From a mother’s heart: the Pedophile bear * update
* update
Because this seems to be a popular post, in fairness I will turn comments back on for now, but moderated. I meant what I said when I asked, where are you going and what are you doing.
IF the comment involves derogatory terms especially against the Catholic Church, I won’t post it.
I would like to stick to some questions though:
Is a bear who has two meanings, pedobear, appropriate in a setting that is open to all?
Is it appropriate to use some, not all, of the youth photographed in a demeaning way – they have become the unsuspecting butt of your joke.
Some have suggested that it is time to rescue the bear back, as the original artist didn’t mean for this to happen.
Some have suggested that to make it known, sign?, so unsuspecting children are not harmed nor embarrassed.
Some have suggested that it evolve into a battle – good vs evil – rescuing the bear and returning him to his former nature – good.
Let’s stick with these please.
Thanks.
** for those who are commenting and suggesting that the Otakon is adult in nature, not meant for children please read the following from the Otakon book:
pg 4 “We work very hard to ensure that Otakon takes place in a safe, family-friendly environment, but we need your cooperation.”
pg 5 “Otakon is certain to be a fun family event… Otakon wants to ensure the satisfaction and safety of all our members, especially children .” (emphasis mine)
a Catholic mother’s reflection
Young people, where are you going? What are you doing?
Our daughter was able to attend the Otakon this year with her cousins in Baltimore Maryland. This is the biggest yearly convention for manga artist and fans. This type of drawing has appealed to our daughter and no doubt, a lot others because this year it was estimated that at least 30,000 young adults and children attended. This type cartoon is growing in popularity in the US and elsewhere.
So, what does this have to do with pedophilia and what exactly is a Pedobear?
I will admit, there is much about this art I don’t know and evidently, neither do other unsuspecting participants, like our daughter. One of the goals, and challenge of the weekend is to not only dress up as your favorite manga character, called Cosplaying, but also to get snap shots of others who have dressed up. Either because they are your favorite character or just the coolness of the outfit.
My concern started and grew from when our daughter was lamenting that she didn’t get a snap shot of the Pedobear. I asked her why she didn’t approach the bear like the others and ask permission. “Oh, no”, she replied. “You don’t want to get close to the Pedobear because he likes to hug.” I asked incredulously how this is any different from the others because if you have ever been to one of these gatherings, you have to be forwarned that people like to Glomp and be Glomped which is a “hug” but sometimes they hang on you. A person with personal space issues really needs to be forewarned. She reveals that this bear only likes to hug little kids, thus the name Pedobear or Pedophile Bear. Our daughter had not connected Pedo with Pedophile yet and this is enough to make a mother’s heart stop.
So, who is this Pedophile Bear and why is he at the conventions? The dark side of the convention emerges.
Pedobear has the type of face you just want to trust, but underneath those saucer-like black eyes and cheerful smile, there is a much darker side. Though is appearance is that of a cute stuffed animal, his name tells you there is something deeper in there. Something more sinister, and that is indeed the truth.
The site goes on to reveal the dark humor, those unsuspecting “victims” who do not know any better:
Another thing that makes him so popular is the controversy surrounding his love of little girls. The vast majority of people do not advocate this type of behavior, and some of which do not see the black humor in Pedobear. This has caused some trouble in the past, and is likely to again. The internet, with its vast trolls and lovers of inside jokes, is often overjoyed at someone’s misunderstanding of the Pedobear meme, especially if it makes it into the media. His mentions in the media are also a contribution to his popularity, as awareness grows from people who had never heard of him before. He is one of the few memes to actually make it outside of our computer screens and into the newspapers.
If you will remember, before the Pope’s visit to Malta, those bears that were stenciled on the board had a dark, perverse meaning. It was meant as an insult to the Pope and the Catholics.
And it has also shown up in Doubt, mocking the priests. (caution advised)
But they have not been too selective in mocking just Catholics as Muslims have been depicted with the bear also.
The dark and perverse humor seems to come in when some unsuspecting child innocently enough falls for the bear and gives him a hug.
Thus, one has to ask how is this appropriate at a convention or public setting? Although one may argue that an artist is entitled to what is considered artists license, where are the people who should be asking, why here and is it right to get a laugh when a child does approach the bear and falls for the trap? Again, young people, where are you going and what are you doing?
Our daughter is most likely to attend this convention again along with her cousins and friends. She will be armed with the unfortunate, yes, it is unfortunate and sad, knowledge that there are people who are not only perverse, but who find this funny. She will also know that they have mocked what we hold as sacred, our faith and priests. We are forever reminded because as Catholics we undergo classes to prevent this and detect abuse. She also knows that we pray for abuse victims and would never treat this as something funny nor amusing but shameful. If you have ever known anyone who has been abused, you will know that there is nothing funny nor humorous about it. It is very serious and there are things that should not be treated lightly. Isn’t this one of them?
When she goes back, if she should have the displeasure of meeting up with this Pedophile bear, we are arming her with a few ways to respond. She will tell the bear, “Don’t touch me” followed with “If you do, I will call security”. There is nothing funny about pedophilia. This is a serious crime, so serious that Jesus said, “But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”
St. Maria Goretti, Pray for us.
Thank-you for informative post about meme I was unaware existed. While the layers of dark irony of invention can be ‘creatively’ understood, it seems this character does not belong with a child/youth-oriented event. However, it is always the modern world so education required. Thank-you for educating me.
Hi Happyflower. You are welcome and please pass the meaning on. Someone else commented that what is to stop a real pedophile from using this costume. This perverse and dark humor is inappropriate in this setting and could be dangerous while onlookers laugh. This is sad.
really? what was once a harmeless costume has apparently become a threat to jesus?!?!?! NO WAY!!
if your daughter wanted the bear she could have had him
A pedobear cosplayer’s reflection.
The following reflection comes with a warning because I reflect on humor and the treatment of pedobear.
I have been attending otakon for three years and cosplaying as pedobear. Every year the response from the crowd is overwhelming. I make hundreds of people laugh, am photographed constantly, and can hardly make it down a hall without getting glomped. Had you daughter been one of the many girls who asked me for a picture, she would have received it. If she approached me for a hug in this picture she’d have gotten that to. I am not a pedophile and would not receive any sexual satisfaction from this. I’m sure you have likewise hugged a child to pose for a picture.
The con however is filled with beautiful women often dressed as anime characters that would be underage if not fictional. These photos are more fun to pose for. It is easy to tell who not to hug while at otakon because, as you will smartly be telling your daughter, people simply tell me to stay away from them if they don’t think I’m funny (which you daughter clearly does if she wanted my picture). The ratio of times this happens to times people run up to me for pictures is at most 1/50 probably closer to 1/150.
I don’t wear the costume to advocate pedophilia. The entire point of the weekend for me is to help create funny pictures, to make people laugh, and to make some new friends. Every year I’ve succeeded on all accounts. For most con goes the humor is obvious. Dozens of parents have even asked me to pose with their children or pretend to push their stroller.
I am really hurt that Jesus thinks I should drown. I’ll have to consider that one before I preregister for next years con.
“Where is it that light and darkness combine? End of Time or was it Today is Tomorrow would have told you ‘In laughter’” Tom Robbins
No, he doesn’t think you will drown if the hug is a ‘Christian Side Hug’
Christian, thank you for sharing your reflection. The quote didn’t say he wanted you to be drowned but that it would be BETTER for him/her because of the seriousness of causing children especially to sin because they have us, parent/adults to guide them.
I do realize that some find this humor, and it is dark, funny.
In the end, at an event that is open to all, would a bear who is a pedophile be appropriate for all ages? I don’t think so. Right now you have pictures, maybe not of you, of unsuspecting young girls being hugged – that is where the twisted humor comes in – especially with those who have no clue.
Pedophilia is sick and wrong. Obviously. However I would be more concerned as to how your daughter knows this character as pedobear.
The bear character was originally from a Japanese image board, however he was known as Kuma-san (Mr. Bear) and was in no way affiliated with pedophilia.
Once the character became popular in America, he was twisted into some sick pervert.
Now, I’m an avid internet user, enjoying websites for people of all ages, but I only ever see pedobear jokes on websites geared more toward adults, with content that I, personally, would deem inappropriate for my children. You may want to look in to it and ask her.
Just my two cents.
You have a point and as I pointed out, she didn’t really know the whole story. We do use a filtering system that will not allow any of the sites so I am sure it was innocently enough.
you should supervise your child while she surfes the web.
usual filtering systems are a joke.
if she knows she should not be “hugged” by pedobear, then she doesn’t just visit appropriate websites.
“She will also know that they have mocked what we hold as sacred, our faith and priests. ”
for her own sake she should know that priests are not sacred.
or would you want her so keep quiet if a priest molested her ?
i’m not saying every priest is a pedophile, but enough are, and most of the non-pedophiles are willing to provide safe havens or escape for their pedophile brothers.
why would you pray for victims but say the perpetrator was “sacred” ?
It’s meant as a joke. People are disgusted with shit and yet people will still dress up as it and make plenty of references to it. Does this mean it shouldn’t be funny simply because it’s nasty (and because there are people out there who use it in a certain form in pornography)?
Anyways, it’s not like the Pedobear himself has done anything inappropriate. It’s what he represents that parents find dangerous, not him.
Well, I do realize it is a joke but is it appropriate in a setting like that, open to all, especially with the some of the jokes being on young unsuspecting young girls. I am not referring to older youth dressed as young characters (chibis?) but young girls.
I find it appalling that you look down upon innocent humor, yet when it comes to actual convicted pedophiles like many Catholic priests you try to defend them. Of course the level of pedophilia in priests versus the regular population isn’t that much higher, but it’s the cover ups by the Catholic church and deflection of responsibility towards homosexuality that makes them worthy of derision.
Which convicted priest am I defending? I would be the first calling the police, if you really want to know. I don’t take this lightly as you can tell.
Joseph Ratzinger is the priest you are defending. He is a charlatan, an proven criminal and a stain on the tenuous fabric of Catholicism.
I find it HIGHLY IRONIC that you are decrying the rise in popularity of Pedobear when your religion itself is single handedly responsible for the corruption and destruction of so many hundreds of children (if not thousands).
Every thinking person on this planet knows the sinister nature of the Catholic church and it would be a SHAME for me not to live to see the day when this entire empire of fear-based, perverse, ‘priest’-driven religious rule is completely eradicated from the face of the Earth.
I completely understand your concern, opey124, but you must realize that this is just a joke, much like how you see dark humor on shows like family guy or south park. Pedobear is not advocating pedophilia, and the people that dress up as him are not child molesters, it’s all just in fun. While the subject might seem sick and twisted, it is harmless and you should not worry. The people who laugh at pedobear, laugh because he is a contradiction, he looks like a cute stuffed teddy bear but he has a horrible secret. That is the joke.
I do believe that most is harmless, but what about those that have no clue and are young? The joke is on them. It just doesn’t seem right in this setting.
There is a moment of opportunity here despite all the trouble and concern. As you already mentioned your daughter having the rudimentary idea from the bear of something-nice-looking-as-the-bear-but-still-to-be-careful-about. The idea and danger of pedophile is difficult to represent so that children can understand in a meaningful and practically working level. Kids need some kind of metaphor, a symbol, that lives in their world of interest and concern.
I’d recommend stealing the character and what it stands for instead of yielding under the harassment it also happens to stand for. I don’t think anyone would mind if the ‘theft’ is done in such a good purpose.
That way it will be much easier to create an example to which a child can automatically resort to when trying to understand the actions of random strangers. It might work even if the child doesn’t, or need to, understand yet what the actual danger is. They only need to know that there is something that is like that particular bear, and it is better, to steer around it.
Just a thought.
Thank you and you are right that children have no clue as to danger and that is what makes pedophilia all the worse and btw I do think that the bear costume is “perfect” in describing pedophile, just not in this setting.
It’s a joke, people. A joke. You’re making yourselves look like idiots. It’s funny to see someone dressed as Pedobear hug a little girl, not because of any implied pedophilia or danger to the girl, but because it’s just Pedobear being Pedobear. He is a loveable and *IMAGINARY* character. Nobody has ever been harmed by Pedobear or any humour associated with him.
Instead of worrying about people in Pedobear costumes at Otakon, maybe you should be worry about people in frocks in churches. Children raped by Pedobear: 0. Children raped by catholic priests: *10,000* and counting. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catholic_sex_abuse_cases#Statistics_on_offenders_and_victims)
Get your priorities straight.
We do keep an eye on what is going on in our Church and are painfully aware of this. Thanks.
Thanks, I got a serious chuckle from this.
I completely agree, recent statistics state that people dressed as Pedobear raped over 9000 children in the last MONTH.
This is disgusting and needs to be stopped. Anyone who finds pedobear funny is a perverted creep who needs to be shot.
Overreaction or what.. Whilst you blissfully unaware what the Catholic sex abuse figures are.
> will also know that they have mocked what we hold as sacred, our faith and priests.
They have? How strange. I thought it was 4000+ priests(read John Jay report) to blame who were accused with child abuse. But of course, it’s not right to accuse these child molesters, opey124.
You see, they were priests. And priests are sacred, opey124. Mocking them is wrong, opey124.
I’m so relieved to see how you solved this moral dilemma.
Instead of focusing on “sacred” molesters in robes, let’s focus our attention on harmless mascot instead, opey124. Wonderful! Such a bright person you are.
“I did not see anything, nothing happened. Priests are sacred, age of consent is 12 in Vatican. Pope can’t be wrong.”
Isn’t this hypocrisy is wonderful?
I also realize they don’t just pick on Catholics either but never the less, I think we can say we don’t know each other because I am hard on child molesters especially in our Church.
Thanks.
Charles Hanson…CLEARLY you have done some extensive statistical research on bullcrapimadeup.com and wikipedia to support such a fantastical claim. I can’t imagine what kinds of numbers you could cook up for men in priests collars. You’re a passionate legit source for bogus information and I can respect that.
Also, Chris…please link me to the wiki site you probably wrote to support these statistics so that I can support all of the claims with your thoroughly investigated statistical research and give you credit where credit is due for all the hours you spend on the internet trolling for useless information.
Pedophilia is wrong. Obviously I need to make that point clear. But here are some suggestions:
A. You need to check yourself and your own hypocrisy before you even begin to comment on something you’re entirely unfamiliar with.
B. need to monitor the anime, manga, and webcomics your OBVIOUSLY younger child is viewing. Clearly, your child is old enough to attend an anime convention, buuuuut not old enough to comprehend that there are many kinds of dangerous people that unforunately live in this world and the dangers they present to children her age.
C. you need to watch out for those guys in bear costumes…or you know…the thousands of convicted sex offenders that give new meaning to prostrating yourself before the altar of the Lord.
Thanks for all the responses.
I still want to pose the question IF this character is suitable for all occasions especially events open to all ages.
I also want to point out that there are pictures from this year and previous years of what is described as unsuspecting victims. How would that young person feel if they were to view that knowing they were the butt of the joke – a nasty joke at that (I am not talking about older youth dressed up as young characters, but the unsuspecting ones).
you clearly care about children, but you attack humor, then defend actual pedophiles.
i understand you have a lot of faith, but you can still criticize people in your church you are actual criminals, and guess what, you wont burn in hell. according to your religion everyone is a sinner, even the pope, so why would you defend him and his pedophile clergy?
how could you possibly compare satire to an actual crime?
Jimmy, you are right I do care about children and it is absolutely horrible to me what has happened in our church and elsewhere. I also know that most abuse takes place in the home, from relatives or now sadly in the school system.
If you would like to know what Pope Benedict has done in regards to cleaning out abusive priests, I would be glad to share that with you.
I do realize some find this as funny and as you can see, I don’t. It is serious.
Is it still appropriate in this setting?
It’s satire, it’s making fun of people who actually do the crime. It’s not in any way condoning pedophilia, if anything it’s educating people on issues in a humorous way. The same way we would laugh at a cartoon bank robber who fails in his attempts miserably, is the same way we should laugh at pedobear.
You should explain to your children what satire is, and how it’s used to mock actual stupidity, and if you’re complaining about the venue that this is taking place in, am i also right to tell my children to not go to church, because they might see an actual pedophile?
There are most likely more ACTUAL criminals in a church trying to repent, then there are at an art convention. So maybe you should shield your children from church instead.
@ Rex, if a father molested his child would that make all daddys pedophiles? The same is true in our Church and I will point out elsewhere.
Evidently our filtering software isn’t a joke because I had to turn it off in order to do more digging.
She knows to say something, no matter who it is, including priests.
And our priests are something we not only hold as sacred, but especially accountable. I do not refer to those known abusers as “Fr” for what its worth because they do not deserve the title.
@ Jimmy, it is dark satire and meant for older not younger and especially not suitable for all ages. They know what satire is.
Instead of shielding them from everything, we are doing things. Pedophilia isn’t’ just a Catholic problem. We are doing what we can.
If everyone knew who the bear was, that would be a different story but some don’t and that is where the “humor” comes in.
Again, is it appropriate in this setting?
yes it is an appropriate setting, like the previous person said,
“The bear character was originally from a Japanese image board, however he was known as Kuma-san (Mr. Bear) and was in no way affiliated with pedophilia.”
if idiots on the internet depicted hannah montana as a racist, should we ban her from concerts?
why should we ban a japanese comic character from a japanese comic event?
why is this even a debate?
there are more important things in the world then an art venue.
im very impressed with the fact that you even care about your children, most parents wouldnt give a shit, but seriously is this what youre going to fight for?
Did I miss something but has the bear now evolved into PEDObear? Did not the bear become what he was so against?
And yes, I do care not just about our children but all.
And I also think my question “Is is appropriate in the setting” is fair.
“We are forever reminded because as Catholics we undergo classes to prevent this and detect abuse. ” That’s kind of like being taught by a pickpocket on how to prevent having your pocket picked, right?
Well, I suppose if it were priests giving the classes it might seem like that but a lot of money and effort has gone in to this so it may seem that way….a terribly mixed blessing.
the fact that you subject your children to a catholic world really makes your argument against a comic book festical “comical”
it’s funny how you completely disregard history in general, catholics have time and time again raped, pillaged, murdered, raped, burned at the stake, and far worse. they are unforgivable, meanwhile you point the finger at a satirical depiction.
FANTASTIC.
Jimmy, All are forgivable through the grace of Jesus Christ. There is no limit to the mercy of God
tell that to starving african children, while you suck down your breakfast burrito.
Jimmy, God loves those children and will welcome them into His Kingdom. Some face greater hardships than others. Don’t worry, if your here in the USA things will soon be no better than in Africa. Just because God is loving and merciful doesn’t mean that all people get everything they need. Inequity, pain, suffering, and other hardships are all byproducts of a fallen world, yet God loves us, every one of us. He waits for each of us to accept Him and return that love.
so you’re justifying their starvation with the idea that one day america will starve as well?
is this what they teach you in bible school? lady you are absolutely demented, there is no way you have human blood in your veins.
the world is this shit place you speak of because of people like yourself who welcome suffering as a gift from god. thankfully im not an american, and it’s because of people like you i never want to visit.
God Bless you Jimmy that would be the same as saying all young adults are idiots just because of a few – which they are not.
“/God(s)” bless the 10,000 raped children this year alone.
sorry not year, century. all by your church.
And all the others that were abused by family members, teachers, other denominations, etc.
Catholicism is a disease. It is a malignant Cancer to true Christianity. The fruits of the catholic church are murder, rape, pedophilia, idolatry, greed, and bigotry. The actions of a few good Catholics who behave themselves according to Gods law do not justify the great sin of the historic, modern, and post modern Catholic church. Your religion is a tool that has for millenia been used as a bargaining chip for power, a catalyst of manipulation, a scourge, A common whore selling salvation in Indulgences and Icons. Trust me, Pedobear is the least of your worries.
And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.
Matthew 6:5
You’re upset because Pedobear forced you to “arm” your daughter with the knowledge that there are perverse people who find this funny? You should’ve armed her with this knowledge YEARS ago since in your very church there are perverse people who find this PLEASURABLE. Reflect on that sister!
Unfortunately perversion is not just limited to one particular Church.
I have reflected on that.
Also, it is not outrage as is how appropriate is this, in this setting with the double meaning of this bear, and the using of young girls especially as the butt of the joke?
Did you know people also cosplay murderers, serial killers, torturers, rapists, and thieves(among other sinful things)? A lot of anime programs that are made in/come out of Japan are just not aimed at children, which a lot of people in the west find confusing(because we believe cartoons=children).
I know Pedophilia is one issue that really gets the mobs foaming at the mouth, but does it not bother you that your child probably gets excited to take a picture with someone who cosplays a serial killer(because they’re ‘cool’)? These are quite common in anime, even in the ones that are aimed at a younger audience.
For the most part, she isn’t into real gory manga so, she would not know all the characters.
I doubt she would pose – unless there was something particularly cool about the costume and/or story. Evil vs Good is not the problem, it is the use (misuse) of the young in these pictures – them being the butt of the joke….
Someone suggested earlier that the orginal creator did not intend for his/her bear to be known as a Pedobear.
Elsewhere, someone proposed the idea of taking the artists bear back – dispelling the evil and replacing it with the good…
Someone also suggested a sign “Registered Pedophile” or something so children can be forewarned as to the “joke”…
As to how our daughter knew of the “Pedobear”,
it seems to be common now if on a board (not adult) that if you post something that overly sexualizes the young, a pedobear is posted to indicate you have either delved into something gross or gone to far.
That is the extent of her knowledge of the meaning of it.
@ Grinman, if you want to seriously know what is going on, and what Pope Benedict has done to rid the priesthood of abusive priest, I would be glad to help you out.
Otherwise, just know that comments that aren’t appropriate will be deleted.
I find it unfair for so many to down opey124 because she adheres to the Catholic religion. We are all entitle to believe what we wish, and that is the spiritual path she has chosen for her and her family. You are welcome to choose no religion if you wish. There is no need to criticize her for what other members of her faith have done. SHE is not a priest. SHE has not molested children. Catholics are not the only religion that have pedophiles among them. Unfortunately, this perversion runs throughout society and IS NOT confined to any one faith. If you believe that she has overreacted to the pedobear, then that is your right to think that, but she is concerned for her child, as ever mother should be. So, if you must, debate the humor, or lack there of, of the pedobear, but just because she is Catholic does not mean that she has no right to speak out against the pedobear. If she were a muslim speaking out against a “humorous” terrorist would you still assert that she has no right to do that because of her religion? Her concern for her children is independent of her religious affiliation. While I am not Catholic, I respect those who are, and at least she has her children in a church where they learn about God and don’t learn to worship the sun or something crazy like that.
how is worshiping the sun any crazier than worshiping the a man born to himself, who is his own father, and will damn us to hell if we don’t believe him and love him for it?
the sun is the nuclear furnace which birthed us all and this planet we live on, obviously you wouldn’t worship it, but at least it does something for us other than damn us to hell. your ignorant tirade of bigoted speech towards anyone non christian is utterly pathetic.
Jimmy, we are given free will and with it, we can accept or reject Christ, he is not going to force himself on anyone / but invite. Sort of like gravity. You can reject it if you wish, it doesn’t make it go away though.
that doesn’t answer the question i asked.
and i love how you skip over Kate’s bigotry, i guess her viewpoint aligns perfectly well with yours.
“While I am not Catholic, I respect those who are, and at least she has her children in a church where they learn about God and don’t learn to worship the sun or something crazy like that.”
translation : i respect christians only, everyone else is crazy sun worshipper who will rape your children wearing a bear costume .
i’ll ask the question again, since you answered for Kate, how is believing in an invisible man any crazier than worshiping the sun?
I find it hard to fathom that anyone immersed in the cosplaying community enough that they attend an Otakon doesn’t know what pedobear is.
Even the younger children who attend? The older ones yes, but not all the younger ones.
Why do you say that? Where do you believe these children and adults are getting all their information? You can’t honestly believe that the lines between an “adult” cosplay site and a “child” cosplay site are that defined.
Some of the shots where the children and sometimes parents taking the shots are the best. My favorite anecdote of this happening shows off how it works out well for everyone. Just out front of the convention a man selling iced teas and waters asked me to take a picture with his son. I agreed. My friend took a picture as well. A hysterical shot of this little boy hanging off my arm and looking up at me with a big smile. His dad got it too. He even gave me a free iced tea afterwards because he could tell I was hot.
I also tried to point out that the percentages of people who don’t think I’m funny are very low, so obviously the costume is appropriate. If the response wasn’t so good I wouldn’t keep going back.
That is good to know that some of the parents know who you are, are taking the pictures and see no problem with it.
I do wonder how many know though the full side/pedo side of the bear.
Opey124, I think part of the problem is your assuming that everything at a convention is going to be age appropriate for younger con goers. This simply isn’t ever going to be the case. If it were, you would see cosplayers being limited to only anime/manga aimed at young children. Because anime/manga is geared towards the very young to adults your going to find people cosplaying as things that you may well find offensive. These events that allow under 18yr olds to attend have very strict rules regarding the physical appearance of the costumes, the concepts however are left up to the individual and unfortunately they are not always going to be considered appropriate by some.
Having wanted to cosplay as pedobear and knowing some that have, I can say that the people who tend towards those cosplays aren’t looking to making people the butt of their jokes or play cruel tricks, but rather they are just looking to make the event a more enjoyable and entertaining place. As someone who has cosplayed, usually completely innocent characters, I never approach noncosplayers but rather it has been the otherway around. Yes the character has been twisted from the original concept. No, there is no going back for it, not at this point with the characters popularity on the internet.
The humor behind Pedobear is a bit dark and may not appeal to everyone, but again it will always be impossible for every cosplayer to appeal to every congoer. If your concerned about your daughters exposure to the concept of pedobear… well I think you might want to look at what else is out there. Yes Pedophilia is a horrible crime, but that’s not what the character is about. Its a parody of the concept. Meanwhile there are a number of nongory, but very adult oriented animes/manga out there that people cosplay. Should they be restricted from the event because of the concept of their character cosplays? Should every adult there be forced to censor themselves in the event that they might, possibly, maybe, could be, conceivably, offend a younger congoer? How would you then decide what is and is not appropriate in an open forum that has little to no age restriction?
I do realize that not everything at the convention is appropriate for younger children. I do question some of the outfits but sometimes they cover more than what is seen at the beach, unfortunately. I like the rule no tummy, back, or boobs but I doubt that will fly.
The bear is meant to be deceiving, right? I can imagine my 6 yo running up to the bear not knowing any better, me either, and being thoroughly embarrassed later.
Registered pedophile pin could tip some people off and add to the humor for those that find it funny?
Thanks for commenting.
To the person who feels like the bear would be a perfect symbol of priests, the priests (ones I know at least) are trying to redeem their image that has been forever damaged by the horrendous acts of fellow priests and bishops. I am sure that other professions, such as teachers, suffer similar things. So in a way, the plight of this bear, him being hijacked for this humor, is like what is happening in our Church.
God Bless.
you’re seriously going to compare cartoon satire again to what’s happening in your church?
hijacking a cartoon vs actual rape?
and then you justify it by pointing your finger at a possibility of someone else, a teacher, of maybe committing the same crime?
is this how you pass off the guilt that your community has destroyed the lives of so many?
how could someone who claims to love and care so much write something like this?
i’m so disgusted.
I do see a similarity. What some
Of those priests did was very wrong and inexcusable and most should have done time in prison. How am I helping by abandoning my church? That doesn’t mean sitting passively as things occur, but committed to doing something. And sadly, child abuse is more common in the school system.
Similarity in the image, but not the rape
you’re right i apologize, you should stick with your church no matter what, through thick and thin. there are no other churches and the catholic church is the only way, the popes words are the truth, and the light.
approving this comment proves you don’t understand satire, irony, sarcasm, or humor in general.
It depends on subject, audience, etc
MOST???
I LOVE JESUS AND THAT COMMENT MAKES ME SICK!
ALL!!! GET IT RIGHT PLEASE!
For starters, could you please proofread before you post stories? And maybe even for comments if thats not pushing it.
So you find issue with a child not understanding a type of humour reserved for adults, but not with the child not understanding the nature of part of your own religious system? This makes sense to me :/. You judge a man in a bear costume who is purely trying to entertain and bring joy into the lives of others, because you think he will somehow corrupt your daughter?
You seem to be contradicting your own beliefs:
‘Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things’
If this type of humor is adult, then is this appropriate in a setting that is open to all ages?
Yes, I find the subject offensive and I take pedophilia seriously.
The quote you use has to do with judging someone’s soul, not their actions which we are called to do.
Actually, in verse 6 of the same chapter (Romans 2), it specifically says ‘deeds’, not soul.
Did you actually go to Otakon with your daughter? The costumes some of the girls (and a few guys) where are hardly appropriate for children, yet you happily sent your daughter before you found out about the bear.
So because children can get in, we have to make everything nice and pretty and happy, so the parents don’t get upset? Otakon is not a child’s convention…
It is adult humour, children don’t get it anyway so it shouldn’t matter. The problem really only occurs when your child already understands adult humour.
wear*
Okay, everyone really just needs to calm down here. Let’s take a moment to breath…….(exhale)….
Okay, so I’m going to have to agree with Opey124. Humor is fine most of the time, but I’m pretty sure that when it comes to Pedophelia, we don’t need a cartoon bear to bring attention to it in a comical way. I was molested by my priest from the ages of 4-7 years old. I told my parents but they didn’t believe a Father could do this. So they sent me to be a pastor boy for a whole year. What’s funny about that??? YOU TELL ME JIMMY!!!
A beanie hat? That would make my being raped funny to you??
Sorry, InGodITrust, because of technical difficulties, that other comment went through. I deleted it.
It is absolutely not funny and I am sorry that happened to you.
I AM SO TOTALLY WITH YOU IN THIS!!! PRAISE JESUS
There’s a thing line between satire and just plain cruelty. You walk that line on your high heels and with your gucci frame of mind. I was raped jimmy…RAPED..And you wanna poke fun? Well I thing that Father Micheal poked enough for the two of you.I find PedoBear to be a harsh reminder that coronation and flamsetting are amungst us. Jimmy, learn to have a heart that isnt corrupted by cartoon stringbloomers.
God bless you and thanks for sharing.
http://www.mgoretti.org/MariaGorettiHomepage.html
Jimmy before you go, did you know that some victims live a tortured life and “cope” with drugs/alcohol to numb the pain? Did you know some completely split in order to cope and sadly, some commit suicide. Some were not believed and some who were, the authorities turned there back on by not prosecuting including those in our Church and elsewhere.
Some things just aren’t funny as InGodITrust said.
you’re right, rape isn’t funny, EVER. especially by someone who is trusted as a community leader and a man of the cloth.
however, satire is always funny, and most of the time, the only weapon against ignorance.
the only people it isnt funny too, are the people who can’t comprehend it.
i applaud jimmy, you don’t need to announce to people that youre part of a church to be a good person!!! being catholic means nothing, jesus would burn that institution down today if he came back, its so corrupt, the pope can sell just one of his gold scepters to feed so many people, but all he does is ask for more donations, and he keeps asking for more catholics to forgive him, stop falling for his lies, you dont need to be catholic to be a christian and to follow jesus, you end up hurting more and more people!!!
WOW, I TOTALLY LOVE AND LIKE YOU!!!
What I find inappropriate about the pedobear is that it is not something wholesome for children, but is presented in a way to be loved by children. What child doesn’t like a teddy bear? To those who have said that they have cosplayed as pedobear for the “humor” they find in it….I ask you, what is to stop a REAL pedophile from using this costume, which I would assume cover ALL of your body, to use this costume to get close to unsuspecting children? So, a pedophile comes to the convention, dressed as a bear, which children love, and is able to lure some unsuspecting child away from their parents….and don’t say parents should keep a better eye on them, because a parent can be VIGILANT and a child can still disappear in a flash, especially if there is a cuddly bear calling to them! Yes, a pedophile could come dresses as any other anime or just come as himself and still lure a child, but doesn’t it make it real easy when he is dressed as a bear? Is the humor you experience from wearing this worth the risk of a real pedophile using it to harm a child? And to those who have likened this as adult humor similar to Family Guy or South Park….those are disgusting shows that I would want children to have no part of. If you went somewhere and that perverted baby from Family Guy was there would you allow your child to be photographed with him? If so, you need to reevaluate yourself as a parent. …and I think if you want your child to have a picture taken with pedobear then you need to reevaluate yourself as well. If you as an adult find it humorous and want a pic, then go right ahead, but it is inappropriate to have a child be in that picture. The bear is not appropriate for children…period. If you, as an adult, want to like pedobear, go ahead, adults can evaluate these things for themselves, unsuspecting children who have no concept of the deep perversions of this world cannot.
@Anon regarding Otakon being for children.
Let me quote from the booklet from the Otakon itself. Page 5 under rules regarding children reads “Otakon is certain to be a fun family event, but will also be one of the largest east coast Japanese animation conventions… Otakon wants to ensure the satisfaction and safety of all of our members, especially children.” So it is not limited to adults or older youth.
Did you know this was the goal?
There were events restricted to 18 and older – you needed a band to get in.
So, although some areas it may be mixed, I still do not think this bear is appropriate in areas that are open to all ESPECIALLY if everyone does not know the double meaning.
Regarding Romans 2, if you did not judge someone’s actions, how would you know, or how could you say that something like rape or stealing is wrong?
Let me give you an example. If I were to say those cosplaying as Pedobear are good for nothing, sleezy pervert that preys on children and has a warped mind who is going to hell- I am crossing the line. We are not judge that way but I can the actions which I am still asking – Is this costume and character appropriate in an area open to all? I don’t think it is.
I was not able to attend this year with our daughter. We may in the future, not sure.
This type of art is not that appealing to me, but this is something she is very good at and I can see her remaining in it – if not doing more.
If pedobear should be banned because children are attracted to his costume and could be snatched, then the panda and other large headed bear I posed with would also be? Or how about Elmo? He attended the con this year. Who’s more trusting to a young congoer, then lmo? What’s to stop him from running away with your daughter if you fail to be vigilante.?
If the Mr Bear was not widely known in the manga world as pedobear, I wouldn’t have a problem. If Elmo were used this way and known this way, we would avoid him in that setting.
And not just avoid Elmo, I would raise the same objections.
And I would think Jim Henson and/or Sesame St Inc would probably beat me to it …in court probably.
I don’t know the full story behind this character evolving into pedobear nor do I know if the original artist has pursued this, but it is known as a Pedophile. This has also trickled down into the boards, not adult boards where children frequent too. Not the full connotation but the fact that you are doing something “gross”, etc.
@ Jimmy, I hate the way the responses are being posted (smaller and smaller).
We are called to do what we can where we are. I will let Kate respond if she wants to or comes back but we realize there is pain and suffering in this world-this is the fallen nature.
I would hope that you do visit, I will extend the invitation to you. Not all here are selfish. Some are very generous.
@ Jimmy, Because Christ isn’t invisible and did walk the Earth. He is the second person of the Blessed Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit. That is because he loves us all so much that he became man (Incarnation). And the first traitor was one of his own, Judas – so it is saddening but not surprising when scandal does come and those who profess to be Christians are not behaving the way they should. We are all sinners but that doesn’t excuse some things and we will all be judged one day.
Also, as for me, I am Catholic and a mother of an attendee to the Conference. I am entitled to speak my concerns as is everyone else within reason.
I don’t think this costume is appropriate in that setting.
look at it in this context
a muslim lady is mad her children have to go to a comic festival and see idolatry, complains, and makes the event change its rules.
a jewish lady is mad her children go to a comic festival and see people of the opposite sex congregating freely, complains, and has the event change its rules.
a christian lady is mad her children see satire, complains, and tries to have the event change its rules.
i think the simple answer is, you dont like it, dont allow your children to go. “family friendly” is easily misinterpreted with the understanding that their morals match your catholic morals.
It is beneficial to have basic rules for all to abide especially if you are aiming at being family friendly. I am sure others can voice their concerns, and also make a judgment if this is what they want to participate in, which we haven’t said we won’t – just questioning the costume.
I haven’t disagreed with you seeing it as satire, it is just adult in nature and also something I would consider dark and misused. And we are free to disagree on that point.
This is also my blog – I am not speaking for the conference – just from my heart.
you can’t speak from a muscle that pumps blood.
LOL! I guess if I were literally doing that, it would be odd….:0)
Great article, thanks for sharing this. I have subscribed to your RSS feed and am looking forward to reading more from you.
Keep up the good work and don’t stop posting please.
AWESOME ARTICLE, HERE ARE TWO MORE BEAUTIES TO LOOK INTO, PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE LANGUAGE IN ONE IS NOT GOOD FOR YOUR CATHOLIC SENSITIVIES, BUT HEY, IT’S STILL A RIGHTEOUS ANTIPEDOBEAR VIDEO!!! http://opey124.wordpress.com/2010/08/03/from-a-mothers-heart-the-pedophile-bear/
http://www.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DsDUw3ZcUQR8%26feature%3Dplayer_embedded&h=GAQBDgVfH