Plugged in Reviews Avatar: The Last Airbender

[Fish and Chips]

From what I've seen, the Buddhist influence is more for the sake of style than some evil agenda. You could say the same of films like Star Wars. I can understand that it takes some maturity to watch other Animes, but for something like Avatar, it shouldn't be that big of a stumbling block.

EDIT: Ha! Radical Dreamer and I were thinking along the same lines.

[Tommy]

And Star Wars doesn't have Buddhist/New Age elements? I mean, I was introduced to Star Wars when I was 5 years old, and I understood that the Force wasn't real. Ultimately, though, it was my parents' responsibility to make sure that I knew the truth when all was said and done, but really, I don't see how this show is any different.

I agree.

I never said the that Avatar is evil, but kids are likely to believe all of things and luckily you are an exception.

It's a good thing to have parents that set kids straight, but little kids usually can't think for themselves that well at age 5.

I agree with the Star Wars thing though.

[ChristianKitsune]

you would think something like Start Wars would influence a kid more than a cartoon would because it's Live Action.. ^^;

[Rocketshipper]

No one has a problem with their children reading Homer's Odyssey

Actually, I think if it was a movie or TV version of the Odyssey, they would have a problem with it ^^. I've spent a lot of time on Plugged In and another Focus site, Boundless, and come to the conclusion that they are pretty biased against all modern media in general. To them, reading ANY book is better than watching a movie or TV, regardless of the content of the book.

I think Plugged In is useful some of the time, but I don't always agree with their reviews, and it bothers me that in their FAQ page they state that the reason they don't rate movies is because they are only supposed to be informing people about movie content, since it's up to parents to choose if a movie is acceptable or not, yet, their reviews are full of opinions about whether good christians and families should see them or not.

[Nate]

Actually, I think if it was a movie or TV version of the Odyssey, they would have a problem with it ^^.

Yeah, but most parents would have a problem with their kids watching an accurate portrayal of events from the Bible. Samson killing hundreds of people? David peeping at Bathsheba from his balcony? And let's not even get started on the story of Onan...

[Fish and Chips]

Nate has a point. The Bible is easily one of the most violent books in history; People being beheaded, stabbed, tent-pegg'd, eaten by lions, stoned, tortured, etc.

Makes 300 look like a PBS educational special.

[Joshua Christopher]

There's no denying that youth is impressionable, but in this generation, I think youth is so desensitized that they aren't as much. That seems almost oxymoronic*, but it's true.

Another thing I feel kind of funny is the fact that, though I'm not a Buddhist and I don't endorse it, people are missing something. Hey, guess what? Lots of Buddhist philosophy is good, and it matches up fine with Christian morals.

Let's take a look here:

Right Speech - One speaks in a non hurtful, not exaggerated, truthful way

Right Actions - Wholesome action, avoiding action that would do harm

Right Livelihood - One's way of livelihood does not harm in any way oneself or others; directly or indirectly

Right Effort/Exercise - One makes an effort to improve

Goodness, Plugged-In, how wrong I was. I would hope we can live in a society where none of these awful philosophies interfere with our way of living.

[Stephen]

Heh. While I am in no way a fan of Plugged-in...the bashing needs to stop. As far as the Buddhist thing. So some of the things line up, does that mean we should embrace it? I have studied cults that had peachy nice rules too. *shrug*

[Kai Robin]

[Mod Note- My post was not a joke]

oh no, I've been slapped on the hand! Naughty me!

[Stephen]

I guess I was not clear enough when I wrote

the bashing needs to stop

Failure to listen to this will result in deleted posts and possible strikes. When a mod tries to be nice and warn people rather then just locking a thread listen.

CAA is not going to be used as a site to bash other Christian websites or groups. If you think they are crazy, fine. Don't use the site or read the reviews. But to sit back and hurl stones are what should be your brothers and sisters in Christ makes me sick. And the staff won't stand for it. Not now, not ever.

[Joshua Christopher]

CAA is not going to be used as a site to bash other Christian websites or groups. If you think they are crazy, fine. Don't use the site or read the reviews. But to sit back and hurl stones are what should be your brothers and sisters in Christ makes me sick. And the staff won't stand for it. Not now, not ever.

All right then. I'll stop, and I'm sure everyone else will, but I'm only doing so in accordance with the rules of this site.

However, I find this logic and your treatment of it SERIOUSLY flawed, and seriously wrong. This makes me sick. Sitting back and hurling stones at our brothers and sisters in Christ? That's ludicrous and just wrong. When an organization is giving Christianity a bad name and making anyone under that name look so bad, I think we have a duty to put a stop to it.

You don't have a problem with Fred Phelps? Okay then.

I'm not sure if I can associate with this site if that's the attitude here.

[ChristianKitsune]

.... Shatterheart, if you think it's necassary, could you please go ahead and lock this thread... i was probably stupid to start this...I thought that maybe we could all be mature and discuss this issue without bashing PluggedIN and Focus on the Family.. I guess I was wrong and I will not do this again. I kinda started this because I wanted to see what other people's view was on Avatar, since I have only seen a few episodes and I was thinking of trying it. This was just an attempt at thread different from, "OHH WHAT DO YOU GUYZ THINK OF THIS SHOH!" type thing...

Joshua Christopher. (IF I understand the meaning of your post) There is a HUGE diffference between Fred Phelps and Focus on the Family. HUGE.

To even compare FOF to that hate monger, is like a disgrace. AVATAR IS A FREAKING CARTOON. Geez..all FOF "bashes" (if you want to call it that) is media. Fred Phelps bashes humans. there is a HUGE difference. He also gives not only my denomination a bad name but other Christians as well.

Focus on the Family is just trying to watch out for those who are really scared to allow their kids to get into wierd stuff. The human soul is so much more important than a stinkin tv show. IF you are offended by this review then maybe you look at what is really important. God or some animated cartoon that will eventually lose it's ratings and die like all the other stuff on this world.

I am sorry if that offends you, but Focus on the Family is a God-Oriented Ministry. CAA is a God-Oriented Ministry... and personally, I don't think FOF or CAA cares what you think about how they run things.

[Fish and Chips]

CAA is not going to be used as a site to bash other Christian websites or groups. If you think they are crazy, fine. Don't use the site or read the reviews. But to sit back and hurl stones are what should be your brothers and sisters in Christ makes me sick. And the staff won't stand for it. Not now, not ever.

Alright, I agree* and I apologize if any of my comments came off as bashing, as I've tried to discuss this in a reasonably mature matter.

*Provided Jack Chick does not fall under the protection of this clause.

[Mave]

Well, as much as my standards do not necessarily coincide with the standards this site may carry, I think it's fine if they leaned towards being super conservative. I think this website caters to a certain group of believers who really value a very critical point of view. I mean, who knows if they had parents who got mad at them for not checking out the details or for not being critical enough (i.e Your review didn't mention [this] and [that]?! What kind of Christian are you to miss that?)

If you don't find this website useful, then it's probably because it isn't meant for you and that's OK. It isn't really for me, although I'll read it out of curiosity. No matter how extreme some of their views may be (I admit I winch at some of them), I guess I can live with that as I can't discount the possibility that it may actually help save some brothers/sisters from stumbling. If you find that notion that some Christians have different levels of weaknesses ridiculous and unacceptable then, well......never mind.

Avatar is quite excellent as an animated series although I can understand why some may feel uncomfortable with the Eastern religion influences. IMO, it's heavier than the usual subtle hint and I'm not exactly hot about it. This is coming from an Asian who is exposed to such religious elements/philosophies on a daily basis.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

Makes 300 look like a PBS educational special.

I lol'ed.

"TONIGHT... We watch... DORA THE EXPLORER!!!"

Spartans: YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAHHH!

"LET US EDUCATE OURSELVES BY LEARNING SPANISH IN A FAMILY-FRIENDLY WAY!

Spartans: "SWIPER NO SWIPING! SWIPER NO SWIPING!"

"We also watch READING RAINBOW!

Spartans: "YEEAAAH!"

While I do disagree with Plugged-In for... virtually almost everything, and I do take Josh's side on this one. Though I also agree with Steve that some of the bashing is being over-done.

[beau99]

There is a HUGE diffference between Fred Phelps and Focus on the Family. HUGE.

Not really. Some of Dobson's and Phelps' personal beliefs are in line with each other. They both believe the 9/11 attacks were a punishment from God.

All right then. I'll stop, and I'm sure everyone else will, but I'm only doing so in accordance with the rules of this site.

However, I find this logic and your treatment of it SERIOUSLY flawed, and seriously wrong. This makes me sick. Sitting back and hurling stones at our brothers and sisters in Christ? That's ludicrous and just wrong. When an organization is giving Christianity a bad name and making anyone under that name look so bad, I think we have a duty to put a stop to it.

I'm not sure if I can associate with this site if that's the attitude here.

Quoted for 100 percent truth. I've been endorsing this site for years, but if I can't speak my mind in a Christian way about an organization that makes me look bad, then I will quit endorsing this site and cease all activities here.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

I've been and still am frustrated that on many Christian sites (CAA included) you have to be less than honest in some issues and avoid others altogether.

But realistically I've come to notice it may not be about 'trying to sugarcoat issues and try to be civil at all costs',
instead it may be about not wanting to cause non-Christians to see Christians here (and elsewhere) bashing so called 'Christians'
(whether or not we like it we are under the same banner as Jack Chick etc) and our attitudes towards them reflect what they may believe Christians to be.

Still struggling with the fact that its about taking it all to God and talking about the stuff elsewhere, with tact and humility, but I'm coming to terms with it.
I like to speak my mind, be honest and think deeply.
Guess I'm on the same page as you guys.

[Kai Robin]

Hmm.....

I think site bashing may just be an expression of frustration over anyone who's tried to get someone to go church but wouldn't because of the mindset that the church is filled with "boring people who don't do anything because its offensive," and sites like that only add to the cause. Their are alot of Christians who seam to preach against anything "worldy," and such. The church I go to actually teaches that you cannot listen to any "worldy"(as in non Christian) music whatsoever, and yet has XBox 360's in the game room set up for lan-party Halo 2. Yeah, I don't get it either. Anyways, my point is, if someone holds something dear to them, whether it be anime, or music, ect, and the all they see in the church is a bunch of paranoid androids who tell them all their interests are evil, or come across with that mindset (aka plugged in) their not gonna go.

[Fish and Chips]

I think Kai Robin's nicely summed up what some of us think. If some of these churches and sites are evident, Puritanism wasn't just a passing fad.

[Cap'n Nick]

While I don't always agree with their methodology, I do think PluggedIn highlights something very important about the state of entertainment - that is, that we get most of it from people that are ambivalent or actively hostile to our beliefs and values. While this may not always be cause for rejection, it should make us think seriously about how to encourage Christian art, patronize Christian creators and work together to create an entertainment environment in which we are not just feeding off of pagan scraps.

[Aileen Kailum]

I've thought about it a little more and was able to remember some examples of teenage rebellion in the series.

In one of the first episodes, two of the main characters--Aang and Katara--go and explore an old enemy ship, even though they're not supposed to. (Although this does backfire on them, and they have to deal with the consequences later.)

Later on in the show, the whole group meets up with a band of teenage freedom fighters. At first, Aang and Katara are enamoured with the lifestyle of the fighters and their cause. It turns out, however, that the leader of the freedom fighters is revenge-driven to the point of being willing to sacrifice an entire village of innocent people to obtain his goal. He is definitely not portrayed in a positive light.

I guess one of the most blatant acts of rebellion is when the character Toph runs away from home to join the Avatar. Her running away is shown as justified and, so far, there haven't been any serious consequences. (Well, her parents did send two guys after her to bring her back...)

And as for being influenced by watching Star Wars... Nonsense. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go finish prepping my X-wing. Rogue squadron is short a fighter.

[ChristianKitsune]

I am sorry if I sounded cross earlier... It was 3 am...and I was very tired...I might have read Joshua Christopher's post wrong..

But I still don't agree that Dobson and Phelps have the same views.. I believe that MANY christians feel that 9/11 happened. But God used it to get our attention. God will use tragedies for this purpose. Fred Phelps on the other takes it way to the extreme. Dobson has never said that he hates the soldiers, or that gays will go to hell for simply being the way they are. (anyone will go to hell for sinning...unless they are saved By Christ). Instead, FOF treats people with respect and love. They are strongly against certain issues, but I don't think it's a hate thing.

Again, I am not saying that I agree with FOF on the issues of anime...but from an outsider's/parents opinion it could be viewd in a negative light. I can't tell you how many times my mom has called me on watching anime with cussing... But I don't hate my mom for it, she does it because she cares about my spiritual well being.

I also emailed FOF once about anime, and they told me that they agreed Not all anime is bad, it's how it affects someone personally. For me, anime isn't a huge problem. Other than it can distract me... But for others it can cause a lot of problems How many fans are into yaoi, hentai, and yuri? Seriously? Sometimes anime CAN be a bad thing, it depends on the individual, and I think FOF is just combining it all together for parents. They can't possibly narrow each person down in one review, it's not possible. So they have to nutshell it in the way they feel is best. Just as we do here on CAA.


Hope that clears up my stance a bit more..

[Radical Dreamer]

But realistically I've come to notice it may not be about 'trying to sugarcoat issues and try to be civil at all costs',
instead it may be about not wanting to cause non-Christians to see Christians here (and elsewhere) bashing so called 'Christians'
(whether or not we like it we are under the same banner as Jack Chick etc) and our attitudes towards them reflect what they may believe Christians to be.

You pretty much nailed it, right there. Christian or non-Christian, anime fan or no, they're people, and we need to, at the very least, be respectful in what we say towards them. What kind of message does it send out to the World when Christians are bashing each other? Not a good one, I'll tell you that. XD Does that mean we have to agree with them? No. Does it mean we should treat them as people and respect them, regardless? Absolutely. Granted, my post is mostly speaking for Focus on the Family, since we mainly disagree on entertainment choices. I agree with Kitchan regarding people like Fred Phelps and Jack Chick, who take it a step further and hate the actual people themselves. Not cool.

[Tommy]

Not really. Some of Dobson's and Phelps' personal beliefs are in line with each other. They both believe the 9/11 attacks were a punishment from God.

That serves as complete irrelevance.

As long as they both believe Jesus died on the cross and rose for their sins, why would their feelings on 9/11 mean anything?

I think a bunch of people on CAA have beliefs pertaining to creation and the tribulation that differ to mine and seem to be taken out of context, butt hose aren't the true important things.

However, I find this logic and your treatment of it SERIOUSLY flawed, and seriously wrong. This makes me sick. Sitting back and hurling stones at our brothers and sisters in Christ? That's ludicrous and just wrong. When an organization is giving Christianity a bad name and making anyone under that name look so bad, I think we have a duty to put a stop to it.

I'm with Steve, here, Josh.
Plugged-In isn't a bad example of Christianity's view on films.
They tell it how it is, however some of their reviews are flawed and sometimes almost silly, you have to respect their opinions.

There's nothing wrong with keeping a child away from a movie that COULD be considered bad.

I mean, as long as they aren't extremist and say "All who see Brokeback Mountain" go to Hell!" or films of that nature.

When it comes down to it, the purpose oft he magazine is to aid parents in their decision of deciding what to let their kid's watch. As long as the parents don't just go by what the magazine says and do some research themselves, there really is no harm in its existence.

Flame me in any way you want.
I've said my piece.

[Chosen Raven]

Uh....back to the article....I guess....

I gather the reviewer seems to know alot about the show from his beginning summary, which is nice.

The following quotes are taken from the article:

Besides the aforementioned reincarnation factor, the Avatar represents the "spirit of the earth" and harnesses a power that, as one ghostly forefather explains, is "a combination of all your past lives focusing their energy through your body." And as the chosen one, Aang regularly stumbles into the spirit world. (He's even given drugs to induce his Avatar state.) Other characters refer to their qi when mustering supernatural power. Places are described as hubs of spiritual energy. Hindu-esque gurus read this energy and receive visions through meditation, while Katara possesses the power to heal.

Now, the reincarnation thing does bother me a little bit, but I don't think the show is evil because of it. What mainly bothers me is that stuff like this is allowed on TV while more Christian things are considered taboo for the show's audience. Apparently referring often to reincarnation is okay(I've seen it alot in other cartoons) but talking about heaven is a no-no. The above quote does mention something that concerns me, though. Is Aang really given drugs to induce his Avatar state? I've only seen through season 2, so I don't know the story behind this.

Then Avatar mixes the convoluted spiritual stuff and bad attitudes with violence—not a healthy combination by any standard. And the fighting goes beyond Tom and Jerry tactics. Tribal genocide and general warfare are alluded to. We see scene after scene after scene of martial arts and Matrix-style combat. Instead of bloody fatalities, opponents get tossed around amidst dynamite explosions, moving rock formations, lightning bolts of fire and the like.

I hardly think the violence in Avatar is anything to worry about. It's more akin to dancing than fighting, what with all the exaggerated kung-fu-movie style movements and the fact that people are rarely hit. For some reason the reviewers at PluggedIn can't seem to handle even minor violence(they thought Kingdom Hearts 2 was too violent as well). When the Bible speaks of David's Mighty Men, it praises them for combat exploits like killing a giant and slaying a lion. What I take from that is that it's okay to watch and be impressed by a good fight scene, fictional or not.

The truth is, anime's tendency toward violence and teen rebellion is disconcerting enough.

Woah now, that's a little off base there. I'll concede that anime's violence is more intense than that of American cartoons(not that I think that's a bad thing), but teen rebellion sure isn't something I normally associate with anime. I mean, sure, it's there sometimes, but so is respect for elders. I can think of numerous examples where such respect goes so far that it would be considered too old fashioned by western standards. One of the reasons I myself am into anime is because I got sick n' tired of the constant immorallity on American television(which I pretty much don't watch anymore). In the animes I watch, the characters actually have a since of sexual morality. Marriage is glorified. Pornography is frowned upon as being perverse. I could go on, but I won't. Statements like the above quote do nothing but make Christians look bad, and we should speak out against them whenever they are made.

What the FoF and PluggedIn websites need are forums. It would be awesome to debate a reveiwer or even Dr. Dobson himself. Sending emails to them and getting a generic, programmed reply just isn't cutting it. FoF is a great organization that's helped alot of people. They just need to discuss things more with fellow Christians who dissagree with them. Even if we can't change their minds, at least we could get them thinking.

[Stephen]

We've had MANY instances of FOTF bashing on this site. Regardless of where you stand on an issue, your brothers and sisters in Christ have the right to their own opinions. If the staffs stance on this causes you to leave the site, bye.