lohr@wsqtb8.crd.ge.com (P. J. Lohr) (11/10/89)
Ghostbusters cartoon, Halloween and children
Recently the "Ghostbusters" cartoon, movies and marketing have become a
big hit with children, in particular boys ages 3 to 10. It has replaced
"Masters of the Universe" as the number one show of this type. In general
this genre of entertainment provotes violent behavior and other attitudes
and values contrary to Biblical teachings. Having 4 and 6 year old boys
(with friends) has sensitized me to this issue.
We have taught them to recognize and avoid this sort of thing from a
very early age (and they do!). In order to help them discern for themselves
and be led by the prompting of the Holy Spirit (parents aren't always going
to be their to help with moral desicions) we decided to watch the Ghostbusters
Halloween special with them and talk about such things. What we saw "blew
our minds" - it was ten times worse than we expected. It went far beyond
attitudes and values. The following is what else your child could learn
(and note, it was NOT subliminal).
1.) Those who don't like the way Halloween is celebrated are counter-
culture eccentrics who want to stifle the imagination and creativity
of children.
2.) Halloween was initiated by Druids 2,000 years ago as part of a deal
made with demon powers that they (the demons) would restrict themselves
to the Netherwold in return for one day of remembrance (or worship).
(This in effect teaches that anyone who takes part in Halloween
celebrations is involved in or at least agreeing to demon worship.)
3.) Man, with modern science and technology, can control and manipulate
demon powers.
4.) Some demons are good, some just mischievous, some bad and some very bad
and distructive.
5.) Magic (back magic, not the illusionary kind) and the exploration of the
occult are OK.
6.) Woman/girls are to be treated as objects of lust. (Note also that the
only females portrayed were beautiful, helpless and brainless and were
treated as such.)
I used to think that Dr.Dobson and others were alarmists when they talked
about the occult influences on children in our society. I know lots of
Christian parents who don't monitor the cartoons and childrens shows that
their children watch (I learned about this special from the excited
conversation of two four year olds while I was "parent helper" at my sons
religious ed. class). Be forwarned - this is bad stuff and we have observed
in other children the negative effects it can have.
Phil Lohr
lohr@crd.ge.com
uunet!crd.ge.com!lohr