I grew up on the Power Rangers. It was cultural phenomenon and my favorite was The Green Ranger, Tommy Oliver, played by a real Mixed Martial Artist Jason David Frank. Tommy in the series was chosen by the witch Rita Repulsa to be her green power ranger, brain washing him with a spell. In fact, during a rewatch of “Green With Evil Part I” the ceremony of Tommy’s transformation into the evil Green Ranger has the hallmarks of a Satanic service with candles and a circle, Rita even says words in another tongue that is hard to decipher. As a kid I didn’t notice this, rather I liked the Green Ranger because he has a redemption story, where in “Green With Evil Part V” he is freed from Rita’s spell and joins the other Power Rangers to fight evil.
Jason David Frank was very outspoken about his Christian faith. His twin brother, Erik Frank, who was used in some episodes in the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, died tragically in an accident which lead Jason David Frank to a Church where he became a follower of Christ. The Green Ranger / White Ranger even started his own martial art brand called “Jesus didn’t Tap” which in martial arts means give up as in tap out by tapping the mat to surrender in grapple, wrestling, or a fight. Jason David Frank even went on 700 Club Christian television station to talk about his faith and at a expo/Comic con like event, a armed man tried to kill him, but he got a sense not to go to that show which when talking to reporters he said was “The Holy Spirit, I believe God protects me, and nothing can happen to me till God wants me home.” These words feel very prophetic now that he is home.
TMZ (A Paparazzi Program) reports that Jason David Frank committed suicide at age 49. This however, comes from their purported inside “real” source, not an official release from the family or a corner. What is known is Jason David Frank was in middle of a divorce with his second wife who claims he committed “adultery.” I would like to point out Heath Ledger, The Joker star, was also in the middle of a divorce when he overdosed and died. If Jason David Frank did commit suicide, there seems to be common link there of loss that neither actor could bear. As for the allegation of adultery, Jason David Frank can no long answer it in the court of this world, and that will be left to God alone to know if it was true.
There is some alarming trends in The Power Rangers. Deaths and legal trouble. The Yellow Ranger, played by Thuy Trang died suddenly at 27, Maurice Mendoza who played Richie in season two of MMPR died at 39, the voice actor Robert L. Manahan who played Zordon died at 43, Peta Rutter who played the Mystic White Ranger died of brain tumor at 50, Erik Frank who played Tommy Oliver/ Green Ranger/ White Ranger’s Brother died at 29, the Red Ranger played by Austin St. John has been found guilty swindling people in a business scheme, Ricardo Medina who played Red Lion in Power Rangers: Wild Force killed a roomate with a sword & went to jail, and now The Green Ranger (Tommy Oliver) played by Jason David Frank has died at the young age of 49. One could argue that there is a curse on the real Power Rangers worthy of Rita Repulsa herself. My concern is that many Satanic/ Occultic people in showbiz curse their content, and usually someone dies in the making of the film or series as a sacrifice. The fact Mighty Morphin Power Rangers has so many deaths and other ills for the actors makes one wonder if those spells Rita was chanting were the real deal. But what about Jason David Frank? He was a Christian, outspoken about it, even his reality series “My Mighty Morphin Life,” his kitchen had huge cross and in the Christmas episode he partnered with his pastor by helping with a toy drive for the poor. Is it perhaps the effects of his many black belts, many of which at the higher levels require tapping into demonic powers, a la Bruce Lee, and an episode of Ripley’s Believe It or Not? Did Jason open himself through martial arts to dark spirits that tormented him and that combined with a divorce, and health issues brought him to an early grave? Again only God knows, but I do warn you not to get into heavy martial arts because at the upper levels you delve into mysticism, paganism, occultism, and demonic influences. Be sure to find a Christian martial art teacher who’s aim is only self defense, not Avatar Airbending demons.
Back to Jason, his death really has effected me. He was a pillar from my youth, a hero I looked up to. I Remember him as the White Ranger on a Christmas Special that he told us kids to stay away from drugs, and to spread kindness. People who met Jason David Frank in the flesh said he was the best to his fans, radiated kindness, and really cared to know people in his meet and greets. If the adultery and suicide claims do prove true, I will be more dismayed, not that he should have been perfect, we all fail and need Christ’s forgiveness, but it will be a blow on his witness having been such an outspoken public figure for Christ. If he did commit suicide, I say as Martin Luther, “he was overcome by the devil,” and I hope to see him in Heaven, for I do not believe as Catholics do that suicide equals hell, I do warn that such an act has no Biblical answer in what happens to that soul, so you are leaping into the unknown, uncertain of how God will weight you throwing away his precious gift of life, albeit in greatly overwhelming emotions and pain. I suggest if you feel suicidal seek out a Suicide HELP line, and talk to your pastor, or someone you trust. Do not ignore it, address suicidal feelings like a heart attack or stroke happening.
I have mixed feelings about if Power Rangers is healthy for us as Christians. Many iterations have magic and spirit animals which are pagan and evil and not for us Christians. But I admit the power suites were always cool (even the spandex), the theme song rocked, the Zords were rad, and the messages of team work, use your powers for good and in service of the weak were complimentary to our faith. All I can say is I mourn brother Jason David Frank, and am thankful he was hero I looked up to who was redeemed on screen, and who spent much of his real life preaching Jesus. The fact my favorite power ranger all those years was a Christian and I didn’t know it at the time, makes me smile that perhaps we who have Christ in us are drawn to one another. May The Power of God Protect You Tommy, and use that flute/trumpet dragon dagger in Jesus’ Second Coming with the Seven Trumpets to hail his arrival. Amen.
Update:
It has been confirmed that Jason David Frank took his own life. (https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/power-rangers-alum-jason-david-034259900.html)
This makes me sad and dismayed. Suicide and what becomes of the soul is unknown. Catholics claim you go to hell, while Martin Luther claims you were “overcome by the devil.” (Luther Movie).
I am convinced the advanced martial arts with the demonic influences was a factor, his wife even saying “he battled his own demons.”
I noticed Jason in his earlier seasons of the Power Rangers looked tender and kind, but later his face showed a darkness, an anger, and torment. This is just tragic.. The Power Ranger’s Curse is real (see earlier in my post to see how many have died or committed suicide. :(
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