The California Collection/TheCaliforniaCollection.cdr/his060/misc15.arj/MISC15.TXT

Text File | 1990-12-04 | 10.0 KB | 197 lines

                        TURMOIL IN THE TOYBOX
               by Phil Phillips (Starburst Publishers)
                        Review by Margo Seiple

.    Phil Phillips is an evangelist/author, recognized as the leading
authority in the area of today's toys, their related cartoons and
their effects on children.

.    In this book, his purpose is to make people aware of what is
being marketed today in the toy and cartoon industry.  The book is
easy to understand, covers the most popular toys and cartoons, and is
full of information that is vital to any concerned parent or
grandparent but especially to the Christian.

.    The book deals specifically with the occultic, violent and sexual
overtones that have invaded our children's world.  The information and
examples included in this book are well researched, in-depth and
actually shocking in their implications.

.    Our children are being exposed daily to a world of blatant
occultism and violence as portrayed by their cartoon "heros."  Some of
the cartoons and toys discussed are: He-Man, She-Ra, Smurfs, My Little
Pony, Dungeons and Dragons, and Thundercats.  Also, movies are
discussed because a complete line of toys has been designed from them.
Some of the movies discussed are: Star Wars, E.T., Gremlins and
Labyrinth.

.    The author presents the material and leaves it to the parent to
decide which of these shows/toys may or may not be suitable for their
children.  He also liberally quotes from the Bible, giving the
Christian the scriptures to back up his views.

.    I urge every parent or grandparent to read this book and
seriously consider what cartoons or toys are appropriate in a
Christian household.

                      Chapter 7: COMMERCIALTOONS

.    "For years, manufacturers have based products on popular
television characters and shows.  Today, however, the process is
different.  Cartoon writers and toy designers now collaborate efforts
to release toys and cartoons simultaneously with a toy; thus, the
cartoons and toys promote each other.  This causes confusion: Are the
cartoons commercials? or Are the commercials cartoons?  To understand
the effect "commercialtoons" have on children, we must first
understand how a child views and perceives television and commercials.
As I said in an earlier chapter, children do not view television the
same way adults do; their perceptions are different... Because a child
under 7 years old cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality, he
is not able to distinguish between commercials and regular television
shows.

.    "This has become especially difficult since commercial writers
use animation to sell products.  When an animated commercial is
sandwiched between an animated cartoon, it is even more difficult for
children to tell the difference... Although parents may not realize
how their children view television and commercials, advertisers do.
Advertisers know children accept what they see on tv as reality;
therefore, they are focusing more on intercutting animation and
reality portions of the commercial.

.    "Occult symbolisms in cartoons are extremely prevalent.  Many of
the characters' names are linked to the occult; there is a significant
amount of witchcraft, magic, sorcery and other occult practices being
performed; and many of the objects used by the characters, such as a
breastplate or staff, have occult symbols on them.  But the use of
occult symbolisms does not end here.

    In fact, many of the messages
spoken on the shows have their origins in Humanism and Eastern
religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism.... IT IS IMPORTANT PARENTS
REALIZE THAT MOST OF THESE CARTOONS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH TOYS.  If the
shows have occult ideas, it is logical to assume that the toys also
will have occult symbolisms.

Many of the toys come with little comic
books which are laden with the occult.  Children are being bombarded
with these ideas.  First they see it on television; then they read the
comics; and then they play with the toy,

RE-ENACTING some of the scenes
they have seen or read; and lastly, they apply these concepts
to other forms of play - such as when they and their friends are
playing 'let's pretend' without using any toys.  At this time, the
child himself assumes the role of a cartoon character, such as He-Man,
rather than having a doll do the actions.  This causes the ideas to
become ingrained in the child's mind."

                 Chapter 9: "Masters of the Universe"

.    "He is strong, handsome and all-powerful.  He is the 'Master of
the Universe.'  He is 'He-Man.'  For many children, he has become a
God-like figure.... Children see him as omnipotent and omniscient.

.    "The star of the cartoon and toy series is He-Man, the alter-ego
of a blonde, Herculean prince named Adam, who is prince of the planet
Eternia.  When trouble arises, Adam points his sword aloft and shouts
'by the power of Grayskull, I have the power!'  Magically, he turns
into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe, amid much smoke
and lightning.

.    "The primary role of He-Man is to defend the secrets of the
universe, housed in Castle Grayskull, from the evil Skeletor and his
legion of villains... After the shows, which are actually half-hour
commercials for the toys, are over, the children go to the toy box and
take out their Masters of the Universe toys and act out their
fantasies.

     Some children imitate exactly what they have just seen the
characters on tv do.  This should concern parents because of the
occult images portrayed.  Because of their age, the children do not
realize that their actions are conveying occult images.  Children see
that the power of Grayskull transforms Adam into a character with
supernatural powers and abilities.  Many parents have expressed
concern that their children, after watching the 'He-Man' cartoons, go
running throughout the house with plastic swords held aloft shouting
'by the power of Grayskull, I have the power!'  God's Word warns us
that only by the blood of Jesus do humans have any power and authority
over others.

.    There is no mention of the power of Grayskull.... The name,
'Masters of the Universe' implies that these characters are superior
to humans and that they are on the same plane as God.  But there is
only one God and He alone is the Ruler and 'Master of the Universe.'
Thus, the implication of their superiority is blasphemous.  They are
not God.  Still, children today lift up He-Man as the children of
Israel lifted up and worshipped pagan gods.

.    "The series, both cartoons and toys, blatantly use occult symbols
in various forms.  Castle Grayskull, through which He-Man receives his
powers, has its own spirit which manifests itself in the form of a
skull.

     This manifestation is seen often in the comics that accompany
the dolls as well as in the cartoons.  The chief promoter of the
occult in the series is Skeletor, also known as Lord of Destruction.
"Skeletor, whose face is actually a skull, carries a RAM'S HEAD staff.

  This staff, which is used in occult practices, often is seen with a
dove crushed underneath it.  Skeletor also has the power to astro-
project himself and to read and control other people's minds.  This
ability often is practiced by mediums.  In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 and
also Galations 5:19-21, God warns against those who practice these
powers.  God says these practices are detestable to Him, and anyone
who does such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

.    "In the comic book Power of Point Dread, which accompanies one of
the figures, Skeletor is seen levitating himself in a classic 'lotus
position;' a power beam, coming from his head, levitates a crystal
ball.

    The crystal ball is used in necromancy, which is communication
with the dead.... In the Magic Stealer comic book, Skeletor introduces
the pyramid cult, which is the power of the pyramid.  In this same
comic, the 'maddened spirits of the air' attack He-Man.  Are these
practices we want our children to imitate when they play?  Do we
really want our children to learn to do things by 'the power of
Grayskull?'

     Or do we want our children to know that God is the real
'Master of the Universe' and through His power all things are
possible?  Also, in an episode of She-Ra (He-Man's twin sister) an
evil witch named Shadow Weafer transforms herself into a little girl
who comes to Etheria to participate in a witches' spell-casting
contest.

     Through her spells, the little girl (who is really Shadow
Weaver) makes all of She-Ra's friends go to sleep and sends She-Ra to
the Sixth Dimension, which is down in a pit.  These spells that the
little girl casts are very specific and in-depth.  In fact, they are
similar to spells that would be found in a book on witchcraft.

.    There are two characters in the series which are described in a
similar manner to 'angels' and 'Jesus.'  Angella is described in the
comic books that accompany the action figures as an 'angelic winged
guide.'

    Glimmer is described as 'a guide who lights the way.'  This
is similar to how, in the Gospels, Jesus says 'I am the Way, the Truth
and the Light.'  With these comics, children are filled with images of
magical creatures serving roles similar to Jesus and angels... "The
seeds of subtle deception were planted in the shows and books, but the
child's own imagination waters the seed until it grows into a
fascination of the occult.  Some parents may think it is cute when
their children play in this manner.  How cute will they think these
very same actions are when the child is a teen and is involved in
actual occult practices?  Through these cartoons and toys, an
unconscious fascination of the occult begins to form."

.    (Margo's note:  I think it should be noted also that by Mike
Warnke's own admission, his fascination and eventual involvement with
the occult to the point of becoming a chief priest in the church of
Satan, began as a child, watching "Bewitched" which was nowhere near
as openly occultic as these cartoons and comic books are!