Need some Christian views on these anime

[Arnobius]

I know that many events from Genesis are popular topics for anime, like the flood, the Tower of Babel, and other such events. They most likely view them as a sort of mythology.

I think that is a good point. Among others, Nadia: Secret of Blue Water made use of the Tower of Babel, Spiggan made use of Noah's Ark. Neon Genesis Evangelion made use of an obscure Jewish legend (which from what Jewish friends have told me is NOT a part of mainstream Jewish belief), the fact that the Dead Sea Scroolls were not yet public and twisted version of angels. I would consider the end result somewhat blasphemous, but I'm sure that from Gainax's perspective, they just put together what they would consider exotic myths.

It is my understanding that the Japanese use Western religion similarly to how Hollywood borrows from Eastern religions: To make some sort of group or ritual that seems mysterious and exotic.

[Arnobius]

Unless I made a typo, you read wrong. I said Ninja Scroll is one I NEVER WANT TO TRY due to the content.

It *WAS* awful (Sexually explicit, extreme graphic violence, with no talent in the plot to redeem any of it). (The movie anyway. Haven't seen the TV series).

I think the anti-Christian one was Ninja Resurection though, where, IIRC Christianity was turned into a demon worshipping group.

Maybe that's why I like to stick to comedies: Less likely to run into the worst stuff, though I also find that no matter what you watch, you need to be careful, since you never know when a seemingly harmless series might suddenly throw in something that is incompatible with Christian values.

[Rocketshipper]

I would consider the end result somewhat blasphemous, but I'm sure that from Gainax's perspective, they just put together what they would consider exotic myths.

I'd heard Gainax just used all the religious names and imagery in Evangelion because they sounded cool and made the series more mysterious than it really was. Kind of puts a damper on all the endless debates over the hidden meanings of the show, doesn't it

[Ichigo_89]

It *WAS* awful (Sexually explicit, extreme graphic violence, with no talent in the plot to redeem any of it). (The movie anyway. Haven't seen the TV series).

I think the anti-Christian one was Ninja Resurection though, where, IIRC Christianity was turned into a demon worshipping group.

Maybe that's why I like to stick to comedies: Less likely to run into the worst stuff, though I also find that no matter what you watch, you need to be careful, since you never know when a seemingly harmless series might suddenly throw in something that is incompatible with Christian values.

Yes, Ninja Resurrection was HORRIBLE! Most likely even worse than Ninja Scrolls over all just because it was so crappy.

[Mangafanatic]

Kind of puts a damper on all the endless debates over the hidden meanings of the show, doesn't it

Well, what definitely would put a damper on that debate on this board it is the fact that "Evangelion" is on the "Do not discuss list". That means that this title (along with several others) has caused so much heated debate that-- to avoid people getting burned-- the moderators decided that it would be best if any conversation concerning this title be confined to PMs. You're new so it makes sense that you didn't know.

[uc pseudonym]

Thank you for saving us the trouble, Mangafanatic.

Now that I think of it, Akira Toriyama's Sandlands also made use of this, where the main character laughed off an attempt to exorcize it because western techniques wouldn't work on a Japanese devil (I only saw one or 2 chapters in Shonen Jump before abandoning it, so what I saw may not be representative of the series as a whole. However, with that series, I thought the representations of demons was a bit repellant for my tastes.)

What you refer to is correct. However, this never comes up again (or anything similarly related to demons of any sort). I would not take this one-shot very seriously in any case.

[Arnobius]

Well, what would put a damper on that debate on this board it is the fact that "Evangelion" is on the "Do not discuss list". That means that this title (along with several others) has caused so much heated debate that-- to avoid people getting burned-- the moderators decided that it would be best if any conversation concerning this title be confined to PMs. You're new so it makes sense that you didn't know.

Where exactly is this "Do Not Discuss" list? I've seen it mentioned, but have not been able to find it. I'd like to avoid breaking rules out of ignorance. (If this would be redundant info for everyone else, you can just PM me with the info).

What are the rules concerning this? I presume that when it is on the list, it means you can't even cite it as an example of certain types of content in anime?

[mechana2015]

http://www.christiananime.net/showthread.php?t=4946 <<< right there AH.

[Mangafanatic]

Where exactly is this "Do Not Discuss" list? I've seen it mentioned, but have not been able to find it. I'd like to avoid breaking rules out of ignorance. (If this would be redundant info for everyone else, you can just PM me with the info).

What are the rules concerning this? I presume that when it is on the list, it means you can't even cite it as an example of certain types of content in anime?

Citing, hmm. I'm not really sure. Maybe one of our mods will step in and give us a firm answer on that one. To mention is in passing might be acceptable ( I think I've done it a few times without swift and sudden retrobution), but some comments are made to induce conversation. The comment just above that statement of mine was serious discussion material, it seemed. But I could be wrong.

[Mangafanatic]

Double posted. So sorry.

[Ashley]

Maybe one of our mods will step in and give us a firm answer on that one.

Hark, my Shepherdess sense tingles.

Anyway, about the DND: the point of it is to keep conversations surrounding those titles down. It's not that the titles listed are not some official "Don't You Dare Watch These Or You'll Go To Hell" list as one common misconception of it is, but instead titles we have seen cause nothing but debate and quibble in the past. So to answer your question, yes you may cite an anime title on the DND if you're making passing reference to it, but don't start any threads on it or carry it into deep conversation.

[Arnobius]

Hark, my Shepherdess sense tingles.

Anyway, about the DND: the point of it is to keep conversations surrounding those titles down. It's not that the titles listed are not some official "Don't You Dare Watch These Or You'll Go To Hell" list as one common misconception of it is, but instead titles we have seen cause nothing but debate and quibble in the past. So to answer your question, yes you may cite an anime title on the DND if you're making passing reference to it, but don't start any threads on it or carry it into deep conversation.

Understood. I'll watch my step. The only one on the list I was familiar with was Eva. Arguing that one isn't something I want to do anyway, so I won't mention them except as reference to a topic at hand

Also think it's good that you do stress that it's not a "forbidden to watch" list, since that might give the wrong impression to some people (notibly the anti-religion ones).

[Arnobius]

No, no, no, no. The "Seven Lucky Gods" are just people with exceptional martial arts abilities. They just call themselves that. It may have something to do with Chinese culture. *Shrugs* I don't know, but they're not "gods."

Based on some Chinese deities, the Ranma versions have martial arts attacks based on the characteristics (for example, Benten was associated with a stringed instrument, so in the movie naturally she'd use wire for an attack). Rumiko Takahashi likes using historic, religious and mythic characters in her stories: another story about them *as* gods in a Rumic World story, where they come to live with a strange family and disrupt things.

Ms. Takahashi tends to be rather irreverent about religious themes.

[Fireproof]

Understood. I'll watch my step. The only one on the list I was familiar with was Eva. Arguing that one isn't something I want to do anyway, so I won't mention them except as reference to a topic at hand

Also think it's good that you do stress that it's not a "forbidden to watch" list, since that might give the wrong impression to some people (notibly the anti-religion ones).

By "anti-religion" do you mean nonreligious, or fervently anti-religious? 'Cause the last anti-religious member we got was a trol,l and was promptly PWND.

[Arnobius]

By "anti-religion" do you mean nonreligious, or fervently anti-religious? 'Cause the last anti-religious member we got was a trol,l and was promptly PWND.

I mean the anti-religious, who like to look for "proof" that Christians are ignorant bigots. I've seen some pretty insulting stuff in other forums, tolerated or even encouraged by moderators.

I found OUT about this site from another site called somethingawful.com that labelled this site a bad anime site combined with a bad anime site, so even if they're just lurking, hostile people are out there.

And, OTOH, I was glad that Ashley clarified the meaning of the do not discuss list. When I first heard of the concept, I was afraid that this site might be too strict for me. As it turns out, I have no issues with the rules here

[uc pseudonym]

I am glad that you feel that way.

Personally, I find it very ironic that following said site's article (which we have been quite aware of from the beginning) our membership has skyrocketed. Trolls have come in waves as well, but even with the lists pruned of them we have grown extensively.

[Arnobius]

I am glad that you feel that way.

Personally, I find it very ironic that following said site's article (which we have been quite aware of from the beginning) our membership has skyrocketed. Trolls have come in waves as well, but even with the lists pruned of them we have grown extensively.

It is ironic. I had never heard of this site before they did the article. If they hadn't mocked you, I never would have clicked over to investigate.

[FadedOne]

Wow...these discussions are lovely! Wish I'd been here sooner. Carry on...I love reading. oh and hello lol.....nice to meet everyone.

[Fireproof]

Augh. That article on Something awful is simply horrible. I seriously want to punch whoever made it squarely in the face.

[Arnobius]

Augh. That article on Something awful is simply horrible. I seriously want to punch whoever made it squarely in the face.

I thought it was pathetic. The guy is anti-religious, but he can't argue against or even cleverly mock what he disagrees with. All he can do is stoop to insulting language/personal attacks. I mean, is someone supposed to read this and say "Well, I guess that proves there's no validity to Christianity"? If I were an athiest, I'd be embarassed to be on the same side as that guy.

Ironically, We're the ones labelled "intolerant."

[Ashley]

For the sake of being fair, I just closed a thread talking about the same site and I'd rather we not give his ego any more of a boost by keeping a conversation about him going here. So can we get back on topic guys?

[Yeshua-Knight]

throughout my life i have discovered time and again that God has a wonderful sense of humor, even when it comes to things like persection, believe it or not, i heard my pastor say several months ago back in the summer that in many arab countries, they were showing the passion of the christ because the media over here is claiming that it is anti-jewish, when we really know that it isn't, but that's just one way God can take something negative and use it to draw others to Him, Glory Be.....

[crossalchemist]

I have a question about some previos post about Last Exile. What two male characters are you guys talking about that have a sam ans frodo type relationship?

[Sesshoumaru]

Inuyasha:Nothing too blasphomous.Violence and brief mild nudity yeah.The violence is merely a demon losing an arm or Inuyasha being cut and bleeding or humans being cut. The nudity is mild as well.They merely outline the errm "breast" and never go below the waist.A butt is shown now and then but that's all. Also there are times when a female character named Sango who's a demon slayer when her rear end is groped by lechorous monk named Miroku.Tis all really it also mainly focuses on Shinotism and Buddhism but doesn't get heavily into that. As for the actual demons in it nothing to evil.Inuyasha is half demon but fights other demons to protect this girl he "loves" and there are various times his demonic nature takes over.Nothing too graphic though

Hellsing:Here's a fav of mine.Violence and gore:Two things I love. It does get kinda blasphomous at times when a cross is used innapropriately or blaspohomous things are said or written. There's a pentogram used but it is as a symbol of Alucard's bonding to the Hellsing family.Violence is graphic such as pools of blood or when Alucard was found chained under the Hellsing HQ he ripped of a dude's head and allowed the blood to flow into his mouth.Other times are when vamps drink or when Alucard is cut up and regenerates.

Basically check these and other series out for yourself

[Mangafanatic]

I have a question about some previos post about Last Exile. What two male characters are you guys talking about that have a sam ans frodo type relationship?

Luciola and Dio, if I'm not mistaken. Rather, that was who I was refering to when I used that terminology.