become more important. But, nothing changes! I keep doing it! it's so hard. I feel like I have to cut myself off from manga completely!

But, I dont want to make this about me. I'm praying for you. I didn't think it happend to anyone else.

[Kaede]

You guys are pretty wise. I'm digesting what was said and it makes a lot of sense. Being prodded back toward the right direction by others is surely a blessed thing. I had kinda forgotten about some of those things (especially the feeling vs. unchanging truth stuff). Thanks for praying.

Okies, that is all ^_^/"

[Syreth]

Praise the Lord. I'm glad that we were able to point you where you need to go. I will continue to pray. God bless your desire to be changed by Him for the better.