Postby skreyola » Thu Mar 26, 2015 8:13 pm
The thing to keep in mind about Internet reviews is this: People on the Internet are wrong as often as they are right about any given subject. You should examine the things you do and say and watch in the light of Scripture, not someone else's opinions. That's not to say that someone else can't be right about a thing, but you need to make sure that you are basing your decisions on the leading of the Holy Spirit through the word, not on the teachings of men.
That said, here are my thoughts on anime in general and on problematic content:
Anime is not inherently anything. It's a genre based more on the art style (technically the country of origin, but in terms of content, we're talking about the art style) than on the actual content of the stories; which content is as varied as what you'd find in your local library. The fact that it comes from a nation with a culture that some people might find objectionable in terms of spiritual worldview does have some influence, but there are roughly the same number of shows that have no emphasis on those cultural facets as those that do.
There are certain anime I choose not to watch because they involve the occult (not the same as "magic") or excessive fanservice or glorification of violence, but that's my choice and my standards, in keeping with my understanding of what the Spirit doesn't want me to watch and things I don't wish to have in my mind anyway.
But your standards may be different. I have problems with nudity. Other people are not bothered by it at all.
I think it's a matter of personal boundaries more than objective sinfulness for probably at least 3/4 of the shows out there. Be convinced in your own heart, and don't let one who does not eat meat condemn you for eating meat, if it doesn't seem to you like a problem and the Bible and the Spirit don't specifically proscribe it.
It is probably not profitable to watch a show that, for example (I havent seen more than one or two anime that do), glorifies evil practices as good, but on the other hand, it's not profitable to insulate yourself in a bubble and pretend that cultures other than your own don't exist and ignore the possibility that understanding cultures other than your own may help you to reach someone some day for the Kingdom.
So, take what you see on the Internet with a grain of salt (some opinions may require more salt), make your own decisions, and don't feel guilty for things you've seen in the past and don't believe are harmful, but be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and avoid things the Spirit says you should avoid. But remember that what is harmful for you may not be harmful for the guy next to you. Everyone has different experiences of even the same events. By all means, avoid evil, but be careful of those who see evil behind every corner and in every shadow.
Your dad probably doesn't have much actual experience with anime. Sailor Moon may not be the best introduction to it, since he holds that opinion, but I've watched hundreds of shows, and very few of them have any serious occultic content. There is often an episode about the occult, but it is usually played for laughs and occurs no more often than in western sitcoms and dramas, where it receives similar treatment. Actual occultic practice is rarely a significant part of the plot in anime shows. The CAA review section often has information to help you avoid those that do. If he were to watch some of the shows I've seen, he might have a higher opinion of anime. There are some great shows out there, like Chance Pop Session, Emma: A Victorian Romance, and One Week Friends.
The bottom line is that anime is an art form, and you will likely find examples of shows that contain anything the artistic world, or society in general, is contemplating, but to dismiss the whole marketplace because you can find roaches in one of the alleys is not using the intellect God gave us. It is like anything else in life. There are places you should hang out, and places you should exit as quickly as possible. Anyone who says all anime is one way or another is misinformed and should be ignored (except your dad; informed or not, he deserves your respect). Tari Tari is a different type of anime from Red Data Girl, which is different from Gunslinger Girl, which is different from many titles I won't mention here because of their raunchy content. Just like western media, there's a wide variety to the content and tone of anime shows.
Don't become a hermit. We don't exist for the purpose of having perfect, solitary communion with God. We exist to extend God's grace to people who haven't accepted it.
Listen to God. He's the only one you have to please.
Mainly, I guess, I'm wondering your thoughts on anime, and if you think that SM is a harmful show, and the content of the show in the later dubbed episodes (primarily the Homosexuality) 
Thank you sooooo much, your advice helped a lot.
