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 astro-

project 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!

Contributed by The Manna System

(714)-532-6310

300/1200 Baud

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