Is watching Anime a sin- Can Christians watch Anime
One of the challenges that we face as believers is knowing if some activities are sinful ones or not. Some of the things that are regarded as sins are not precisely described in the Bible.
However, if we delve deeper into some sins stated in the scriptures, you will discover that they are not far from what is present in the modern world. One of such cases is when people ask questions like, is watching Anime a sin? In this article, we will look into this question and see if Anime is a sin or not.
What is the definition of sin
Sin can be defined as the transgression against the set law and rules that God has given us to live by. When we go against these rules we sin against God, making him unhappy. It also affects our fellowship with God, but it does not tamper with our relationship with him.
Many believers do not understand that there is a difference between fellowship with God and our relationship with him.
Our fellowship with God results from our daily walk of intimacy with him, which gets stronger by the day. On the other hand, our relationship with God is the familial status we attain when we accept the life of Christ. This status does not change, even when your walk with God can be unstable because of some factors.
1 John 3:4 (ESV)
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.
James 4:17 (ESV)
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him, it is a sin.
What is Anime
Anime is a type of cartoon with Japanese animation. Hence, not all cartoons are Anime, but all anime programs are cartoons. It is very easy to recognize anime shows, with their conspicuous eyes, longer-than-usual hands and legs, etc.
Anime is the major type of cartoon in Japan, and it has been this way for more than a hundred years. All over the world many people have come to love watching Anime, and people talk about some of the shows even on social media.
Just like other cartoons, the basic idea of Anime shows is simple. These animated shows were intended to provide people with fun entertainment and as a means of relaxation. Anime has different genres ranging from Drama to Comedy, Fantasy, etc.
There are other common genres like Shonen, Shoujo, Seinen, Josei, Mecha, Slice of life, Harem, Isekai, Yuri, and the likes. Therefore, these genres have their specific messages, and over a thousand storylines make up the anime shows.
Is watching Anime a sin
The word “anime” is not mentioned in the Bible. And since TV Shows and Movies did not exist back then it is not a sin according to Biblical standards. However, to answer the question: is watching Anime a sin, it is important to mention that watching some genres of Anime can inspire you to sin more than others. One such type is called Hentai.
Hentai is an anime with sexualized characters, plots, images, etc. When you watch Hentai, there is a chance that you will get sexually motivated to undergo sensual activities because the characters and scenes are well portrayed.
After watching Hentai, the actions you take determine if you have sinned against God or not. Watching Anime that has explicit content has made people addicted to pornography. For Christians, it can affect our fellowship with God because they are busy thinking of getting the next erotic anime content to fulfil their sexual desires.
This content could also inspire sexual-based violence like rape, where individuals force themselves on others based on what they watched in the Anime. This notion also applies to anime genres that inspire violence like gang shooting, etc. When you watch some of this content there can be a tendency for you to start carrying out what you have seen.
Matthew 6:22-23 (ESV)
“The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
In this scripture Jesus was warning us about how powerful our eyes are. Hence, we need to censor our eyes because they are one of the important gateways to our hearts and minds. If we feed our eyes on content that does not glorify God, like erotic anime shows, we might sin against God if we begin to act them out.
How to watch Anime in a way that glorifies God
To further expound on the answer to the question is watching Anime is a sin, it is vital to state the right way to watch it, which will not make you sin against God. When you hear of any anime, it would be wrong for you to jump in front of your TV set and start watching it immediately.
You need to do your due diligence by checking the type of film it is. If the genre is Hentai or any related one, it is best to avoid the show.
In comparison, if the genre is normal, you can check the reviews online to see what people are saying about it. If you are convinced that it is a regular and interesting movie then you can go ahead and watch it.
Frequently asked questions
Can Christians watch Anime?
The question of can Christians watch Anime is often debated in some believers’ circles. The answer to this controversial question is in the affirmative. Yes, Christians can watch Anime, but we should be careful about the kinds of Anime we watch. This also answers the question is watching Anime a sin?
There is no place in the Bible where Japanese animated shows are condemned, so we can watch them. If you notice that the Anime you are watching is promoting content that does not exalt the name of God, then it is best to stop watching it.
Also, if you feel uncomfortable within yourself, you can pray to God for mercy and stop watching the Anime.
Like Paul told the church in Philippe, we need to be deliberate about sustaining our salvation so that we do not fall out of favor with God.
Philippians 2:12 (ESV)
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
Is it a sin to watch Anime free?
If you see a free anime show, it is not a sin to watch it. Some Christian movies are available for free, and it is not a sin to watch them because the owner made them accessible to everyone.
Therefore, if you see an anime for free, it means that those in charge decided to make it available to all and sundry. But, if the Anime is paid for, and you want to see it, you can pay for it. If you also notice that an anime show has been pirated, do not watch it because you might feel guilty, so it is best to avoid it.
Is it wrong to watch Anime?
Like other types of cartoons that do not promote wrong content, it is not wrong to watch Anime. You need to show caution regarding the type of shows you watch. Not all shows might glorify God, but you might learn important life lessons from them.
If someone recommends an anime for you, and you discover that it can make you sin against God, it is best to stop watching it. Generally, people love watching Anime because the plot is usually well written, and promotes fun and excitement.
Is it a sin to watch Naruto?
Naruto is one of the most popular Anime ever. Many people in the world today have watched Naruto, and people keep viewing it because of how interesting it is. Although there are some explicit scenes in Naruto, it does not underrate that it is a great show.
If you are watching Naruto, and some of these adult scenes emerge, it would be wise to skip them. Watching these scenes may not be bad, but the effect worsens if you act on them.
It is not a sin to watch Naruto, but we must be careful with what our eyes feed on every day. The Bible advises us to renew our minds, and it starts by censoring the type of content we see.
Romans 12:2 (ESV)
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Conclusion
The answer to the question is watching Anime a sin is fairly straightforward. Watching Anime is not a sin, but acting on the Anime’s content determines if you have sinned against God or not. Therefore, be careful before you watch any anime, and when you discover that you are seeing things that disturb your spirit, it is best to call it quits.
