Is my avatar evil and against Scripture?

[nyj]

Well, some people are creeped out by my avatar. It's the "law of averages" in effect. Some people will like it, some people will love it, and most people won't give a hoot.

 

[InquisitorKind]

A casual google search on "8 bit theater" will reveal it.

All I can say is, if you think Final Fantasy is interesting, and know what a black mage is... Boy. You'll love it.

I still can't hear the phrase "stabbity death" without lauging.

seebs,

Were you referring to these? I died laughing:

http://www.flashplayer.com/animation/8bitdnd.html

http://www.flashplayer.com/animation/8-bit-theater.html

(The latter has three in the series; I just don't want to spam five links here.)

~Matt

 

[robl]

Well, some people are creeped out by my avatar. It's the "law of averages" in effect. Some people will like it, some people will love it, and most people won't give a hoot.

AHHHHH!!!!!! Your avitar is freaking me out! The dog is obviously demon possesed! His eyes are glowing!

 

[Susan]

LOL, I personally don't think anyone will be stumbled by my avatar. I mean, to be so, they must have done several things along the way:

They must have seen a particular episode of the anime series from whence it comes. Also, since the scene in question was totally implied (i.e. she wasn't shown even in any state of undress, the scene cut away) one must have either a very active imagination or have read a lime/lemon fanfiction to fill in the details to the point of actually personally sinning.

If someone is actually thinking only of that when they see my avatar, I must congratulate them for entirely missing the point of the character and the anime in general-and of having problems that run a little deeper than what avatar I use.

 

[TCapp]

I'm beginning to suspect I live a deprived existence. I mean, I haven't played any Final Fantasy games and I'm unfamiliar with the stories, plots, premises etc. I might have to get interested.

 

[Dawn Marie]

Hello P/R/E,

It has come to my attention that my avatar might be evil because it represents magic. For the majority of you who probably don't know, it's a picture of a character class called Black Mage from the fairly popular videogame series Final Fantasy Tactics. He casts a variety of spells upon enemies in combat, using elements mainly of fire, ice, and lightning. Since I greatly enjoy the FF series and believe the Black Mage to be one of the coolest characters looks-wise, I thought I would pay a tribute with my avatar.

On that note, is my title evil as well? It's a reference to a spell that a character class higher than the Black Mage can cast.

All thoughts and opinions are welcome, although I'm more interested in people's opinions who consider such an avatar to be against the Scriptures. I'd like to hear the case you have for it. (And if anyone has been following the discussion in Liberal Theology on baptism, I'm not asking Philo to state his opinions here. I'm asking the forum generally because it's a very interesting question that I haven't pondered before.)

~Matt

PS

No time to spell check or proof-read. Sorry.

I love your avatar... Vivi is so cute.

 

[Susan]

Yeah, Vivi is really cute.

 

[Reformationist]

I think you're going to hell for using that avatar

LOL!! ROTFLOL!!

I can always count on you!!

IK, I think you're fine. As long as you're not paying tribute to it because you see it as real power then you're probably okay. Just be careful not to let it become an idol to you. Jonathan Edwards (I think) said our hearts are idol factories. It's very easy to take things too far.

God bless,
Don

 

[Foundthelight]

I attended a church for a while where the Pastor said it was wrong to go see the Harry Potter movies. He said that on the basis that it might lead a child to dabble in magic. I don't attend that church any more.

 

[Blackhawk]

Well, some people are creeped out by my avatar. It's the "law of averages" in effect. Some people will like it, some people will love it, and most people won't give a hoot.

well I am kind of creeped out by it. I once saw the beginning of this movie called "Devil dog" or something like that. It was pretty funny. But anyways it reminds me of that movie.

 

[Blackhawk]

LOL!! ROTFLOL!!

I can always count on you!!

IK, I think you're fine. As long as you're not paying tribute to it because you see it as real power then you're probably okay. Just be careful not to let it become an idol to you. Jonathan Edwards (I think) said our hearts are idol factories. It's very easy to take things too far.

God bless,
Don

you know what is funny. Some people would be so upset about the avatar while all along they basically worship some theologian or pastor like Johnthan Edwards or Calvin, etc. (not talking about you of course) Many are too busy to see others faults to pull the fault that is large as a log out of their own life.

 

[nadroj1985]

A casual google search on "8 bit theater" will reveal it.

All I can say is, if you think Final Fantasy is interesting, and know what a black mage is... Boy. You'll love it.

I still can't hear the phrase "stabbity death" without lauging.

Ah, this stuff is great seebs, thanks!!

TWO FISTED MONKEY STYLE!!!

 

[Reformationist]

you know what is funny. Some people would be so upset about the avatar while all along they basically worship some theologian or pastor like Johnthan Edwards or Calvin, etc. (not talking about you of course) Many are too busy to see others faults to pull the fault that is large as a log out of their own life.

LO! Yeah, that's absolutely true. And I think we ALL suffer from seeing the sins of others a whooooole lot more clearly than our own.

I was just reading the account of Balaam in Numbers 22. It is comical irony that Balaam's donkey could see the danger on the path more clearly than this prophet of God. I think that's how it is with us sometimes. We can see the sins of others as if they are etched into our eyes but we are often blind to our own iniquity. I think that's one of the primary reasons God sovereignly reveals the transgressions of others to us, that we may minister to them and recognize that same sinfulness in our own character. Unfortunately, people, and I most definitely include myself, often use those opportunities to be self-righteous and condemn one another.

IK, one thing that you should remember is that just because it may be lawful for you to reveal this interest of your's through the use of a particular avatar, it may not necessarily be beneficial. If it causes your brother to sin you should do all you can to avoid being a stumbling block to him/her, even if it means changing your avatar.

God bless

 

[InquisitorKind]

IK, one thing that you should remember is that just because it may be lawful for you to reveal this interest of your's through the use of a particular avatar, it may not necessarily be beneficial. If it causes your brother to sin you should do all you can to avoid being a stumbling block to him/her, even if it means changing your avatar.

God bless

Don,

I'll keep it in mind. Thanks for the words of advice.

~Matt

 

[Susan]

I hate to be the "devil's advocate" here, but if someone is that *horribly* stumbled by seeing other people's avatars or signatures, IMHO that person has spiritual issues that are beyond what we can help here. Also, the offended person can easily put a member with an avatar, sig, or message that he feels is wrong on ignore, or can opt to turn off avatars, sigs, or both.

Point being, if someone is convicted against meat, he has no right to barge into a restaurant and demand that everyone eat vegetarian. While he is fully within his rights to ask for vegetarian entrees on the menu (barring that it's a steakhouse, seafood place, or bar and grill), he is stepping over the line to control others with his weakness, IMHO.

 

[InquisitorKind]

I hate to be the "devil's advocate" here, but if someone is that *horribly* stumbled by seeing other people's avatars or signatures, IMHO that person has spiritual issues that are beyond what we can help here. Also, the offended person can easily put a member with an avatar, sig, or message that he feels is wrong on ignore, or can opt to turn off avatars, sigs, or both.

Point being, if someone is convicted against meat, he has no right to barge into a restaurant and demand that everyone eat vegetarian. While he is fully within his rights to ask for vegetarian entrees on the menu (barring that it's a steakhouse, seafood place, or bar and grill), he is stepping over the line to control others with his weakness, IMHO.

This is interesting. Do you believe that if someone has a lot of trouble with one avatar that they should turn off all other avatars (as that is the only way to hide just one)? Or would you recommend another course of action (blocking the person, requesting that they change their avatar, etc.)?

Perhaps the answer is simply "as the spirit moves you," but if you have anything more concrete, do let me know.

~Matt

 

[Reformationist]

I hate to be the "devil's advocate" here, but if someone is that *horribly* stumbled by seeing other people's avatars or signatures, IMHO that person has spiritual issues that are beyond what we can help here. Also, the offended person can easily put a member with an avatar, sig, or message that he feels is wrong on ignore, or can opt to turn off avatars, sigs, or both.

Point being, if someone is convicted against meat, he has no right to barge into a restaurant and demand that everyone eat vegetarian. While he is fully within his rights to ask for vegetarian entrees on the menu (barring that it's a steakhouse, seafood place, or bar and grill), he is stepping over the line to control others with his weakness, IMHO.

Susan, you actually make a very good point here, though I think there is a problem with the analogy you provide. This restaraunt is here to provide spiritual food to the body of Christ. I agree that it would be unethical for someone to barge into a setting that contradicts their own beliefs and demand that those present change themselves, on the same hand, it is not as if someone is saying that IK's Christian avatar offends them at a Christian MB. I think it would be selfish to maintain an avatar that morally offends our brethren so long as they have viable cause for it's removal. For instance, if my avatar was a picture of me sitting on my couch with my loins covered by a towel, while holding my nude son, and someone told me it offended them I would change the picture to a more modest one. As I said, just because having an interest like IK has is fine, so long as it is not an idol to him, it doesn't mean it's necessary that he flaunt the freedom of his conscience in front of weaker brethren. I myself have no problem with his avatar. It looks like Orko from Masters of the Universe (Oops, did I just age myself?) . Brings back some fond childhood memories.

God bless

 

[Susan]

I'd say that it depends on *what* the avatar is and *what* it causes the person viewing it to do. If seeing an anime avatar makes someone think of anime, that isn't necessarily a stumbling block, for example. If it makes them think of hentai, it is a stumbling block. . .but then, who is responsible for the stumbling? Is it the unsuspecting user with a perfectly fine avatar to those who didn't spoil their minds with h? Or is it the person viewing the avatar and adding his own subtexts?

Point being, this board, by its rules, prohibits universally and objectively offensive avatars that could cause people to stumble directly (i.e. sexual images are prohibited), so it's down to personal judgments, and no one really has the right to enforce their weaknesses as the normative law.

In most cases, if someone is offended by someone else's avatar, they would be even more offended by the person's posts. Therefore, I would recommend the ignore specific user option. Maybe at some future date the board software could enable ignoring single avatars or sigs. . .but those capabilities don't exist now.

 

[Susan]

Susan, you actually make a very good point here, though I think there is a problem with the analogy you provide. This restaraunt is here to provide spiritual food to the body of Christ. I agree that it would be unethical for someone to barge into a setting that contradicts their own beliefs and demand that those present change themselves, on the same hand, it is not as if someone is saying that IK's Christian avatar offends them at a Christian MB. I think it would be selfish to maintain an avatar that morally offends our brethren so long as they have viable cause for it's removal. For instance, if my avatar was a picture of me sitting on my couch with my loins covered by a towel, while holding my nude son, and someone told me it offended them I would change the picture to a more modest one. As I said, just because having an interest like IK has is fine, so long as it is not an idol to him, it doesn't mean it's necessary that he flaunt the freedom of his conscience in front of weaker brethren. I myself have no problem with his avatar. It looks like Orko from Masters of the Universe (Oops, did I just age myself?) . Brings back some fond childhood memories.

God bless

Good post, and LOL, you did age yourself-my sister (32) also says that Vivi reminds her of Orko.

 

[Phoebe]

I also wondered what that was in your avatar. Now I know. Case solved.