Forum - View topicFMA Pro-Religion?
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Iconoclast
 Posts: 56 |
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Okay, here's my deal... I'm an atheist and I started reading the FMA manga. Found out Ed and Al were atheist, too! Thought that was really cool and awesome seeing other atheists as the main characters in an anime/manga! But as I watched more of the show and read more of the manga, it feels like FMA is trying to express some message about religion. I can't help and fear that it's all going to go in a pro-religion direction. Not that I have a big issue with it, since from what I've read seen so far, it's not a bad show and I may or may not continue... BUT I'd just liked to be forewarned of this... so I'm not too disappointed. I noticed in the manga spoiler[that Ed and Al pray for a safe birth of a baby in one of the stories. If they're atheists, why pray? ]
Just want to know. I hope to finish the manga or anime someday... sadly, I don't watch much TV and probably am WAY behind at where AS must be. 
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Wolf X
Posts: 93 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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Well just because Ed and Al are atheists doesn't mean that they can't hope that the baby will be safe. Sometimes the best kind of way to hope is through prayer because you are saying it out loud.
As for FMA being religious, it isn't. It brings in a little religion because religion is a large part of the world and influences alot of people. The creators probably wanted the human experience in the story to be as real as possible so in some way, shape, or form there will be religion somewhere. You are atheist but you are still affected by religion everyday directly or indirectly, right? |
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DemonEyesLeo
 Posts: 844 Location: Japan |
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There's some mention of religion, but it's not a major theme of the series. It just uses some fictional religions as part of the story.
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Iconoclast
Posts: 56 |
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Yes, you're right. It's hard for me to grasp that praying doesn't have to be religious since I'm familiar with praying meaning something like "a talk with god"
Yes, of course religion has an impact on alot of things. I was just wondering if the anime itself was pro-relgious or just using religion as part of a story. I haven't seen much of the show just the first... maybe 20 or something episodes? Seriously I don't remember... but I was curious. Anyway, thanks <3 |
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coldfusion5050
 Posts: 93 |
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Well, you could turn some of the major themes from FMA into religious ideas. The main ones being Sin and Redemption IMO. But nothing suggests pro-religion; in fact, the major theme seems to be a Humanist perpsective and being able to move forward even after losing all that you hold dear and true. But again, all IMHO. |
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b214
 Posts: 142 Location: Connecticut |
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Heres ed talking with rose in the first or second episode spoiler[ Ed: We alchemists are the closest things to god.
Rose: You are nothing like gods Ed: I know. blah blah blah i forget the rest.] religion isn't a major role in the series. There are like religious cults that are brought down by ed/al and it seems like the show is trying to push religion away from everybody. I also don't know this, can anyone tell me what the major religion in japan is? |
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TranceLimit174
 Posts: 963 |
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I don't think FMA was trying to be overly religious at all. No you don't have to worry about it having a religious message. The thing is, in the series based on what happens Ed and Al (especially Ed) begin to question their beliefs. Ed believes that anything and everything can be explained through science, but as the show progresses he comes to the realization that humans are not as invincible as he would like to believe and that not everything can be explained so simply. Due to the events that happen Ed's faith in science as being absolute is questioned. Compared to everything else this is very minor but is still a key part in Ed's development.
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Iconoclast
Posts: 56 |
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I believe it's Buddhism. 
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Stupidman007
 Posts: 394 |
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I believe that Japan is very much unreligious. There's superstition that most people have, but none are actually into religion like Muslims, or some Christians etc... What I think about FMA is that it pushes away the "bad" religion. Religion that involve human sacrifice, worshiping a false god etc.. In fact, the alchemists do believe in alchemy, which is basically a form of science. Praying for the safe birth of the baby is just way of hoping since there were nothing that Ed and Al was able to do scientifically, all they could've done was to pray, which would at least make the mother feel better. Also, if FMA did endorse any pro religion arguments, it would probably be the teachings of religions that everyone believe to be good. For example: sin, forgiveness, love, stuff like that. |
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Fui
 Posts: 339 |
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Japan is primarily Buddhist, but even then most people aren't even religious. They follow some Buddhist practices (like funerals, praying, etc) but don't really follow it religiously (no pun intended). Christianity was introduced in the [edited out, thanks guyver for the 411] but it never really became a big thing, and sometimes Christianity is even mocked in anime, like in Samurai Champloo. Almost always the message conveyed in anime is that with religion inevitably comes conflict. I personally think anime should probably steer clear from religion from the most part, because some people may complain about anime trying to send a message, and also because sometimes religious people make a fuss out of things like Chrono Crusade or Evangelion that put a twist on some religious issues.
I've only seen the first episode of FMA but from that episode it seems rather straightforward where Ed and Al's thoughts on religion (or at least that religion) are. Citing the chemical composition of the average adult human and doubting everything Rose says doesn't sound terribly religious to me. Last edited by Fui on Sun Apr 02, 2006 5:57 pm; edited 1 time in total |
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shadow_guyver
 Posts: 307 Location: Tokyo, Japan |
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Fui, Christianity was introduced to Japan well before the Meiji period. I'm not sure when exactly, but it was before the Tokugawa at least. It arrived when the first Europeans did, and I completely forget when that was.
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MorwenLaicoriel
 Posts: 1617 Location: Colorado |
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Actually, there's some christians that feel FMA is ANTI-religious...I feel it's more ambiguous, then everything. It admits that science isn't the answer to everything, but it doesn't exactly give up any answers, either.
There's certainly more negative portrayals of religion than positive in FMA, though. I wouldn't worried about getting preached to. 
BTW, I think Shinto is actually the 'national religion', although it's mixed in with some buddism. Most Japanese aren't Christians--I think the actual percentage of Christians in Japan is 2%. |
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Deltakiral
 Posts: 3338 Location: Glendora, CA (Avatar Hei from Darker than BLACK) |
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I agree that FMA does indeed have some religious idealogy in it, but I don't think it try to beat you to death with it. I likewise am Agnostic who converted from Catholism, so I have extremely strong religious roots, and would consider myself very spiritual to be frank. I think that the show really gets the religious ideas out in the first episode and then it move on with the story and does a good job. For example Ed comment about being closest thing to Gods, and myself I like the quote where
Till next time, Delta Kiral |
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Wolf X
Posts: 93 Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado |
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[Do not double post. Use the Edit Button. -Nagi]
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fighterholic
Posts: 9193 |
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Japanese are very respectful of religion. Tokyo area and surrounding regions are where their primary religions would be plus southern Japan, but Kyushu and Northern Japan would be where most of the Christians are.
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