Is anime too atheist?

SazukiUltra

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Well, I think most of the people in this thread have fully addressed the fact that anime is no more athiest than any other form of entertainment. So, I'd just like to provide another example of "christian" themes in anime.

For example, the Skypiea Arc of One Piece. It starts off dealing with whether the sky island actually exists. The straw hats end up having to keep their "faith" in the islands existence in the face of those who no longer believed in dreams.

Later, once they're on the island, they learn that it is where "god" supposedly exists. Of course later they find out that it is just Eneru, a man with the power of lightning who consider's himself god.

But, one of my favorite parts is where the straw hats are worried about this god on the island. However, Zoro is not. And when asked why he says he's an atheist, so he can't be hurt by what he doesn't believe in.

Now, this doesn't promote atheism, it uses it as comedy. So, as has already been mentioned, when christian themes show up in anime, they are being used as a way to tell a story.

I feel the same way about books like The Da Vinci Code. I find it ridiculous that people tried to gain truth from a work of fiction.
 
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I guess watching or not watching one depends on your conviction I suppose. It applies to any kind of television program. not just animes. But remember, shows does give a great influence to the viewer. You can see it in our society right now. But I recommend less television, more on the Bible, ok? (*I'm supposed to tell that to myself, too, haha)

I'm a fan of FMA. And now I'm studying Hebrew. I just found out that the opening of FMA brotherhood, the names of G-d in Hebrew text. I'm happy in the part that they're using Hebrew (the ancient language of the prophets of the Bible) but using G-d's name in vain (Exodus 20) would just be wrong. But most of anime and even games get their story and name of characters from the Bible and history of the Jews (Holocust in FMA) I want to be happy seeing that...but it just doesn't feel right.
 
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Qyöt27

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Technically, what appears there (as well as appears in the OP for Eva, and in more than one place in EoE) is the Sephirothic Tree/Tree of Life, which is sourced from Kabbalah. Whether it was simply lifted wholesale or whether it was modified, I don't know. The mystical underpinnings of the diagram are actually fairly relevant to both series' plot direction, so it is rather in context.

In terms of other uses of Hebrew in anime, it's mainly because of the association through its use in mysticism. This is more obvious because it's often shown together with hexagrams (the Star of David, although in such contexts 'hexagram' is a more accurate term, because hexagrams have long been considered mystical symbology, and as such are pretty much totally divorced from their usage in Judaism). I don't know why you say 'most', though...aside from a handful of really notable shows that do, I haven't seen many that have influence from Biblical or Christian/Jewish sources.
 
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Your perspective may also be right. On the other hand, this is just MY view and belief... you don't have to believe me, my only cause is to let you know.

Doesn't just using crosses seemingly taken from Biblical perspective which most animes have? There are really lot of things taken in the Scriptures for animation purposes. And most of the time we just don't know it or maybe too much used to it. Probably, people who made these mean no harm at all. And probably not even a Christian. And on the other hand, also the tree of life, has G-d's name in it (in FMA). for the Jewish perspective, G-d's name is very sacred. They take in mind the commandment;

"Exodus 20:7 Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. "

On what I know (from our Jewish teacher) Orthodox Jews don't mention G-d's name even in their conversation, they created a sub-name for that, they only mention His name in prayer. Jewish scribes wash their hands before writing G-d's name in scrolls. And they don't throw the paper that has G-d's name for it. For us, christians, we seem to be taking this commandment too lightly. I don't thinks we should act as the Jews should, but their reverence for G-d is really something. And we can learn from that perspective. Using G-d's name, just to make a show look "myterious and cool" just doesn't feel right, maybe just for me that is.

At some point I am not totally against symbols or even using Hebrew on animes. On the other hand, aren't there a lot of topics to go around to make a story? But using G-d's name probably is too much. And as G-d believers and viewers, I believe should not take that for granted. If a seemingly small discipline doesn't matter how about the bigger kinds of disciplines when obeying G-d? Little sins when ignored to much, becomes big sins before we know it.

Animes aetheist or not? I could not say, all I can say is for us viewers to be careful. Sin can turn into a fad, then it will look harmless or even good.

But still, this is just what I believe, and I could be wrong :)
 
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sylvianlight

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I've lost interest in anime over the years, but not because it is 'atheist'. Cliches and a lack of originality though set in and I grew tired of it.

Still I'll watch a series every now and then (I enjoyed Black Lagoon which has nuns in it and their church setting is used occasionally).

I tend to watch more Japanese television dramas and movies lately and although Japan doesn't share the beliefs of Christians as a whole, they are very spiritual and I often hear references to a God (they use the word kamisama which I believe to be their word for God). Also the morality of a lot of dramas, anime and movies really supports what God tells us is right (although of course there is darker material).

As long as it isn't making you question your faith or constantly talking down God like a Richard Dawkins special, I think it's fine to watch. If something in an anime makes you uncomfortable or more inclined to commit a sin, you probably should turn it off and find a different anime.
 
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ToHoldNothing

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Conventions are not exactly all maintained the same, so alleged child-friendly cons are a matter of how they are managed by security and program coordinators. There's a con in Nashville, TN, (Bible belt territory) that has clearly defined limits for ages permitted in each event, so there isn't so much of any problem of children being exposed to "inappropriate content". Though frankly, nudity is not necessarily something a child should be shielded from except in the more adult context of intercourse. Cosplay is suggesting to a child that costumes can still be fun as an adult or teen. It's not necessarily breaking the boundary between fantasy and reality for the child if the parent notes that distinction.
 
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KarateCowboy

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I tend to shy away from animé (rhyming with hay, not anime, rhyming with time) of the sci-fi variety. I lean more towards the old era, fantasy type. That type is rife with spiritual, supernatural, and divine references. So I suppose it depends on the genre of animation.
 
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The King

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first off, even if it was atheist, witch its not, t)he onlu anime charicters who i can think of as atheist are some charictors from fullmetal alchamist, and zoro from one piece) so what? as far as i know, Christianity does not condemn fictional charictors or those who take enjoyment from watching them. its what you believe that matters, not what others do. heck all my Christan friends LOVE George Carlin, and he is as atheist as they get.
 
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Tenkuh

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What others have said. Anime/ manga is not satanic or atheistic. Religion is not the focus of it, and if anyone makes it the focus, then they are missing the entire theme and story line of the anime/ manga. Every work has a point from an author. To focus in on religion when watching or reading anime/ manga is to miss the entire point. It would be like reading one line of the Bible and building your entire religion off of this.

Anyways, some animes/mangas may show the cross from Christianity or have a Christian side theme (D. Gray-man), but that is not the focus or point of the show/ book. If the anime/ manga happens to mention things from shinto or Buddhism, it is because these are the main religions of Japan as others have said. This is not to be taken as the focus.

It is kind of sad your friends have missed the points of these shows/ books. Just because something mentions another religion does not make it anti-G-d, just like a person/ show who praises G-d is not necessarily Christian... It could be a wolf in sheeps clothing.
 
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Netbug009

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I feel like I just said this in another topic, but anime is animation from Japan. You can't really paint it all one color, because there are a ton of different styles and stories to be told.

Ignoring all the animation from a country because some is inappropriate is just silly.
 
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Azureknight 773

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