Remember that whole, "Pokemon is evil" fad that was popular among Christian extremists in the nineties? Ever seen a religious leader seriously ramble about the demonic influence of the Japanese game with a straight face? No? Well today is your lucky day, son! Watch this mental evengelist talk about kids "taking control of spirits in the dark realm" and decry the "reclusive power-filled monsters."
I always find it funny when religious extremists rail against popular culture. Ever notice how they only do it when something threatens to be more popular than they are? Pokemon, Harry Potter, Dungeons & Dragons, basically anything that might hold a kid's attention longer than a Bible is suddenly declared evil, and the declarations stop once the fad passes and the Satanic item in question isn't popular anymore. And here I thought envy was supposed to be a sin.
In any case, this is a hilarious video, whatever your belief system. From the way this guy keeps a straight face while talking about Pokemon's witchcraft, to the gullible morons in the audience who don't know what the Hell he's talking about, but know they hate it, whatever it is.
Also, lovely bit of editing at the end. Don't think, indeed.
Jim Sterling serves as reviews editor for Destructoid.com, head of the Podtoid podcast, and produces a number of news stories, original features, one-of-a-kind videos. With his passionate argumentative style, controversial opinions, harsh delivery, and dedication to brutal honesty Sterling is a name that you can't help but recognize.
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My previous neighbors parents wouldn't allow them to have pokemon cards, as pokemon= the devil. True story... (Yu-Gi-Oh was banned from their house as well)
My church is asking all its game playing members to donate new and used games or systems, to be given to the less fortunate kids in our area for Christmas. We've got some good stuff so far, including new copies of Mario Kart and Professor Layton. Hopefully that cancels this out :-)
Look at how many novels/games/films, etc that have been labeled satanist and yet there's never any real evidence of this. In what way is this guy not batshit crazy? Oh, that's right.. he's getting paid for shit like this.
You guys never heard of Josue Yrion? I won't put any links here because I didn't find any Youtube video with english subtitles, but he rants about a lot of things, including videogames. He knows so much about what he talks about, that even when he's talking about a Playstation game, he refers to it as "los Nintendos".
I love when he talks about blowing a kid away with a .45 and the girl in the audience moves her eyes like, "What the fuck is he talking about?" Hilarious.
Its so funny watching an idiot saying Pokémon was made by the devil. How stupid do people have to be to believe people are going to hell for breeding Ditto with Charizard? I mean, even God would agree that having a Charmander to EV train would be smart.
I thought Man was supposed to have complete dominion over animals, just like in Pokemon!
Out of the three (D&D, HP, and Pokemon) this seems like the most ridiculous and blatant example of a church being butthurt that their kids are having fun with something other than Jesus.
You command animals to fight evil! How is that wrong??
This whole thing is hilarious, but that four second pause on Jigglypuff while that evangelist was trying his damndest to sound serious made me pee my pants.
Sad thing is I attended a church when I was a kid that had a big discussion about Pokemon that sounds very similar. I was playing pokemon a little at the time so I just rolled my eyes and pulled out my gameboy in the back of the church.
My mom held these messages against me when I was little. In retrospect, this was probably for the best since I have a frame of reference for both sides of this debate.
The only thing sadder than the blatant lies and hyperbole is the fact that all those people just sit there in front of him like zombies, soaking it all up.
@NeonMonkey We obviously have completely opposite opinions on Jim, but I would most definitely love to see him have a blog where he does nothing but pound on the God-fearing shortbus.
I see your point that the article seem to be reaching a little, but it does tie into ridiculous responses to our pastime. Also, the article specifically calls the guy an "extremist". As a Christian, I certainly know this doesn't represent my faith. People like that pastor give us a bad name. He's an aberration. Certainly you can see this. Besides, Poke'mon rule.
I am very disappointed. I played a little pokeman when I was a kid, some D&D, and a lot of games based on the D&D universe. So where the F**K are my dark powers! I can't even cast a charm spell, let alone control demons. I must find a way to reanimate Gary Gygax so I can sue him.
Of AAAAAALL the video games to pick on that encourage violence in youths, you go with POKEMON? Really?
Oh God, this guy could not have sounded more crotchety and out-of-touch and "Get off my lawn, you damn kids!"-y if he tried.
Also, I loved the editing that put up a picture of harmless ol' Jigglypuff there when he was talking about the evil devil that wants to ruin your lives. LITERALLY the worst thing a Jigglypuff could do to you was put your to sleep. Or fall asleep.
I honestly broke down laughing in the middle of this.
This is an absolute gem, though at the same time it reminded me how much I loath half-witted religious twats.
Satan must have a pretty bitchin' poke'mon lineup to take it that seriously.
And probably a deck to match.
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Contest:
1:20 PM on 12.11.2009
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And now the internet has stolen his soul.
@ChickenNow
I'm with you on that.
Out of the three (D&D, HP, and Pokemon) this seems like the most ridiculous and blatant example of a church being butthurt that their kids are having fun with something other than Jesus.
You command animals to fight evil! How is that wrong??
HAHAHA!
yesterday.
This is a gaming website not a "Jim is insecure and a baby so he has to make fun of other people in half of his articles" site
I see your point that the article seem to be reaching a little, but it does tie into ridiculous responses to our pastime. Also, the article specifically calls the guy an "extremist". As a Christian, I certainly know this doesn't represent my faith. People like that pastor give us a bad name. He's an aberration. Certainly you can see this. Besides, Poke'mon rule.
Oh God, this guy could not have sounded more crotchety and out-of-touch and "Get off my lawn, you damn kids!"-y if he tried.
Also, I loved the editing that put up a picture of harmless ol' Jigglypuff there when he was talking about the evil devil that wants to ruin your lives. LITERALLY the worst thing a Jigglypuff could do to you was put your to sleep. Or fall asleep.
This is an absolute gem, though at the same time it reminded me how much I loath half-witted religious twats.
Satan must have a pretty bitchin' poke'mon lineup to take it that seriously.
And probably a deck to match.