Phil Arms
1 A fasitating piece of ****
I read most of this book, and find it both enlightening and entertaining. This is the book for you if you are an over-concerend Christian evanglist who wants to learn about the hidden evils in children's entertainment, or if you like to laught at them. Its good to know what extactly the world has come to whether you think it is Staten tempting your children through Japenesse games and animation or uber-conservative evangelists who are teaching their children predjuices from a young age and the people who belive anything that can be remotly supported by a biblical quote. By the way, I was disipointed with the lack of info on Harry Potter in this book, i feels as if Phil Arms really wanted to write a book on Pokemon but was afraid no one would buy it unless it included Harry Potter. I could be wrong though, given that I haven't finished the book yet. Have fun reading!
2 Give me a break
First of all, I am a Christian. Second of all, I am a very devout Christian who plans to attend seminary and become a minister. I am beyond displeased with this book and others of its nature. I have not read, but I do not need to in order to know what it says. Saying that these books are about satan worship is a joke. Harry Potter is about the triumph of good and love over evil and hate. As I recall from my studies of the Bible, that is a recurring theme in there as well. As far as Pokemon is concerned, it is a Japanese cartoon that is about friendship and loyalty, not worshipping the devil. P.S. To the reviewer above he said they are no longer a Christian, I say to you today that if you truly were a Christian then you will be in Heaven regardless of what you say now. Also I pray that you will see you have made a mistake by denouncing your faith because of the over-zealous actions of some Christians.
Cory Lynn Schibler
Ephesians 4:11-13
3 Unbelievable
I heard about this book from a search of Harry Potter. I cannot believe someone actually wrote a book for the purpose of claiming certain entertainment is the work of Satan, therefore I have not read it and never will. I am not a Christian anymore, haven't been for years, and this is why. The pathetic narrow-mindedness of SOME Christians reminds me very much of times when people were accused of witchcraft because they were different. Harry Potter is NOT evil, it is simply fun, and Pokemon is a simple video game with cutesy characters that broadened into much more. Anyone who sees evil in these will see evil in anything, and should seriously look into his/herself to find the root of the problem. If you want to find and fight evil, why don't you watch the news. Ask yourself if you really want to buy this because you think Harry Potter or Pokemon is evil and why you think that, or if you just dislike them both because they are everywhere.
4 Look before you leap
What makes REALLY interesting reading are all the reviews of this book--either 5 stars or 1 star--no in-betweens! Years ago, I would have given 5 stars. But that was BEFORE I looked into Pokemon.
I fell for the negative reviews Christians were giving Pokemon, and refused to let my 5-year-old son--now 12--have the cards. He prayed daily that he would get just one card. God answered--abundantly--much to my dismay. In a library reading contest my son won a huge basket filled with Pokemon cards and toys. At that point I decided to watch the first Pokemon movie. I was shocked--at my own ignorance--in listening to other Christians who like me, had probably not even looked into it for themselves.
Pokemon is wonderful, from a Christian standpoint. Like many reviewers pointed out, it is a sport where matches--not real battles--are held. It teaches good sportsmanship and character development. I have yet to see any killing. After a match, the defeated Pokemon gets up, and the "battling" trainers shake hands. Pokemon teaches respect and tolerance, and places value on good, not evil acts. I have not been able to find any connection to Japanese demonic activity. I mean, get real. Pikachu--know how that's pronounced? It's American--"Peek-at-you." How about Bulbasaur? It's a baby dinosaur. And that's the way most of the Pokemon names are.
Another homeschool mom I know actually plays the Pokemon game with her son. We not are liberal Christian families, but graduates of conservative Bible Colleges and involved in Bible Study Fellowship, AWANA, etc. The lesson in all this is to look into things before bashing them. My guess is that the reviewers who gave 5 stars to this book are sincere people, but have never really looked into Pokemon themselves. If so, they should be embarassed, just as I was.
I won't comment on Harry Potter, as I haven't actually read the books yet.
5 Can people relax?
I'm a Christian and I am insulted of this book; I love Harry Potter. God would hate this type of book; Jesus taught about tolerance. And it's fiction! That means not real, they should really be concerned of video games and TV shows, it's great that kids are reading now! Instead of being a couch potatoe, infact I bet Jesus and God would love Harry Potter! God wants us to be happy, and if its not interupting our faith, then he would approve!
6 Oh man, this is pathetic.
Okay, I'd like to say that I'm a Christian and I have never liked Pokemon, but after reading this book it makes me seriously think of changing both. An interesting fact is, neither Harry Potter nor Pokemon are American (although they are both very popular in America), and he states that they are bad for the Youth of AMERICA, and not any other place in the world. I am apalled by the statements made by the reviewers who agreed with this guy, and find this book a work of stupidity and jealosy (maybe he tried to write some books and none were created or did not become very popular?) I have not read this book but plan to look for it, out of complete curiosity.
7 does Christianity a disservice
This sort of thinking makes Christianity look plain silly. It presents an image of Christians as close-minded simpletons, easily lead by fear. And make no mistake, Arms is out to spread fear - it's remarkably easy to control people who are afraid.
As a Christian I am insulted that the very serious subject of good vs. evil is trivialized by comparison to a harmless series of books. The only crime J.K. Rowling is guilty of is getting kids' noses away from the T.V. and into books. As for Pokemon, referring to a cartoon as the work of Satan is simply moronic.
8 The Stupidity...
Every day I become more and more shocked with the stupidity of the people in our society today. As a Christian, I try to lead a God-like life, as it says in the Bible, but it's kind of hard right now. This Phil Arms gives Christians everywhere a bad name. As Robert Fernandez said, every episode of Pok̩mon has a an important theme for children to learn: friendship, values, etc. Check out the first movie if you don't believe me; it deals with segregation and its own form of racism. As for Harry Potter: these books are FANTASY. Look them up on this website, they're under FANTASY. If, as an adult, you are so stupid as to think FANTASY is REAL-LIFE, you need to go back to kindergarten. I don't remember anyone bringing out this Christian controversy when Lord of the Rings came out. Oh no! Our children may think that Hobbits and Elves exist! AAAHHHH! Please. Anyone dissing this stuff obviously has no lives of their own, and needs to check their religious status. I'm not proud to be associated with close-minded [people] such as this.
9 If you bought this book, throw it away.
I did not buy this book(thank God), but for those of you who did, throw it away. I am a Christian and even though I am a Christian I enjoy Pokemon and Harry Potter a lot. All this book is going to do is tell parents that Pokemon and Harry Potter is evil, which it is not. I am tired of people saying these two things are evil and things of the Devil. These two things are only to build a childs imagination. I am 15 years old and I enjoy Pokemon and Harry Potter a lot. And to the author of this book, I know you are entitled to your own opinion but I do not believe a word of it. Again, if you bought this book, throw it away.
10 A laughable piece of literature lies before us!
Alright, before I start saying anything, let me explain that I'm a Christian and enjoy Pokemon very much. Since most of the good people here have already made some very good explanations of why Pokemon clearly is NOT "evil" or "demonic" or a "tool of Satan", I'd like to add an interesting statement: Do you REALLY think that Nintendo created Pokemon just to transform the youth of the world into devil-worshippers? C'mon, this is the same company that made the Super Mario games! Anyway, what I'm getting at is this; parents, don't let others(Like this wacko who wrote this tripe.) make decisions for you. Watch at least an episode of Pokemon (Like maybe the first episode) and you'll see that the show promotes friendship and teamwork and caring for others. And let the children of this world be free to build their imaginations; there's nothing wrong with that. (And I wonder why the guy who wrote this book only mentions "the children of America". What about the rest of the children, hmmm?)
In short, if you want to make your own decisions, you should refrain from buying books that don't want you to.
11 just stupid
though i realize that mr arms is certainly entitled to his opinion, i must say that this book is the most ridiculous (to the point of being amusing) peice of reading material i have ever seen. i wish people could realize that Harry Potter and Pokemon are great examples of what is called "FICTION", which my Webster's new world dictionary defines as "an imaginary statement, story, etc". if we are to believe mr arms, this "fiction" is something to be feared. i happen to be a devoted reformed christian, and i must say i have heard much more "satanistic" things in my science classes. i mean no child is going to read these books and start trying to make little toads attack each other or jump off a roof on a broom... if a parent knows their child will take this things seriously, it is the parents responsibility to limit the childs access to them. basically this is just another example of how so-called christians will take something as benign and innocent as a childs game or an authors creation and make it out to be an antichrist tool of destruction. another review cited the works of tolkien as containing wizard content. think about mark twains works and how much rule breaking tom sawyer and huckelbery finn participate in... i have never heard of anyone citing these works as the devils weapons. do not buy this book, i recommend instead a book from the lovely fiction series by the talented author j k rowling. not the reading type? pick up a pokemon game for your game boy.
12 Parents, take some time and watch a Pokemon movie with kids
I just needed to add a bit more detail that people should keep in mind. Only 1% of China and Japan celebrate Christmas. I've known this for over a year. A teacher taught me this also: think for yourself, don't let others control your actions and abilities. And from Mewtwo being evil and blowing up the lab (people are being a bit to harsh on Mewtwo, don't you think?) Mewtwo had three main reasons for doing so. 1-Mewtwo's only perpous was to be a slave by Giovanni 2-Mewtwo had to forget about its childhood after its best friend passed away 3-Mewtwo didn't understand that what it was doing was wrong. It was just born for crying out loud!! (I'm not counting when Mewtwo was uncountious in the tank of fluid) Phil Arms, I have one thing to say to you. . . get a life!! Spending all of your time making a book to make others feel bad is just plain wrong. It makes others feel bad because what if a mother of 3 Pokemon fans read this book and believed it? She would be beating herself up for letting them like Pokemon. Also, you need more evedence before you make a book. Every one of the Pokemon evil resons were wrong and I can proove it. DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON THIS FOOLISH BOOK!! THINK FOR YOURSELF FOR ONCE!!
13 odd.
I haven't read the book and as being a non religion teen I have no idea why people can't read what they want. Fiction is only make believe where stories are invented by very imaginative people. If you don't want to read that is fine. If you do that is fine also. I happen to enjoy pokemon and Harry Potter among many other things of fantasy, fiction, and more. Nothing is truely evil or good unless you want it to be so. Thank you for reading this
14 Everything In This Book Is A Lie. . . I Assure You!
What a bunch of lies! Everything in this book is not true! I am a Pokemon and Harry Potter fan and I am also a Christian! I beleive God, but I don't beleive this book! For example, they say that Mewtwo is evil because its psychic. That is so stupid! Even Mewtwo beleives in God! If you get the Birth of Mewtwo CD, the story states it that Mewtwo asked the scientist if it was created by God, but the scientist said no and Mewtwo was outraged. Also, if you have watched the uncut verson of Mewtwo's Orgin, it shows that Mewtwo is NOT evil, but is confused and misunderstood. And for the battles being violent, that is stupid, too! It states in the Pokemon Handbook that a Pokemon Battle is a sport, not a fight. Pokemon also teaches kids valuable lessons, like in Mewtwo Strikes Back, it teaches that fighting doesn't slove problems. And now for Harry Potter. These books actually help your reading skill devolpe. Also, it lets kids expand their imagination to a level that will be helpful for later in life. Magic isn't going agaist the bible if you ask me. Harry is always trying to stop you-know-who (Valdemort) from distroying the entire planet. So in that case, magic is saving the world. Now this is the part that the author must always be forgetting. . . THIS IS ALL FICTIONAL!!! Really, saying that fictional stories are evil is really dumb. This author should reaserch a bit BEFORE having an incorrect opinion about this. DON'T WASTE YOUR MONEY UNLESS YOU WANT IT TO LAHF AT THE LIES IN THIS INCORRECT-STATING BOOK!!!
15 Terrific Research, Moronic Author
There is nothing wrong with the Harry Potter books. Do NOT waste your time with "Pokemon & Harry Potter: A Fatal Attraction",...These authors are only a couple of crackpots out to make a quick buck by criticizing the hard work and brilliant imagination of J.K Rowling. If you really have concerns about the Harry Potter books polluting the minds of our childeren to the point that they become LSD addicted crack heads, always on the look out for there next fix so they can enjoy a little more time in "Magic Land" Then you better burn every disney, dreamworks, garfield and nickelodion creation you can get your hands on. Phil Arms frequently accuses simple things like names and places of having vast and sinister meanings. Although the reasurch he has put into his views is impressive to a point that its pathetic, his justification is dismal. I could do a better job proving the earth was the centre of the universe than Phil Arms has done proving Harry Potter is "Anti-Christian"
Harry Potter is FICTIONAL, this means that is is NOT REAL...Pokemon & Harry Potter: A Fatal Attraction
by Phil Arms is a much more harmful book than any of the Harry Potter books. It brings me great joy to say that no matter how many "Phil Arms" there are out there they will never ban Harry Potter because to many people have read, and enjoy the magical world created by JK Rowling. Luckily for Phil,...we live in a free country and with this freedom comes freedom of speech and therfore the freedom of ones opinion. If this freedom did not exist it is sure that it would be Phils book that would be banned in libaries not JK Rowling's.
16 Pokemon and Harry Potter-A Fatal Attraction
Author appears to have seen a golden opportunity for financial gain in the Harry Potter controversy.
My 5 and 7 year old grandsons have spent hours reenacting the Harry Potter books, but they are quite aware that they are "make-believe. We all had to learn that lesson with the books we read as children. These two boys have a firm belief in God as our heavenly father and director.
Children are much wiser than the author gives them credit for.
Let them enjoy childhood, it ends too soon as it is.
Don't waste your money...
17 Pokemon, evil..?
::LOL:: I've gotta give this book 5 stars. It's some of the funniest reading I've ever seen! I mean, the guy's a televangelist for goodness sake! He's obviously writing this book in order to take advantage of the hype behind these two marketing powerhouses...
Oh yeah, I'm so sure everyone who reads this will suddenly think that a television/videogame series that promotes friendship and tolerance is really the work of the devil... Uh-huh. The very thought of it is completely laughable!
My opinion: Buy the book if you want a good laugh, or boycott it sheerly for the fact that no one could possibly believe all of the garbage he's tossing around. Either way, just do what you wanna do. No book's gonna change your life unless you want it to...
FIGHT THE POWER, BABY!!
18 NAAAAAAAAAANIIIIIIIIII?
Um...okay...fatal? A fatal attraction? The only way it would be fatal is if I walked in front of a speeding car because I was reading a Harry Potter book. ... Saying PokŽmon is evil can *nearly* be considered racist because it is part of Japanese culture...and since I'm in love with everything Japanese this is a personal insult. ... I read Harry Potter because it's a well-written amazing story by a great author. And PokŽmon is utterly kawaii! ...
19 Good for a few laughs...
Well, okay, so I had a little extra $ to spend, so I bought this waste of paper. This book was silly to the extreme. ...
This tripe by Mr. Arms? Ho Hum. I give it two stars solely for the comedy value. Why don't these people get a life??? It struck me later that I'd actually supported Mr. Arms by purchasing this book. I wish I could undo that action, hence this review...
20 The truth hurts!
Phil Arms has researched the Pokemon and Harry Potter phenomenon and has put the truth out there in book form for everybody. His views are not based on his personal bias, but rather the excellent research that has shown the facts that most people want to deny. Bravo to Mr. Arms for his unflinching exposing of the dangers of these 2 phenomenons!
21 What a load of.....
What's with this guy? He is one of those "Christians" who cannot feel good about themselves unless they are trashing someone else. My kids LOVE Pokemon, though they are too young for Harry Potter. However, I myself am a 32-year old Harry fan. The concept of Harry Potter and Pokemon have one thing in common - that is, simply, good triumphs over evil.
So what if Harry is a wizard-in-training? Wizards have abounded in literature for many, many years. J.R.R. Tolkein ring a bell? How about L. Frank Baum, author of the Oz books? Wizarding is nothing new. Yes, Harry gets instructed in spells, potions, etc. But, I mean, it's not as if I could go out tomorrow morning, find a Portkey, and be whisked away to the Quidditch World Cup (darn!).
As for Pokemon, it's just the latest in a LOOONG line of kids' fads. Sure, it has lasted longer than some, but it too will pass. Again, just like HP, it's fun, escapist, harmless fantasy.
People like the author of this book obviously have way too much time on their hands. Either that, or they just can't be happy unless they are raining on someone else's parade. I imagine the author, if he had been born a few centuries earlier, would have enthusiastically burned "witches" at the stake. The idea of Pokemon or Harry corrupting our youth and sending them to Satan is laughable. What's next, attacking the Powerpuff Girls for promoting cloning? They were created in a lab, after all...
Don't waste your money on this book. Purchase a Harry Potter novel, or a Pokemon game, instead.
22 Thank you Phil Arms
This book is a must read book for any parents who truly care about the welfare of their children - before it's too late I may add. Spiritual warfare is real, Satan is real and the Bible tells us that Satan disguising himself as an angel of light, Satan makes things look good while at the same time promoting evil. This book exposes the truth about Satan's deception and how these toys, video games, and television shows are corrupting our children, and shares stories also of how children have been affected by them, even to the point of violence, killing their own parents, shooting kids at school, etc. I was very disturbed by some of the reviews of this book, it was evident that parents have no clue what's going on with their children and in the world. Fundamental Christians are not the problem, it's the New Age where there is no right and wrong, good or bad anymore. I thank God for the Phil Arms of this world who care about children enough to take the time to notice, care, research, and educate the rest of us. Before we can criticize something we should look at the whole picture from a Biblical perpective, as well as what Pokemon & Harry Potter are teaching our children, and use discernment. I am ordering copies for all my children and grandchildren!
23 Oh, give me a break!!
In this book, Mr. Arms makes the argument that Harry Potter and Pokemon are the works of the devil and that they are trying to prevent your kids from growing up as good Christians. I have to disagree, I am a christian, a Methodist, and i LOVE Harry Potter because Ms. Rowling does a great job of storytelling, true there are decriptions of wizardry in the books, but it does not in anyway endorse Satanism, in fact Harry is fighting against the Satan of the wiarding world, Harry may break rules but he more than not pays the price or the rule-breking was in a good cause, such as to save a life.
Now as for Pokemon, it seesm rather harmless if you ask me, it may contain bits of non-Christian but Pokemon is from Japan, after all, where not everyone is a Christian.(the same could be said for almost any country, but I digress) As near as i can tell the game consists of battling your various creatures against each other, and this does not seem to me to corrupt children in anyway. It has not affected my cousin who LOVES pokemon but is a christian...J.K. Rowling said someting like "sometimes Parents give children too little credit" in terms of not being influeced by books, I belive that Mr. Arms also sells children short.
24 Not very Smart
When will it end?! This book, and others like it, are written by people afraid of all things different, whether it's Japanese culture in the case of Pokemon or British pagan belief in the case of Harry Potter. This is religion gone mad! Yes, Pokemon promotes Shinto & Buddist belief, but what do you expect, it's Japanese. And yes many pokemon are based upon mythical creatures from non-christian religions, but it and Harry Potter are the two best things for kids to be reading cuz they not only entertain but educate. They are also morality tales, just not morality tales that bow down to christian belief. Please, people open you eyes and don't bottle yourself within one relgious standpoint.
25 Paranoia and religion just don't mix...
Take a hint folks, Harry Potter and Pokemon, theyre about mice with electric cheeks and boys riding around on brooms playing a variant of soccer. No more. This pile of drivel is a paranoid attempt to secure the fragile ego of the modern Christian fundamentalist. Make the switch to sanity today.
26 This is truly pathetic.
This is the kind of book that aims at scaring people into believing what the author wants them to. As with other "reviews" I've read (one author actually said that he had not read the HP books, and was thus uninfluenced by them), this person does not come close to grasping what Ms. Rowling sets out to show us, that loyalty, bravery, and brains can win over evil. I was raised Christian, and have not found anything in multiple re-readings to substantiate the claims that the HP books are tools of Satan.
Mr. Arms, I suggest that you concentrate on making your own life one without flaw, before you go trying to find flaws in others.
27 no one is trying to harm your children
If you don't want you're children to read harry potter and actually expand their imagination then don't let them. Harry Potter is a book based on anything but satanism, if you actually knew what exactly satanism is or have actually read Harry Potter books then you stupid people would understand that it's not trying to make your children satanists.
28 Puh LEAZE!
*comes in wearing a Charmander costume and a Harry Potter wizard hat* Sheesh, I'd rate this negative infinity stars if I could. The only thing I find wrong with Harry Potter is that it swears. *shudder* Anyways, I'm a HUGE fan of Pokemon and Harry Potter AND I'm a Christian. People, don't buy this book. It's a waist of time and money.
29 Excellent. Parents must read.
Phil Arms provides a clear and concise analysis of the Pokemon game and the Harry Potter books. He identifies the nature of their characters and their goals with New Age philosophies and practices -including witchcraft and Satanism. The Pokemon/Potter activities consisting in lying, breaking rules, killing, maiming, poisoning opponents, eliminating them with psychic powers, cannot possibly be accepted by any parents as a valuable and desirable education. They are a serious attempt to lead children away from the Christian faith and values, and to convince them to believe in their own psychic powers and not in God as the ONLY intelligent force behind all creation.
Phil Arms discloses what he calls 'the new techniques of indoctrination' and the goals of New Agers and humanists. A very interesting point is also made about evolution versus creation.
In answer to the many parents who have expressed to him or other ministers their concerns about changes in their children's behaviour at home and at school, Phil Arms provides a full range of mesures and advice for the spiritual protection and development of children against deceiving New Age influences.
Well done!
30 PokeMon and Harry Potter "just diversions not demonic"
Mr Arms goes out of his way to paint a bleak picture in regards to the Pokemon and Harry Potter crazes. Durning the course of the book Mr Arms. Sites few sources to back up his allegations. Anyone who has first year debate knows that sources are the key to proving one self and Mr Arms doesnt come through. In one chapter he goes on to tell us a story of Sean Sellers a con victed killer in Oklahoma. Sean tells the story of how he came to be incarcerated awaiting the death sentence. Mr Sellers states that as a teenager he became involved with the game Dungeons&Dragons he tells a tale that is sad (as well as asinine) To blame what type of person you become on a game is a weak statment at best. And thats what Mr Arm attempts to do all through his book. Anyone who has taken Psych 101 knows that we all have choices to make. choices that come from deep inside us. A game is a game pure and simple. To actually make the statement that Satan is the driving force behind Pokemon and Harry Potter makes me take a step back and look at Mr Arms intentions. Did he right the book for religious zeal or monetary Gains...Either way this book didnt impress me. What did make in impression on me was the audacity Mr Arms had in writing the book to begin with.
