"sinful" games...

[Richie04]

I'm a christian and I've been having mixed feelings about the type of pc games I've been playing... I love games like Half-Life 2, Doom 3, Unreal Tournament, and other shooting games like those....but I can't help but think that I'm disappointing God when I play such games...you know what I mean? There is a ton of violence in those type of games and I just feel wrong about playing them? Do you guys think it's sinful to play such games or am I worrying to much about something too small? Thx for all your replies!

 

[seebs]

I think you should listen to your own conscience, not someone else's. Different things may be stumbling blocks for different people. I personally dislike shooters mostly because of the twitch factor, but... I think you should probably take a break from them if you've got concerns about them.

For instance, there's an utterly charming and violence-free game called Animal Crossing for the gamecube which I can't play because it's too materialistic. Go figure. But it really bugs me, so I don't play it.

If you're feeling that this violence is not edifying to you, avoid it.

 

[PolskiKrol]

Not if taken in moderation and proper spirit.

Love your sig, seebs btw.

 

[Fonzy]

i think you should not let it get to you... if you dont do what "the game does" then i think its ok... if the game robs a bank... your not gonna go out there and rob it... so i think its ok if you dont do what the game is doing lol


FONZY out

 

[OhhJim]

Where in the Bible does it say that violence is evil?

 

[Overtime_man]

I think you should listen to your own conscience, not someone else's. Different things may be stumbling blocks for different people. I personally dislike shooters mostly because of the twitch factor, but... I think you should probably take a break from them if you've got concerns about them.

For instance, there's an utterly charming and violence-free game called Animal Crossing for the gamecube which I can't play because it's too materialistic. Go figure. But it really bugs me, so I don't play it.

If you're feeling that this violence is not edifying to you, avoid it.

Well said. Ditto from me.

 

[MetalBlade]

Are you actually going out and shooting people?

 

[The Meaning Of...]

God loves violence. Infact he loves it so much that be burnt down entire cities because people didn't do what he wanted them to. He also flooded the world because people didn't hand over the controller when they lost and it really upset God. So feel free to play violent games, and remember, when your whiney little brother losses and doesn't pass the controller to your friend just shoot him.

 

[what's her face]

As long as it's not getting in the way of your personal relationship with God, nor causing you to struggle in any area.. then it's fine. I play many pc games as well.. Half Life.. Unreal Tournament.. Nolf2.. Thief 3.. Prince of Persia.. the list goes on. It's a relaxing time for me.. like a person coming home and watching the television. But just as you must gaurd yourself as to what you watch on the TV.. I think the same applies for games. For example.. 2 games I started playing, then quite: Black and White, and Lineage 2. Black and White I quit.. because you are a god in that game.. and people have to worship you for prayer power blah blah.. I felt very wrong playing that game, so I threw it away. Lineage 2? Well.. like any rpg it requires hours and hours of playing time.. it was causing me to sit at this computer for hours and hours.. even getting annoyed when I had to go do other things in my LIFE.. only thinking about the game. That's when it goes too far.. at least for me. *shrug* Those were my struggles with gaming.. I don't think violence is something to be worried about.. just like other posters have said.. you're not going out and shooting the first person you see on the street. Examine what importance your gaming is compared to other things in your life. This may have been a tad off topic, but I had to share. *grin*

 

[loony]

as long as it doesnt mess with your spiritual life i think they are all right

 

[Fonzy]

as long as it doesnt mess with your spiritual life i think they are all right

very true

 

[Richie04]

I appreciate all your replies. Just to clarify....No, I do not let video gaming get in the way of my physical/spiritual life, it is simply a hobby of mine that I enjoy. And, No, I defeintely do not go out and shoot people after playing such games nor will I ever. I just needed others opinions on this matter and thx to all that replied.

 

[bobbycoobal]

I dn't think games have that big an effect on people's lives... I think the people that BLAME stuff on games were kind of messed up to begin with

 

[Mobius 1]

The important thing you don't act similar to the game in your everyday life.

 

[MetalBlade]

I appreciate all your replies. Just to clarify....No, I do not let video gaming get in the way of my physical/spiritual life, it is simply a hobby of mine that I enjoy. And, No, I defeintely do not go out and shoot people after playing such games nor will I ever. I just needed others opinions on this matter and thx to all that replied.

There you go! As long as it doesn't get in the way of your spiritual life, and you can detect the difference between game and reality, then you are ok!!!

 

[Cadillac]

Dude, I think this is totally up to you. I doubt when you die, God will hold some holy clipboard to list everything you did wrong.

 

[Niz]

games like postal2 and stuff, i think you shouldn't play. But HL2, Doom3, etc. i personally think is fine. Not only shooters are bad games, look at Everquest. Some kid commited suicide cause his character was killed. If the game isn't insulting God in anyway i don't see why it's bad. Plus HL2 owns and the mods for it are amazing, i.e. FORTRESS FOREVER!!!!

 

[Lithium Hobo]

Your god is against killing people in reality, not virtual reality. Besides, in Doom, you fight Hell, so if anything, that should get you a few brownie points in your faith.

Dude, I think this is totally up to you. I doubt when you die, God will hold some holy clipboard to list everything you did wrong.

According to your religion, yes, yes he does.

 

[The-Doctor]

I agree as long as it is not taking over from your normal life. Sometimes a game can help you learn useful skills such as a strategy game teaching how to plan ahead, a problem solving one teaching you how to problem solve. Etc. other than that they are just good fun generally

 

[Truth and Reconciliation]

If you are strong in the Spirit, then I think there's nothing to fear. He will be your conscience and protect you from all evil. But there's the other problem:

Is it edifying to God? Like someone said before how certain things can be stumbling blocks to some people, I believe that if it is a stumbling block - then you can infer two pieces of information from it. First, you need to stop that activity. Second, that area of your heart is not strong enough, so you probably may want to invest some prayertime into that area.

Personally I like to play shooters with a strong storyline (I play for the thematical meanings) such as Half-Life, Doom3, Halo, and Thief - Deadly Shadows (gotta love Shalebridge Cradle) mainly for those good times that make me jump out of my seat and hit my head. But for one, I don't find games like Grand Theft Auto to be edifying - it's filled with every inner-city vice you can think of - and I don't think I'm personally ready to play such a game.

So be strong, my friends. You can count on the Spirit to help you filter out the evils.