Happy Atheist Forum

Getting To Know You => Laid Back Lounge => Topic started by: NathanielZhu on May 15, 2011, 05:04:09 AM

Title: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: NathanielZhu on May 15, 2011, 05:04:09 AM
Has anyone else noticed the way kid's shows like Pokemon and yugioh insult science and promote faith?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3azbcAXN18
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: Will on May 15, 2011, 05:18:16 AM
That kind of stuff is bound to happen. America is a majority religious country. Same with Japan, last I checked. Some writers are bound to be religious.

Take the opportunity to point it out to kids and suddenly you're an awesome parent.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: Heretical Rants on May 15, 2011, 11:18:17 AM
Yea, the "Flatland Atheist" plot has even turned up in my most beloved show about ponies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8vKnG8CmcY

In this case, it could be interpreted to support rational thought, though it would require a bit of rationalization (haha :()
The problem with this one is that trying to actively disprove something you know nothing about rather than trying to understand it is not a sound logical process.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: NathanielZhu on May 15, 2011, 05:09:01 PM
Quote from: Heretical Rants on May 15, 2011, 11:18:17 AM
Yea, the "Flatland Atheist" plot has even turned up in my most beloved show about ponies.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8vKnG8CmcY

In this case, it could be interpreted to support rational thought, though it would require a bit of rationalization (haha :()
The problem with this one is that trying to actively disprove something you know nothing about rather than trying to understand it is not a sound logical process.

haha. That reminds me.
For 2 years when I was a Christian I tried to do what that pony did - telekinesis and magick.
I assume that my a priori belief that magick is possible was due to my lack of education, these TV shows, and the influence of the church.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: Cooper20 on May 15, 2011, 08:35:46 PM
Shows that promote Religion make me laugh.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: original_gender on May 16, 2011, 12:27:45 AM
Quote from: Heretical Rants on May 15, 2011, 11:18:17 AM
For 2 years when I was a Christian I tried to do what that pony did - telekinesis and magick.
I assume that my a priori belief that magick is possible was due to my lack of education, these TV shows, and the influence of the church.

I remember hearing our baptist pastor say that a person with even a mustard seed of faith could move a mountain – I was probably five or six at the time. From that point on, I spent a tremendous amount of time trying to faith my toys around the room. In retrospect, it was exhausting work.

I figured if Mustard Seed / Mountain = x / Plastic Action Figure, than X would be such an insignificant amount, that my inability to muster (zing) even that quantity would have eternal consequences lol.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: Whitney on May 16, 2011, 01:08:06 AM
Quote from: original_gender on May 16, 2011, 12:27:45 AM
I remember hearing our baptist pastor say that a person with even a mustard seed of faith could move a mountain – I was probably five or six at the time. From that point on, I spent a tremendous amount of time trying to faith my toys around the room. In retrospect, it was exhausting work.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who took it that way...I forgot what I was told when I asked why I couldn't do it.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: thedport on May 16, 2011, 01:37:32 AM
"Since God created man, and man created the Transformers, the Transformers are like a gift from God, Randal!"- Elias
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: original_gender on May 16, 2011, 01:42:26 AM
Quote from: Whitney on May 16, 2011, 01:08:06 AM
I'm glad I'm not the only one who took it that way...I forgot what I was told when I asked why I couldn't do it.

Was the desire to realize your telekinetic powers exacerbated by the movie Matilda also?

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.listal.com%2Fimage%2F1357753%2F600full-matilda-screenshot.jpg&hash=458bc3429171ca7fa75d43e7209dbf01a189073f)
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: thedport on May 16, 2011, 01:46:45 AM
Quote from: original_gender on May 16, 2011, 01:42:26 AM
Quote from: Whitney on May 16, 2011, 01:08:06 AM
I'm glad I'm not the only one who took it that way...I forgot what I was told when I asked why I couldn't do it.

Was the desire to realize your telekinetic powers exacerbated by the movie Matilda also?

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.listal.com%2Fimage%2F1357753%2F600full-matilda-screenshot.jpg&hash=458bc3429171ca7fa75d43e7209dbf01a189073f)

I loved that movie, but I did always think it was a little twisted, Kinda like James and the Giant peach.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: answerquestionable on May 16, 2011, 02:29:31 AM
Way to literal!
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: Melmoth on May 16, 2011, 09:26:13 PM
I don't think they're trying to indoctrinate children into an anti-science mode of thinking. It's just a common literary device, that's all.

If you want any kind of story - magical or not - to be engrossing for an audience, then you need to suspend their disbelief and discourage any kind of skepticism. It just so happens that one of the cheapest ways of doing this is by having a deeply skeptical character knocking about that you can constantly cast in a stubborn, naive and slightly foolish light. Think Skully from the X-Files, always having to second-guess herself in the face of all so many supernatural shenanigans. It doesn't mean that the people who wrote the X-Files actually believe any of it, or want you to after it's over. And this is just one of the more obvious methods; all fiction has to discourage skepticism to some extent, otherwise you just wouldn't buy any of it.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: Whitney on May 16, 2011, 09:32:13 PM
I'm happy to say that I haven't had to watch enough pokemon to know anything about the plot or what they say...all I know if that their animals live in balls which are thrown to fight and that little kids (boys especially) seem to really like it.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: Melmoth on May 16, 2011, 09:39:19 PM
Quote from: WhitneyI'm happy to say that I haven't had to watch enough pokemon to know anything about the plot or what they say

My sister used to watch it all the time when we were kids. Believe me when I say that you could never be happy enough.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: Davin on May 16, 2011, 09:40:45 PM
@Melmoth: That's the way I see it, except I did see somewhere (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmNb3xJFzkc) that PokeMon is the devil trying to lead children away from the lord and into witchcraft.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: Melmoth on May 16, 2011, 09:52:35 PM
@Davin

I love the irony of this man. He seems to be criticising the media on the grounds that people can't tell the difference between fantasy and reality. I also love the way he physically winces when he has to say the words "rock, music."

"Son, there's a Devil. AND HE WANTS TO RUIN YOUR LIFE. Got that? Lovely. You have fun at school now!" I'm so glad I didn't have religious parents.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: Illbethewriter on May 17, 2011, 01:08:52 AM
Quote from: original_gender on May 16, 2011, 01:42:26 AM
Quote from: Whitney on May 16, 2011, 01:08:06 AM
I'm glad I'm not the only one who took it that way...I forgot what I was told when I asked why I couldn't do it.

Was the desire to realize your telekinetic powers exacerbated by the movie Matilda also?

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.listal.com%2Fimage%2F1357753%2F600full-matilda-screenshot.jpg&hash=458bc3429171ca7fa75d43e7209dbf01a189073f)

I love Matilda. I did think I was actually her when I was younger because I also loved to read.. and I thought this would make me able to move stuff and multiply big numbers. Don't you sometimes wish that someone somewhere could actually do that? I mean move stuff - not multiply big numbers because there are already a couple of those knocking about. I think it'd be really sweet. Well actually it couldn't just be anyone because they may use it for.. insidious means. I may have to change my question to "Don't you wish there was a little girl called Matilda who could move stuff and who lived happily ever after in a cottage with Miss Honey?" That would be really sweet.
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: original_gender on May 17, 2011, 01:37:36 AM
Quote from: Illbethewriter on May 17, 2011, 01:08:52 AM
Don't you sometimes wish that someone somewhere could actually do that? I mean move stuff - not multiply big numbers because there are already a couple of those knocking about. I think it'd be really sweet.

I wish I wasn't bothered by the fact that I can't come up with a clever enough way to respond to your comment without you realizing what I'm trying to communicate to people who concern themselves with context. I feel like if I was to phrase it right, we could all snicker like a bunch of school kids. ;)
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: Heretical Rants on May 19, 2011, 03:26:12 AM
Quote from: Illbethewriter on May 17, 2011, 01:08:52 AM
Quote from: original_gender on May 16, 2011, 01:42:26 AM
Quote from: Whitney on May 16, 2011, 01:08:06 AM
I'm glad I'm not the only one who took it that way...I forgot what I was told when I asked why I couldn't do it.

Was the desire to realize your telekinetic powers exacerbated by the movie Matilda also?

(https://www.happyatheistforum.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi2.listal.com%2Fimage%2F1357753%2F600full-matilda-screenshot.jpg&hash=458bc3429171ca7fa75d43e7209dbf01a189073f)


The Unicorns in My Little Pony are telekinetic as well.
The Unicorns in My Little Pony are telekinetic as well.

I love Matilda. I did think I was actually her when I was younger because I also loved to read.. and I thought this would make me able to move stuff and multiply big numbers. Don't you sometimes wish that someone somewhere could actually do that? I mean move stuff - not multiply big numbers because there are already a couple of those knocking about. I think it'd be really sweet. Well actually it couldn't just be anyone because they may use it for.. insidious means. I may have to change my question to "Don't you wish there was a little girl called Matilda who could move stuff and who lived happily ever after in a cottage with Miss Honey?" That would be really sweet.

The Unicorns in My Little Pony are telekinetic as well.


Quote from: thedport on May 16, 2011, 01:37:32 AM
"Since God created man, and man created the Transformers, the Transformers are like a gift from God, Randal!"- Elias

The same company that owns Transformers also owns My Little Pony. Just sayin'


Additionly, they have licenses for Thor, Mr. Potato Head, Monopoly, Nerf,  Adventure Heroes, Aggravation, Alphie   , Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader?,    Axis & Allies, Baby Alive, Barrel of Monkeys, Battleship, Beyblade, Boggle, Bop It, Buckaroo, Candy Land, Captain America   , Charles Wysocki   , Chuck and Friends, Chutes & Ladders, Cir Kis, Clipo, Clue, Connect 4, Cootie, Cranium, Crazy Old Fish War, Crocodile Dentist, Cuponk, Cyberverse, Dart Tag, DinoRoars, Disney, Dora The Explorer, Dreamtown, Dressy Daisy, Duelmasters    Dungeons & Dragons EEasy-Bake    Electronic Catch Phrase    Elefun & Friends    Explore N Grow FFamily Game Night    Funglish    FurReal Friends GG.I. Joe    Game Night    Gator Golf    Girl Talk    Gloworld    Gloworm    Go Diego Go!    Guess Who?    Guesstures HHannah Montana    Hasbro Card Games    Hasbro Games    Helmet Heroes    Hi Ho! Cherry-O    High School Musical Hungry Hungry Hippos IIncredible Hulk    Indiana Jones    Iron Man JJenga    Ji Ga Zo KLLazer Tag    Lite-Brite    Little Einsteins    Little Mermaid    Littlest Pet Shop MMagic: the Gathering    Mall Madness    Marvel    Marvel Super Hero Squad    Marvel Universe    MechTech    Memory    Mickey Mouse Mighty Muggs    Mod Machines    Monopoly    Mouse Trap    Mr Potato Head    My Little Pony    MY3D    MY3D Apps    MY3D Viewers Mystery Date NNerf    N-Force    Nickelodeon    N-Strike OOperation    Ouija PParcheesi    Partini    Perfection    Pictionary    Pictureka!    Play-Doh    Play-Doh Creations    Playskool    Pow-R-Fuel Pretty Pretty Princess    Puzz 3D    Puzzle Shots    Puzzles QRRatuki    Risk    Robo Power    Rook    Room Tech    Rubik's Cube SScattergories    Scrabble    Sesame Street    Sid The Science Kid    Simon    Sit 'N Spin    Sorry!    SpeedStars    Spider-Man Spirograph    SpongeBob SquarePants    Sports    Star Wars    Strawberry Shortcake    Super Soaker TTaboo    The Backyardigans    The Game of Life    The Game of Things...    The Simpsons     Tinkertoy    Tonka    Toy Story 3 Transformers    Transformers Crossovers    Transformers Marvel Crossovers    Tread Shifters    Trivial Pursuit    Trouble    Twister UU-Build    Upwords VWWheel Pals    Wizards of the Coast    Wolverine    Wolverine and the X-Men X-Men Origins Wolverine Yahtzee
Title: Re: Religion/Anti-Science Message in Pokemon/Kid's Shows
Post by: The Magic Pudding on May 19, 2011, 05:13:42 AM
Quote from: original_gender on May 17, 2011, 01:37:36 AM
I wish I wasn't bothered by the fact that I can't come up with a clever enough way to respond to your comment without you realizing what I'm trying to communicate to people who concern themselves with context. I feel like if I was to phrase it right, we could all snicker like a bunch of school kids. ;)

Stop your snickering or it will be the chokey for all of you!

I liked Madeline, not the books so much as the TV show and the movie.
I'd like to make captured Tallibs watch Madeline and Matilda non stop, I think it would do them good.