The 'Christians Against Evil/Occult Toys and Games' Club!

[believenolies]

I get disturbed by how many things geared to children are satanically influenced and potentially spiritually harmful to them. Even more disturbing is how many Christian parents buy these things for their kids without a second thought.

This is intended as a wake-up call, to report toys, games, or even books that are intended for kids that are probably not right for Christians. (Please don't discuss Harry Potter here, though- there's plenty on that subject elsewhere.)

If you happen upon something that you think belongs in this category, feel free to describe it, but also explain why you think it's wrong. Otherwise we may be left scratching our heads, unless it's obviously something evil.

Also allow for differences of opinion: what you think is wrong may not be to someone else. We do have freedom in Christ, but this is meant as a 'heads-up' for anyone involved with children.

I'll start with one:

BELLA SARA

I learned about Bella Sara by accident- I was flipping through a magazine on collectibles and there was a full-page ad about it. I looked over the artwork and got a creepy feeling, so I went online to learn more about it.

In case you haven't heard, it's a trading card game for girls featuring horses and an uplifting message. This may seem harmless, but wait. First of all, the messages, like 'Believe in yourself!' are clearly not Christian. They are intended to build self-esteem, but with a focus on self, certainly not God. Girls can certainly use self-esteem, but there are better ways.

A bigger concern is the artwork- mythical horses, monster horses, fairy horses, horses with magical powers...many are taken directly out of pagan mythology and even states such. I was surprised that I could find no Christian ministry speaking out against this, but on the contrary- some were speaking favorably about it. I can't see how any believer can be so blind about this lie from the pit!

I don't think Bella Sara is appropriate for Christian kids- in fact, it presents an interest in the occult; combining magic, mystery, mythology, and horses. I think it's very spiritually dangerous for kids.

Now, how about you? What are your pet peeves in this area?

 

[Nameless1]

I completely agree with what you are saying, it's a pervasive problem these days. I'm especially bothered with the interest of 'seeing dead people' in our culture lately, among children.

The unicorn is the one item that bothers me, because it's image represents the anti-Christ.

 

[Moriah_Conquering_Wind]

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[razeontherock]

Well this certainly hasn't gotten much attention, but here's a story:

a best friend's Brother riding the school bus to Catholic HS, (JHS?) was caught with a Ouija board by a Nun. He protested it's confiscation, and the Nun actually took time to explain the reasoning behind it. Upon further protest she told him to spell out Jesus Christ on the board. It fell to the ground and cracked before completing it.

 

[Carian]

Well this certainly hasn't gotten much attention, but here's a story:

a best friend's Brother riding the school bus to Catholic HS, (JHS?) was caught with a Ouija board by a Nun. He protested it's confiscation, and the Nun actually took time to explain the reasoning behind it. Upon further protest she told him to spell out Jesus Christ on the board. It fell to the ground and cracked before completing it.

Interesting! I will definately try that out if ever one of those boards comes into my posession. Although they creep me out, and that was before I thought about the demonology aspect, a long time ago. They seem to be designed to look creepy. I'm not a fan of marketing ;p

 

[SirKenny85]

Sadly enough, any child can pick up an ouija board at his/her local Toys R Us. I was almost shocked when I saw it there in the board games section...Right by Shoots and Ladders

 

[anshika012]

it's nice information. keep it up ....

 

[SistrNChrist]

While we're at it, I was at Costco the other day, and I saw a book about the Magic trading cards game. It made me sad to think that that stuff is available to children/teens everywhere

 

[kdillerd]

Im glad u posted this, because this is all sooo true...many of our young people get ahold to all of these satanic devices, games, and magic, not even really knowing how dangerous all of these things can be and the affects of it.

 

[Lily76_]

Its scary that an ouija board can be picked up like places like toys R us.
They are so dangerous and shouldn't be sold at all.
Its like evoking the devil and demons.
I have herd so many horror stories about them they should be banned

 

[Incariol]

While we're at it, I was at Costco the other day, and I saw a book about the Magic trading cards game. It made me sad to think that that stuff is available to children/teens everywhere

Why? Magic: The Gathering is just a card game. I plan on getting Planeswalkers : Magic: The Gathering for myself as a reward for a quarter well-done next week.

 

[Esther Ruth]

My biggest pet peeve are toys that are distributed to children that are occultic in nature such as toy dragons which is supposed to represent Satan and unicorns which represent the anti-Christ, ouija boards which often are in the board game section at toys 'r us! I also cannot stand those mythical pokemon cards and other card games like that. They are appaling! These are my bigges pet peeves of occultic pop culture that are made available to children. What are your opinions on demonic pop culture made available to children?

 

[EmilyF]

It may be helpful for some of us if it were described what Satanic/occultic items are/

 

[bluerose9]

First off, it is an interesting post.

But I must disagree with this. I have seen the site and done some reading as well. But I see nothing wrong with it at all. Spiritual or otherwise.

It is mythological and magical. Unicorns and purple horses that sparkle is all that is there. Along with raising your own (plain looking and normal) ponies, playing mini games and earning enough 'horseshoes' to buy things for your own stable and home like posters, plushies, couches and tables. (Which to me shows them making their own money and taking care of a pet. Responsibility and decoration!)
All I see are positive messages. "Be yourself!" and others like that is a great thing for girls to see in a game/website. Yes, they can find themselves with God, but when you're surrounded by peer pressure and mean jerks at school, instead of taking away their game (just for having really old mythological symbols and characters that they don't even pay attention to), show them and tell them that God is there too. He can help you endear.
And tell them that they can pray (or meditate first, deep breathing and relaxation is great to let stress go.), and know that they're a work of unique art by God! Everyone is a unique piece from God, and like priceless art, we must take care of ourselves. Love ourselves a little. I think it's disrespectful to not acknowledge his work and be happy with ourselves, but worse than that to become prideful and blind you from things more important than outside looks.

The messages it teaches the younger kids is what is important, regardless of the images they use. Kids aren't thinking it's evil, they're having fun with a card game about ponies and creativity. It's all make believe, imagination play for girls. It's not telling them to shoot someone, steal a car, set fire to a house, kick a puppy, disrespect your parents, or worship evil beings that want you to eat people. (Satan isn't a being, it is translated as "adversary", there is no embodiment placed to the word. And satanists are just rebelious people who never really grew up, they worship the idea of being your adversary because the church didn't make them happy.)

And it's better than them playing with Ouija boards! Just too much negativity connected to it to be used for anything else.

 

[bluerose9]

Why? Magic: The Gathering is just a card game. I plan on getting Planeswalker Magic: The Gathering for myself as a reward for a quarter well-done next week.

It is just a card game. But the word "magic" tied into anything is instantly considered evil by many. It's just a form of entertainment for all ages.

I hope you get it too, and enjoy! Some of those cards are just so well drawn and interesting! Better than Yu-Gi-Oh! in my opinion too.

 

[.Nevermore.]

It is just a card game. But the word "magic" tied into anything is instantly considered evil by many. It's just a form of entertainment for all ages.

I hope you get it too, and enjoy! Some of those cards are just so well drawn and interesting! Better than Yu-Gi-Oh! in my opinion too.

Thank you! I myself am quite confused by the negative connotative meaning that "magic" is given by many Christians. It's frustrating and people seem to look too deep into it, when in fact, the makers were not intending such a meaning in any way.

 

[Blessed to Bless]

Few parents seem willing to admit that Harry Potter movies and toys are explicity witchcraft! No Christian family should view these movies, read these books, or even have them as possessions in their homes.

 

[Blessed to Bless]

Before I buy a toy, game or video for a gift, I ask myself, "Would Jesus buy this?" You asked for names of some of these games and toys. Well, there is a game called Serial Killer. Just to name a FEW other games, books and videos....Where the Wild Things Are (and other Sendak books) Thunder Cats animations, Animorphs, Garbage Pail Kids and other demonic trading cards, The Little Vampire (and a host of children's vampire books), Goosebumps, He-Man, Masters of the Universe, Teen-Age Mutant Ninja Turtles, She-Ra, Harry Potter and a whole host of video games from Nintendo and other manufacturers. Also the Simpsons Treehouse of Horro has a plethera of bloody zombies games.

 

[Cactus Jack]

"Bloody mary" is a really stupid "truth or dare" antic that children play. For details, Google it.

If you dare.

It's not good.

 

[Rev55]

I completely agree with what you are saying, it's a pervasive problem these days. I'm especially bothered with the interest of 'seeing dead people' in our culture lately, among children.

The unicorn is the one item that bothers me, because it's image represents the anti-Christ.

May I ask for a source for a unicorn being an image of the anti-Christ?

the unicorn is in the bible and it was most likely a currently extinct rhino or other horned animal. In our effort to shield our children from evil we must educate ourselves. I can't post links yet but a quick google search can find information regarding it