Just took Pokemon away from child.

[Ichida]

It's just a video game after all. The point of video games is to twist reality in order to entertain. Well, except for games like The Sims, which I don't find entertaining at all. :P

Pokemon is just a video game, as well as a means of friendly competition with friends who also play. Without something entertaining, how do you expect your son to grow up mentally balanced? All work and no play makes Jesus a dull boy.

Of course, this is all an agnostic's point of view, so you probably will just ignore me anyways.

 

[Lt. Surge's Raichu]

I think you should let him play the game.
He has to be entertained in a way to also grow in mental strength :)

 

[Trainer Kat]

I've never had any bad experience with Pokemon. The original game came out, what, 10 years ago, so that would have made me 8. I don't know how old your son is, but I'm sure he could handle it, especially since the game is rated 'E' for everyone.
Now, as for the question of whether or not your son will turn away from your faith, I can't imagine that this game could turn him away from Christianity. I'm not religious at all myself, but I do attend a Catholic high school, so my opinions aren't completely biased, and I do know what I'm talking about.
Your son most likely will be exposed to the Theory of Evolution in one of his science courses, so the issue will have to be addressed. Even at my school, which, as I mentioned, is Catholic, we've been presented both sides of the issue.
Like the others have stated, Pokemon in no way undermines Christianity. It is, in essence, like a caterpillar changing to a butterfly. The game is quite suitable for younger audiences, and it's certainly more conducive to a Christian environment than some of the other games he could be playing (Shin Megami Tensei, anyone?).

I propose you return his game, but only after you talk to him about it. It would obviously be better to teach him your beliefs than to let him learn it from another source. That way, he can get his game, and you are also affirming that he knows that it is only make believe. Chances are, he'll listen. :]
I didn't post this to undermine your beliefs, nor am I in any way harassing you to give him his game. Ultimately, the decision rests with you. So...I hope this post helped. :]

 

[Sammi]

Fine, make your son miserable, stay paranoid for the rest of your life, go sit in a corner for the rest of your life, I don't care. Evolution is all around us! My dad's a bishop and he see's nothing wrong with it.

Calm down. People have different views on Pokémon and religion; it's not something to get offended or angry over.

I'm no parent, and I will warn you that I'm not a very good Christian, so maybe my advice won't be what you're looking for. I'll give you my thoughts anyway, just in case you're interested.

Does your child see 'evolution' in a Pokémon sense applicable in real life? I don't see any problems until they see Pokémon evolution as how it works in real life. If that time would come, that's when you would sit down and tell them what the Lord teaches and what Pokémon says, and what everyone else teaches, is wrong. I mean, temptation and wrong teachings are always around us, especially in today's era with the Internet. You'll have to talk to them about evolution someday, no matter where the discussion comes from; it just might happen that Pokémon is what starts the discussion.

If your child knows that God created him or her and nothing else about evolution is true, then what's the harm in letting them play Pokémon?

 

[Jeremy]

I never thought I'll see this 10 year old argument again.

In Pokémon, the evolution doesn't mean grow and change to adapt the surrounding areas, nor does it mean they have came from microscopic organisms . Evolution in the game is more like how a baby grows up to be a adult.

The only thing Pokémon teaches is friendship and teamwork.

Well, I'm Catholic, and I play Pokémon, and I believe in God. I don't see the problem.

 

[TRIFORCE89]

Let's look at it this way. The Christian faith has evolved over the years. It has changed and adapted, it is continuing to do so. That, is fine. Learning, growing, etc. I don't think there's anything against that in the faith.

Perhaps, rather than say "evolution" we should say Darwinism. I think that's what you're concerned about. If the Darwinian belief that we as humans evolved from another species is present in the Pokemon games. That conflicts with the Christian belief that we're all God's creations. The whole Adam and Eve story. Although, I think some denominations have somewhat accepted evolution. I know that the Catholic church accepts the "Big Bang" theory. Not entirely related to evolution, but a contrast to the creation story depicted in Genesis nonetheless. Doesn't hinder the belief that we're God's creations though.

There is nothing about Creationism or Darwinism in the Pokemon games. If anything, it is slightly hinted that Pokemon came from the moon (in this game world in which the games take place). Some Pokemon's ability to "evolve" (or "change") through means other than strength, love, or friendship can be attributed to this (in a plot sense. But, nothing more). These Pokemon "evolve" when traded with another player or when in contact with a certain item. It is purely a gameplay device and nothing. Darwinism doesn't even state that evolution works the way it is presented in Pokemon. It is completely different.

Pokemon is fantasy and fun. You appear to be highly religious. Surely you must be familiar with the old television show, Davey and Goliath? The program is produced by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. That show too is fantasy. While it teaches excellent morales, it does feature a talking dog - and that's how Pokemon is. It is fantasy and it is fun; especially for children.

 

[Dogboy2709]

Seeing as i'm Also Catholic, and i also play Pokémon, I don't see whats the problem.

I say let him play Pokémon. He will problary grow out of it in the later years of his life.

Pokémon can also teach your child to be friends to everybody around them.
Pokémon also teaches about Teamwork!

It says nothing in the bible that childern of the lord cannot play games which defiy his teaches

I should know. i go to chuirch (almost) every Sunday, and never heard anything about that.
There is no way your son is going to get his mind taken over by satan (Which i don not belive in, anyway) just by playing Pokémon.

 

[KevinJ.]

I am just not sure that I'm comfortable with blatantly exposing my son to a theory that our religion so explicitly denies. I came into the kitchen this morning to see my son on a chair, trying to get the Pokemon game that I took away from him and put on top of the refrigerator. This really upset me, and I think things may have gotten out of hand. I punished him with a few spankings and sent him to his room, and that just made matters worse. Now he's started crying again and I feel like I cannot win. Whoever said parenting is easy is foolish.

 

[dstaley]

I am just not sure that I'm comfortable with blatantly exposing my son to a theory that our religion so explicitly denies. I came into the kitchen this morning to see my son on a chair, trying to get the Pokemon game that I took away from him and put on top of the refrigerator. This really upset me, and I think things may have gotten out of hand. I punished him with a few spankings and sent him to his room, and that just made matters worse. Now he's started crying again and I feel like I cannot win. Whoever said parenting is easy is foolish.

KevinJ. so that we all are on the same page, would you please explain in detail why you think Pokemon goes against God. You've stated that it teaches "evolution", but to me it seems you haven't taken it into your own hands to find out what this means in the game. So, in order for us to explain it in the best way, we need to know EXACTLY why you think Pokemon is wrong.

 

[Rageman]

Alright, I'm on dstaley's page. If you think you can't handle the video game, because it teaches pretty much friendship, working together, and everything will change, I can't wait untill you crucify your son for hitting puberty. :D

 

[dstaley]

Alright, I'm on dstaley's page. If you think you can't handle the video game, because it teaches pretty much friendship, working together, and everything will change, I can't wait untill you crucify your son for hitting puberty. :D

Please refrain from using figures of speech such as that one, doing so will not help the cause, and can only result in a flame war.

 

[Animehero]

I am just not sure that I'm comfortable with blatantly exposing my son to a theory that our religion so explicitly denies. I came into the kitchen this morning to see my son on a chair, trying to get the Pokemon game that I took away from him and put on top of the refrigerator. This really upset me, and I think things may have gotten out of hand. I punished him with a few spankings and sent him to his room, and that just made matters worse. Now he's started crying again and I feel like I cannot win. Whoever said parenting is easy is foolish.

That's another example why you should give him the game! Pokemon has nothing against christiananity. I sure just because he plays pokemon doesn't mean he's going to heck.

 

[dstaley]

That's another example why you should give him the game! Pokemon has nothing against Christianity. I sure just because he plays Pokémon doesn't mean he's going to heck.

Yes, but he doesn't want to subject his son to something he doesn't believe in. That's like putting a piece of paper near a fire. (NOTE: I'm not contradicting what I've said, I do not believe ANY aspect of Pokémon goes against Christianity. I am simply stating where he is coming from.)

 

[Sammi]

Alright, I'm on dstaley's page. If you think you can't handle the video game, because it teaches pretty much friendship, working together, and everything will change, I can't wait untill you crucify your son for hitting puberty. :D

Let's not go there. At all. -_-;

People, please, if you are going to post, post reasonably. Religion is a sensitive topic; please think before you post. You might offend people.

 

[Rageman]

Let's not go there. At all. -_-;

People, please, if you are going to post, post reasonably. Religion is a sensitive topic; please think before you post. You might offend people.

Yet, It's okay to badmouth Pokemon and call it "Satanic", but when you tell them off and use a religious term, nooooooo. I'll stop.

 

[Trainer Kat]

Yet, It's okay to badmouth Pokemon and call it "Satanic", but when you tell them off and use a religious term, nooooooo. I'll stop.

But calling Pokemon "Satanic" has nothing to do with religion, only ignorance. I mean, last I knew of, Pokemon wasn't a religion. People don't pray to Pikachu. Then again, I could be a bit behind..O.o
Besides, the topic creator didn't call Pokemon "Satanic", nor did he badmouth it, really. He just voiced his concerns about allowing his son to play the game. With all the inappropriate games [Shin Megami Tensei<3], he has every right to check the game. Better than the parents who blindly buy their kids Grand Theft Auto, I suppose.

 

[Max210]

Truly, most people at my church don't care about Pokemon. I always thought the Pokemon elvolve stuff as their puberty. And the only way the can is if the get to a certian level. So, they do grow up. You just got to explain to you child that the Pokemon are growing, not evolving.

 

[Trainer Kris]

KevinJ, listen. Pokemon isn't about religion, or any of that stuff. It's about friendship and working together, helping the pokemon become stronger and the player more skilled at defeating opponents. Later in the game, your pokemon level up to a point where it begins to evolve, which is just another word for maturing into a stronger form, kind of like baby ---> child --->Adult. hmm, see what I'm trying to say is...

Its only a video game that your child enjoys, and as he grows up I'm sure he'll follow in his fathers footsteps and follow the christian way. One video game, I don't think, will change any beliefs that he has. Your son was only having fun, really. And I'm sure there are other christians on this forum who enjoy pokemon too. Its not meant to offend or go against beliefs. Do you really want your son to cry because you're taking away something he enjoys? Please think about giving his game back. Only trying to help...

 

[Neko]

I am just not sure that I'm comfortable with blatantly exposing my son to a theory that our religion so explicitly denies. I came into the kitchen this morning to see my son on a chair, trying to get the Pokemon game that I took away from him and put on top of the refrigerator. This really upset me, and I think things may have gotten out of hand. I punished him with a few spankings and sent him to his room, and that just made matters worse. Now he's started crying again and I feel like I cannot win. Whoever said parenting is easy is foolish.

-___- Ok well first off, y'all need to just calm down.

A GAME.

A GAME.


A G.A.M.E!!!!!!!11

Did I make myself clear enough? Ok then. :)

Well to tell you the truth, I'm raised Catholic, though from what I learned in S.S I guess I take after my mom more (who was raised Lutheran).

I really wouldn't think God would mind if your son played a stupid game. I don't really think playing a game has..anything that ties into believing in evolution IN REAL LIFE or not. I mean..if it really bothers you why not just explain to him that it's a GAME and that evolution doesn't..exist in real life? But only if it bothers you that much, which I see it does though. -.-;

Besides, like everyone else has said before, it really doesn't tie into the evolution you're thinking about anyways. It's..a different kind. So I think you should just let him play it and forget about the whole thing. I mean, it's really not that serious of an issue (A FRIKIN' GAME*cough*) And I don't care if it's Pokemon-I would say that if you were talking about ANY G-rated game really. << If it was really as bad as you're making it out to be I don't think they would even have it in stores now.

Besides, why would God even be mad if he was just playing a GAME??? *couchhackhack* I'm sure you son would still believe in God-it's not like he'd stop as soon as he started playing.

Urg. I have a migrain now. >_______> Sorry if this post is kinda hard to understand...

 

[Taemin]

Hmm... I don't want to get too involved in this... x_x That, and I lack time right now.

But really, I've always thought of the 'evolution' in Pokemon as more of a 'magic' type of thing, as apposed to being just like human evolution.

I have friends that are Christian, and they like Pokemon, they use to play it all the time.

Thats all I have time to say at the moment.
Its just, the thought of someone taking Pokemon away from a child sounds horrible to me... ^^;