What Should be the Christian View of Anime?

We will learn what Anime is and see what a Christian should consider before watching anime movies? We will also learn a little bit of Shintoism religion and hentai (the craze of internet pornography today).

1. NewEarth

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- FROM “HE WHO MADE THE PLEIADES AND ORION” -

What Should be the

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Christian View of Anime?

NI Oo
Ajo

Ga Altet ti
JUNE - JULY

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2 The term anime-the Japanese word for“animation' generally refers to animation that
‘comes from Japan. Strictly speaking, anime is just another medium used to convey a story or
artistic idea. While the actual rt style in the form of angles and shading, etc, is morally
neutral, there are some more ambiguous points to be addressed regarding anime. The same

goes for anime's printed counterpart, manga
Fo begin with, Japanese culture is very different from Western culture. While Western
culture has istorcally sprung from monotheistic roots and embraced a Christian moral
code, Far Eastern cultures such as exist in Japan lean toward mystical superstition and
polytheism. Specific to Japan is Shintoism *, a religion that deems the Japanese islands and
people divine. According to Shintoism, the Japanese people are direct descendants of the
many gods and spirits (kami) Iving throughout the islands.

‘As Christians we're supposed to duel
on "whatever ru, whatever noble,
hateveri ght, whatever pre,
whatever lovely whatever s

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2 Shrines tothe different gods orspirits are common in Japan, and the themes of Shintoism
are also very common in anime and manga. Some anime thrives onthe topic of religion,
using Japanese culture as a setting for fantasy adventures in whichthe spiritworld and

‘humanity mingle, either pleasantly or unpleasantly. Giventhe mystical foundationof
Eastern culture, anime also tends to employ elements of the gccult such as tarot cards,
incantations, and more. Personal honor and success are also common themes inanime. But
focus on personal honor and personal success can lead to pride, which clouds our need

for God (Psalm 10.4)

*We will dive in slightly deeperlater and learn what Shintoism is about.

12 (a) What is anime and where sk applicable in the modern world? Also how would you
define manga‘ (b) Hows Japanese culture different from the Western culture?

3. How does some anime thrive on the topic of religion?

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Another thing to consider is anime reputation for permeating violence and sexual content.
While notevery anime movies extremely sexual or extremely violent, most examples of
anime do come with varying levels of salacious and/or violent content, ranging from light
Innuendo and slapstick violence tofull-on porn (though thisisits own subcategory, called
hentai) and gore-fests.

"As Christians, we're supposed todwellon” whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever &
‘ight, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever's admirable.” Philippians 4:8)
AAdaïtionally, Colossians 32 says, “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” For
the Christian, guarding what comes and stays in our minds i very important. We are to “take
‘captive every thought to make itobedient to Christ.” @ Corinthians 105)

Some Christians however, might decide that
Something vith so many ludlardminesis
‘not wort the time required to navigate
‘fel. Or they've been convited against
acing themselves in positon: to be
‘exposed to something that could hurt their
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‘While there can be alotof questionable things in anime, there are strong Christians who
enjoy the medium. They appreciate the style, the futuristic settings, and the imaginative
storytellingin anime. And they might see and be encouraged by some biblically approved
themes present in anime such as self-sacrifice, kindness, loyalty, endurance, and courage
"Other Christians, however, might decide that something with so many lurid landmines & not.
worth the time required to navigate & safely. Ortheyve beenconvicted against placing,
themselvesin postions to be exposed to something that could hurt thelr spireual walk

le wl look at what hentai’ slater.

45. (a) What content does most anime come with?
(b) What are we supposed to dwellon as Christians?

67. (a) Why do some Christians view anime?
(0) Why do other Christians prefer not to view it?

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“What should be the Christian view of anime? Carefully. What might be beneficial for one
person could be devastating for another person (Romans 14; 1 Corinthians 1024-29). Be
aware of what the Holy Spirit might be saying If He's saying to stay away, then stay away (1
‘Thessalonians 6:19; Ephesians 430). But f you have no conviction against anime, and youve
‘thoroughly searched your heart and motives, then approach with cautionand bearin mind
that you are called to, “whether... youeat or drinkor whatever you do, do alto the glory of
God” Corinthians 10:31

8. What should we consider before deciding whether to view anime or not?

WHAT 15 SHINTOISM?

* Shintoism isa purely Japanese religion, the origins of which are buried in the hazy mists of
ancient Japanese history. Itis one of the worlds oldest religions. The Japanese people have
aflerce love for theirland and believe that the Japanese islands were the very first divine
creation. In fact, Shintoism teaches that no other land is divine, making Japan nique inthe
world. Not surprisingly, Shintoism isnot popular outside of Japan,

2 The two fundamental Shinto doctrines arethat Japan isthe
‘country ofthe gods and her people ae the descendants of
12085 This concept ofthe divine descent of the Japanese
peopl, as wellas the divine origin ofthe land, has given rise
toa conviction of superiorty over other countries and
peoples. With the exception of afew designated sects of
‘Shinto, the religion has no Founder, no sacred wrtings, and no
authortativeset of belies: Worship takes placeat one of the
numerous shrines inthe country of Japan although many
Japanese have atars in their home to one or more ofthe lar

‘numberof deities.

“The word into comes from the Chinese word Shen ta0,
which means “the way ofthe gods.” A major feature of Shinto
isthe nation of lam, the concept of sacred poner in both
‘animate and inanimate objects There sin Shinto a powerful
sense ofthe presence of gods and spirits in nature. The gods.
‘of Shinto are too numerous to be grouped into a hierarchy,
but the sun goddess Amaterasu Is highly revered, and her
grand imperial temple is located 200 miles southwest of
Tolyo.Shinto teaches thatthe Japanese people are

themselves descended from the kami ‘Ther isinsintoa ponetl eect te
preenceolgesandapcsin nature aw

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9210 How do the Japanese people view theirland. How & that related to the religion of Shinto?

11. Whatis the concept of kami and how sit contrary tothe Bible?

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3. 2 The religion of Shinto is entirely Incompatible with biblical Christianity. First, the idea that
the Japanese people and their land are favored above all others contradicts the Bible's
teaching that the Jews are the chosen people of God: "For you are a people holy to the LORD
your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of al the peoples onthe face of the earth
to be his people, histreasured possession” (Deuteronomy 78). However, though the Jews
are God's chosen people, they have never been designated as better than any other people,
‘and the Bible does not teach that they were directly descended from gods
* Second, the Bibles clear that there are not many gods, but one God: “lam the LORD, and
there is no other apart from me there is no God” (salah 455). The Bible also teaches that
¡God's notan impersonal force buta loving and caring Father to those who fear Him (2
Corinthians 617-18) He alone created the universe, and He alone reigns sovereignly over it.
The idea of gods that inhabit rocks, trees, and animals combines two different falsehoods:
polytheism (the belief in many gods) and animism (the belief that gods are present in
objects} These are lies fromthe father of les, Satan, who “prowls around lke roaring lion
looking for someone to devour” ( Peter 58)

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12:13. Inwhat two ways does the religion of Shinto explicitly contradict the Bible?

14. (a) What traitdoes Shintoism foster in the Japanese people and why does God hate it?
(6) Why do we all need a savior?

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15. Howdo people who practice Shinto make themselves worthy of the presence of God?
How does that differ from the Christian faith?

* Itseems that the latest craze in internet pornography is hental, which is Japanese for
“perversion.” lts cartoon-based pornography based primarily on “anime,” which isa popular
form of Japanese animation. The terms "manga" and "doujin" are oftenclosely connected to.
“anime” Some attempt to justify viewing hentai using the excuse that itis not “real people,”
and/or it does not involve real people doing immoral things. The arguments go further to
state that the Bible never condemns "art" as being sinful After all, dont some famous pieces
of art include nudity and/or graphic images?
So, what would the Bible have to say about hentai? The three primary divisions of si,
‘according to1 John2.16, are the lust ofthe flesh, the ust of the eyes, and the pride of Be.
Pornography, whether cartoon-based or not, definitely causes us to lustafter flesh, and its
undeniably a lust for our eyes. Clearly, hentai forms of anime / manga / doujin do not qualify
as whatthe Bible says we should think about: “Finally, brothers and sister, whatever is true,
whatever isnoble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever 5
‘admirable -if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things” (Philippians.
48)

*Hentaiis not rue, is not noble, itis not righ, its not pure, it isnot lovely, i isnot
admirable. Henta is neither excellent nor praiseworthy. Just Ike ll other forms of
pornography, hentai is addictive (1 Corinthians 6.12:2 Peter 219), destructive (Proverbs

Ezehiel20:30; Ephesians 419), and leads toever-increasing wickedness (Romans

19). Lusting after other people (uhether realor imaginary) & offensive to God (Matthew
528). Continual viewing of hentai pornography demonstrates that a personis stil living
camally and may not have yet experienced the saving grace of God (see 1 Corinthians 6:9)

16 What is hentai? What excuse do people who get engaged int attempt to give?

17. How do the hentai forms of anime cause one to commit the three primary divisions of

18. What are some ofthe dangers of viewing hentai?

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Gor Questions MivistRies

JOE MURAGURI
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