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“As it turns out, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are components of an evangelistic gospel of “outright Hinduism, occultism and humanism” that teaches children “ideals that are contrary to Christian beliefs” with subversive merchandise like “pepperoni sticks.” At least, that’s according to a group of curiously coiffed Canadian men in an early 1990s propaganda film decrying the original TMNT animated series, Vanilla Ice, Bart Simpson and other alleged evils of the ancient world. “

–>> Via **Comics Alliance; as you ol’ snapper pal here tries to catch up from a series of physical & emotionally draining events, this interesting compilation of clips takes Tokka back to his own jaded past in recollection growing up in Religious household. Ultimately being hurt by those things that were considered to be “the truth” in what was forthright, holy, and eternal. These type of items of ‘warning’ came up now and again and were discussed with us kids on the “evils” marketed to youth & the potential for corruption on our fragile lives. Having been born and raised in what some would call an unofficial “Evangelical Vatican City” that is Colorado Springs it kind of is no surprise i guess.

For the most part i think my Ma & Pop trusted us kids to make relatively the right decisions in real life no matter what toy or doll was purchased.
With the exception of one incident in regards to the ransacking of my room when i was a kid, and the removal of all “negative” items in my personal belongings that were effecting my actions & thinking. Still i think in the end we got off relatively scot-free from this type of edict.

It might even be best to look at these type of items as ” Demonetization of Harry Potter moments “ ( for lack of a better way to put it ) in the context of the past 100+ years or so.

Be it the criticizing analysis of your famous Wizard friend in the early aughts, the terrible things the very early Mickey Mouse cartoons were in the 1930s around some Christian communities, the 1950s comic book trials and creation of the ‘Comics Code Authority’, hidden messages in the music of the Beatles, impurity implied by the way Elvis shook his hips, the practice of Devil Worship being applauded and hypnotizing youth by the band members of KISS and other rock grous of the ’70s & ’80s. Even as i was growing it wasn’t uncommon to be bombarded by messages on how evil He-Man, Thundercats, or Barbie dolls were.

TMNT or Pokemon, Harry Potter, the Muppets or Beyblade.. someone out there will read more into what’s really there at any given time history so it seems. And they will tout it down as vile devices of the world used to brain-wash children from leading a lifestyle similar to the path of Christ.

PARENTS, TAKE HEED !!

“No matter what it is that you do or say, there will always, always be someone somewhere who will find it offensive”. — ***Mark Pellegrini of TMNT Entity

“It’s witchcraft, pure and simple,” says one man in the film, which also objects to children’s candy in the shape of instruments used to create “rock music.” The clip was compiled by Four Four from an unearthed “VHS tape” of a propaganda film called Not Just Fun And Games which warned primitive man of the infernal dangers of children’s cartoons and assorted merchandise. It is a fascinating glimpse into an unremembered time in our distant past when humanity was first confronted with new and seemingly terrifying concepts like martial arts, anthropomorphized reptiles, and rap music.”

It should be noted, that obviously while these extreme type of views do exist even to this very day it is in a minority, maybe to an even more extreme extent nowadays. Hard for me to say. And while Tokka himself was hurt and has been left very disillusioned by Religion; that doesn’t count “PEOPLE” in his life. There’s is no broad paint-brush stroke to cover these complex topics of life.

Family members, friends, some friends in clergy & ministry, even members and dear friends in the TMNT community have a deep relationship and faith with Jesus Christ ( even GGM’s own wonderful Jester ) . And in spite of the fact that Tokka no longer adheres to those related practices of faith or of any religion, these people in my life truly do act & care with their hearts and not with their words or some push of religion. I see them in my opinion as Real Christians.

They accept me for who i am and love me for who i am. No, they won’t always agree with me – but the bigger picture of “family” has always been an important staple that some overlooked in the broader context of TMNT. This staple applies here.

Of coarse you will not always agree with those you love. But the love is still there, and if you truly mean something to them and they to you.. that love will remain eternal.

** Mark wrote an incredibly detailed piece on this interesting time in TMNT history last summer on TMNT Entity.. **

.. especially in regards to letters of criticism on the groundbreaking TMNT Adventures run of comics in the 1990s. This is a great, balanced read !! !!

If anything the predeceasing video montage, despite the fact on the religious types’ overwhelming chastising of the Turtles, one can watch and gawk with envy at the killer collection of old-school TMNT merch collected on their holy tables. Items that have castigated and doomed us all to hell!!

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~ t

P.S. It should be noted that M.C. Hammer is a minister of the Good Word himself. :p