Names in video games

[Doulous]

I have noticed after I became a Christian and started getting into the Word, how much demonic names are in games now.

For example in Diablo 2,

Diablo - duh! Spanish for "devil"

Baal - old testament Canaanite false god. This false god worship was a continual problem for Isreal/Judah during the time of the Kings (See 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles) Hmmm...strange. I did not know this at the time I bought the game.

Ashereah - The woman you buy armor from in Act 3. The bible says to cut down Asherah poles (See Deuteronomy, Judges, 1 Kings, 2 Kings) Whoa! This is a name of false Canaanite goddess....

I also remember an character named Ashtoreth ( with a big honkin' axe) in SoulCalibur 2. This name was the moon goddess of the Phoencians. Whoa!

These three examples got me thinking, I didn't know this when I bought the games. If God wanted his children, to stay away from false gods (ie Baal, Asherah, etc...), maybe its not a good idea to return to this game. It was a disturbing revelation for me.

All this started to occur to me as less and less as a coincidence. So as a personal rule, I try to stay away from games like that. I think the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the dangers of that I was totally oblivious to before. Wow! This games has false gods or demonic names as characters?!?

Um...thanks but no thanks for me.

I would rather err of the side of caution than foolish wade into something thinking it cannot effect me.


What are your thoughts? Are they any other similar type names you can think of in video games?


Doulous

 

[Kelly]

Satan's Hollow, the original satan game!

http://www.klov.com/S/Satan's_Hollow.html

Mwua hahahahahaha!!!

- Personally, I think that when the subject matter is blatantly thown at you, it's not a real threat. Plus, in Diablo you are fighting Diablo. But if you feel that it may cause you to stumble, then by all means avoid videogames that borrow from religious themes/names.

 

[Bohemian]

Satan's Hollow, the original satan game!

http://www.klov.com/S/Satan's_Hollow.html

Mwua hahahahahaha!!!

Bridge construction...FOR JUSTICE!!!

http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001 http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001

 

[Felron]

There was also the satan pinball (I am sure thats not the original name for it, But I cant remember that) for the playstation. Flying twirling pentagrams for all!

 

[NHI]

I have noticed after I became a Christian and started getting into the Word, how much demonic names are in games now.

For example in Diablo 2,

Diablo - duh! Spanish for "devil"

Baal - old testament Canaanite false god. This false god worship was a continual problem for Isreal/Judah during the time of the Kings (See 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles) Hmmm...strange. I did not know this at the time I bought the game.

Ashereah - The woman you buy armor from in Act 3. The bible says to cut down Asherah poles (See Deuteronomy, Judges, 1 Kings, 2 Kings) Whoa! This is a name of false Canaanite goddess....

I also remember an character named Ashtoreth ( with a big honkin' axe) in SoulCalibur 2. This name was the moon goddess of the Phoencians. Whoa!

These three examples got me thinking, I didn't know this when I bought the games. If God wanted his children, to stay away from false gods (ie Baal, Asherah, etc...), maybe its not a good idea to return to this game. It was a disturbing revelation for me.

All this started to occur to me as less and less as a coincidence. So as a personal rule, I try to stay away from games like that. I think the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to the dangers of that I was totally oblivious to before. Wow! This games has false gods or demonic names as characters?!?

Um...thanks but no thanks for me.

I would rather err of the side of caution than foolish wade into something thinking it cannot effect me.


What are your thoughts? Are they any other similar type names you can think of in video games?


Doulous

I have a hard time picturing....

someone 'falling away', due to playing as a character named Astaroth or any other mytholical 'gods'........

 

[* kittie *]

hehe

they're just names...

 

[Susan]

Satan's Hollow, the original satan game!

http://www.klov.com/S/Satan's_Hollow.html

Mwua hahahahahaha!!!

- Personally, I think that when the subject matter is blatantly thown at you, it's not a real threat. Plus, in Diablo you are fighting Diablo. But if you feel that it may cause you to stumble, then by all means avoid videogames that borrow from religious themes/names.

Agreed here. I personally see no problem with games or anime that deal with subject matter that borrows from or misstates religious themes. The way I see it, all religion outside of Christianity is myth, and I don't have a problem with the portrayal of myths as I *know* they are not reality.

Now, if someone is pushing said myth at me *insisting* that I *must* believe it as truth, then I may well be offended and insulted, but not converted.

IMHO, it's a matter of personal conviction and strength in that area. If you feel that seeing the name or image of a mythological being will make you believe in him/her/it, then by all means don't look at it or read it. Nevertheless, not all of us feel that way. For example, when I play Final Fantasy whatever and use the Phoenix Summon, I am NOT seriously thinking of summoning and worshipping the Phoenix idol of some culture. I am thinking of only reviving my entire battle party and landing a good bit of fire damage on the enemy party. To me, all the Phoenix part of it is is is a pretty animation. That's it. ^^

 

[Doulous]

IMHO, it's a matter of personal conviction and strength in that area. If you feel that seeing the name or image of a mythological being will make you believe in him/her/it, then by all means don't look at it or read it. Nevertheless, not all of us feel that way. For example, when I play Final Fantasy whatever and use the Phoenix Summon, I am NOT seriously thinking of summoning and worshipping the Phoenix idol of some culture. I am thinking of only reviving my entire battle party and landing a good bit of fire damage on the enemy party. To me, all the Phoenix part of it is is is a pretty animation. That's it. ^^

Yes, I agree, Susan. It is a matter of personal conviction. While I don't think seeing a name will make me believe in a false god or make me fall way. I just noticed these are the same EXACT names of the false gods. That sounds some warning bells in my head...

Being a big RPG fan, I also agree with your Final Fantasy Phoenix analogy. By all means, do as much fire damage as you want with a Phoenix summon. I know it is not an idol and such. I have no problem with that.

I guess seeing the names in the Bible just creeped me out a bit, I thought they were made up for the game.....maybe I am just paranoid. :o


Thanks for the great responses! Keep 'em comin'!


Doulous

 

[Dark_Lite]

Se divíl vai ẽ ið ci. Ẽl vai uas, te ẽl ne ãċanou ũnlor ni pas poφe at se pover Gisüs. Namas caẽn ċũ gosos venlor ni e goso çer ita se irt.


Nodnod.

 

[CHR15T05]

hehe

they're just names...

Yeah, that's why, if I ever have a daughter I shall name her "Succubus" ...or would that be wrong?

The fact is words have meaning (and power) and so do names.

When choosing the names for my children (the real names) I was careful to research thier origin and meaning.

In games, any intelligent producer will use names that, by thier original meaning, will reflect or at least hint at the desired personality of that character. This on occasion can act as a guide for the intelligent gamer. You come up to a character with a subtle name that is actually the name of a demon... you think twice about taking thier advice (in game).

But this is an old debate. It's like watching Buffy or Charmed and slowley realising that much of what they portray on the program is in fact REAL teaching from the Occult. No there are NOT glowing bolts of lightning and such like in real life, but the names of the enemies and demons they encounter are from Occult Teaching. The names and types of spells in use are from real Occult teaching.

So you must ask, and this goes for character names in games too, what is the mind set and motive of the person behind choosing these names?

We have expressed on this forum before how we wold like a "good" christian game. Think, what would we put in it and how much would our belief be portrayed in the game? What would our motive and mindset be in creating this game? How would we name places and people in the game? Based on the bible? Based on our belief and what we want people to learn or look into from the game?

Now ask the same question again of the non-christian game with Demonic names or names or false Gods that the bible tells us to stay away from.

What is the producers motive?

 

[Skellybones]

This entire argument is a waste of thread...

So you don't like every aspect of the game...going to stop playing a great game because it's slightly creepy? Or because of that random pentagram?

Get over it, game makers have always exploited myths, religion, and society to form a plot line. How many people do you see (or hear about) freaking out over a game because there's a cross somewhere in the background? How many non-christians do you see boycotting a vampire survival game because your character has to use a crucifix to hold the undead back?

Satan is one of the greatest literary villains of all time, so when playing a horror rpg expect to cross paths with the lord of darkness.

 

[SpaceProg]

As long as you don't start worshipping the beings who's names are in the games, I don't see why a secure Christian would have any trouble with it.
I play Silent Hill, but I don't run around worshipping Samael.

Things like games and music and stuff only have as much power as you give them yourself.

In my opinion anyway.

 

[Lady_Firehawk]

One more thing: With the exception of Asheara (which isn't even the same spelling, PLUS she's a very minor character and hires out mercenaries, not armor), all those characters you name are BAD GUYS.

Now, if it was some dude named Diablo who's supposed to be the hero, I'd be asking questions... I think I went kooky because I like Diablo II.

 

[CHR15T05]

How many non-christians do you see boycotting a vampire survival game because your character has to use a crucifix to hold the undead back?

I cant think of the name of it, but there is an old CLASSIC Vampire Movie (I think Peter Cusion is in it) and the hero holds up a cross to ward of the advancing vampire.

The vampire just laughes at him and sneers "That only works if you have FAITH".

I thought it was an excellent point well made.

 

[Bohemian]

I cant think of the name of it, but there is an old CLASSIC Vampire Movie (I think Peter Cusion is in it) and the hero holds up a cross to ward of the advancing vampire.

The vampire just laughes at him and sneers "That only works if you have FAITH".

I thought it was an excellent point well made.

That's from Fright Night.

 

[Vulgivagus hagiographus]

Epona (your horse in Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time) is the name of the Celtic goddess of horses.

 

[* kittie *]

Yeah, that's why, if I ever have a daughter I shall name her "Succubus" ...or would that be wrong?

The fact is words have meaning (and power) and so do names.

When choosing the names for my children (the real names) I was careful to research thier origin and meaning.

In games, any intelligent producer will use names that, by thier original meaning, will reflect or at least hint at the desired personality of that character. This on occasion can act as a guide for the intelligent gamer. You come up to a character with a subtle name that is actually the name of a demon... you think twice about taking thier advice (in game).

But this is an old debate. It's like watching Buffy or Charmed and slowley realising that much of what they portray on the program is in fact REAL teaching from the Occult. No there are NOT glowing bolts of lightning and such like in real life, but the names of the enemies and demons they encounter are from Occult Teaching. The names and types of spells in use are from real Occult teaching.

So you must ask, and this goes for character names in games too, what is the mind set and motive of the person behind choosing these names?

We have expressed on this forum before how we wold like a "good" christian game. Think, what would we put in it and how much would our belief be portrayed in the game? What would our motive and mindset be in creating this game? How would we name places and people in the game? Based on the bible? Based on our belief and what we want people to learn or look into from the game?

Now ask the same question again of the non-christian game with Demonic names or names or false Gods that the bible tells us to stay away from.

What is the producers motive?

of course names have power. i didn't say they don't.

but when you're playing a video game...
...i don't see how you can fall (i was agreeing with the entry above my last one) because you're fighting someone called diablo.

 

[Susan]

Also, there's the issue of different cultural concepts and contexts meaning different things. Words have meaning, yes, but not always the same literal meaning.

For example, when someone is speaking of a kid going through the "terrible twos," someone might say "he's a little devil, isn't he?" or "she's a terror sometimes."

Now, this does NOT literally mean the kid is the Devil or possessed of the Devil, nor does it mean the kid is a member of a terrorist faction.

In the same vein, if I say "I want to step outside," that could have many different meanings depending on context:

If I'm sitting in here looking out at a nice spring day, it could mean simply the literal meaning of wanting to step outside.

If I'm screaming at someone who's screaming back at me, I've just made an invitation to a fight.

If I'm sitting by a window at the top of a skyscraper crying my eyes out, odds are I'm threatening to kill myself.

If I'm sitting in an office with a bunch of other people and feel the call of nature, it's a polite way of saying that I need to go to the restroom.

In other words, the *meaning* of a word depends on its context more than anything else. ^^

I give these as examples because a lot of the contexts for these things *aren't* as sinister as some people seem to think they are.

In one common instance, someone sees a name from mythology and thinks "that name is cool" or "hmm, this myth parallels what I'm doing with this character," so on the name goes. I can tell you that I've done this myself in naming supporting characters in fanfictions, because honestly, naming characters is one of the hardest points of writing. If I can take a shortcut on that so I can actually *gasp* get on with writing my story than obsessing over the name of a character who's only going to be around for one paragraph or two, I'll do it.

In another instance, a term that carries a lot of baggage in one culture or language means something very different in another culture or language. This often happens with games where the production staff is almost absolutely Japanese or in anime: and I'll give an example. The Japanese term most often translated as "demon" actually means, in Japanese, something more analogous to "monster" or "alien," although "demon" is the closest English translation. As such, it doesn't necessarily have the spiritual baggage we attribute to it any more than "elf" does to LOTR fans. ^^

Lastly, and this is also connected to the cultural differences thing, many times, writers throw in material from what they believe to be myths where they think it would "look cool" in their work, or where they think it would establish a scene, an atmosphere, a character, etc. Hence, religious symbols or names usually only have about as much significance as graffiti on pavement or other details that only serve as background or to accentuate a plot point.

For example, the character in my avatar, Duo from Gundam Wing, often is seen wearing a roman collar or a cross necklace. However, he's definitely *NOT* a Christian character and the style of dress is only to accentuate something in the plot (highlight the space between the ^^s) ^^ he was raised by a priest and nuns for one year in the anime, they died, and he memorializes them in that way^^

Simply put, don't go looking for religion in anime or video games, whether in the sense of bolstering Christianity (i.e. "Look! He *is* a Christian! Woo! I'm gonna faint!" despite the fact that the character in question chases women, drinks like a fish, and does some other very unChristlike things-I think you may know what fans I'm slapping here XD ) OR in the sense of tearing down something as anti-Christian when it has no such intent (i.e. "This symbol means that this game is dedicated to the ancient idol Blahblah and will possess you with the evil spirit of Boredom if you play the game"). Either way, you'll only make yourself look silly. ^^

 

[CHR15T05]

That's from Fright Night.

I thought Fright Night was a comedy Horror? It wasn't a comedy I watched.

Anyway....

As for the rest of the thread here, I am going to bow out gracefully as I tend to get into heated debates needlessly.

I agree with everything that has been said in principle, but I still think that to ignor the possibility that some authors do have alternitive motives in thier use of Demon and False God names is nieve.

In the most part, yes it probably is innocent.

Howver I see no harm on guarding ourself with caution and seeking the wisdom of the holy spirit in ALL things.

I think the thread starter has be very wise in questioning his findings, and I wish him all the best as he grows in God.

 

[Susan]

Oh, by the way-Duo isn't my avatar anymore. Not due to this thread or anything, I just found this cool avatar someone else was using on livejournal, and I think it describes me XD.

Now back on topic. . .