Christians, is it true that there are Christians who are against popular and secular culture?

Question

Before you start blowing up on me I just want you to know that I'M NOT BASHING!!!!

This is really a serious question cuz I keep hearing about this all over the internet (e.g. like that BattleCry thing everyone's been talking about)

I just want to know just how true (or false) this notion is.

Additional question.

If it IS true, then can anyone tell me what are their thoughts on the following things.

Note: the links are examples of the mentioned items.

1. Comic Books
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marvel_Comics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DC_Comics

2. Video and Online Games
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_VII
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_of_Warcraft

3. Anime and Manga
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Love_Hina

4. Fantasy Novels
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_Potter
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LOTR

All four of these are also a part of popular culture, are they against these things as well?

P.S.

I will not be accepting non-Christian answer. This question is for Christians alone.

To those who wanna know why it's for Christians only it's because I wish to hear their opinion on the subject. I already know what non-Christians would say in this matter.

Ok, umm.. not to be rude or anything but..has any one of you even clicked the links? Just wondering.

Ok uh... link to BattleCry... one second...

Actually manga is the comic book form of anime ^^

They are the first stage of anime.

Here it is, I don't have the link to the BattleCry website but I hope this video oughta be enough for everyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULnAmRtxQmM

Answer 1

*Sigh* Yes, it is. I'm glad not to be one of them. I'm a Catholic, and that notion was not prominent in my religious education. There are fundamentalists who believe this, and it's a great source of irritation for me, as non-Christians frequently associate my beliefs with those of the crazies.

For the above mentioned things, I see nothing morally wrong with any of them. Why would God be such a prude that He'd refuse His children a little harmless entertainment?

Answer 2

Honestly, There are some Christians who are against the popular and secular culture (which is today culture). They prefer the old tradition and never have certain to have an open mind to new culture. They think that the "new" culture depicts "satanism" and occult and even not materially a Religious material.

Like LOTR [Lord of the Rings] some think is a work of a demon.But to tell you guys the author of this book is actually a devoted Christian!!!

I'm so sad to know that some christian are so narrowed minded Otaku. Wish they could just take a moment and be positive...not all materials are against the Christians belief..(T.T)

Answer 3

I really dont want to go through all the links but I will tell you this. I believe we live in an anything goes culture. Besides the most basic of things (murder, stealing and child molestation) most everything else is up for grabs. I am a big advocate of "to each his own" and I truly live this. However, I believe we have taken our own immediate gratification and needs, allowed them to trump others needs and we now are in a state of selfishness, greed, and apathy. People can give me the argument that we just do more reporting now, that things arent worse any more than they used to be. I talk to enough older people to know, people just were different. I dont know what the battlecry thing is, have a link?

Answer 4

I don't think that there are (many) Christians who oppose "pop culture" *as a whole* (excepting the Amish, Shakers, and similar sects), but only the more "morally objectionable" parts of it. Thus, even very strict Christians who are opposed to Harry Potter may not be opposed to Kim Possible. Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse are *usually* acceptable, but Pokemon is not. Thus, it is not pop culture per se, but rather the content of certain "exhibits" in pop culture which are unacceptable to them.

Things that such groups generally deem unacceptable
magic of any sort, unless the magic users are depicted as evil and are defeated or destroyed
depictions of spirit creatures or mythological deities other than angels in anything resembling a positive light
sex in general, and any sex other than matrimonial heterosexual sex in particular

Thus, large portions of pop culture can (and are) derided while significant portions are still considered acceptable. I believe that you will find that most of the sects averse to Harry Potter, for example, will be quite complacent about "Clifford, the Big Red Dog".

Jim, http://www.life-after-harry-potter.com

Answer 5

Some fundamentalists live pretty insular lives. They don't listen to rock and roll (only gospel music) stuff like that. The fundies that I've known are definitely not into pop culture, but ocassionally watch family-friendly (usually PG rated at worst) movies. They don't read comic books (unless there's a religious comic book), or most novels (except perhaps classics). TV shows like American Idol are definitely out, the TV they do watch is usually something like a History Channel documentary, or sports. In other words, they try hard to limit their exposure to a great deal of pop culture, at least the parts of it they find most offensive. Also, most fundies I've met prefer to go to a church school and dread the idea of public school.

Answer 6

The Bible says we are not to be conformed to this world. We are not to become involved in the secular "pleasures" but are to be of the same mind that was in Jesus. You addressed several specifics so I will detail my answer to them. Comic books inn and of themselves can be good or bad, I have seen some comic books that actually are quite good they portray Biblical Stories. Video and Online games...many or should I say most of them are about Violence and killing. these things are not things a Christian should dwell on (read Phillipians 4:8 for what a Christian should think on). Anime and Manga are pretty deeply steeped in the Asian Culture and its pagan rites. They are therefore unacceptable as the Bible condemns such practices. Fantasy Novels, Wel there are some that are good and some evil ones. But by a large I do believe that fantasy novels are dangerous as they can lead a person into other things. Most of them have witchcraft, magic, spells and the like. I personally would not want to spend the money on such trash. But then if you would rather spend money on trash than on things that matter that is your right.

Answer 7

Read the book of I John. We are to be IN the world, but not OF the world.
If it's popular in the world today (pop culture) it's a safe bet to say it's not of God.

As far as being against "secularism" I'm not sure what you're asking. I'm a Christian, so I am not secular....

Also, it's a matter of heart and where you place importance and time. Is it better to spend two hours on a video game or two hours spending time with a loved one? If you're so concerned over the latest fashion in the mall, you have less time to be concerned with the homeless family on the corner. Make sense?

Answer 8

Yes, there are plenty of Christians who don't want anything to do with popular culture such as you mention, mostly because they think it'll lead them astray. They'll probably be doing bed checks in heaven. Most of us are pretty "wait and see" about most things. I was brought up a Baptist, and I think some of the Anime movies are the most beautiful things I've ever seen. Don't know about Manga, is it the same?

Answer 9

There are Christians (or claim to be's) that are for or against or active toward any cause, just as there are non's.
It is very possible there is a group or groups with this agenda or some form of it. But Christians as a whole? No, absolutely not.
We, who think clearly, know that this is not something we are able or expected or directed to do. There is no reason to fear for your lives because of true Christians.

Answer 10

Good Question. It is because Christianity is like every other religion in the world. Beleivers do not have "one" main idology. They can be found among a spectrum of beleifs ranging from the conservative to the very liberal. Where ones
beleifs end up is a result of personal convection and dogma.