Is commiting simulated sins pleasing to God?

[thesunisout]

We know from the scripture that God hates murder, theft, adultery etc. Do you think it is displeasing to God to entertain ourselves by doing these same sins in a simulation? Why or why not?

 

[mafwons]

I do, I used to did not. Well here is the thing aside from being a huge waste of time they make us less apt to see those things as sins. It desensitizes us to the evil in the world. I can say from experince these games as well as other forms of media make us less able to distinguish right from wrong. Although the U.S Army must love it young kids grow up playing call of duty, come ready to kill.

 

[CounselorForChrist]

I think like anything it can lead to sin. But in itself it is not one. Not that I want to use the "Its just pixels on a screen" excuse but these are games. Not humans we are sinning against. Although if your playing multiplayer, then you are actually sinning when you swear at the other player.

And lets not forget age makes a difference. FOr example I recently beat Fallout Vegas. In it you can make all kinds of decisions. Such as being nice to someone, or stealing from them or even blowing their head off and stealing what you need. No matter the choice, as adults I think we mostly recognize its a game and don't simulate it in real life (unless we have a mental condition).

Where as a kid playing it may know what right or wrong is, but in the real world will not always distinguish after a while about making a bad choice in real life vs the virtual world. WHich is why I don't like kids playing adult rated games.

Actually a recent study confirmed something I've been saying for years. Thats our brains don't fully mature until around 25. Its why when we yell at teens for making stupid decisions, they aren't making them on purpose to rebel always. That part of the brain isn't fully matured yet. They think of the here and now such as "Did that guy just call me a name?" (shoots the guy). Where as adults we think of long term and consequences.

Its why we see more and more kids killing kids. And young adults killing young adults. There brains aren't ready yet for the stuff they see in games. As much as I used to say each person has to decide for themselves, I don't think if I was 22 I should trust my view on if I am ready for a game because the here and now side of me at that age would only care about playing the game at that moment. NOt the long term affects after.

 

[thesunisout]

I think like anything it can lead to sin. But in itself it is not one. Not that I want to use the "Its just pixels on a screen" excuse but these are games. Not humans we are sinning against. Although if your playing multiplayer, then you are actually sinning when you swear at the other player.

And lets not forget age makes a difference. FOr example I recently beat Fallout Vegas. In it you can make all kinds of decisions. Such as being nice to someone, or stealing from them or even blowing their head off and stealing what you need. No matter the choice, as adults I think we mostly recognize its a game and don't simulate it in real life (unless we have a mental condition).

Where as a kid playing it may know what right or wrong is, but in the real world will not always distinguish after a while about making a bad choice in real life vs the virtual world. WHich is why I don't like kids playing adult rated games.

Actually a recent study confirmed something I've been saying for years. Thats our brains don't fully mature until around 25. Its why when we yell at teens for making stupid decisions, they aren't making them on purpose to rebel always. That part of the brain isn't fully matured yet. They think of the here and now such as "Did that guy just call me a name?" (shoots the guy). Where as adults we think of long term and consequences.

Its why we see more and more kids killing kids. And young adults killing young adults. There brains aren't ready yet for the stuff they see in games. As much as I used to say each person has to decide for themselves, I don't think if I was 22 I should trust my view on if I am ready for a game because the here and now side of me at that age would only care about playing the game at that moment. NOt the long term affects after.

I agree they're just games, but imagine for a second we could play a game where you could simulate rape, or pedophilia? Would that be something a Christian should play? If not, then why are games with murder, theft, fornication and drug use okay?

 

[CounselorForChrist]

I agree they're just games, but imagine for a second we could play a game where you could simulate rape, or pedophilia? Would that be something a Christian should play? If not, then why are games with murder, theft, fornication and drug use okay?

Actually there are games were you can rape children. They seem to be made in japan (but are illegal).

You make a good point but I think there are just some things we know shouldn't be games. Rape is one of them. More so the only people that would play them are likely people with twisted minds, in that case those twisted people shouldn't play games at all.

I never see anyone play GTA for example and say they want to rape children in a game. Aside from a kid once and awhile trying to pretend hes "cool" (not sure how its cool).

 

[iAlive]

Well, does video games like that edify you, encourage/exhort you, and teach you to keep on living for Jesus?

 

[Follower3]

In multiplayer games, you can help people, like team mates etc, you can also kill people which is what you do in most multiplayer games, however it is all in good fun, and noone really gets hurt, its when people start raging, and hating, that it becomes sin, when you start cussing at the people on the other end XD but you can do that in any activity that involves other people.

So to answer the question with a question, does helping people in a simulated game edify you, or please God?
What if you lead their character to Jesus, and its all pretend? now it is almost sounding like blasphemy, better off blasting them to the ground!

 

[CounselorForChrist]

Good point Follower. Often people in a church tend to look at those who seem to be online alot as not involved in bringing others to Christ. Maybe its because they are naive or maybe its because they just don't understand online.

But either way online can be used to reach way more people. Whether its a game, a chat room or even a forum like this. I can't say I've had a ton of chats about Jesus in games only because I almost never use a mic. And most of the games I play are fast paced so I don't have time to type anything really. But I still try to lead to people to God. On my FB its very obvious I do.

 

[SaltwaterHeart]

Actually there are games were you can rape children. They seem to be made in japan (but are illegal).

One game in particular, titled RapeLay, has gained international attention, despite only being available in Japan. It was legal to purchase and own in Japan, until the company pulled it.

As for, "if video games glorify God," well, I think there is a difference between reality and fiction. You could read a book that involves a murder-mystery, and you could still question whether or not said book brings glory to God, because it involves a murder.
I think that a lot of it depends on what type of person you are, really. I know that I can play a violent video game for fun, and to let my anger out, and I won't go and commit a crime the next day. I, also, know that I won't get too absorbed into it. But, for a person with an addictive personality, or for a person who has violent tendencies, playing a game like Grand Theft Auto may not be the best choice...

 

[Follower3]

Agreed, I can play these violent video games, and not get mad at all, I can also play them and get very angry, but I can have a conversation with someone and have the same outcome. I can have a conversation, and get angry, or not get angry.
I can listen to the news and get angry, or not get angry. Anger is the sin, not the game.
Torture on TV is much worse than running around blowing things up in any video game ive ever seen.... and there are TV shows that make me angry far worse than any game ive played recently, and we are just talking about Judge Judy, and what not.

 

[UPAxGUNxGRAVE]

To be honest I say no I am very big gamer and I say no I don't think it is sinful but I don't think its right to go out into the world and do such acts I think people blame video games and such way to much yes they can be violent I play grand theft auto but that doesn't hurt my faithfulness I don't go to church that much but im wanting to go which I need to wake up more but im still faithful but I am faithful as the day as I was born