Turmoil In The Toybox TURMOIL IN THE TOYBOX by Phil Phillips (Starburst Publishers) Review by Margo Seiple
. Phil Phillips is an evangelist/author, recognized as the leading authority in the area of today’s toys, their related cartoons and their effects on children.
. In this book, his purpose is to make people aware of what is being marketed today in the toy and cartoon industry. The book is easy to understand, covers the most popular toys and cartoons, and is full of information that is vital to any concerned parent or grandparent but especially to the Christian. . The book deals specifically with the occultic, violent and sexual overtones that have invaded our children’s world. The information and examples included in this book are well researched, in-depth and actually shocking in their implications. . Our children are being exposed daily to a world of blatant occultism and violence as portrayed by their cartoon “heros.” Some of the cartoons and toys discussed are: He-Man, She-Ra, Smurfs, My Little Pony, Dungeons and Dragons, and Thundercats. Also, movies are discussed because a complete line of toys has been designed from them. Some of the movies discussed are: Star Wars, E.T., Gremlins and Labyrinth.
. The author presents the material and leaves it to the parent to decide which of these shows/toys may or may not be suitable for their children. He also liberally quotes from the Bible, giving the Christian the scriptures to back up his views. . I urge every parent or grandparent to read this book and seriously consider what cartoons or toys are appropriate in a Christian household.
Chapter 7: COMMERCIALTOONS
. “For years, manufacturers have based products on popular television characters and shows. Today, however, the process is different. Cartoon writers and toy designers now collaborate efforts to release toys and cartoons simultaneously with a toy; thus, the cartoons and toys promote each other. This causes confusion: Are the cartoons commercials? or Are the commercials cartoons? To understand the effect “commercialtoons” have on children, we must first understand how a child views and perceives television and commercials. As I said in an earlier chapter, children do not view television the same way adults do; their perceptions are different… Because a child under 7 years old cannot distinguish between fantasy and reality, he is not able to distinguish between commercials and regular television shows.
. “This has become especially difficult since commercial writers use animation to sell products. When an animated commercial is sandwiched between an animated cartoon, it is even more difficult for children to tell the difference… Although parents may not realize how their children view television and commercials, advertisers do. Advertisers know children accept what they see on tv as reality; therefore, they are focusing more on intercutting animation and reality portions of the commercial.
. “Occult symbolisms in cartoons are extremely prevalent. Many of the characters’ names are linked to the occult; there is a significant amount of witchcraft, magic, sorcery and other occult practices being performed; and many of the objects used by the characters, such as a breastplate or staff, have occult symbols on them. But the use of occult symbolisms does not end here. In fact, many of the messages spoken on the shows have their origins in Humanism and Eastern religions, such as Hinduism and Buddhism…. IT IS IMPORTANT PARENTS REALIZE THAT MOST OF THESE CARTOONS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH TOYS. If the shows have occult ideas, it is logical to assume that the toys also will have occult symbolisms. Many of the toys come with little comic books which are laden with the occult. Children are being bombarded with these ideas. First they see it on television; then they read the comics; and then they play with the toy, RE-ENACTING some of the scenes they have seen or read; and lastly, they apply these concepts to other forms of play – such as when they and their friends are playing ‘let’s pretend’ without using any toys. At this time, the child himself assumes the role of a cartoon character, such as He-Man, rather than having a doll do the actions. This causes the ideas to become ingrained in the child’s mind.”
Chapter 9: “Masters of the Universe”
. “He is strong, handsome and all-powerful. He is the ‘Master of the Universe.’ He is ‘He-Man.’ For many children, he has become a God-like figure…. Children see him as omnipotent and omniscient. . “The star of the cartoon and toy series is He-Man, the alter-ego of a blonde, Herculean prince named Adam, who is prince of the planet Eternia. When trouble arises, Adam points his sword aloft and shouts ‘by the power of Grayskull, I have the power!’ Magically, he turns into He-Man, the most powerful man in the universe, amid much smoke and lightning.
. “The primary role of He-Man is to defend the secrets of the universe, housed in Castle Grayskull, from the evil Skeletor and his legion of villains… After the shows, which are actually half-hour commercials for the toys, are over, the children go to the toy box and take out their Masters of the Universe toys and act out their fantasies. Some children imitate exactly what they have just seen the characters on tv do. This should concern parents because of the occult images portrayed. Because of their age, the children do not realize that their actions are conveying occult images. Children see that the power of Grayskull transforms Adam into a character with supernatural powers and abilities. Many parents have expressed concern that their children, after watching the ‘He-Man’ cartoons, go running throughout the house with plastic swords held aloft shouting ‘by the power of Grayskull, I have the power!’ God’s Word warns us that only by the blood of Jesus do humans have any power and authority over others.
. There is no mention of the power of Grayskull…. The name, ‘Masters of the Universe’ implies that these characters are superior to humans and that they are on the same plane as God. But there is only one God and He alone is the Ruler and ‘Master of the Universe.’ Thus, the implication of their superiority is blasphemous. They are not God. Still, children today lift up He-Man as the children of Israel lifted up and worshipped pagan gods. . “The series, both cartoons and toys, blatantly use occult symbols in various forms. Castle Grayskull, through which He-Man receives his powers, has its own spirit which manifests itself in the form of a skull. This manifestation is seen often in the comics that accompany the dolls as well as in the cartoons. The chief promoter of the occult in the series is Skeletor, also known as Lord of Destruction. “Skeletor, whose face is actually a skull, carries a RAM’S HEAD staff. This staff, which is used in occult practices, often is seen with a dove crushed underneath it. Skeletor also has the power to astroproject himself and to read and control other people’s minds. This ability often is practiced by mediums. In Deuteronomy 18:10-12 and also Galations 5:19-21, God warns against those who practice these powers. God says these practices are detestable to Him, and anyone who does such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. . “In the comic book Power of Point Dread, which accompanies one of the figures, Skeletor is seen levitating himself in a classic ‘lotus position;’ a power beam, coming from his head, levitates a crystal ball. The crystal ball is used in necromancy, which is communication with the dead…. In the Magic Stealer comic book, Skeletor introduces the pyramid cult, which is the power of the pyramid. In this same comic, the ‘maddened spirits of the air’ attack He-Man. Are these practices we want our children to imitate when they play? Do we really want our children to learn to do things by ‘the power of Grayskull?’ Or do we want our children to know that God is the real ‘Master of the Universe’ and through His power all things are possible? Also, in an episode of She-Ra (He-Man’s twin sister) an evil witch named Shadow Weafer transforms herself into a little girl who comes to Etheria to participate in a witches’ spell-casting contest. Through her spells, the little girl (who is really Shadow Weaver) makes all of She-Ra’s friends go to sleep and sends She-Ra to the Sixth Dimension, which is down in a pit. These spells that the little girl casts are very specific and in-depth. In fact, they are similar to spells that would be found in a book on witchcraft. . There are two characters in the series which are described in a similar manner to ‘angels’ and ‘Jesus.’ Angella is described in the comic books that accompany the action figures as an ‘angelic winged guide.’ Glimmer is described as ‘a guide who lights the way.’ This is similar to how, in the Gospels, Jesus says ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Light.’ With these comics, children are filled with images of magical creatures serving roles similar to Jesus and angels… “The seeds of subtle deception were planted in the shows and books, but the child’s own imagination waters the seed until it grows into a fascination of the occult. Some parents may think it is cute when their children play in this manner. How cute will they think these very same actions are when the child is a teen and is involved in actual occult practices? Through these cartoons and toys, an unconscious fascination of the occult begins to form.”
. (Margo’s note: I think it should be noted also that by Mike Warnke’s own admission, his fascination and eventual involvement with the occult to the point of becoming a chief priest in the church of Satan, began as a child, watching “Bewitched” which was nowhere near as openly occultic as these cartoons and comic books are!
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