Well, I just watched Full Metal Alchemist...

[Rogie]

... and there's a ton of bad religion there in that first episode. Tell me, those of you "in the know," does all of this stuff either get corrected or dropped altogether? Because if not, I don't think I'm going to be able to take all of that.

And the water into wine "miracle" in the episode was pretty bad (even offensive, if you ask me).

Let me know, people, cuz it looks like a cool show otherwise!

[c.t.,girl]

oh no! it's still only 9:47. no! it's bad?!

[true_noir_chloe]

Hmm, all I can say Rogie is if you feel you shouldn't watch it then you probably shouldn't. However, I've seen most of this show and even the ending of it and must say, it is probably - quality wise - one of the best shows I have ever seen.

They confront how your sins always catch up with you. They speak of how everything doesn't always end up as you think it will. It shows how Edward and Alphonse Elric, brothers, have such a deep love and concern for one another they would give their own lives for the other. It shows a very clear picture of the depravity of man.

Now remember, this whole story takes place in a fantasy world designed by Square Enix and writers (please correct me those of you who are big FMA fans), so it will not be like our world, nor will it speak of our God - which is good. If you watch Star Wars, have read LOTR, or have played Final Fantasy you will probably see nothing wrong with this show. This is entirely fantasy - which means it may pick and choose references to known religions, like every other fantasy out there, but it is not our world they are speaking of. So, don't take it too personally.

It has many good things in it, and its more intelligent than most anime. There is no fan service as I recall. There is violence, and the story requires the violence, so it is never gratuitous.

I was impressed by this show. It is a rating of 13 and up, I believe. It's not a kids show; obviously, since it was on Adult Swim.

Now, I wish you would wait to watch this show on DVD, with the uncut version. They really messed up the music and the voices on CN. I'm waiting to buy the DVDs with the uncut versions and get some nice music. XDXD

[Jasdero]

Yes, I agree with Chloe. Whenever I feel as though I shouldn't be watching something, I simply don't watch it. It's all based on what you think is right and wrong. ^^;; But uh.. ignore me.. just read what Chloe said.. XD;;

Now, I wish you would wait to watch this show on DVD, with the uncut version. They really messed up the music and the voices on CN. I'm waiting to buy the DVDs with the uncut versions and get some nice music. XDXD

@_@ They really did... T.T

[Mr. SmartyPants]

actually the anime somewhat ties in with earth, but you learn that later... MUUUCCCHHHH later. Some God Leto and whatever stuff like that. I will give a spoiler about episode 2

[spoiler]the religion the high presit made with Leto and all is fake, the ring he has just amplifies his abolity to transmute objects without abiding by equivalent trade. The high preist is just doing it for money and other dumb reasons. Ed and Al uncover his fraud in a particularly humorous way in the end of episode 2.[/spoiler]

And later on in around episode 5 or 6 or something:

[spoiler]this dude scar, tells how he was doing Gods will. Their god is thing named ishbala and they believed that alchemy was heretical, so scar was out to kill all state alchemists[/spoiler]

[c.t.,girl]

okay yeah the water was like ugh that was sooo not needed! but other than that i thought it was cool!

[Elric_kun]

okay yeah the water was like ugh that was sooo not needed!

EDIT: sorry, was in a bad mood.....

[CobaltAngel]

And later on in around episode 5 or 6 or something:

[spoiler]this dude scar, tells how he was doing Gods will. Their god is thing named ishbala and they believed that alchemy was heretical, so scar was out to kill all state alchemists[/spoiler]

Yeah, but he believes in some weird God, not the christian God, as far as I remember. But yeah, this show isn't really anti-christian, as much as it appears that was in the first few episodes. I believe one of the main things the author is trying to establish that Ed isn't the type that believes in anything that can't be scientifically proven. It’s just his character. After the first few episodes there’s really not much religious reference. It's a really good anime - you're missing out if you give up on it right away.

[Debitt]

I watched the first few episodes of FMA and I guess I'm usually pretty tolerant of bad religious themes (hack, I love X/1999), but I guess it just rubbed me the wrong way. It's just seemed so...depressing. o_0;

[Ren_sama]

Yea, though the first episode wasn't bashing Christianity, (though at first I thought they were, before they started talking about a sun god...) I looked at some FMA quotes and it seems as though they start talking about how God doesn't exist...He can't save you...all that...stuff. *shrug* But I dunno which 'god' they're referring to, if you know what I mean...

The thing that might make me not watch the anime anymore is how they use Alchemy, and they say that alchemy is the answer to all or something.

But, I'll watch a few more episodes, and if I still don't like it, then I won't watch it...ever again. Sad though, since the story line and art were really good.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

but remember, this is a fantasy world... but it still ties in with earth

spoiler: remember, this is a MAJOR spoiler to the show, read at your own risk!!!!!!

seriously!!!!

[spoiler]Their world is kinda like a parallel dimension world to our earth, you see ed and his father appear in London during the 190's around world war 1.[/spoiler]

[CobaltAngel]

Just for the record - this isn't an anime you can judge in the first few episodes. Sure, i was bugged when reading the manga for the first couple of chapters, but once I got further into the story I found myself going "Ooooh..."

Plus, I get bothered REALLY easily when it comes to bad religous stuff, and even with the stuff in the first chapter, FMA didn't bother me NEARLY as much as Record of Lodoss Wars (I just can't bring myself to even read that manga anymore without feeling uncomfortable.)

[Kireihana]

I wasn't bothered by the religion in the first episode because they made it obvious that the religious leader guy was a phony, and had only set up that "religion" in order for his own personal gain, so it wasn't like the show was endorsing him..

I also liked what Ed said about not being able to go out of bounds of human territory, i.e. trying to bring people back to life, because that's divine business. (in our case, God's ^_^)

[oro!]

I wasn't bothered by the religion in the first episode because they made it obvious that the religious leader guy was a phony, and had only set up that "religion" in order for his own personal gain, so it wasn't like the show was endorsing him..

I also liked what Ed said about not being able to go out of bounds of human territory, i.e. trying to bring people back to life, because that's divine business. (in our case, God's ^_^)

I totally agree.
I liked it, too. I only got to see it, though, because my brother had recorded Rurouni Kenshin for me. He didn't turn it off and it recorded Full Metal Alchemist. I just happened to play it at where it was. The show was really good.

[CobaltAngel]

They really empathize the fact that humans aren't all powerful throughout the manga, Ed sees in many situations such as

[spoiler]When Nina and her dog are transmutated into a chimera and then killed by Scar, and Ed couldn't do anything to stop it[/spoiler]

show that even tough little Ed can solve everything. ^that part put me into shock. I wasn't expecting it at all. @_@

[Mr. SmartyPants]

aye i was gonna say that

the plot CAN get disturbing at a few times, such as episode 7 and 8. So be aware, unless CN's version alters it. Be cautious when watching those 2 episodes

[Rogie]

Thanks for the heads-up, everyone, and I'm like this with all anime. If I get uncomfortable with it, then I do quit. Two series that come to mind are Tsukikage Ran and Wild Arms, both of which offended and both of which I trashed all DVDs I owned of it. So, with FMA, I will quit if it completely offends me, but I was thinking that since so many people here at CAA liked it, that it would get beyond all that or something. Since it doesn't seem to get past that stuff, I'll probably end up quit with it, but I will try a few more eps.

[Usso-M]

Even though this may SEEM like a long time, it's very important to know that
over the course of 50 episodes, Ed's views on God CHANGE....for the better, I might add
But the last episode.....well....they are different for sure. ^_^
Please stick with it or IM me for more spoiler-ish info!

[Mr. SmartyPants]

thats very true USSO ^_^

[CDLviking]

It wasn't so much the false religion that bothered me, but Ed's attitude toward religion in general. I'm glad to here that it is changed over the course of the show.

[agasfas]

It is what it is. These are one of the shows you watch at face value, b/c if you go into it enough your find faults. It's the same pretty much w/ all shows on TV including many anime titles. If your strong in your belief then it shouldn't pose a really huge problem. But like many have said, if you don't feel it's for you or feel it's a bit offensive, then it's probably best not to watch it. Though I will admit it does go into the fantasy realm of things.

[true_noir_chloe]

I think the way all the characters in this show grow as human beings in their thoughts, personality, maturity, views of life, their interaction with one another and such, is the biggest positive of this show. The characters really make the show. It is really rare to see such great character development in any other form of media, whether it be movies, anime or books. That is, of course, IMO. ^___^

[Crossdive]

Thanks for the heads-up, everyone, and I'm like this with all anime. If I get uncomfortable with it, then I do quit.

I absolutely agree with you. I only saw two or three eps of RaXephon and bescause I got a bad feeling about it spiritually, I quit watching it, I'm like that, even if their is no written evidence, most of the time I will just judge by what I feel the Lord telling me. My gut feeling, or moreover, Him telling me, and how I translate what He is saying, is usually very accurate, I can't, in all honesty, recall a time since before I was saved that I had heard His voice, and missheard it. Usually though, He is very direct with me, and I have made myself listen wether I want to or not. Because I need to... It is the right thing, in the end, it is going to be the better choice, and even when a small part doesn't, a big part of me desires to follow and obey. so I do. I love to really, though it may sound odd...

[Mr. SmartyPants]

It wasn't so much the false religion that bothered me, but Ed's attitude toward religion in general. I'm glad to here that it is changed over the course of the show.

yeap, but its not he tells the world hes a believer now, but you can infer that his views change, by the way he acts.

[Fireproof]

I really liked the show, adn found very little offensive content. They even presented Alchemy as a science, rather than witchcraft. I really don't think the whole issue about the priest is intended to make a point about religion or anything. It just shows how people succumb to greed adn let power go to their heads. I actaully found it quite inspiring when Edward tore off his sleve and said, "Don't look away! This is what happens when you cross into God's territory, or whatever the h*ll you call it!"

[Kite]

I was distrubed at first by it but by the end I realized it was no diffrent from the church in FFT. I belive it made some good statements and I plan to watch it again come Saturday.

[Keely]

I have faith that this show will get better as far as the religious over tones because I happen to know Vic Mignogna, the lead VA that voices Ed. He not only voiced this show, but is a huge fan of it himself. I also happen to know that Vic is a music minister at his church, and I highly doubt that he would promote an anti-Christian, satanic, etc, show.

Of course, like has been said, if it bothers you...then it might not be good for you. So don't watch it.

[Fireproof]

The more I watch this show, the more I like it. I REALLY like the opening theme. *Looks for lyrics for it*

[Madeline]

Personally, I didn't care for it. I've only seen a couple of episodes, but the exorcism of spirits, zombies, etc. bothered me to a point where I couldn't watch it anymore.
The bits and pieces I watched lead me to the conclusion that the whole show is based on the manipulation of spirits and the elements, which is directly linked to witchcraft and the occult. It reminded me of Shaman King alot, which I also found highly disturbing. For some people, including my friends, it is just fantasy and it doesn't seem to make them flinch.
Where I am spiritually right now, this is a no-no. God has been cutting alot of things out of my life lately and this show is definately one of them.

[Mr. SmartyPants]

i have the mpeg 3 files of the openers and endings! woot! ask me if ya want some of them! the series is great, wait till you get to episode 7 and 8! Then it gets better (really dramatic though)