Hello Rev. My 11 year old son collects Yu Gi Oh trading cards, is this a sin? Are these cards considered a form of “witchcraft” by the Christian church? My son was told that they were during his Sunday school class by one of his teachers. My wife and I disagree on this. Could you please share your opinion/belief? Thank you very much for your time.

I picked up some of these cards in order to give you a fair answer. Just looking at the pictures on the cards tell me they are about magicians and have occult themes. I checked out the official website which confirms this. Here is a quote from the basic instructions on how to play:

“The opponent has a face-up Attack Position “Magician of Faith” and a face-up Attack Position “Reflect Bounder”. The turn player attacks the “Magician of Faith” with “Gemini Elf”. The opponent responds by activating “Mystic Wok”, tributing “Magician of Faith”.”

These references and others clearly point to magic and forces which are not of God. The Bible says, “There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD” – Deuteronomy 18:10-12. Other figures in the game are the “Chaos Sorcerer” and “Dark Necrofear” which are clearly referred to in the Bible. The use of “spell” cards are also used which mirror occult practices.

It’s easy to think they are harmless games (I have a young son also), but in reality they introduce a child to the occult world (which is real). God said to have nothing to do with it and our responsibility as parents is to train our children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22:6).