Man Dressed as The Joker Goes on Stabbing Spree
By Movieguide® Staff
We’ll say it louder for the people in the back: Media, especially movies and television shows, have strong influence over those who consume them.
Take this 24-year-old as an example. Police recently arrested an assailant who stabbed 10 people on a train and then set that train on fire. All of this was done while he was dressed as the Joker from Batman. The popular villain has no regard for human life and often takes pleasure in mutilating other people.
The 24-year-old assailant injured 17 passengers who were riding the Keio express line bound for Shinjuku, “the world’s busiest rail station,” the Daily Mail reported.
Upon his arrest, the man reportedly said that he “wanted to kill people and be given the death penalty.”
Nippon Television reported that the suspect claimed he used a previous stabbing incident as an example to plan his attack.
Reports note that the man also wore a green shirt, blue suit, and purple coat, resembling DC’s comic book character, The Joker.
One passenger, Shunsuke Kimura, filmed a video and said that passengers had to jump out the train’s windows to escape the fire.
“Train doors were closed and we had no idea what was happening, and we jumped from the windows,” Kimura said. “It was horrifying.”
“He held a knife and started spreading liquid,” another passenger said. “He was committing this act without showing any emotion, just mechanically. I think that brought fear to everyone.”
While gun crime is low in Japan, the Daily Mail noted that knife attacks are becoming more popular.
No matter the weapon, the media influences how we view violence. THE JOKER, in particular, can cause serious harm.
Dr. Ted Baehr wrote in his book, “The Culture Wise Family”:
The emotive heart of drama is conflict and the ultimate conflict ends in violence. The Bible is full of violence and the Gospel story has one of the most violent scenes imaginable, the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The presentation of violence in the entertainment media is not always bad and is sometimes necessary. It is, however, critical to protect young children from such violence and to identify how the violence is presented in the entertainment product so you can discern whether it’s necessary and furthers the Good and the True…
Scientific evidence strongly indicates a connection between television violence and violence in the real world. The cumulative effect of all these studies indicates a statistically significant connection between watching violence on television and behaving aggressively. These studies have prompted the American Medical Association, The American Psychiatric Association, The American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Association for the Education of Young Children and many other organizations to issue policy statements condemning violence in the media.
Read Also: Does the JOKER Movie Incite Real Violence?
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
