Occult Children's Games

An increasing number of games for children involve occult themes. Games for computers, games using cards . . . Pokemon, Yu-Gi-Oh etc....
Often they have cartoon series and films to accompany them.

Should Christian young people be involved in playing such games?

In a word, our response is 'No'! Being involved in occult activities or themes on any level is unacceptable for Christians.

We've attached an article below by Lian Peet, outlining some of the occult influences in popular children's books, games, magazines and card games.
Witchcraft and Childen, Lian Peet, Salt Shakers Journal , July 2005.

So what are these games about?

Yu-Gi-Oh
One insightful article about Yu-Gi-Oh is called Yu-Gi-Oh and the spirits of Halloween, written by Berit Kjos.

In her article Berit Kjos writes

"Popular anime characters have joined the vast selections of costumes now sold through the Internet, and little Yugi (short for Yu-Gi-Oh) is likely to be a big hit. Eclipsing Pokemon and more familiar Japanese animations, Yugi has fast gained worldwide fame. Since the daily television show serves as a continual ad for his magical dueling cards, the occult images have suddenly become coveted treasures to young collectors around the world.
The cards in the "starter deck" bear titles such as "Soul Exchange," "Ultimate Offering," "Summoned Skull" and "Sorcerer of the Doomed." The latter card offers this sinister warning: "A slave of the dark arts, this sorcerer is a master of life-extinguishing spells."
Does that sound like a child's game to you?

The latest version of the game, one "that's sweeping the nation," is featured on the official Yu-Gi-Oh website: "Duel Monsters is a card-battling game in which players pit different mystical creatures against one another in wild, magical duels! Packed with awesome monsters and mighty spell-cards, Yugi and his friends are totally obsessed with the game."

So are his fans. An occult fascination that seemed unthinkable two decades ago has spread like wildfire through western nations and around the world. Indeed, the times have changed, and the gods and spirits behind the old Celtic Samhain (the roots of Halloween) must be cheering.

"But," the Yu-Gi-Oh website assures us, "there's more to this card game than meets the eye!" Indeed there is. Its mythical universe has introduced children to an alternative worldview that may soon become so familiar to young fans that it clouds God's truth and quenches key facts about the real world. . . ."

Other Christian writers suggest that if you do allow your children to play Yu-Gi-Oh or watch the cartonns/movie that you watch it with them and discuss.
On this theme, see this review on Christianity Today and an article at Almenconi.

Pokemon
A number of schools have banned the playing of Pokemon trading cards since it has led to fights and violence. However there is more to it...

In an article by Neil Ryan - Pokemon says

"Fascination with Pokemon is not just some harmless childhood craze! Firstly, Pokemon is a short descriptive name for Pocket Monster, reduced to cartoon imagery on cards and/or animated characters in film versions and video games.

"Their origin, however, is far more insidious, being derived from the mystical mythology of oriental religions - it is principally a synthesis of Japanese Shinto and Chinese/Tibetan Buddhism."

He goes on to write "However, at the back of it all is the spiritual battle between wrathful demon monsters and the peaceful deities and spirits (Pikachus). These occultic (mystic) spirits seek to tap energy from water, fire, wind , soil and evolved nature, both plant and animal. In Pokemon these energies are found represented on different cards and in different colours. All the powers and Pokemon creatures receive their strength from these elements in some animistic, mysterious way. Triumphant enlightenment is achieved by sapping and gaining psychic energy. In Pokemon game playing, the types and numbers of cards gained achieves different levels of victory (energy). Opportunity exists to call up trainers (or guardian spirits with whom one feels most comfortable), and master trainers. These trainers befriend their pocket monsters. Some monsters, on the way up the energy (enlightenment) scale may even die and re-evolve into more powerful Pokemon. . ."