Is the game Grand Theft Auto a sin

[Genster]

(I hope you know about this game)

My parents let me play the game Grand Theft Auto as a kid because they trusted I wouldn't reenact the things I did on the game. The new grand thief auto game is out, 5.

I really want to get the game because it is very fun, but I know the content in the game is very wrong.

It's just a game. I know the things that happen in the game are wrong. I would never reenact anything in the game.

Would I be practicing sin by playing this game? I am tempted to buy it, but I would also feel guilty playing it, now that I have grown a lot in faith. What are your thoughts?

 

[justhere1]

I'm actually playing this game right. I too have also grown in my faith, but it doesn't bother me and I personally don't see it as a sin. If you feel a conviction about wanting to buy it, then you probably shouldn't purchase it. Why put money into a game that you would only feel guilty about playing?

 

[Dusky Mouse]

There is a thread about this very subject, asking if GTA_V is a sin.
It was designed as a spoof so as to make fun of Christians and sin, etc...

Given you're a newbie I'll presume that is the spirit also in which this thread is posted. And I'll say this. If you know the content is wrong and you claim to be a Christian then you have no business getting the game.

It glorifies mass murder and grand theft. Violations of the commandments of righteous behavior.
Video games cultivate laziness and apathy. And also, desensitize the gamer to wrong doing when they're rewarded for that while voluntarily exposing themselves to a player platform that situates them into the position of first person murderer/shooter.

There are critics of that observation that will laugh and say it's nonsense. If it were though the military wouldn't incorporate first person shooter gamer platforms into the training for the infantry. That real life first person shooter position that helps to defend our country by shooting real guns, with real bullets, into real people.

The question becomes, why would a Christian want to spend hours playing a game where they are given points, kudos, for killing people?

"Oh, it's just a game!" Games are fun! If it's fun to murder people for reward rather than suffering legal reprisal, there's an inventory that needs to be taken. And it's not on how many games are in your X-box array.

(I hope you know about this game)

My parents let me play the game Grand Theft Auto as a kid because they trusted I wouldn't reenact the things I did on the game. The new grand thief auto game is out, 5.

I really want to get the game because it is very fun, but I know the content in the game is very wrong.

It's just a game. I know the things that happen in the game are wrong. I would never reenact anything in the game.

Would I be practicing sin by playing this game? I am tempted to buy it, but I would also feel guilty playing it, now that I have grown a lot in faith. What are your thoughts?

 

[Bobby64]

I posted this in another thread:

Personally, I have no interest in the series whatsoever. Here's an interesting video asking people, "If it's okay to kill innocent people in a video game because it's just fantasy, would it be okay to rape people in one too?"

Crossover with Caleb Bonham: The Virtual Morality of Grand Theft Auto V - YouTube

Just something to think about.

(Note: There are actually games in Japan that are all about raping women! Do you want to go down that path too eventually?)

 

[barryrob]

(I hope you know about this game)

My parents let me play the game Grand Theft Auto as a kid because they trusted I wouldn't reenact the things I did on the game. The new grand thief auto game is out, 5.

I really want to get the game because it is very fun, but I know the content in the game is very wrong.

It's just a game. I know the things that happen in the game are wrong. I would never reenact anything in the game.

Would I be practicing sin by playing this game? I am tempted to buy it, but I would also feel guilty playing it, now that I have grown a lot in faith. What are your thoughts?

Read The Psalm

God says:-

Psalm 11:5
​

.And anyone loving violence His soul certainly hates.

barry​

 

[SilverBlade]

It's a game. 99% of people would never do any of those things in the physical world. No 'real' people are getting killed or hurt. In fact, I can argue that those characters in the game are programmed specifically to be killed off. All you're doing is triggering programming statements.

No 'evil' is happening because the same programming is used for multiple characters, and they re-spawn throughout the game, plus when you start a new game..the characters are 'alive' again.

No, it's not a sin. It's programming, it's math, it's animation.

 

[DamonRambo]

Of COURSE!

 

[DamonRambo]

I am sorry, I should have been more specific...

Simulated or imagined sin, is still sin according to Jesus.

Mat_5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

 

[DamonRambo]

It's a game. 99% of people would never do any of those things in the physical world. No 'real' people are getting killed or hurt. In fact, I can argue that those characters in the game are programmed specifically to be killed off. All you're doing is triggering programming statements.

No 'evil' is happening because the same programming is used for multiple characters, and they re-spawn throughout the game, plus when you start a new game..the characters are 'alive' again.

No, it's not a sin. It's programming, it's math, it's animation.

No, its sin. I have no problem with the shooting parts...warfare is not sinful. But those who have played GTA, know that it has gratuitous sex, language, and other elements...

 

[aWalkbyFaith]

(I hope you know about this game)

My parents let me play the game Grand Theft Auto as a kid because they trusted I wouldn't reenact the things I did on the game. The new grand thief auto game is out, 5.

I really want to get the game because it is very fun, but I know the content in the game is very wrong.

It's just a game. I know the things that happen in the game are wrong. I would never reenact anything in the game.

Would I be practicing sin by playing this game? I am tempted to buy it, but I would also feel guilty playing it, now that I have grown a lot in faith. What are your thoughts?

Personally, I played GTA for a little while. And I didn't like the way it felt. I don't like the violence even in a game. 21 years ago I was in a gang. And God delivered me from that lifestyle and I want nothing to do with it, not even in a game. I don't want any of that in my heart, mind, or soul.

Another big reason I quit playing it was because it deceptively stole time away from more meaningful things in my life, number one being Jesus Christ.

You might think its radical for me to say that but when my life was led by darkness it was radical. And now that Christ lives in me.. you guessed it.. it's radical.

Protect your heart. It's the place Jesus lives.

Bless you.

 

[geneseib]

Would I be practicing sin by playing this game? I am tempted to buy it, but I would also feel guilty playing it, now that I have grown a lot in faith. What are your thoughts?

The theme on these forums seems to always be, "What can I get by with?" Seems better to be asking, "How can I glorify God?"

 

[SilverBlade]

No, its sin. I have no problem with the shooting parts...warfare is not sinful. But those who have played GTA, know that it has gratuitous sex, language, and other elements...

If the language in the game is a sin, how do you justify going outside your home? The real world public has *far* worse language than any in a game. Or do you go around with ear plugs?

 

[Alithis]

often the question in the op answers itself .. innocence needs no justification, so the very asking of the question speaks very loudly as to the answer .

but it is mis worded imo . it should ask .. is it "SINFUL" as it is rife with many sins
lawlessness - children OBEY
covetousness- thous shalt not covet
theft - thou shalt not steal

i think if i was to look into the game - i do not need as to the title says enough already.i could make a very long list of how FULL of SIN that game is and it is also arrogant against all that is Godly in promoting and focusing on such action.

is it a sin .. no .. it is FILLED WITH SIN

 

[SilverBlade]

often the question in the op answers itself .. innocence needs no justification, so the very asking of the question speaks very loudly as to the answer .

but it is mis worded imo . it should ask .. is it "SINFUL" as it is rife with many sins
lawlessness - children OBEY
covetousness- thous shalt not covet
theft - thou shalt not steal

i think if i was to look into the game - i do not need as to the title says enough already.i could make a very long list of how FULL of SIN that game is and it is also arrogant against all that is Godly in promoting and focusing on such action.

is it a sin .. no .. it is FILLED WITH SIN

I find it hard to try to enforce 'physical' world laws into a digital/virtual world. How can one 'steal' something, from a digital/virtual character?

I can argue that, in this game..you are allowed to steal (as it's part of the gameplay). Would you steal in the physical world? probably not. The digital world is completely different..the rules are different, the physics are different, and you are not stealing anything (though the in-game characters act like it's stealing..guess what..it's a programmed response built in to give a realistic touch to it). But it's not 'stealing'. It's programming.

 

[Scipio]

Can we not pull sins out of the thin air please? there's no sin in pretending to do things. And you're not even pretending to kill people like actors do in films. It's an entirely fake graphic world - you're "killing" pixels.

At worst, it's distasteful.

 

[Alithis]

I find it hard to try to enforce 'physical' world laws into a digital/virtual world. How can one 'steal' something, from a digital/virtual character?

I can argue that, in this game..you are allowed to steal (as it's part of the gameplay). Would you steal in the physical world? probably not. The digital world is completely different..the rules are different, the physics are different, and you are not stealing anything (though the in-game characters act like it's stealing..guess what..it's a programmed response built in to give a realistic touch to it). But it's not 'stealing'. It's programming.

Can we not pull sins out of the thin air please? there's no sin in pretending to do things. And you're not even pretending to kill people like actors do in films. It's an entirely fake graphic world - you're "killing" pixels.

At worst, it's distasteful.

.. if a man looks on a woman to lust after her in his heart .. he is already guilty of adultery - JESUS

sin is a matter of the heart ..
such games are in violation of the entire principles of Godliness .

what so ever things are JUST
what so ever things are PURE
what so ever things are LOVELY
what so ever things are of GOOD REPORT
if there be any VIRTUE
if there be any PRAISE (to GOD) think on THESE THINGS .

there is EVERY inward sin in pretense, the outward sin is but the fruit of the inner.

 

[Etheri]

yes...you take part in gangs and thefts and go to street killing civilians and police officers...definitely a sin.

 

[Scipio]

.. if a man looks on a woman to lust after her in his heart .. he is already guilty of adultery - JESUS

sin is a matter of the heart ..
such games are in violation of the entire principles of Godliness .

what so ever things are JUST
what so ever things are PURE
what so ever things are LOVELY
what so ever things are of GOOD REPORT
if there be any VIRTUE
if there be any PRAISE (to GOD) think on THESE THINGS .

there is EVERY inward sin in pretense, the outward sin is but the fruit of the inner.

Sir,

I repeat, these are NOT human beings. They are not women and they are not men. They are pixels on your screen.

Perhaps your argument could be applied to people watching films (where they see real women and men) that have these thoughts. Not to gamers who deal with, once more, pixels on a screen.

 

[dies-l]

Why would a Christian want to play such games?

 

[Rubiks]

Personally I don't think Jesus wants me playing it. Even if you argue that its just pixels, why on earth would a christian want to play it anyway? its sinful