What makes a manga "Christian"?

[Mave]

OK, Ann inspired me to post this with her "Survey on Christian manga thread." I want to get this off my chest since I've been thinking more about the following:

Brothers and sisters, really, what makes a manga "Christian" anyway? I struggle with such issues while creating stories...

1) Devoid of undesired elements/messages (unnecessary sex/violence/blasphemous etc.) aka clean vs realistic settings (christians living in the world that resists God's Grace and Law)?
2) Contain Christian teachings (obvious/hardcore) vs subtle positive messages/teachings (more parable-like) ?
3) Characters who somewhat represent what Christians ought to be or those who openly claim they are "officially" Christians ?

I struggle because while KCome and Home will consist of Christian elements in a more straightforward manner, I have some other stories lined up that do not really necessary talk about Jesus openly but rather hint mankind's desperation for salvation or showcare the consequences of rejecting God's Way. The messages are more subtle and I would hate to have ppl saying, "Goodness, Mave I'm not seeing anything Christian about this. How can you call yourself an aspiring Christian manga artist?" ^_^;;;;

Already with "Home" (and KCome in the future), I know I'm going to raise some eyebrows with the actions of my characters. I wonder about this as I'm working on the next chapter of Home. Not that I like controversy, but I wish to deal with the difficult things that Christians must face in real life. To tell the truth, I have some characters who aren't Christian and even some who hate God for their own personal reasons. With me doing this, does that mean my manga isn't christian?

I wonder is there a big difference when someone says, "I'm a Christian manga artist vs a manga artist who is a Christian"? It doesn't seem like it but I have friends who tell me otherwise.

Just wondering....erm, meanwhile, everyone PLS respond to Ann's survey in the General forum, the feedback is very valuable. ^_^ The artists in CAA greatly need your thoughts and opinions.

[shooraijin]

This is relevant to me, too, since I'm working on a s00p3r s3kr1t project with a few overtones that are designed to evoke thoughts of our conflicted belief and relationship in an all-powerful God. (However, I refuse to tip my hand just yet until the introductory animation is finished, so those of you familiar with this project will just have to wait. Sorry. ^^)

I think there's always going to be media of any kind with an unadorned sort of bang-you-over-the-head-with-it spirituality, but I think the phrase could be applied to anything where it was expressly designed, even subtly, to draw parallels between the story and the reader's spiritual walk and to make them reexamine their spiritual standing given the new point of comparison. In fact, I think this sort of 'subliminal Christianity' complements the overt forms, as it gets people to turn their thoughts inward, in preparation for fruitfully receiving the naked message of Christ's sacrifice. I'll even go so far as to assert that I don't think you could have one without the other -- a potential believer now made receptive can't grow far without the direct message and realization of salvation, but that person may not even get that far if they don't have the subtle coaxing of an entertaining yet vaguely disquieting other message nagging them to think a little more about the hereafter. It *is* nice to see that you try to address both sides in your work.

However, I think there *is* a difference between 'Christian manga artist' and 'manga artist who is Christian' -- the latter would certainly create works that wouldn't dishonour the moral code we're expected to uphold, but the former would go beyond that to create works that maintain Christ at the centre of their construction and characterization, even if He is only an oblique presence in them at most. I don't want to say either is better than the other (certainly the presence of secular and clean manga is very valuable), only that I would definitely distinguish them.

Okay, I'll shut up. ^^

[Psycho Ann]

Shooraijin pretty much said it in the first sentence of his third paragrah ^^

I think you can tell if a work is 'Christian' or just made by a Christian. One good example is 'Blankets' by Craig Thompsom which for the most part everyone thought was anti-faith since it is sorta an autobiographical account on the artist and how he's questioning his. The truth is, he still has faith in God, even so, I wouldn't call his comic to be Christian--just that it's an auto-biographical comic about a person with happens to include his belief in God.

I personally just group the comics that are "intended" (clear or not) to give a positive spin on God or to convey His message in a way. Yours pretty much falls clearly in that section, Mave. And let me tell you, I've gotten a little bit of fire from our side as well (though they don't say it to my face... *insert UC's patented frown*) and it's perfectly fine. We can't make everyone happy, no matter WHAT we do we'll still get fire from both sides.

And about not having Christian characters and fearing it might make the manga not Christian... well, that's like saying all the 'infidels', 'heretics', and their friends in the Bible makes the Bible un-Christian. If everyone was a Christian... what's left to tell? The mission is already complete XD

And don't worry about stepping over people's toes, as long as you feel right about it (after much prayer and the guidance of course). As far as conterversial Christian plots go, I think I'm still in the lead XD. And it's really going to go downhill from where I already am, but I personally think the overall message's impact can be better felt this way. This is my personal calling, and I sincerely believe we're all having different ones in regards to what level we're taking our stories. ^^

[uc pseudonym]

This question has been the bane of Christian novelists, Christian artists, etc for quite some time. I'll say what I think, which may or may not be helpful.

A "Christian manga" seeks to raise questions in the reader's mind, either to draw them closer to Christ or there in the first place. It may or may not include direct Christianity, but the themes and underlying message of the story will be quite Christian. I think speaking beyond that would be redundant...

*insert UC's patented frown*

Hmm? Have I done something wrong?

[Psycho Ann]

Hmm? Have I done something wrong?

OOT: Amazingly, I can't tell if that's sarcasm or not...O_o I very rarely post replies by 'going advanced'. And so I never could remember a certain smiley....

UC's patented frown =

[Esoteric]

This quote from C.S. Lewis has helped me.

"We must attack the enemy's line of communication. What we want are not more little books about Christianity, but more little books by Christians on other subject--with their Christianity latent" -C.S. Lewis

I could elaborate on this... but it's a little too earily in the morning for me to philosophize. I'm afraid I would come across alittle too esoteric!

[uc pseudonym]

I agree with Esoteric in one sense. While I do feel there is a need for Christian manga as specified in this thread, there is also a need for manga made by Christians.

OOT: Amazingly, I can't tell if that's sarcasm or not...O_o I very rarely post replies by 'going advanced'. And so I never could remember a certain smiley....

UC's patented frown =

Ah. I had not realized that you were referring to an emoticon, and thought that it had been meant to connotate that I was in some way frowning. Given the context of drawing fire from other Christians, that made me wonder if I had unintentionally done something.

[Mangafanatic]

I think the primary difference between Christian manga (or any other Christian entertainment medium for that matter) shouldn't be-- although it generally is-- in the number of direct references to God, but rather in the way common everyday subjects and themes are dealt with. Honestly, I think that Christian ideals in action in a work are more impacting than blatant Bible bashing that many Christian authors or mangaka(s?) resort to (And I'm not talking about you Mave! ).

So, in answer to your question of "What makes manga Christian", I'd say that a difference between secular novel and christian novel should be the tone which topics are dealt with. In a society where hopelessness is prevasive and sin is most often portrayed as having no consequences, a Christian novel can distinguish it's self simply by portraying a hope, purpose and dignity for humanity as well as the truly repulsive nature of sin.

[Staci]

1) Devoid of undesired elements/messages (unnecessary sex/violence/blasphemous etc.) aka clean vs realistic settings (christians living in the world that resists God's Grace and Law)?
2) Contain Christian teachings (obvious/hardcore) vs subtle positive messages/teachings (more parable-like) ?
3) Characters who somewhat represent what Christians ought to be or those who openly claim they are "officially" Christians ?

All three of these aspects are what make any sort of work -- in essence -- Christian. The diversity therein is not that it contains everything but it has a little bit here and there.

A good suggestion would be to go to a local library, church, et cetera, and look into reading Christian Fiction as it most parallels what you are attempting to accomplish (only with pictures mixed in). See what sort of plot devices the authors use, what is shown in detail, what topics are "taboo", and what is hinted at.

I think the primary difference between Christian manga (or any other Christian entertainment medium for that matter) shouldn't be-- although it generally is-- in the number of direct references to God, but rather in the way common everyday subjects and themes are dealt with.

I thoroughly agree with what Mangafanatic (and everyone else) said. You could write a novel about a Priest and their life in the church or you could write about a young man/woman who's missing something in their heart and the climax is to accept the Lord. Both can be used to draw lines to real life on Earth, showcase human frailties, and teach morals/lessons.

Lastly, and unfortunately, you cannot please everyone.

If you write nothing but "Praise this and praise that" everyone except staunch religious individuals will be bored to tears. If there are no subtle parables of Christianity in the text, it won't be considered a "Christian Manga". Your best bet is to go middle of the road for the largest reading populus -- mix in real life occurances with flairs of fantasy/drama/action here and there.