Are comic books "ok"?

[Eleknar]

Is it ok for Christians to read comic books such as those produced by DC or Marvel comics? I would particularly appreciate input from folks who happen to be familiar with comic books and typical comic book content. Thanks.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

Of course they're not! They don't bring people to the LORD. You may want to purge your library of all books except for the Bible, just to be save...

Now, as for a serious answer, I do wonder why you even need to ask. The only thing that *might* bother *some* Christians is the presence of some figures from classical and norse mythology within certain (but not nearly all) superhero comics. Apart from that, what's there to object to?

 

[keith99]

Of course they're not! They don't bring people to the LORD. You may want to purge your library of all books except for the Bible, just to be save...

Now, as for a serious answer, I do wonder why you even need to ask. The only thing that *might* bother *some* Christians is the presence of some figures from classical and norse mythology within certain (but not nearly all) superhero comics. Apart from that, what's there to object to?

Well I remember an older comic book, from at least 40 years ago that some, in my opinion fools, would object to. I believe it was 'Amazing Stories'. It had 2 stories and both involved fortune teller/gypsies, that is enough to make it evil in some eyes. One story was a man being told he was going to die at midnight. To prevent that he went out into the middle of nowhere to stay safe. The final panel covered a whole page and had the state police out at a landslide on a highway (in hte middle of nowhere) talking about how at least no one was out there to get hurt... and an old style alarm clock in the foreground, broken and stopped at 12. The other was a man who was losing his hair. He bought a bottle of tonic that would cure all ailments of the head. This was a mousy little man. He rubbed in on his head that night. He dreamed he was on the Titanic. In his dream he dressed as a woman to get a place on a lifeboat. He woke up soaking wet, in salt water. I forget the next night. Third night was termopalae, he runs and wakes up witht eh mark left from a sheild strap. The last night he dreams he is there wher ethe Panama Canal is being dug and men are dying from yellow feaver. This time he volunteers to be bitten by mosquitoes. He wakes up with a fever and shaking. The doctor he goes to says it is the first case he has ever seen. The man throws out the empty bottle, no longer concerend about either his courage or his baldness.

Personally I think the stories are very positive, but some 'Christians' can't see past the 'magic' in what are clearly teaching stories.

 

[snorlax]

A lot of the more conservative Christians might avoid the graphic novel section of the local bookstore -- much of the content there can be R-rated and beyond. But mainstream comics, like those published by Marvel, DC, Dark Horse, etc are generally quite entertaining and family friendly! If worried about exposing children to such tales -- just keep in mind to reinforce the fact that there is a separation between fiction and reality, just like in any other entertainment medium.

 

[recklessdreamer]

My husband grew up loving marvel and DC comics and he is a mature, God-fearing man who knows he can't fly!

 

[crishmael]

I believe it to be okay. Like movies, comics do have ratings and there are some that do feature more adult material and if reading such things offends a person's conscience before God then they shouldn't read them.

 

[yatcup]

Ok, sure, there are some "comic books" out there that are just plain... wrong. (There was an issue of Dark Horse's/Eric Powell's "The Goon" that caused quite a stir a few years ago.) And I bet most Christians would take issue with most of the last volume of Marvel's Ghost Rider issues. I think some of DCs characters are homosexual (from the Outsiders et al.).

However, there are good things found in comics, too. Peter Parker's sense of responsibility and his self-sacrifice. Iron Man's struggles with alcoholism - and his belief in bettering humanity can contain a plethora of insight for a person.

Finally, if you don't love that boy scout with the S on his chest, there is just somethin' wrong with ya!

 

[starbuck55]

homosexual!!?? what?! I bet some of the characters are black too, or <gasp> atheist. Why must they feel the need to take a cross-section. tee hee.. I'm feeling combative, I admit. I couldn't help myself.

Stories are stories, art is art. If you hung it on the wall, would it be wrong to look? If the words were in a book, would it be wrong to read? There you go. Censor yourself if you'd like, I suppose it won't hurt to NOT look.

 

[Virgil the Roman]

If they are sexually explicit, then I would avoid them. Others that promote deviant behaviour, such as sodomitical behaviour or bestiality, would be best to avoid as well.

Otherwise though, most comics are fairly normal and decent. The only problem with decent comics, is thus: "Are they are are good literature or not?"

 

[Virgil the Roman]

I can name a graphic novel that would be for some, avoidable. I.e. "The Watchmen." Although, I have read some of it and seen the film, I found it entertaining; save for the explicit sexual content. Such content was rather superfluous and obnoxious; something that most definitely would have been omitted.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

I can name a graphic novel that would be for some, avoidable. I.e. "The Watchmen." Although, I have read some of it and seen the film, I found it entertaining; save for the explicit sexual content. Such content was rather superfluous and obnoxious; something that most definitely would have been omitted.

Now wait a minute - you object to the portrayal of loving caresses and intimacy, but have no objections when it comes to depicting gruesome violence and death?

All I have to say to that is: "WHAT'S WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE???" How twisted must a society get to place a taboo on sexuality while simultaneously accepting the portrayal of bloodshed, suffering and downright slaughter as a form of entertainment?

(Oh, and naturally, I contest the notion that the sex scenes in "Watchmen" were superfluous, at least as far as the graphic novel was concerned. They are of fundamental importance to the novel, in fact, both in terms of the relationships between the characters and in terms of the "Big Picture".)

 

[Virgil the Roman]

Entertaining, but hardly edifying in retrospect. I only watched the film once. I do not condone violence in films. Anymore, I find I am repulsed by such violence and gore.

Sorry, I should have perhaps mentioned this. I figured that someone would object, to this, however, I forget to modify my post....eh, oh well. I expected a post like yours. I condone neither.

 

[AdamKane]

Is it ok for Christians to read comic books such as those produced by DC or Marvel comics? I would particularly appreciate input from folks who happen to be familiar with comic books and typical comic book content. Thanks.

They're filled with good versus evil and good smiting evil. So, I see no problem at all.

 

[Johnnybabe]

Is it ok for Christians to read comic books such as those produced by DC or Marvel comics? I would particularly appreciate input from folks who happen to be familiar with comic books and typical comic book content. Thanks.

In the grand scheme of things, they're okay. Someone else said that it's all about good defeating evil--and I agree. And if you find something in a comic that's morally offensive, you can always pray to God for forgiveness.

 

[SirKenny85]

There might be some "out there" groups that might disagree with the majority of the posters here, but all in all I don't see anything wrong with them whatsoever. Of course, some of them can be violent, but it's just like TV.

 

[Isambard]

Comic books are of the devil and should be avoided
They corrupt children and encourage perversion and deviancy in adults!

Just read the book of renown psychologist Fedric Wertham (Seduction of the Innocent) to how morally corrupt comics really are.

 

[Johnnybabe]

Comic books are of the devil and should be avoided
They corrupt children and encourage perversion and deviancy in adults!

Just read the book of renown psychologist Fedric Wertham (Seduction of the Innocent) to how morally corrupt comics really are.

Can you tell us how, exactly, they "corrupt children and encourage perversion and deviancy in adults"?

 

[webofiron]

We cannot wholly condem one form of media. That's like asking if there are bad TV shows. We all know there are, but are we going to never watch it? I believe everything comes down to balance. How much time do you spend watching TV, or listening to music, playing a video game, or reading (comic) books? Match that up against how much time you spend in prayer, or reading your Bible, or at church. If you spend to much time in the fantasy that comics offer, your perceptions begin to change. Do you believe you can fly? No. But the values begin to change, and ever-so-slightly you become immune to things that would have triggered an emotion in you. You become callous, and accept some things as normal.
This is the area that we must be careful with in our children. As parents, we must stay a part of their lives and monitor what they are doing. Be that balance for them, so they stay grounded to the reality that there is a super power-and that is GOD! Do not rip the book from their hands, but show an interest in what they do-whether it's comics or video games, do not leave them on their own in their rooms for hours. Whatever you do, be a part of them, and do it with love. If you keep them close, you'll know if they are reading 'bad' books, or playing 'bad' video games.
I wanted to post because, I have about 10,000 comics in my collection, and I thoroughly enjoy them, but nothing compares to God's grace.

 

[morly33]

hi,
friends i am new one here.

thanks

 

[morly33]

hi,
i am new one here.


thanks