This is a crazy thread.

[gier12]

I have been reading that huge thread on which games are good and which aren't and the debates and the all around "opinion chaos" as I like to call it. So this is how I look at it. God say's live your life through his will. Now this brings into attention all the things that go along with that. Think about how many near nudity games there are, shoot I even heard of a porn game (give me a break), or the killings, or the false magic or prophecies, or the language. There are so many things that are morally wrong.

Yeah for entertainment purposes games are great, but I think they are seriously over looked by parents and children alike, Christian or not. Say someone was in there head wishing the death of another person. I consider this a sin. Just the thought even. So say a Christian is playing Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero knocks Scorpion off of a tower and Scorpion lands on a spike. Your finding entertainment in death? How would God feel about this. Yes there is good and evil. False good and evil, and hey most of those type games are like "hey be a good guy and get a chance to kill as many bad guys as you can". Again entertainment of killing. hm.

So here is one I thought about. How cool would it be to have a cop game (not like TrueCrimes) where you can have the villain lets say react to a bank robbery. The goal would be to save hostages without harm of them, aprehend the suspect, and serve justice. Now maybe it's not totally legit. I know a bank robber or 2 have been shot and killed. But is that the same as the other garbage games have. Lets say the goal was to do it without killing the suspect, and if you fail (kill him) you have to try again. Now that would be cool.

When I became saved by Christ I threw out all my secular music, i threw away all my movies, all my books (well most at least the bad ones, or the ones that didn't follow His teachings), because I knew those things would try and take me farther away from Jesus than I wanted to be. Because there is no half way in my faith. Either I give Him my all and do as His teachings tell me, or I go to hell that is the fear of God. That is the fear that I have.

I try not to judge but my observation is this, people who watch, play or listen to this garbage in todays society are only giving themselves partly to God and his teachings..... I guess.... I don't know what else to say, the filth in todays society sickens me..... I see it in my own family daily, and it's hard. God's been telling me the person he wants me to be through His Word, and no where in His Word do I even see 50% of the things I see even come close to the Word of God.

I'm sorry if I took this post in the wrong direction, the moderators can decide where this thread goes. Try to think about what I said though, and more importantly take in account what God says. I didn't speak of my faith, so know I feel confident in my faith, and don't just practice his teaching and thats it because I feel like I have to. I give my faith to Him, my love to Him, my life to Him. I'm not saying I'm any better or any less than you (whoever reads this) as a Christian or not. I just thought I would clear that up before some hyped up reader checks this thread out and wants to drill.

Thanks and God bless,
Jon

 

[Dannager]

I have been reading that huge thread on which games are good and which aren't and the debates and the all around "opinion chaos" as I like to call it.

And you chose to add to the opinion chaos by providing your own?

So this is how I look at it. God say's live your life through his will. Now this brings into attention all the things that go along with that. Think about how many near nudity games there are, shoot I even heard of a porn game (give me a break)

There's an entire genre of games of this type. I've heard of dozens, and played a few of them. Some are actually pretty well-produced.

or the killings, or the false magic or prophecies, or the language. There are so many things that are morally wrong.

Were it not for the fact that they are not morally wrong, since they all take place in a fake world. You are having trouble delineating between the real world and fantasy worlds.

Yeah for entertainment purposes games are great, but I think they are seriously over looked by parents and children alike, Christian or not.

I don't think they are.

Say someone was in there head wishing the death of another person. I consider this a sin. Just the thought even.

That's wonderful for you, but it's not a sin. Just because you think something is a sin doesn't make it a sin for Christians.

So say a Christian is playing Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero knocks Scorpion off of a tower and Scorpion lands on a spike. Your finding entertainment in death?

Entertainment in fake death, yes.

How would God feel about this.

Since it's fake, God doesn't really care.

Yes there is good and evil. False good and evil, and hey most of those type games are like "hey be a good guy and get a chance to kill as many bad guys as you can". Again entertainment of killing. hm.

Fake killing. You do know the difference between something that is real and something that is not real, right?

So here is one I thought about. How cool would it be to have a cop game (not like TrueCrimes) where you can have the villain lets say react to a bank robbery. The goal would be to save hostages without harm of them, aprehend the suspect, and serve justice. Now maybe it's not totally legit. I know a bank robber or 2 have been shot and killed. But is that the same as the other garbage games have. Lets say the goal was to do it without killing the suspect, and if you fail (kill him) you have to try again. Now that would be cool.

It would be cool, yes. That doesn't make it any morally better than any other game, though. A game is a game. It's fake.

When I became saved by Christ I threw out all my secular music, i threw away all my movies, all my books (well most at least the bad ones, or the ones that didn't follow His teachings)

These were all very poor decisions on your part. You've shut yourself off, and it has in turn deluded you. You now are under the impression that fantasy and reality are equivalent.

If killing someone in real life is sinful, and donating money to the needy in real life is righteous, then if killing someone in a game is sinful, that would mean that donating money to the needy in a game is righteous. Are you starting to see exactly how fantasy is not reality?

because I knew those things would try and take me farther away from Jesus than I wanted to be.

I really don't think that any of those things would take you away from Jesus if you didn't want to be taken away from Jesus.

Because there is no half way in my faith. Either I give Him my all and do as His teachings tell me, or I go to hell that is the fear of God. That is the fear that I have.

If you're saved, you're saved. You shouldn't be living in fear of hell, that's the whole point of being Christian. You've accepted Christ. You're not going to hell.

I try not to judge but my observation is this, people who watch, play or listen to this garbage in todays society are only giving themselves partly to God and his teachings

A) It's not garbage.
B) Those of us who are watching/listening to/playing those things are not giving only part of themselves to God.

..... I guess.... I don't know what else to say, the filth in todays society sickens me

Why? And why do you call it filth?

..... I see it in my own family daily, and it's hard. God's been telling me the person he wants me to be through His Word, and no where in His Word do I even see 50% of the things I see even come close to the Word of God.

That didn't make sense. You may want to try rephrasing it so that it does.

 

[Dust and Ashes]

Since it's fake, God doesn't really care.

Don't pretend to speak for God.

Sorry, I just had to do it.

 

[peanutbutter12]

I have been reading that huge thread on which games are good and which aren't and the debates and the all around "opinion chaos" as I like to call it. So this is how I look at it. God say's live your life through his will. Now this brings into attention all the things that go along with that. Think about how many near nudity games there are, shoot I even heard of a porn game (give me a break), or the killings, or the false magic or prophecies, or the language. There are so many things that are morally wrong.

I agree with Dannager on this. You're complaining about the "opinion chaos" and adding to it at the same time. Kind of hypocritical, but beyond that, it remains as such. OPINION. Not everything we do in our daily lives with glorify God. There is a medium that will be met. Granted, some things there should be kept away from (i.e. porn?), however, there are those of us who disagree with you whole heartedly about things like Fantasy games that deal in magic, or violent games. You are entitled to your opinion, but remember that it is just that... opinion.

Yeah for entertainment purposes games are great, but I think they are seriously over looked by parents and children alike, Christian or not. Say someone was in there head wishing the death of another person. I consider this a sin. Just the thought even. So say a Christian is playing Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero knocks Scorpion off of a tower and Scorpion lands on a spike. Your finding entertainment in death? How would God feel about this. Yes there is good and evil. False good and evil, and hey most of those type games are like "hey be a good guy and get a chance to kill as many bad guys as you can". Again entertainment of killing. hm.

There is a HUGE difference between killing an animated character in a video game and killing someone in real life. I play violent video games quite a bit and I don't go around thinking or wishing people dead. That is a conviction between each individual person and God. Granted, I believe parents do need to watch what video games, movies, and other such things their kids listen to, play, and watch. But when a person comes of age where they can make their own decisions, then that is for them to decide.

So here is one I thought about. How cool would it be to have a cop game (not like TrueCrimes) where you can have the villain lets say react to a bank robbery. The goal would be to save hostages without harm of them, aprehend the suspect, and serve justice. Now maybe it's not totally legit. I know a bank robber or 2 have been shot and killed. But is that the same as the other garbage games have. Lets say the goal was to do it without killing the suspect, and if you fail (kill him) you have to try again. Now that would be cool.

It's called Police Quest. You can buy the series at a store near you.

When I became saved by Christ I threw out all my secular music, i threw away all my movies, all my books (well most at least the bad ones, or the ones that didn't follow His teachings), because I knew those things would try and take me farther away from Jesus than I wanted to be. Because there is no half way in my faith. Either I give Him my all and do as His teachings tell me, or I go to hell that is the fear of God. That is the fear that I have.

Good for you, I did the same thing and later realized what an idiot I was for doing that because I actually enjoyed that music. As I said before, things like music are personal conviction between you and God. I can listen to music like Nine Inch Nails or Marilyn Manson without it effecting my walk with God. Some people have issues with that and can't listen to that music. Some people feels it tears them away from God. I don't.

I try not to judge but my observation is this, people who watch, play or listen to this garbage in todays society are only giving themselves partly to God and his teachings..... I guess.... I don't know what else to say, the filth in todays society sickens me..... I see it in my own family daily, and it's hard. God's been telling me the person he wants me to be through His Word, and no where in His Word do I even see 50% of the things I see even come close to the Word of God.

Matthew 7:3 And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye?

Seems to me this whole post is nothing more than a rant about the what you feel are sins of other people. I use the word sins loosely because it's based on nothing but opinion.

I'm sorry if I took this post in the wrong direction, the moderators can decide where this thread goes. Try to think about what I said though, and more importantly take in account what God says. I didn't speak of my faith, so know I feel confident in my faith, and don't just practice his teaching and thats it because I feel like I have to. I give my faith to Him, my love to Him, my life to Him. I'm not saying I'm any better or any less than you (whoever reads this) as a Christian or not. I just thought I would clear that up before some hyped up reader checks this thread out and wants to drill.

I was going to say that you seem like you're a new believer, so I looked it up in profile and found I was correct. As I said before, when I become renewed, I did all that stuff of getting rid of cds and such. I felt that fire of newness, but after it died down and I really understood Christianity, I found that all that stuff I did was for nothing and that I can enjoy things like the music I listen to without it effecting my walk.

While I can understand that fire you have and that you're anxious to spread the word to everyone and anyone, remember that you can learn from those who have come before you as well. There are tons of God loving/God fearing people on this forum who have been where you are, done what you have done, but have the experience and knowledge you have yet to get. And if you continue your whole life without the things you gave up, great, but remember, that was a choice you made based on your own convictions and you should not riot against people who don't have those same convictions as you. Keep that in mind, and it will be a start.

Best,
CJ

 

[Atlasraven]

Thanks Dannagar for being a voice of reason. Forgivensinner001, If you say he can't pretend to speak for God you have to go the other way and say that gier12 can't either. I just really have a hard time imagining an..THE omnipotent getting really [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]ed at fiction versus you know actually killing each other. People He created.

 

[gier12]

I always figured killing was killing weither it real or not. Nudity is nudity weither it is real or not, ect. I think about past things with the same equivalent like the old gladiator collosiums, they got together for entertainment purposes to watch death. Now video games weren't a option back then, but if it was do you think the would need the gladiators? wouldn't video games take place of that. (i know the times were different) it not about me not knowing the difference between real and fantasy. sure I may be adding fuel to the fire or adding to that "opinion chaos". i guess i feel like the "great opinion" is being over looked at that would be Gods. just because fantasy isn't real, does that make it ok? So go ahead rip this quick reply apart and I'll get back to you. God bless.

Jon

 

[Dannager]

Don't pretend to speak for God.

Sorry, I just had to do it.

lulz

 

[Dannager]

I always figured killing was killing weither it real or not.

No, it's not. Killing is killing if it's killing. If it's the rearrangement of pixels on a computer screen or television set due to commands processed by a microchip, it's not killing.

Nudity is nudity weither it is real or not, ect.

Again, it's not. Nudity, though, isn't a sin anyway.

I think about past things with the same equivalent like the old gladiator collosiums, they got together for entertainment purposes to watch death.

Yes, actual death.

Now video games weren't a option back then, but if it was do you think the would need the gladiators?

Maybe.

wouldn't video games take place of that.

Not necessarily. In fact, almost certainly not.

(i know the times were different) it not about me not knowing the difference between real and fantasy. sure I may be adding fuel to the fire or adding to that "opinion chaos". i guess i feel like the "great opinion" is being over looked at that would be Gods.

God did not provide us with any kind of moral judgment on fantasy, thus we cannot declare it sinful. To do so would be to usurp God's own authority.

just because fantasy isn't real, does that make it ok?

Yes.

 

[Dust and Ashes]

Thanks Dannagar for being a voice of reason. Forgivensinner001, If you say he can't pretend to speak for God you have to go the other way and say that gier12 can't either. I just really have a hard time imagining an..THE omnipotent getting really [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]ed at fiction versus you know actually killing each other. People He created.

I was joking.

 

[gier12]

...so the fantasy world is exempt to the word of God and is ok because it isn't real. IC NOW. I'm glad I can have those pleasures, you have enlightened me thanks brother.

 

[Dannager]

...so the fantasy world is exempt to the word of God and is ok because it isn't real. IC NOW. I'm glad I can have those pleasures, you have enlightened me thanks brother.

Remember, if you feel that it is sinful, it can be sinful for you. That doesn't necessarily apply to others, though.

 

[ravendta]

There are healthy fantasies and unhealthy fantasies. There's nothing wrong with using your imagination, provided it remains just that.

For example, there is nothing sinful about nudity or looking at a naked body, whether it be male or female. However, when your thoughts turn to desires, things you wish you could do in real life, things you would do with this man/woman, THAT is sinful. It's called lust.

Same with games. I don't think there's anything wrong with blowing someone up in a game as long as you don't desire to do the same thing in real life. Driving dangerously in a racing game is the same. Casting magical spells in an RPG. Forming armies to conquer civilizations in strategy games. If you start to hunger for these things in real life, then these games are leading you to sinful thoughts, feelings, and impulses. They're unhealthy and potentially dangerous if they make you actually want to go murder or whatever. But as long as you can tell the difference between fantasy and reality, I don't see any problem.

God knows your heart. And the Holy Spirit speaks to your heart as well. Listen to Him - He'll guide you the right way.

 

[gier12]

You know I see those points. I guess I'm just talking about the real trash I see. I mean like a good RPG isn't bad and I'm not saying it is. I'm saying there are those games that are so graphic its like we get this happiness from smashing someones head in. Or a huge laugh when someone is set on fire by a flamethrower. I'm not saying a good stradegy game is bad, or a quest against mystic creatures. I guess I just wish there were more kind hearted games out there with no violence, and I know there is, but I don't see my 13 year old cousin playing them. It's not popular to have a good quality game these days, and it bums me out. God Bless.

Jon

 

[Dannager]

I'm saying there are those games that are so graphic its like we get this happiness from smashing someones head in. Or a huge laugh when someone is set on fire by a flamethrower.

Okay, first, you need to understand where games are coming from. Violence sells. This is because it is both frantic enough to hold one's attention, and engaging enough to raise adrenaline levels, which is what keeps gamers coming back. People play RPGs for the storyline. They play action games for the rush.

I'm not saying a good stradegy game is bad, or a quest against mystic creatures. I guess I just wish there were more kind hearted games out there with no violence, and I know there is, but I don't see my 13 year old cousin playing them. It's not popular to have a good quality game these days, and it bums me out. God Bless.

It's not popular because non-violent games just usually aren't that fun.

 

[Scorcher505]

There already is a game where you play police of sorts and save hostages. It is called Rainbow Six, and it identical yet less well made clone SWAT. "Bad" music and games and movies do not make you bad. You are not made bad by what you take in but by what comes out of you. The Bible says that word for word. There is no reason to throw out your games and music because it will not make you bad

 

[Angeldove97]

My best friend when she was Saved threw out all her secular music CDs (even her favorite band) and only allowed Christian themed books. When I was Saved, I didn't do that but I started buying Christian music, finding Christian radio stations, reading my Bible, and buying other devotional books. My little library now includes a ton of books now that are just on Christian studies and I have about 4 or 5 different versions of the Bible and the Catechism of the Catholic Church in it as well.

My best friend also enjoys playing computer games and reading non-Christian texts now. I play Diablo II with my boyfriend and his friends all the time.

Caren (my best friend) is a dedicated Christian mother who is married and will bring up her son as a Christian. As for myself, I do alot of ministry work online at three different sites, have been published in two Christian newsletters, and has Bible studies with her boyfriend as often as possible.

So you see... you can throw out all of the old sinful things but it doesn't guarentee you'll be a dedicated and faithful Christian. I've been able to grow in faith even when I included things in my life that aren't considered Christian. One of my favorite book series is about priestesses and magic... doesn't make me a bad Christian.

God wants us to enjoy life... if we happen to have interests other than God and Christianity THAT'S OKAY! People would become over-worked, burned out, and frustrated with Christianity if it was all worship, worship, worship, read your Bible, pray, pray, pray, worship, worship. Our bodies are weak... God doesn't expect us to worship Him every single second. Keep in prayer, YES, but God won't hold it against you if you go and play a video game for awhile as a break.

 

[Atlasraven]

I threw out my old post because I just read Angeldove97s intelligent one. I think it needs to be sticked.

 

[Dannager]

Angeldove97 just won the thread. Everyone can go home now.

 

[Psalms34]

So this is how I look at it. God say's live your life through his will.

Moral relativism, sadly is quite saturated in much of the Church. “If it feels good, do it!” thinking. Moral relativism teaches that there are no real consequences to your choices or actions, you can emerge yourself into anything you enjoy and not be effected. In no time, one can be twisted into a pretzel, morally and spiritually not even knowing they are, especially if they are not anchored to the belief and understanding of absolute morality that the bible teaches. We are to pick up our cross daily, we are to give our all to God, even if that means to worship him 24/7 because God truly deserves that! The heart is wicked and deceitful, if you rely upon your own understanding and do what you feel is right in your own eyes, it is a terribly destructive path one walks. Stick to God’s word, his Spirit and understanding, let not others turn you to one side or the other by their own understanding.

 

[Dracil]

I have been reading that huge thread on which games are good and which aren't and the debates and the all around "opinion chaos" as I like to call it. So this is how I look at it. God say's live your life through his will. Now this brings into attention all the things that go along with that. Think about how many near nudity games there are, shoot I even heard of a porn game (give me a break), or the killings, or the false magic or prophecies, or the language. There are so many things that are morally wrong.

Yeah for entertainment purposes games are great, but I think they are seriously over looked by parents and children alike, Christian or not. Say someone was in there head wishing the death of another person. I consider this a sin. Just the thought even. So say a Christian is playing Mortal Kombat, Sub-Zero knocks Scorpion off of a tower and Scorpion lands on a spike. Your finding entertainment in death? How would God feel about this. Yes there is good and evil. False good and evil, and hey most of those type games are like "hey be a good guy and get a chance to kill as many bad guys as you can". Again entertainment of killing. hm.

So here is one I thought about. How cool would it be to have a cop game (not like TrueCrimes) where you can have the villain lets say react to a bank robbery. The goal would be to save hostages without harm of them, aprehend the suspect, and serve justice. Now maybe it's not totally legit. I know a bank robber or 2 have been shot and killed. But is that the same as the other garbage games have. Lets say the goal was to do it without killing the suspect, and if you fail (kill him) you have to try again. Now that would be cool.

When I became saved by Christ I threw out all my secular music, i threw away all my movies, all my books (well most at least the bad ones, or the ones that didn't follow His teachings), because I knew those things would try and take me farther away from Jesus than I wanted to be. Because there is no half way in my faith. Either I give Him my all and do as His teachings tell me, or I go to hell that is the fear of God. That is the fear that I have.

I try not to judge but my observation is this, people who watch, play or listen to this garbage in todays society are only giving themselves partly to God and his teachings..... I guess.... I don't know what else to say, the filth in todays society sickens me..... I see it in my own family daily, and it's hard. God's been telling me the person he wants me to be through His Word, and no where in His Word do I even see 50% of the things I see even come close to the Word of God.

I'm sorry if I took this post in the wrong direction, the moderators can decide where this thread goes. Try to think about what I said though, and more importantly take in account what God says. I didn't speak of my faith, so know I feel confident in my faith, and don't just practice his teaching and thats it because I feel like I have to. I give my faith to Him, my love to Him, my life to Him. I'm not saying I'm any better or any less than you (whoever reads this) as a Christian or not. I just thought I would clear that up before some hyped up reader checks this thread out and wants to drill.

Thanks and God bless,
Jon

God would be pleased if you spent your entire day playing a game where you go out and feed the homeless, instead of actually going out and feeding the homeless.

When you realize the absurdity of that statement, you'll understand the absurdity of the flip side of the coin.

BTW, that cop game you wanted does exist. It's called SWAT 4. You need to use non-lethal weapons where possible and get the suspects to surrender, unless the protocol authorizes you to use lethal means because of the situation. From the wiki:

Usually the player then tries to resolve the situation in such a way as to arrest all the suspects, rescue all the civilians, and secure all the weapons - if that is done and no one is injured in the process, the mission is completed with a perfect score. The missions have very different suspects. Some are poorly armed and unarmored, and these are easy to arrest with the use of no or only non-lethal weaponry. Suspects in the later missions, however, include ones with fully automatic weapons such as AK-47s. Suspects may also be better protected by things such as gasmasks and full body armor. If it is not possible to arrest a suspect, then the team is forced to kill or "neutralize" the suspect.

SWAT 4 also has the concept of authorized and unauthorized use of weapons. Most situations require the officers to give the suspect a warning and ask him to surrender. Shooting without warning is considered unauthorized use of force or deadly force (depending on whether you injure the suspect or kill him) and has a significant point penalty for the mission. Shooting without warning is allowed if the suspect is pointing his weapon at a hostage or a SWAT team member or if he opens fire first. Suspect reactions to warnings differ - some may attempt to hide and set up and ambush, some immediately surender, others will flee and some will open fire. If a hostage is killed, it results in immediate mission failure.