Are "certain" video games unholy?

[MezzaMorta]

Grand Theft Auto is rated M for Mature, which is no under 17 consumers. Whilst it is not law, to abide by these ratings systems, they were put in place to protect younger consumers from graphic media and messages. Someone who is 11 should not be playing it at all regardless of his interpreted maturity as it contains content which is unwholesome for someone of that age.

Whilst I have tolerance for some things in games, I will not advocate breaking the rating guides, as they were put in place in order to help people and I see parents buying their kids inappropriate games all the time without any thought to the impact they may have.

Digit

The ratings are suggested rankings by the government. I really couldn't care less what the government has to say about what i watch or minors under my care watch. I'll make that determination for myself and i see nothing wrong with it.

 

[Chie]

The ratings are suggested rankings by the government. I really couldn't care less what the government has to say about what i watch or minors under my care watch. I'll make that determination for myself and i see nothing wrong with it.

we are very well aware of you making your own determination and how you see nothing wrong with you doing so, it is a shame you would allow this child to play a game such as GTA under your care.

 

[Digit]

The ratings are suggested rankings by the government. I really couldn't care less what the government has to say about what i watch or minors under my care watch. I'll make that determination for myself and i see nothing wrong with it.

First of all it isn't the goverment. It's a self-regulatory body that independantly assigns ratings. This is done for the specific purpose that the computer games industry did not want to hand something like this over to the government.

In addition, you should care what the goverment says, as they are responsible for common law and we are told to uphold common law by God. If you don't care what the government says, you don't care what He says. Both I find disturbing and disheartening.

Please find out more about what rating systems like this do, and why before discounting them from a position of ignorance.

All the best,
Cheers!
Digit

 

[MezzaMorta]

it is a shame you would allow this child to play a game such as GTA under your care.

Why? What is wrong with a video game? I’ve seen a lot worse than a fictional representation of a cartoon being killed in life and it hasn’t made me a serial killer. The fact of the matter is that it is a game, it doesn’t hurt anyone and it is going to do nothing to someone playing it.

First of all it isn't the goverment. It's a self-regulatory body that independantly assigns ratings. This is done for the specific purpose that the computer games industry did not want to hand something like this over to the government.

Well whoever it is, it is their suggestions. Suggestions that I don’t agree with and don’t have to agree with.

In addition, you should care what the goverment says, as they are responsible for common law and we are told to uphold common law by God.

An vast oversimplification of a much greater issue, but that is off topic. The government has it’s place, in my home telling me what to do is not it.

Please find out more about what rating systems like this do, and why before discounting them from a position of ignorance.

I’ve played the game, you run around and shoot some people, blow a few things up, steal some cars, get chased around, shoot some more stuff. It is nothing special and it is nothing so gravely serious that it can’t be enjoyed by a child.

 

[chris777]

Lol, there is nothing immoral about fictional video games. Just make sure that children understand the difference between video games and the real world.

My little cousin who is staying with me is 11 and loves grand theft auto, he plays it pretty much all day. But he doesn't go out and run over hookers or rob people when i take him to the park.

But does he know that behavior is sin?

Just because a child is not actively on a rampage, does not mean that their concepts of right and wrong are what they should be.

Most criminals are not on a constant rampage, but are calculated, and planned out.

 

[chris777]

I'm still very confused. I just don't get why we can play something that encourages violence, while we shouldn't play something that encourages fornication. Both are equal sins in God's eyes, and they should be equal to us, but it's true that we do not equate both sins the same way, at least in our human world.

God is not the author of confusion.
I have the same question though if anyone could address it, as it seems to be avoided like the plague by most posters, doesnt have to be fornication, either, As witchcraft has been mentioned in other threads.

How can we not have consequences in a virtual world? What if someone made a game that hated on God, yet it was as popular as World of Warcraft, how come we'd avoid that, yet not avoid something such as Grand Theft Auto or Oblivion? All three games have elements of sin, and sin where you actually commit the sin regardless of whether we wanted to sin or not.

Does it not lessen our view of sin?
when someone is exposed to a stimulus constantly , they eventually
become accustomed to it, if it is present long enough.
does no one feel this could be a possible detrimental effect of playing?

How do we deal with this? I still don't understand

now thats a question to be asked once agreement has been made on the issue at hand.

 

[Chie]

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Why? What is wrong with a video game? I’ve seen a lot worse than a fictional representation of a cartoon being killed in life and it hasn’t made me a serial killer. The fact of the matter is that it is a game, it doesn’t hurt anyone and it is going to do nothing to someone playing it.


Well whoever it is, it is their suggestions. Suggestions that I don’t agree with and don’t have to agree with.


An vast oversimplification of a much greater issue, but that is off topic. The government has it’s place, in my home telling me what to do is not it.



I’ve played the game, you run around and shoot some people, blow a few things up, steal some cars, get chased around, shoot some more stuff. It is nothing special and it is nothing so gravely serious that it can’t be enjoyed by a child.

I have seen lot worse too but because I have do you think I would let that cloud my judgment when it comes to a child.
There is no way I would debate with you over a game , when you condone sin in your own life.
If you can't see it in real life what would be the point of debating it over a game that is not real.......geeze.

 

[chris777]

[/color]

Why? What is wrong with a video game? I’ve seen a lot worse than a fictional representation of a cartoon being killed in life and it hasn’t made me a serial killer. The fact of the matter is that it is a game, it doesn’t hurt anyone and it is going to do nothing to someone playing it.

Yet here you are dismissing it as harmless when you have become jaded from it due to your exposure to it.

Well whoever it is, it is their suggestions. Suggestions that I don’t agree with and don’t have to agree with.

thats your choice but considering you are not that far removed in age from your nephew, is it something you have given serious consideration to?

An vast oversimplification of a much greater issue, but that is off topic. The government has it’s place, in my home telling me what to do is not it.

nevertheless we are told to obey governing authorities as long as they do not tell us to disobey God.
Regardless of whether we agree with those governments or not.

I’ve played the game, you run around and shoot some people, blow a few things up, steal some cars, get chased around, shoot some more stuff. It is nothing special and it is nothing so gravely serious that it can’t be enjoyed by a child.

What would be gravely serious that you would feel that it should be kept from a child?

 

[MezzaMorta]

But does he know that behavior is sin?

He’s 11, not stupid.

Just because a child is not actively on a rampage, does not mean that their concepts of right and wrong are what they should be.

He is going into the 6th grade, I think you are vastly underestimating the intelligence of a almost 12 year old.

Most criminals are not on a constant rampage, but are calculated, and planned out.

Crime doesn’t exist because of Grand Thieft Auto video game.

 

[MezzaMorta]

I have seen lot worse too but because I have do you think I would let that cloud my judgment when it comes to a child.

You can raise your children how ever you want, don’t want your kids playing a harmless computer game…. That’s your choice.

There is no way I would debate with you over a game , when you condone sin in your own life.

I would think you would be above petty personal attacks such as this, especially considering the things you have revealed about yourself and life on this forum. But again, your life, can’t stop you from being a hypocrite.

Yet here you are dismissing it as harmless when you have become jaded from it due to your exposure to it.

Are Americans really that sheltered? Generations after generations have grown up in real violence, living though those things and lived on to be productive law abiding citizens. Seeing these things doesn’t make someone a criminal, just as playing a video game is not going to effect someone’s behavior. It is a video game, I fail to see how that point is so lost.

What would be gravely serious that you would feel that it should be kept from a child?

Snuff films.

 

[Digit]

God is not the author of confusion.

Saying that all confusion comes from satan is untrue. We are perfectly able to be confused about something, and not have that stem directly from a spiritual being. Maths problems confuse me, does that mean satan is causing it? No, I don't agree. We cannot take such an absolute stance on some things like this, a mark of intelligence is to be able to determine these things in context and in relation to our spiritual life.

I have the same question though if anyone could address it, as it seems to be avoided like the plague by most posters, doesnt have to be fornication, either, As witchcraft has been mentioned in other threads.

It's the question I've answered in nearly every reply.

Why is something entertaining to us? It's quite easy really. Do I enjoy playing games in order to commit violent crimes that I cannot do in real life without repurcussion, or do I play them for the reasons I mentioned before. For teamwork, challenges, atmosphere, laughter and amusement, fellowship and so on?

It's not avoiding the issue. It's putting it in context, because God's laws are meant to protect us in the real world, in a virtual world it's actions and content have effects on our character, which God says He cares about too. So we need to judge their impact on that aspect of our being.

Digit

 

[chris777]

Saying that all confusion comes from satan is untrue. We are perfectly able to be confused about something, and not have that stem directly from a spiritual being. Maths problems confuse me, does that mean satan is causing it? No, I don't agree. We cannot take such an absolute stance on some things like this, a mark of intelligence is to be able to determine these things in context and in relation to our spiritual life.

But I did not say that now did I?
I was asking what sins are we to consider harmless if fictionalized.


It's the question I've answered in nearly every reply.

Why is something entertaining to us? It's quite easy really. Do I enjoy playing games in order to commit violent crimes that I cannot do in real life without repurcussion, or do I play them for the reasons I mentioned before. For teamwork, challenges, atmosphere, laughter and amusement, fellowship and so on?

I missed your earlier statements on this, But as to why you play them,
The thing Is that would you still play the game if the objectionable parts were removed? Fellowship with the world is not necessarily a Good thing. I am certain there was plenty of fellowship watching Christians being fed to the lions in the coliseum,.
This is also not an answer to my question of what other sins are acceptable.

It's not avoiding the issue. It's putting it in context, because God's laws are meant to protect us in the real world, in a virtual world it's actions and content have effects on our character, which God says He cares about too. So we need to judge their impact on that aspect of our being.

which is why I asked why so many believed these things harmless

 

[chris777]

He’s 11, not stupid.
He is going into the 6th grade, I think you are vastly underestimating the intelligence of a almost 12 year old.

And I think you are vastly underestimating the maturity of a 12 yr old.
Are you saying the boy is well versed in scripture?

Crime doesn’t exist because of Grand Thieft Auto video game.

So we should Glorify it anyway?

My point was that the seeds are planted, and in many cases it takes time for them to bear fruit.

 

[chris777]

Are Americans really that sheltered? Generations after generations have grown up in real violence, living though those things and lived on to be productive law abiding citizens. Seeing these things doesn’t make someone a criminal, just as playing a video game is not going to effect someone’s behavior. It is a video game, I fail to see how that point is so lost.

Because their is a difference, Seeing, vs playing, one is passive, the other active.
Witnessing carnage, is far removed from creating it.

like I asked earlier you don't think you are jades at all on the issue?

Snuff films.

And my question is other than a snuff film being real, and a game, or movie being a depiction , how are they different, when they sepict the same subject matter?
How is it any different than reality TV? in that much of it was scripted before, and now (some) is not?

another question on snuff films
So do you believe everything else is acceptable as entertainment?

 

[MezzaMorta]

And I think you are vastly underestimating the maturity of a 12 yr old.

He is a mature and respectful 12 year old, does well in school, helps out around the house, doesn’t talk back, does things he needs to with out being asked. I could leave him here and he could survive on his own easily… playing a video game is not going to make him a bad person. He enjoys it, why deprive him of that.

re you saying the boy is well versed in scripture?

He is not a Christian.

So we should Glorify it anyway?

How is a video game glorifying anything? Should we ban any mention of our troops over in Iraq from children because it glorifies the killing of innocent Iraqis?

 

[MezzaMorta]

Because their is a difference, Seeing, vs playing, one is passive, the other active.
Witnessing carnage, is far removed from creating it.

Witnessing something in real life, and playing it in a fictional cartooned game is a lot different. A video game is fun and harmless… witnessing horrific events isn’t.

And my question is other than a snuff film being real, and a game, or movie being a depiction , how are they different

Fiction and non-fiction are two very different things.

another question on snuff films
So do you believe everything else is acceptable as entertainment?

I never said snuff files weren’t acceptable entertainment, I just said I wouldn’t let a child watch them.

 

[chris777]

Witnessing something in real life, and playing it in a fictional cartooned game is a lot different. A video game is fun and harmless… witnessing horrific events isn’t.

Fiction and non-fiction are two very different things.

If the fiction is an extremely close representation of the non fiction, are you saying its harmless?

I never said snuff files weren’t acceptable entertainment, I just said I wouldn’t let a child watch them.

How does this separate you from the romans who thirsted for blood cheering the gladiators in the arena?
it also did not answer if you thought everything else was acceptable entertainment for a child (I am going to assume your response alludes that you think all things are acceptable entertainment)

 

[chris777]

He is a mature and respectful 12 year old, does well in school, helps out around the house, doesn’t talk back, does things he needs to with out being asked. I could leave him here and he could survive on his own easily… playing a video game is not going to make him a bad person. He enjoys it, why deprive him of that.
He is not a Christian.

so appease him until the judgment.

this speaks volumes

How is a video game glorifying anything? Should we ban any mention of our troops over in Iraq from children because it glorifies the killing of innocent Iraqis

By calling the simulated behavior harmless, you are in effect endorsing it.

Witnessing something in real life, and playing it in a fictional cartooned game is a lot different. A video game is fun and harmless… witnessing horrific events isn’t.

Like I mentioned earlier, you see no problems with chocking people to death in these Games?
horrific events are not repeated over and over incessantly, like Games can be.

 

[mont974x4]

games are games, don't give them more importance than they deserve...good or bad.

 

[MezzaMorta]

If the fiction is an extremely close representation of the non fiction, are you saying its harmless?

Yep, no matter how realistic, the fact it is fiction makes it worlds different from witnessesing the event in real life.

How does this separate you from the romans who thirsted for blood cheering the gladiators in the arena?

I’m not putting slaves in arenas against their will to fight in blood sports for my enjoyment.

it also did not answer if you thought everything else was acceptable entertainment for a child

Like what, “everything else” is a lot of things.