Are Video Games Christian?

[missjasmine]

I'm sorry but I disagree strongly. Jesus did not die on the cross some 2000 years ago so that we could enjoy this worldly sin. He died to give us a chance to reconcile with God and thereby giving control of our lives to Him.

1 Corinthians 6:20; For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

Obviously playing video games is far from glorifying God.

You're kidding.

Look, I'm a gamer. It's part of who I am and part of what I do. I log anywhere from 40-60 hours a week on video games. Why? Because they're fun.

But before all of that, I am a Christian. I read my bible, I hold my ceremonies, and I worship God and Jesus Christ.

I think if we start doing things like putting off reading our bible to play a video or game, or not going to church because we want to play a video game, or putting Video games before God, then it's a problem but in the mean time, no.

And I'm sorry but I don't think Jesus died on the cross some 2000 years ago for us to sit around and argue about how video games are of the world and be miserable.

If I play a video game, I am no less of a Christian when I get done playing.

Honestly if you're worried your salvation is going to be taken away because of video games, you've got a lot of reading, a lot of studying, and a lot of praying to do.

 

[missjasmine]

And as a post script, I highly suggest you look up "The Bible Game" for the PS2 or the newest craze Guitar Praise..... You'll be pleasantly surprised

 

[SiderealExalt]

While a gamer, but not Christian, I'll chime in on this particular subject.

If the argument is from one of addictive and ultimately harmful behavior then it should honestly be understood that the particular outlet is not really the culprit. Some people are unfortunately more prone to addictive personality disorders and they are going to find an outlet for that problem. Wether it be video games or anything else.

If it's the "worldy", which even if I was Christian, I wouldn't find very compelling. Then where exactly do you want to draw the line? Telephones, the use of cars,etc? Simply being a technology would not qualify.

I'd never begrudge someone for saying they didn't want to play a specific game due to content. That's making a(hopefully) informed decision about a game. You can't get mad at someone for that.

I think it really comes down to how you approach it. Like any activity you don't want to overdo it or let it become something that overtakes your responsibilities. Responsibility and moderation are the key.

 

[Zugai]

Hey,

I think that if it becomes something that keeps us from Him it is an addiction and an idol.

That being said, I don't think that there is anything wrong with computer games, fantasy/sci-fi novels or movies, role playing games (like D&D) or doing drugs.

Wait, that last one IS bad. It makes you bad at playing games.

JZ

 

[Zugai]

Another thing I should have added is that sometimes I just want to chill out after a long hard day of teaching foreigners english somewhere where I can relax and blow stuff up.

Seriously, for me it is about helping my mind relax and unwind. I need (like I suspect all of us do) downtime. Time where the brain can have fun and experiment with stuff. For me, that is getting on my PC and conquering the world/saving the world. But my PC isn't my God. I can and do walk away from it when I know I have had enough. Any game that becomes a little too addictive I simply delete and snap the disc.

JZ

p.s. Also, to the guy making games or studying to make games GOOD LUCK!!!

 

[Breetai]

Another thing I should have added is that sometimes I just want to chill out after a long hard day of teaching foreigners english somewhere where I can relax and blow stuff up.

How long does a foreigner have to live in your country before you stop calling them a foreigner?

From the Biblical perspective, we are all foreigners in this world.

 

[Zugai]

True and good point.

I teach people from non-english speaking countries to speak english.

I wasn't using foreigner as a bad word. I don't think it is one.

JZ

 

[manbox1]

(I really don't even know what that means. So I'll answer in a different way).

No. They can't be Christian because they aren't humans.

 

[SSior.27]

When will people of various denominations and faiths stop casting items as the blame for people's downfalls?

Video games are neither Christian nor Anti-Christian as a whole. So really the question is null and void from the start.

Futher, certain games hold content which should be avoided, just like books, tv shows, and movies. But are books, tv shows, and movies evil because some hold sinful premises? Sheer nonsense.

Why do people insist on pondering whether the item is proper or not when it's obvious solution is in those who participate in said activity? Such as the hammer illustration given earlier in this thread. It is in the use, though that does not reflect the item but the user.

If you feel you are not able to withstand a game becoming an influence or an idol, that is your struggle and you must find a solution for it. Not all will have the same reaction. The struggle is with yourself, not an external source of good or evil. Take responsibility. Take control. Its your faith, its your salvation, offered and granted by God.

...Besides, the world isn't so morally depraved to offer such sinful content from E to M, lol.

 

[The-Doctor]

I think if it detracts from the things we should do (loving relationships, gainful employment, taking the kids out, feeding the goldfish, taking the trash out, watching re runs of voyager etc) then yes it could be seen as a bad thing. IN fact I read about people who are addicted to gaming, I think in CHina to the point they attend a clinic to treat them for this addiction. A few years back there was a guy wo died because he gamed to the exclusion of his own needs, eating etc. But as with other things, good in moderation.

 

[manbox1]

I think if it detracts from the things we should do (loving relationships, gainful employment, taking the kids out, feeding the goldfish, taking the trash out, watching re runs of voyager etc) then yes it could be seen as a bad thing. IN fact I read about people who are addicted to gaming, I think in CHina to the point they attend a clinic to treat them for this addiction. A few years back there was a guy wo died because he gamed to the exclusion of his own needs, eating etc. But as with other things, good in moderation.

Well anything can be addicting. For most gamers I know (in fact basically all of them), this has not been a problem. For people who get that into a game, there's probably something wrong with the person to begin with.

 

[MReconciliacion]

If you put the games before God, as in, you'd rather play video games then praise God, then it's a problem. But if you just play games and still worship Him, then it's okay.

 

[Angelic_Neon77]

I think He would think they're fine, but He'd find the content of some games kinda iffy. Like games with tons of violence.

 

[Mr.Cheese]

.

 

[Lovedaaboo]

I think God does not have anything against games. It is fun, and it entertain us, so im sure like it!

 

[SlateGreyDays]

hi i suffer from depression but i enjoy games. i have a nintendo wii. I think its ok to have fun, and it is, especially playing with people. Our aunt and uncle came up last weekend and loved it. My uncle stan had tears in his eyes with joy. He has been going through a hard time having treatment for cancer. I think just getting it was worth seeing him really enjoy it and my aunt. Everythings ok in balance. But if its taking over your whole life then thats not right, because you are neglecting God and the people in your life.

That's great about your uncle.

Just like anything else, if kept in moderation and not made into a God then I think video games are fine in the Christian way of life.

 

[Truffle]

Usually? NO

 

[KingCrimson250]

Another thing I should have added is that sometimes I just want to chill out after a long hard day of teaching foreigners english somewhere where I can relax and blow stuff up.

Seriously, for me it is about helping my mind relax and unwind. I need (like I suspect all of us do) downtime. Time where the brain can have fun and experiment with stuff. For me, that is getting on my PC and conquering the world/saving the world. But my PC isn't my God. I can and do walk away from it when I know I have had enough. Any game that becomes a little too addictive I simply delete and snap the disc.

JZ

p.s. Also, to the guy making games or studying to make games GOOD LUCK!!!

Great post, to me, this is the answer. The fact is that we are not constructed to go all the time. That is not how God has created us to be. We need rest. And to a lot of people, video gaming is a way of finding that rest. So in that sense, playing video games is certainly glorifying to God. We are unwinding and preparing for the next work we will do in Him.

That being said, I think video games can become a time sink very quickly. Yes we need to unwind but unless your life is extremely high pressure you probably do not need to spend 5 hours a day cutting loose.

I do think video games have additional value apart from unwinding, though. If you're playing the right ones, they can sharpen your mind, improve your team-building skills and, in some rare circumstances, even make you think. I've actually had spiritual epiphanies and been encouraged in my walk with God while playing video games.

 

[ChristAlive69]

It's entertaining, and can have other values to, where's the problem?

 

[MattLangley]

Games invoke more thought and interaction than quite a few other activities (including reading, though I'm a fan of reading as well).

Also The Biblical picture of God obviously does not have issues with violence. He sent his angel of death to kill the innocent children of Egypt to punish the Pharoh. So that picture makes it quite clear that that ideal of God does not have any intrinsic issue with violence.