Turmoil in the toy box  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 occultist, 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 "heroes." 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