Ok, there is one subject that I have been really upset about, partly because I feel torn about it, and partly because I really do not even think that anyone will even think about this. Or perhaps that they might think me too conservative or whatever. At any rate, here goes...Why do the Mario games almost always feature either a witch (or whatever you want to call those broom-wielding Kameks) or ghosts? I really wish that these guys would just be left out of the picture. Why? I just feel that they cast a dark slur on a game series that is otherwise so good and so much fun. I mean, it is pretty hard anymore to find games that are a lot of fun and are not based around some sort of dark theme or violence. I was wondering what the rest of you all thought on this matter. Do you think Mario could be just as good without the witches and ghosts; and do they ruin the otherwise light-hearted atmosphere of Mario? And why are they even there? Couldn't nintendo do away with these guys? Is there anyone who even wants them gone? A lot of times I am not even sure how to feel about it...I mean it's not like I am making the witch my friend...Isn't it somewhat Biblical to be fighting this evil? I have gone so many rounds on this issue it's crazy!
The FaithFighter

I think Mario could be just as good without the witches and ghosts. I'm getting tired of seeing the same enemies in platform Mario games over and over. The variety of enemies in Mario RPG games is fine to me, though. I don't want the witches and ghosts to be gone; I just want them not to be used so much.

I agree with
PacmanandMariofan : here, they have been used a lot. Then again, ghosts are the only one able to move through walls and witches/wizards can use magic which is quite unique of course. 

I'll be frank. Maybe this is just because I'm not religious but I really don't see how a turtle/Koopa with a ?magic wand and a ghost who can't even look you in the eye give a 'dark slur' to Mario. I mean yeah, I suppose being a ghost means you died at some point, but every time you fall off a ledge you 'die' anyway. Dying is just a fact of life, silly as that may sound.
Considering how little Magikoopas appear anyway, the only mario series that would be different without them would be the Paper Mario series, and even then it would really only be the first two. Boos are a small staple to the series and I feel it WOULD be different without them. Good bye Ghost Houses.
However, they don't ruin the light atmosphere at all. It's not like they're the title characters, and it's not like they go around drawing blood from everything. In fact, if you really want to get rid of the ghosts, you'll have to get rid of Luigi's Mansion as well.
They are there to add atmosphere and challenge, simple as that, sort of like many other ?enemies. Nintendo could, and sort of has been doing away with them, especially in the side series like Mario Party. But I don't think many people would be happy about it.
I for one don't want them gone. I adore playing as someone different from the usual good guys, and I'd hate to have the option taken from me.

Ok...I'm not sure where you are getting the impression that Nintendo is using less of the Kameks. If anything, I would definitely say they are using them more. Almost every game following Super Mario Sunshine has these creatures in there somewhere. Mario Party 5, 8, 9, Super Mario Galaxy 1&2; Super Paper Mario, All recent Super Mario Bros that have been recently released; Mario Kart Wii (Technically its actually a kart and not the character, but it's still enough for Mom not to want it in the house...) Mario Kart 8, Super Mario World 3d...The list goes on. And even Super Mario 64 has the ghosts. I'll admit, I really do not think that they have to go...I think that they could easily be just considered monsters, and Mama wouldn't have a problem...I mean seriously--if you can punch it or have Yoshi eat it. IT'S NOT A GHOST! My main anger against these characters is that they have cost me many of the best Mario games there are--especially the Kameks. In many ways, I do feel that the Kameks pretty much useless in the games. For real, the Fire Bros. can throw fireballs at you just as easily, buttons and power-ups can change the stage settings in just the same way Kamek does. And enemies like Bowser vanish all the time...so why are these guys even needed? I do not think that they are. Flying? Well, you have the "Para-enemies" for that. I will admit that the Boos do add something to the games. I just would prefer if they were Boo Monsters, No more. 
BY THE WAY, THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO REPLIED. IT IS NICE TO SEE SOME OPINIONS ON THIS MATTER.
FaithFighter

FaithFighter :

I used to think so, but us being taught that witches and ghosts in a game is bad is actually more of a tradition, like some other things that Christians have commonly taught.

I don't mind slaying witches in the games that I play, that what the Old Testament tells us to do! A witch is literally in league with the devil, I mean, Satanic. Same for homosexuals, since they are usually repossessed, hence their attachment to pagan Indian religions and demonic stuff like that. See the Talmud/Oral Torah, Satanic Bible, and other sources like it. Not saying that you should make a game where homos are the basic enemy. . . that. . . doesn't make much sense to me. But the two are always side by side. (go Girahem).

I have no problem with taking out such evil things! I mean, yeah, I wish that everyone in real life would be good people, but hey, if we're going to make bad guys, why not make them just outright servants of evil?

If you're worried about a spiritually demonic influence because of these sorts of enemies very presence here, then don't worry-

If the game portrays them as the bad guys, then more glory to God. It's teaching young kids a good lesson (we really don't need more people getting into witchcraft).

Some games make a difference between good and bad magic, but I'd say that this is because they are misusing the word like they misuse the word murder.

I'd prefer that stuff is refereed to as "supernatural" power, since supernatural power is neither good, nor evil.

Aren't they called "power stars" in Mario 64?

Don't worry too much about games misusing the term magic, when they should be using the term supernatural power (OR make up a totally new and interesting name! 3)

There's nothing wrong with light arrows now, are there?

Also, if I loved playing football, but my teammates liked to cuss, then I wouldn't quite football over that.

Same for a game misusing the word magic to describe supernatural power. :3

Whith morality in games, it comes down to this:

What does the game try and portray?

How does the game effect me, my thinking, etc.

How much can I overlook? (ie, pron, I WON'T put up with, but a character kissing another out of wedlock, though I believe it's wrong, I can put up with.)

I think the witches could have been left out, sure. But as for the Ghosts... it's part of the Mario series. You have to have them. Otherwise, it would not feel like a Mario game to me. 

juuldude :
to be perfectly honest...I really don't mind the ghosts themselves...I mean is it really a ghost if you can punch it or have Yoshi eat it? As far as the Kameks go, his powers can easily be substituted without being magic...The fireballs that he throws...Well he is not the only one to do that! Teleportation? While this ability is a little more rare, it does not necessarily need be tied to magic...The transformations to characters and rooms? Simple...A button to change things in the room, and a power-up for the enemy. You almost do not even need the power-up, the enemy could have just gotten stronger or learned another ability. Flying? That is nothing to brag about! Not with all of those para-enemies around! As far as I am concerned, Kamek is pointless and a bit redundant...I cannot get any new Mario game anymore without seeing his ugly face!

FaithFighter : The boos are interesting in most games, not very strong but they can be tricky. The games where I like Kamek his roles are Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Mario & Luigi Partners in Time and New Super Mario Bros Wii. In Yoshi's Island, he makes all bosses bigger and so the fights get more interesting. But he can only use growth and shrink magic and he can fly and transform which like you said, isn't that impressive. In Partners in Time he is an interesting boss and he has a funny role throughout the story in his boss battle he can use better magic than in Yoshi's Island. In New Super Mario Bros Wii however he has great magic and can do all kinds of stuff to help the Koopalings. 

Also, the Kameks are in almost every game as there are few enemies who use magic, most use physical attacks. That's why they have a special role. They might not be the most interesting enemies always, but they are strong enemies of Bowser his Koopa Troop. So that's why they constantly appear in many games, just like Goombas, Koopas, Shy Guys and Bullet Bills.

I had also thought of something else last night...they are not even very fast! I takes forever for him to charge his fireball attack. In Super Mario Galaxy, where i remember battling his ugly kind. He basically just shoots fireballs and shells at you, and it takes him awhile to do so, since he has to "charge" his dark powers. Fire bro. is way faster than him! Also, I think that it is possible that you could have fire bro launch his shell at you and have it split into three shells, so I still do not see Kamek adding anything that could not have been just as good with a substitute.