Christian entertainment, specifically videogames. Can/should we play them?

[GodsGrace101]

Those games were actually some of my favourites. I started to play less and less videogames before becoming a Christian and once I did, I stopped completely.

The game I wanted to play recently was Dishonored 2 which I have started but stopped for the above reasons. I like the fictional settings of Dunwall and Karnaca and the game's general design and artwork. There's other elements of the game which make me think twice about playing. The assassin role, the overseers and the outsider story to name some. How do you feel about those elements? I know it's a game and it doesn't hinder my belief in God and being a Christian but something stops me from playing atm

If something is stopping you, it's probably the Holy Spirit who is our paraclete and convicts us of wrongdoing. Convicts, you know --- not declares us guilty, but let's us KNOW.

I think it's great that you're so sensitive to what God might want from you.

 

[Dansiph]

I agree, that we should go to one we can trust. That's a good way of putting it

 

[Dansiph]

I became a Christian at the age of 28.
I knew some things were wrong. I'd never heard of universalism, but I knew it was wrong. I'm not sure we could go to a church with which we agree on everything. But we do have to go to one we can trust.
Sorry to have derailed a bit....

I replied by accident without clicking the reply. I said I agree and that's a good way of putting it (about the Church we can trust)

 

[GodsGrace101]

I replied by accident without clicking the reply. I said I agree and that's a good way of putting it (about the Church we can trust)

Gotcha!

 

[Jon Osterman]

The game I wanted to play recently was Dishonored 2 which I have started but stopped for the above reasons. I like the fictional settings of Dunwall and Karnaca and the game's general design and artwork. There's other elements of the game which make me think twice about playing. The assassin role, the overseers and the outsider story to name some. How do you feel about those elements? I know it's a game and it doesn't hinder my belief in God and being a Christian but something stops me from playing atm

I really don't have a problem with it. I loved the Lord of the Rings books as a child, and they contain a lot of violence and death, but were written by a Christian. Indeed, the Narnia stories were written by CS Lewis as a Christ allegory and are extremely powerful and helpful, but again violent.

I played Dishonored 2 through to the end, and although I didn't get the achievement, I tried not to kill anyone. (It is actually a bit silly because it is rather hard not to kill people accidentally. For example, if a guard knocks falls over a ledge and dies, you will lose the achievement even if you really had nothing to do with it!) It was a good game. I didn't have a problem with the witches because they were clearly depicted as evil, as is the Outsider.

I have friends who won't let their kids read Harry Potter because they believe it is demonic. I think this is going far too far and ultimately harms their children's relationship with God.

 

[Dansiph]

I didn't know JRR Tolkein was a Christian. I'm still struggling with the decision to play videogames. But I'm feeling like giving them another chance and see how I feel about it. I don't know if that's good or bad though

 

[Jon Osterman]

I didn't know JRR Tolkein was a Christian.

It was Tolkein who converted CS Lewis from atheism to Christianity.

 

[Dansiph]

I just read some more about that on Wikipedia. Good stuff. The only thing I knew about Tolkein was he served in WWI. I was a bit of a LotR fan but only the films when I was young, I was about 7 or 8 when they released the first film

 

[Jon Osterman]

You might find this dramatisation of a conversation between Tolkien and Lewis interesting.

 

[Dansiph]

Sorry I completely forgot to reply, I will watch soon. Thanks

 

[Note]

Hi, I became a Christian early last month and since then I haven't played any videogames. I didn't really miss them in a big way until recently. Recently I have been wanting to play some of the games I own. I've been arguing with myself about whether they're good for a Christian to play...

Then, I searched google for answers and found this post: https://www.jeffwofford.com/?p=1754

I would like to discuss the question and the post here.

I like to give you my opinion as a gamer and a Christian. I have been playing games since the 70s. I was a 1990 Nintendo World Championship semi-finalist. I loved games, but even before being a Christian I had my limits and never played, nor now, games like Grand Theft Auto, Hitman, Saint's Row, Call of Duty, etc. I like classics, puzzles, RPGs, action/adventure against demons or spaceships or monsters.
Now, as a Christian, I will not play (nor ever did) a game where the object is to have sex with prostitutes or such like Leisure Suit Larry. Nor will I bother playing Metal Gear Solid games or Duke Dukem games (of today) because of sex and glory holes.
Video games are fine if you treat them like movies and books. One, too much is bad. Two, whatever the content is still goes into your soul. Video games are good with hand eye coordination (like some classics like Pacman and Ghost and Golbins) or at solving puzzles to help the mind and education. Years back I tested out and even wrote several lessons for some Bible 3D games where in a first person view you run, dodge fireballs and big boots, avoid pits, fly, and solve puzzles and answer scripture questions to get jewels for the Crown of Life. No violence in it, but was simply fun.
These days, well, considering my centuries old ages and my last surviving computer is over 12 years ago, I do not get to play anything fancy. I have tweaked and turned it to play some of the LEGO games like the Batmans and Indiana Jones, but I can not get it to play Marvel or Incredibles. I still ring up some classic Nintendo (I have a lot of emulators) or some Transformers Devastation. I just started playing Dead Space again and looking into a good RTS game to fit my liking. I just only get a few minutes a day to play anything.
Take video games as you would with any other forms of entertainment.

 

[Dansiph]

I like to give you my opinion as a gamer and a Christian. I have been playing games since the 70s. I was a 1990 Nintendo World Championship semi-finalist. I loved games, but even before being a Christian I had my limits and never played, nor now, games like Grand Theft Auto, Hitman, Saint's Row, Call of Duty, etc. I like classics, puzzles, RPGs, action/adventure against demons or spaceships or monsters.
Now, as a Christian, I will not play (nor ever did) a game where the object is to have sex with prostitutes or such like Leisure Suit Larry. Nor will I bother playing Metal Gear Solid games or Duke Dukem games (of today) because of sex and glory holes.
Video games are fine if you treat them like movies and books. One, too much is bad. Two, whatever the content is still goes into your soul. Video games are good with hand eye coordination (like some classics like Pacman and Ghost and Golbins) or at solving puzzles to help the mind and education. Years back I tested out and even wrote several lessons for some Bible 3D games where in a first person view you run, dodge fireballs and big boots, avoid pits, fly, and solve puzzles and answer scripture questions to get jewels for the Crown of Life. No violence in it, but was simply fun.
These days, well, considering my centuries old ages and my last surviving computer is over 12 years ago, I do not get to play anything fancy. I have tweaked and turned it to play some of the LEGO games like the Batmans and Indiana Jones, but I can not get it to play Marvel or Incredibles. I still ring up some classic Nintendo (I have a lot of emulators) or some Transformers Devastation. I just started playing Dead Space again and looking into a good RTS game to fit my liking. I just only get a few minutes a day to play anything.
Take video games as you would with any other forms of entertainment.

Hi, thanks for the response. I actually deccided to play a videogame last night. Kingdom Come deliverance. It's set in the Holy Roman Empire and what you do is mainly up to you which I like. I also gave Dishonored a quick go too just to see how I felt playing it. I felt fine. I didn't feel like it was impacting my faith in any way.

I know it's strange to go from indecisiveness about it to suddenly playing but I just decided I can ponder it for years or give them another go and see how I feel/what I think.

Good point too about the other forms of entertainment. I usually dislike most movies or films anyway but I wouldn't be opposed to watching one or reading a book. So I definitey see your point. I've played Dead Space it's a good game, I have it on my PC. Saying that, another reason to play is my PC is sort of expensive. From 2015, so let's not let it go to waste for now lol.

The only game I've played which resembled a RTS and in any way and can recommend is Factorio, I like it it's just something I'm not willing to devote the time needed into atm. I start a Joinery course soon for three years so time will be restricted for me too, soon.

Again thanks for the message, you've made me feel better in my decision to play them

 

[Note]

Hi, thanks for the response. I actually deccided to play a videogame last night. Kingdom Come deliverance. It's set in the Holy Roman Empire and what you do is mainly up to you which I like. I also gave Dishonored a quick go too just to see how I felt playing it. I felt fine. I didn't feel like it was impacting my faith in any way.

I know it's strange to go from indecisiveness about it to suddenly playing but I just decided I can ponder it for years or give them another go and see how I feel/what I think.

Good point too about the other forms of entertainment. I usually dislike most movies or films anyway but I wouldn't be opposed to watching one or reading a book. So I definitey see your point. I've played Dead Space it's a good game, I have it on my PC. Saying that, another reason to play is my PC is sort of expensive. From 2015, so let's not let it go to waste for now lol.

The only game I've played which resembled a RTS and in any way and can recommend is Factorio, I like it it's just something I'm not willing to devote the time needed into atm. I start a Joinery course soon for three years so time will be restricted for me too, soon.

Again thanks for the message, you've made me feel better in my decision to play them

I give you much credit that, as you say you became a new believer in understanding what God has done, you started to question a lot of your life choices. He touched your heart to help you figure out what was good and bad to toss out. You felt you needed to question some things in your life, so to that, I tip thy hat.
Remember, you not perfect and if you going to play Street Fighter: The Movie: The Game, no one will judge.... much.
And if anyone is confused, yes, that is the title of a game (I bolded it for that reason). That is a bad game based on an okay movie based on a good game.
Also, I personally hate online games that you have to rely on living people to assist. I love playing a game for quests, but if they involve trying to gather people for a team, guild run, nation run, forget it. I got tired or it. And playing Star Trek Online having a good Borg match, and then the other 4 players drop out.... no. No more online games for me that are heavy in needing help to do quests. Nope nope nope.
Keep in mind, God loves games, music, etc. He created it all after all. However, it is their content that matters. Yes, I like a good horror movie with some plot and scares, but I am not watching those stupid teenage sex movies. God loves music, but He too is not going to like songs about "banging" a new girl every night while smoking dope.
As you are questioning the choices on your life, you are already far ahead than you ever have been.... wow, i need to write that one down. Sounds deep! Copyright Note!!!

 

[FireDragon76]

There's nothing in Christianity that says you can't play video games, necessarily, even violent ones.

 

[Jon Osterman]

I loved games, but even before being a Christian I had my limits and never played, nor now, games like Grand Theft Auto, Hitman, Saint's Row, Call of Duty, etc...

I just started playing Dead Space again...

Hmmm. I think I would be more uncomfortable playing Dead Space (from a Christian p.o.v.) than Grand Theft Auto. The characters in GTA are bad people, but Dead Space is rather demonic and supernatural, and includes the worship of evil religions.

 

[Note]

Hmmm. I think I would be more uncomfortable playing Dead Space (from a Christian p.o.v.) than Grand Theft Auto. The characters in GTA are bad people, but Dead Space is rather demonic and supernatural, and includes the worship of evil religions.

I can understand that. We all have different tastes. I do not see playing DOOM or Deadspace or Jericho as too uncomfortable (for me). I can handle the monsters and blood and swearing (most of the time, it just ruins dialog to me). But for all those evil things, I am the one destroying them, not worshiping them. They also blow up better and I feel less guilty. Shooting humans in GTA, or banging hookers, is not that enjoyable for me in a game.
Killing humans is something I can easily do in real life, if needed for protection or survival. Destroying bad aliens while floating in space, or traveling time (again) to fight big monsters, not something I get to do often.

 

[Ana the Ist]

So this is an interesting topic I've been thinking about recently, myself.

Before I started walking in the faith, I was the kind of person that played video games (the violent kind) every single day after work, after school, etc. And I loved them, and justified the playing of such things by saying that it kept me out of trouble, and that I was maintaining friendships over multiplayer, etc.

However, the more I grew in the faith and as I started reading the Bible, the Spirit pricked my heart over this issue. Now, what I think is not an opinion that I expect every Christian will feel regarding this, as some don't struggle with this as much, or are otherwise comfortable in their Christian liberty (not liberty to sin or dishonor God), but free to take rest or pleasure in something that doesn't directly tie to the worship of God.

So what I concluded in my heart is this, which is very similar to what the writer of that article you posted said: when I play violent video games, in my heart I feel that I'm committing murder (even if it is indeed cartoon violence), and the reason is because I still believe that thing I'm killing to be a living person (though it is simulated) and in my heart seek to destroy that very thing out of hatred, or at the very least, competition. Now, to me, when I thought of it this way, is a very wicked thing: because people cannot act in real life how they act in video games, otherwise people would never play them. For this reason, I feel that it is against the faith and is deliberate sin against the commands of God.

Also, when a person plays video games, whether violent or not, (as the writer said), a person tends to more often than not get sucked into them for hours and hours on end, to the point of sheer idolatry. I've noticed there is passive idolatry and aggressive idolatry (one is the worship of things through dedication and commitment of time, the other is worship of things by directly bowing the knee and pledging allegiance); many video games often ask you as the player to pledge your sworn allegiance to fake and unreal characters. In my mind, how is this any different than worshipping a graven image? Secondly, when I dedicate hours of my life to something that produces nothing for me in the real world, nor helps anybody else, that not only takes away time I could be spending worshipping God/praying, but also time I could be using to serve my loved ones, neighbors, friends, etc.

I admit that I still struggle with this, and is a sin I have trouble repenting of. Even this past week I redownloaded games I own to play them, and played them for almost an entire day; and then my conscience got the better of me and I redeleted them (I own them and can't get rid of them because I own them online), so the temptation is not something I can just throw away or get rid of directly. I prayed, asked forgiveness, and then sought to repent from the evil in my heart. I also notice that my personality is affected (because of the intense violence, drama, and evil that I'm exposed to) through playing games; primarily because when a person's mind is not set on God or the things of God, and his mind is set on something else, that something else will always lead a person away from the good things of God.

So, just some thoughts of mine on this. Take it or leave it. And God bless, friend.

I'm curious about what games ask you to "pledge your sworn allegiance to fake and unreal characters"?

I've played a lot of games in my time...I don't remember any of that.

 

[Call me Nic]

I'm curious about what games ask you to "pledge your sworn allegiance to fake and unreal characters"?

I've played a lot of games in my time...I don't remember any of that.

You've played a lot of them, but you haven't played all of them. So mathematically, the probability of you not playing one of those games including that type of thing is rather significant, so why are you challenging me as if I don't know what I'm talking about? Your "curiosity" is based on pure assumption, not reason. If you truly wish to know, go search it out for yourself.

 

[ViaCrucis]

I'm curious about what games ask you to "pledge your sworn allegiance to fake and unreal characters"?

I've played a lot of games in my time...I don't remember any of that.

I had to sell my soul to Mario for a 1up mushroom. Worst mistake ever.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[ViaCrucis]

You've played a lot of them, but you haven't played all of them. So mathematically, the probability of you not playing one of those games including that type of thing is rather significant, so why are you challenging me as if I don't know what I'm talking about? Your "curiosity" is based on pure assumption, not reason. If you truly wish to know, go search it out for yourself.

Alright, name a game where you have to "pledge your sworn allegiance to fake and unreal characters". Don't have to give a list, just name one.

-CryptoLutheran