Satanic, addictive, or spreading the gospel? Pokemon Go inspires debate among Hong Kong’s Christian community
Concerns arise about effect of the mobile game, as anonymous message circulated on social media asks Protestants to pray for those gripped by Pokemon Go mania
Mobile sensation Pokemon Go has created a debate among the city’s Christian community over whether the game is satanic, addictive or conducive to spreading the gospel.
Following the game’s launch in Hong Kong on July 25, an anonymous message was circulated on social media asking Protestants to pray for those gripped by Pokemon Go mania.
It said Pokemon images were partly inspired by figurines in Japanese shrines, and suggested “the game would guide people to play with evil spirits”.
Reverend Sam Chung Shu-sum, senior pastor at Assemblies of God West Post Church, said he had received similar messages.
“There are Christians talking about not playing the game ... and I agree that you can choose not to play it to avoid getting addicted,” Chung said. “But while new [trends] are always attractive or even potentially addictive, Christians could also make good use of them.”
Last month, Chung elaborated on the issue in a blog post which was shared by more than 350 internet users on Facebook.
Also writing on Facebook last month, Alliance Bible Seminary assistant professor John Chan suggested that churches place “lures” which attract rare Pokemon – along with potential new patrons.
Pokemon Go players who showed up could be encouraged to join the church’s gathering, Chan wrote. The professor’s blog was shared by more than 740 Facebook users, and “liked” by more than 2,700.
Francis Yip Ching-wah, associate professor of divinity at Chinese University, said Chan’s idea showed that the game could encourage interaction.
Yip also said he saw the debate as a continuation of Christians’ discussions on popular culture.
“In the 1960s, Christians debated whether they should go to the cinema or listen to rock music,” he said.
Pokemon Go launched in Malaysia on Saturday, a day after the nation’s Islamic authority warned Muslims against playing the game over fears it could lead to “a craving for power” among a host of other evils.
But Kasim Ma Fung-wai, a council member of the Islamic Union of Hong Kong, said the city’s 300,000 Muslims had not been warned against playing the game.
Meanwhile, the MTR has launched new posters and public announcements in train stations reminding passengers to stay alert “when playing mobile phone games ... and never to access the track area”.
An MTR spokeswoman said there had so far been no reports of people wandering into restricted zones.
