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“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Philippians 4:8 
I recently had a conversation with an individual who made an alarming discovery at a popular bookstore. While browsing through the children’s books the individual came across an over-abundant inventory of children’s anime and manga books in which a large portion of the inventory contained disturbing images and stories of children involved in sexually graphic and violent acts. The individual was outraged that there were no warnings or ratings assigned to the bookshelves and immediately approached a bookstore employee, whom quickly dismissed the concerns. The individual left the store deeply distressed at the quantity and access of these “how-to” child exploitation and pornographic resources.
Following my conversation I began to read up on the growing popularity of anime in our society and quickly learned that in February 2019, the United Nations identified a growing international concern over the exploitation and/or normalization of the sexualization of children through anime and manga art. They proposed a new international initiative (called the “Optional protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child”) to combat the popularized world of anime (in particular, anime and manga content which featured “Loli” and “Shota” as well as any fictional underage characters as content). According to the UN proposal, all countries are being called to take a stand to protect children by banning the distribution of fictional underage characters in which sexual graphic content is portrayed. “The (UN) Committee is of the view that simulated explicit sexual activities should be interpreted as including any material, online or offline, that depicts or otherwise represents any person appearing to be a child engaged in real or simulated sexually explicit conduct and realistic and/or virtual depictions of a child engaged in sexually explicit conduct. Such depictions contribute to normalizing the sexualization of children and fuels the demand of child sexual abuse material.” (www.ohchr.org/EN/HRBodies/CRC/Pages/DraftGuidelinesOPs.aspx). Regrettably, Canada has not joined the discussion, nor made any commitment to the protection of children from this type of child pornography.
As parents and educators we need to be exceedingly careful in screening the anime and manga our children are watching, drawing, or enacting. We must guard and protect our childrens’ minds from images and content which will damage their picture of healthy sexual, social, and moral development. We need to educate ourselves on the types of media and entertainment our culture is normalizing and join hands with Jesus in helping our children focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and worthy of praise!
King Solomon once said, “as a man thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). We are to guard our children; “for one impure thought makes a deep impression on the soul. An evil thought leaves an evil impress on the mind. If the thoughts are pure and holy, the (child) is better for having cherished them. By them the spiritual pulse is quickened and the power for doing good is increased…The youth should begin early to cultivate correct habits of thought. We should discipline the mind to think in a healthful channel and not permit it to dwell upon things that are evil.” (Ellen White, Mind, Character, and Personality, p 655, 657)
Helpful articles on Anime:
1.  What’s Safe for kids? - https://www.nymetroparents.com/article/AnimeWhat-s-Safe-for-Kids-
2.  How should a Christian view anime? - www.gotquestions.org/Christian-anime.html
3.  Anime: Here’s what you need to know as a parent - www.secureteen.com/online-parental-controls/anime-here%E2%80%99s-what-you-need-to-know-as-a-parent/
4.  U.N. rights committee urges Japan to let children be children - https://www.reuters.com/article/us-japan-rights-children/u-n-urges-japan-to-let-children-be-children-idUSKCN1PW29G
5.  Christian Parents and Anime - https://beneaththetangles.com/resources/christian-parents-and-anime/
6.  The Inadvertent Sexualization of Children and the Perils of the Internet - www.lavocedinewyork.com/en/people/2018/05/09/the-inadvertent-sexualization-of-children-and-the-perils-of-the-internet/

Lara Melashenko

            In Romans 10:9 the apostle Paul shared these words, “If you openly say, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from death, you will be saved.” Romans 10:9
            How important it is for us to embrace this promise and truth, that we are saved by openly saying Jesus is Lord and believing that He is risen from the dead.   We have a risen Saviour folks that continues in this beautiful work of SAVING all and any who will come to Him. 
           In a world that is being bombarded by media - that is distorting who God is, and how they feel the world is going to end and who will save them, how important it is for us to focus in searching for God in His word daily and being reminded of who the REAL SAVIOUR IS.   Jesus.  In Acts 4:12 we have this promise.
“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
          God bless and keep each of you as we keep Jesus front and centre.   HE IS OUR SAVIOUR.  Let’s call on Him.  

Pr. Paul Antunes