Christians against Pokémon

The Pokémon franchise is a well-known video game, card game, and anime series for children and adults alike in many generations, and has been praised by critics and gamers alike.

However, it has been criticized by many self-righteous Christians for many reasons like demonic practices, occultism, and violence. Much like PETA and radical feminists, some Christians (particularly fundamentalists) are heavily critical of the Pokémon franchise.

What They Claim

Some fundamentalist Christian groups have falsely accused Pokémon as being linked to Satanism. The following is a summarized and possibly incomplete list of their reasons for this accusation:

1. Pokémon are like demons. They are captured and must be called upon to perform tasks. Magical talismans (supposedly a reference to Gym Badges) are needed to control them.
2. Pokémon evolve. Though this transformation is more akin to metamorphosis in most Pokémon, the theory of evolution is denied entirely by the most fundamentalist creationists, who believe that all things as they are presently were divinely inspired.
   • Some Pokémon evolutions even require the use of certain magical stones.
3. Many Pokémon have extraordinary paranormal powers, notably Psychic-types. Those with Psychic powers are labeled as having been given these powers by Satan in the Bible itself.
4. Many Pokémon embody or practice East Asian spiritual or mystical concepts, being that the franchise originated in Japan. Some Christian groups denounce these as Pagan rituals.
5. Some claim that if one were to play the "Kanto Pokérap" backward, "Gotta Catch 'em All!" can be heard as "I love you, Satan!".

Redeeming Qualities

1. To be honest, not all Christians are against Pokémon. Therefore, this side group claiming Pokémon as "Satanic" is one of the many things that gave reasonable Christians an awful stereotype.
2. In response to these claims, the Vatican City-based Sat 2000 TV station broadcasted a public approval of Pokémon in April 2000, stating that the games did not have "any harmful moral side effects" and was based on "ties of intense friendship".
3. Pope Francis gave also his blessing to the entire Pokémon series, particularly Pokémon Go, in 2018, suggesting Catholics play the games because of the "healthy things" he stated they promote.

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