In Reply to: The hidden Masonic menace behind Teddy Bears posted by Rightwing Research Dept. on March 11, 2003 at 12:16:32:
My stuffed bear is not called Teddy, and he deeply resents the association that you have made regarding his family roots and the Masonic Order. As for, 'Barbie' there was actually was a 'Klaus Barbie' doll. I would like to point out that the women who designed the, 'Barbie Doll' is Jewish and the connection that was made previously was prefaced by, "I heard that" not, "I believe that". I come across many strange things in my travels and may report on them without endorsing them. I just read an article by a Jewish Rabbi who claimed that from the Talmud (Rabbinical writings.) that Jewish people cannot own, 'Barbie dolls' unless they first poke out her eyes or otherwise disfigure the doll as any thing less would leave them suspect as 'idol worshippers'. He presented this as one of a number of accepted solutions to the problem of, 'idols'. Now that is strange. (link included)
It appears that the US Air Force has joined forces help to rout out the incidious threat possed to the nations youth as millions of Pokemons pour across the borders. This is from a man who belongs to a military force that has spread millions of bomblets in foreign lands that have killed and maimed thousands of kids? Go figure! (Article below.)
"POKEMON
In the latest rage, the young are fascinated with seemingly harmless little "Smurf-like" creatures invented by someone on the staff at Nintendo. Since l995, Nintendo Corporation has been marketing Pokemon cards, cartoons, and video games (surely there's a movie in the making). The Pokedex video game interfaces with the popular Gameboy. Hours upon hours are spent memorizing l52 species, their characteristics, their environment, and their level of evolution. The game is set up so that the player will daily nurture, feed and train these mythical creatures. Many live for the evolution of a new species. All this is to train the inquisitive youth to become a Pokemon master: a Pokeball thrower of the highest level. A person at least ten years of age can become a Pokemon master by obtaining all of the types of Pokemon. In all l5 make-believe "elements" of the Pokemon world, there is no species that can overpower a Pokemon master. The goal is to master the POKEMON by buying them at exorbitant prices, trading them with the unsuspecting, or doing battle for sport or conquest. Battles are won by commanding a well-trained and nourished Pokemon from it globe and getting it to do your bidding. If your level of mastery is higher than the Pokemon's level of potential then you have a servant and a friend. If you are at a lower level, your Pokemon may ignore you or turn on you. Pokemon gain strength by sparring for sport and by battles. Injuries require your loving attention (and medicine). According to Nintendo, you must love your Pokemon. You also must feed your Pokemon, so that it is strong enough for battle. Battles are fought by comparing Pokemon characteristic and strengths. It's an advanced game of "rock, paper, and scissors." You bet that your Pokemon on your card will take the other person's card. In the video game, the little creature is summoned from the Pokeball (cf. 1 Samuel 28:6-20). Other Pokeball's are kept handy to be thrown once the wild Pokemon or the other guy's Pokemon is weakened. There are some restrictions on taking the Pokemon of another trainer, but novices are very vulnerable. Nintendo has targeted the vulnerable from fifth grade through high school.
You can tell a tree by its fruits. The fruits of this passion for Pokemon are want, anxiety, avarice, envy, jealousy, rage, self-exaltation, pride, conceit, and an abiding belief in evolution. The practice consumes time and interest, thus promoting idleness, disrespect, escapism, despair, and loneliness. (cf. Galatians 5:16-26)
At it's base level, Pokemon trains the sinful flesh to elevate itself to become the Master ("like God", cf. Isaiah 14:12-15).
Idolatry is the common thread. Pokemon is sold by peer-pressure, that small voice that says to the innocent: "You really don't belong unless you do this," and "This will show them how important you are."
Nintendo has capitalized on the vulnerability of the novice. The clerks at Barnes and Noble Bookseller's promote Pokemon as an entry level game designed to prepare the uninitiated for the game called "Magic: the Gathering." "Magic: the Gathering" trains the apprentice for "Dungeons & Dragons" and Advanced Dungeons & Dragons." Like "Harry Potter" of the modern best seller fiction novels, the Masters of "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" are ready to be empowered for white witchcraft. The popularity of such spiritual games has laid the groundwork for many who have fallen into the coven of Wicca.... (cf. Deuteronomy 18:9-14)
No child of God in Christ Jesus need to fall for this "other voice."
(cf. John 10:2-5) By the power of the Holy Spirit, the Christian can hear the good counsel of the Ten Commandments and the Gospel and know that God has purchased and won us by the blood of His only Son on the cross. In Jesus Christ, we know Pokemon to be part of the foolish little voice that would entertain the simple and lead them away from God. There is nothing "magic" about the despair and death that lies at the end of the game. God's Word warns us against:
Simply sampling a little foolishness. (peri, eg. Proverbs 1:22, Proverbs 7:7, Proverbs 14:15);
Lest we begin to enjoy foolishness. (kesil, eg. Proverbs 10:23; Proverbs 14:8,l6);
If we enjoy foolishness, then we will begin to defend foolishness (ewil, eg. Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 14:9).
Once we are our own defense of our own foolishness, we have become the "Godless fool" with all his promotions of self and sorcery. (nabal, eg. Psalm 14:l).
This information was written by: Chaplain, Captain Thomas J. Elbert, Jr
Offutt Air Force Base
Omaha, NE
21 October 1999