Enter a search phrase:

A Current Commentary From Biblically Balanced Ministries, Inc.

Pokémon & Other Obsessions (December 1999)

POKÉMON, Star Trek, Star Wars, Lion King, Name Brand Sports Clothing and many computer games are just a few of the fads and obsessions of children today. Should they be banned from our schools and homes? What do they have in common? What are the underlying issues for the Christian home? These are some of the questions and issues parents need to consider.

The recent Pokémon craze has created a great deal of concern. Some are suggesting that these cards and games have a demonic influence. It has even been suggested, directly and/or indirectly, that the cards themselves are related to demon possession.

Parents and schools have been encouraged to ban the cards and games. The schools have a valid concern in seeking to prevent contention among students. Parents need to watch changes in behavior and determine if it is related to such things as the Pokémon.

Looking at the bigger picture we can see common concerns about these things that are reflective of our society and culture. We can become so concerned about one of the trees in the forest that we fail to see the bigger picture. Another problem is sometimes we react to things out of fear and fail to remember "God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).

What do the things listed above have in common?
One of the most frightening things in common is the relationship of many of these things to violence. Stories from Japan have indicated a relationship between the Pokémon craze and violence. Recently there have been incidents of children threatening and even using weapons to take cards from other children. A short time back there were numerous incidents where kids were attacking and even murdering other kids to steal their specialty sneakers. The violence is both in the desire to have them and the violence seen even in such things as Star Wars violent computer games.

The second thing in common in many of these things is the evolutionary and New Age influences. Lion King seems like a cute animated movie but is actually based on evolution and New Age thinking. Pokémon characters are often described as evolving from one species to another. Star Wars creatures include mutations and animal creatures with human traits.

A third, common factor is that each of these often leads to an obsession. Children are particularly susceptible to becoming obsessed. The "Pokéman rap" at the close of each episode on TV is:

I will travel across the land
Searching far and wide
Each Pokéman to understand
The power that's inside.
Gotta catch them all!

A similar obsession is seen in the collecting of "Star Wars Figures." Collecting things is not the issue, being obsessed is the danger.

A fourth thing in common with most of the items above is that they have some special mystical power. Wizzards.com website tells children to "Carry your Pokémon with you, and your ready for anything! You've got the power in your hands use it!" A common expression from the Star Wars is "The Force be with You." The appeal for supernatural power is a lure to our children in a society surrounded by New Age influences.

What are the underlying issues for the Christian home?
Some would say that the underlying issue is a satanic influence. "The prince of the power of the air" (Ephesians 2:2) who is Satan most assuredly is behind these things. However, if we simply try to make this an issue of casting out demons we may be neglecting biblical responsibility.

Paul acknowledges Satan's presence in Ephesians 2 but then goes on to show where the battle is, "among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath." The underlying issues are lusts and desires. Our society is obsessed with the desires of self gratification.

THE ISSUES

• A changing value system
• The promotion of violence
• The influences of New Age thinking and seeking mystical powers
• Obsession, jealousy, and covetousness

The real dangers are not, necessarily, the things themselves but what we allow these things to become. A basic problem in our society has been the rejecting of the Judeo-Christian values on which it was founded. We need to go back to the basic value system of our faith and this country. The Ten Commandments are not a means to salvation but are an expression of our faith and the basis for our founding value system in America. The real issues relate to our changing value system.

Consider the Lord's Commandments:

First, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." Included in this commandment is to "have no other gods" and no idols. When we become obsessed with anything we violate these commandments. Parents need to teach and display love for the Lord above all else. When parents do they will be giving children a great resource (power) for victory over obsession. Jesus Himself overcame temptation by affirming His love for the Father and obedience to His Word.

A second commandment that relates to many toys today is, "You shall not murder." Jesus even went beyond this to the deeper meaning, "But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment." The violence related to Pokémon or sneakers is really a deeper problem of anger. We need a value system that shows respects the life of others whom God has created and that teaches how to control anger.

Now we get to the real heart of the issue, jealousy and coveting. We could paraphrase the last of the Ten Commandments, "You shall not covet your friends Pokémon cards, Star Wars figures or sneakers." Learning to be content in our society is a hard lesson. We are constantly being told "you deserve it," "you must have it," or "you can't live without it." If we teach and live as examples being content, overcoming jealousy and covetousness, the effects of such things as Pokémon will be far less. "Now godliness with contentment is great gain" (1 Timothy 6:6).

A note: Living by the commandments of God is not legalism. Legalism is teaching that living by man's commandments is an essential to salvation. Obedience as a child of God is an expression of love and submission to our heavenly Father.

What Should Parents Do?
One simple answer may be to not allow such things in your home. However, this could be a sign of neglecting your responsibility as a parent. The more important responsibility of parents is to follow "Parental Commission."

"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength." And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. "You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way . . ."

Some parents restrict instead of teaching. God's instruction to us as parents is to "teach" and "talk" with our children. Children need to learn how to discern between good and evil, contentment and coveting, and loving God above all else.

Teaching our children loving obedience to the Lord we will allow them to live above the influences of Satan and this world. They will know that real gain, contentment, and power are found in loving the Lord.

LET'S GO BACK TO BIBLICAL VALUES

• Love the Lord your God with all . . .
• Love your neighbor . . .
• Godliness with contentment

by Gary R. Becker, President