I don’t normally discuss my religious views here. I usually write as a librarian and a researcher. However, by doing this, I can’t address some questions people ask me. My Christian background shapes the core of who I am and my approach to research and thinking. But I also practice Zen meditation. It compliments my beliefs. I come from a legalistic branch of Christianity–one that believes instrumental music in worship can condemn you to hell and one that is against dancing or anything that causes lustful thinking. Yes, anime would fall into this category. However, I no longer consider such hard-lined view as scriptural. That’s the issue with religious questions–everyone has a different background, and many believe that background to be the truth. Of course, that means all others are wrong.
I tell you this to lead into the question: can a Christian rightly watch anime? My religious perspective will shape my answer, so I wanted to briefly sketch where I am coming from. Behind the question lies a discomfort with different aspects of anime, namely anime’s sexuality. For various reasons, violence is more readily accepted in Christianity than sexuality. For most of Christianity’s history, sexuality has been a source of discomfort. Augustine of Hippo wrote extensively about it as did many others. The Catholic Church attempted to eliminate sexuality from its clergy by enforcing celibacy. Some Christian groups have gone as far as forbidding sex altogether from its members–even for having children. Of course, these groups mostly died out.
Aside from sexuality, the Shinto and Buddhist components behind anime prompts the question. Shinto and Buddhism weave deep in Japanese culture and into anime. For some Christian groups, this can be a problem. Associating with what are seen as pagan religions caused many issues in the early church and is found throughout Scripture (Exodus 20:1-26; Deuteronomy 18:9-12; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; and many others).
Because violence is mostly acceptable in media today (which deserves being addressed by itself at some point), I’ll focus on these three facets to our question. Let’s return to the sexual component of anime first.
Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:28
Scripture condemns illicit sexuality, which is why some Christians question their ability to watch anime. Lustful thoughts are equated with illicit action–that is, any sexual act outside of marriage (Hebrews 13:4). Anime often features scenes that could encourage lust. But does it matter if the character is fictional? Well, the problem lies in how such thinking shapes your view. Lust isn’t simple sexual arousal. Lust is a mindset, a habit. Lusting for a fictional character encourages a mindset that goes against what Christianity attempts to foster: a mind of compassion and love that’s other-centered. Lust is a selfish mindset, concerned without one’s own pleasure. Of course, as I’ve suggested in my article about waifuism, an attraction toward a fictional character can help you develop compassion and a love that’s other-centered. It can help you step outside yourself, but Christianity and even Zen argue this should still be done to benefit other people. A waifu cannot benefit.
So a Christian can’t watch anime? Well, if you watch stories that encourage a lustful mindset within you, you shouldn’t be watching. However, if you are like me and fan-service doesn’t titillate (it irritates me if it does anything at all) then yes, you can watch those stories with a caveat. In 1 Corinthians 8, Paul speaks about a similar situation with early Christians, namely is it okay to eat meat offered to idols? Paul said yes as long as it doesn’t bother your conscience or challenge the faith of those around you. If watching a fan-service laden anime will confuse or encourage those who struggle with lust to watch, then you shouldn’t be watching those stories.
The question of Shinto and Buddhist elements returns what Paul said of meat offered to idols. I don’t judge the matter. It is up to God to decide if Shinto and Buddhism is correct, not us. In Romans 2, Paul states how the law is written on people’s hearts, and only God can determine how a person stands.
Finally, we come to otaku culture itself. I view the culture as mostly harmless. At least, it’s no more harmless than, say, football culture. But as with anything, it can become an idol. No one can serve two masters (Matt 6:24). Otaku culture and anime is fine as a hobby, but when it becomes consuming–dominating your thoughts and the majority of your time, it becomes a god. Sports teams, work, video games, and just about anything can do this.
So as a Christian, is it okay to watch anime? It depends on you. Only you know your relationship with God and what triggers you have. You have to answer that question for yourself. Of course, I’m just focusing on anime and not hentai, which hentai certainly encourages lust. This post is different from what I usually do here on JP. I try to retain my librarian neutrality for the most part. Religion is a thorny topic. With my mix of Zen and a historical approach to Christianity, my view isn’t always mainstream. Would you like to see me periodically examine questions of anime from a more overt Christian perspective?
If you are a Christian and an anime fan, check out Beneath the Tangles, an anime blog that focuses on anime from a Christian perspective.
Man, you must not lust with anime, or take It too seriously, as It is only entertainment, i also watch anime, and It have make me apart more me from the devil, believe me, It is ok
Anime is entertainment. And like all stories, anime influences us. The stories we consume form the blocks we use to build our thoughts. Some people have different weaknesses with their thinking.
I recommend Superbook, The Flying House, In the Beginning: The Bible Stories, and My Last Day.
I haven’t seen the Flying House. I may have to check it out for an article.
Cool. I hope you enjoy it.
Have you seen The Flying House now?
I’ve seen a few episodes. I’m not yet sure what to think of it.
Shouldnt Christians be one in Christ therefore there shouldnt be poisons for all Christians in Christ. I am a big anime watcher but God saved me few years ago himself and I felt a bit of heaven, I can tell you that everything we wanted and needed is already in God. I just began to stop watching anime very recently because demons do come through from what we allow ourselves to see, before God saved me, I had demons from watching horror and paranormals for weeks with Sleep paralysis everyday it drove me suicidal but the moment I cried out to God and he delivered me, everything of this world fell off me as if I was cleaned from all the dusts Ive gathered over the course of my life when I put him above my family, friends, myself and all things of the world. So for me, I would not get involved with anime of secular world anymore but hopefully we can have anime that promotes life, truth etc. to praise God in Jesus name. As so for gaming industry, music, sports etc.
Being one with Christ means aligning yourself to the model he presents, but this doesn’t mean all Christians are the same. God recognizes and celebrates individuality and even grants differing spiritual gifts and purposes based on that individuality (1 Corinthians 12:4-7). Likewise, Paul wrote about how God allows for individuality as long as it doesn’t damage the spiritual walk with others. Many Christians considered eating food sacrificed to the Roman gods as sinful; others, including Paul, didn’t see anything wrong with it except when it troubled those who considered it the food sinful (1 Corinthians 8). Also, all wisdom, no matter its human source, comes from God (Proverbs 2:6; James 1:5). Combining these principles means poisons, wisdom, gifts, and purposes are individual to a good degree. Anime and horror trouble you, for example, but they aren’t poisons for me. It’s similar to how food used in pagan worship was a poison for some but not for others based on their understanding.
I agree with you, we need more overt Godly wisdom, but God can speak to people even through anime and horror films. All the best with your spiritual walk and study!
All things that one does should only be done to glorify Yah in heaven. This fixes all problems with media consumption
Did you know there’s Christian anime?
Which Christian anime do you suggest?
All things that one does should only be done to glorify Yah in heaven. This fixes all problems with media consumption
There’s Christian anime.
I’m impressed by your neutral and dispassionate replies to hot-topic opinions. You practice conflict judo well.
I wish I could always be neutral and dispassionate in speech as I can with writing :D.
Apologies for writing again on another article but it has to be said that these type of questions such as the one on this article are kind placing both anime and christianity in a box of an american standpoint and it seems more of a national comparison of the political west and far east rather than about Christianity. The majority of Christians are from Asia, Africa and Latin South in the first place.
Firstly as already said in the other article Christians and Muslims have the majority of anime and manga’s demographics because they make the majority of the world’s population together (and keep growing the share), especially for the large shonen franchises (dragon ball, saint seiya, naruto etc) whose fanbase is overwhelmingly latino (which are all christians), moreover regarding sexuality, again Christians and Muslims are the first to have successful sexual lives and building families as they have higher birth rates than any other demographic, if there are some innapropriate sexual stuff in some anime, this just shows the fallen nature of man and unhealthy desires in general, and it does not have to do specific with something about the medium.
Secondly anime and manga are entire mediums that encompass virtually everything, all themes and genres, and are not limited to a specific culture, rather they are universal, it is not just buddhist or shintoist, there are hundreds of anime and manga with heavy christian imagery and symbolism, moreover because humans are made in the Image of God, there are some things that everyone knows innately regardless of where or when they are born, which are reflected and taken for granted in anime all the time such as God, prayer, souls and the afterlife, alongside christian values such self-sacrifice and serving others.
I am limited to my American perspective. You are correct that Christians and Muslims are a far larger anime population. I agree that anime taps into archetypes found in human nature.
Dang. You know, it’s refreshing to finally hear someone talk about this topic (and in a balanced way, too). Thank you for opening yourself up and starting this conversation!
Thank you! It’s odd how American Christians focus more on sexuality than on violence in media. The focus certainly reveals the acceptance of violence in my culture.
I have actually stopped watching anime because of both sexually charged themes as well as violence.. I always enjoyed anime and watched so much of it, most of it with violent and/or sexually charged characters. But in wanting a new heart, a new mind, and, a new spirit, I spent a lot of time praying about what I was putting into myself. I also stopped playing video games because of violence and sexual themes. These were decisions that were right for me because of the state of my heart and mind. God really has changed me, my appetites and attitude. I really liked fighting as a sport and even just as something I found enjoyable… but,, I came across a verse about how we should not imitate the actions of the violent, (found it!!)
Don’t envy a man of violence, don’t choose any of his ways;
Mishlei (Pro) 3:31 CJB
P.S.
this is a very kool article. Thanks.
Everyone has to work out their relationship with God and media. I’m glad you found what you need to do! Christianity sometimes forgets how individualized it really is. What is fine for one person can be poison for another.