Ethics and Morality in:
I had to look really hard to find some, so show your appreciation by reading this ;-)
I had to look really hard to find some, so show your appreciation by reading this ;-)
So here's my premise: original Dragonball series and unedited Namek Saga aside, there are certain character developments which occur in the first 50 DBZ episodes that aired on Cartoon Network which illustrate certain concepts and people in the New Testament of the Bible. It sounds crazy, but stick with me for a minute, you hard-core DBZ fans.
Like Jesus always said: "blessed are the pure in heart..." Well, it works the same way in the Dragonball world too. What are the perks? Only the pure in heart can ride on Goku's flying nimbus cloud, or use the spirit bomb. Also, when Krillin meets with the oldest Namek, he senses that Krillin has a pure, courageous heart, the Namek gives the little guy a dragon ball and unlocks his hidden powers to be used in the fight against evil. Because they are selflessly motivated to pursue goodness and righteousness, Goku and his gang get the benefits of Kami, King Yemma, and King Kai's full support. (I don't know though. If I died and went to heaven like Goku, i would much rather see God at the front desk than King Yemma. ;-)
Basically, what separates Goku & Co. from the Ginyu Force, is that the good guys care about others, and the bad guys are in it only for themselves. Christians are called to have faith in the goodness of God, and to serve people selflessly. They're not just going to stand around and let the world get blown up by some Saijin. When people put themselves as #1 priority all the time, instead of God, instead of those in need, things get screwed up, people get hurt, planets get destroyed, etc. And it's a wonder that Vegeta never gets ulcers or busts blood vessels when he doesn't get his own twisted way. Selfishness is self-destructive. You know he and Freeza are gonna get it in the end.
(Did I even spell "Piccolo" right?)Before Radditz and the Ginyu force came to town, Piccolo was the meanest, dirtiest son-of-a-Namek there ever was. Being the evil half of Kami (sort of a Jeckyll and Hyde story), Piccolo is as miserable, selfish, and destructive as any Saijin. However, when he took Gohan under his wing, he was plagued by a strange sense of caring: "I've never felt this way about anyone before. rrrrr, i don't like it," the contemplative Piccolo concludes. King Kai is frustrated with Piccolo because he didn't seem to understand that selfish anger is not the most effective motivation for a truly great warrior. But over time, Piccolo's heart is changed by that lovable little tyke, Gohan, and he helps the others defend the Earth and Namek out of a sense of comradery. It also shows the idea that there is hope for everyone to get their life straightened out. Think about Paul in the New Testament, he went around zealously persecuting and killing Christians just because they didn't fit his perogative. But Christ made a huge change in his life, and he ended up being perhaps the foremost Christian missionary ever, and the author of 1/2 the New Testament. All because he finally learned what it was to experience a loving relationship (with the Savior in his case). Compare that to Piccolo who went around beating up Goku just because Goku was good and Piccolo was evil (simplified explaination). However, his heart was changed by Gohan, and becomes a true hero after all when he sacrifices his own life to protect him.
nameks have landed on this little page.