Video Game Addiction

[MauiMamma]

Not that what I think matters but I'd like to clarify that when I said part of the blame lies with the games, I only meant that games are designed to be fun and engrossing and people who are predisposed to addiction can fixate on them. It's the same with any activity that people can become obsessed with such as sports.

Perhaps obsession might be a better term to use than addiction when referring to people who have a problem stepping away from games.

Well, I have to agree, somewhat here...
Just like coca cola, for example, there is caffein in it that tends to make it more "addicting". But, people without addiction tendencies are "less affected" by it.
So, without sounding like I'm blaming video game, I want to CLARIFY- I AM NOT BLAMING THEM, I do recognize that their mere existence and the way they are designed to "keep people enticed and playing for long hours" can cause people to cross that line from "normal playing" to excessive playing.

But, again, I want to CLARIFY, I suppose that is the right of these game creators. I don't suppose they are using some magic to "manipulate" people into playing.
And even so, there are many things in this world that do that and many/most people are able to rise above this "manipulation" and make a choice to not be at the mercy of such things.

SO- to reiterate-
It is the PEOPLE PLAYING these game, who can't control THEMSELVES, that have the problem, not the games that are the problem.

There will always be things in this world that cause people to get obsessed or depend on them. We can't change that. It's up to each person to have control over their own actions and decisions.

As far as children playing these games, it's up to the parents to be in charge of their children's free time, etc.

 

[sjweyman]

I've read a good portion of this thread and with all your talk of "predisposal" you're overlooking the obvious and true negative impact of modern day media (TV, movies, internet pornography, video games, etc).

Personally, I believe anyone can become trapped in an addiction. We're Christians here, right? We believe in Satan, right? We believe he can create such powerful lies that even the most wary can still be deceived, right? No matter what your "predisposal" ... you can still be caught up in sin ... it's human nature. One thing catches one person while a completely different things catches another person.

For just a moment put aside your preconceived ideas and take a look at modern North American and European society and then take a look at the same societies 100 or 200 years ago before the advent of mass media. What do you see? You see the majority of the population are Christians. You see devout families who actually spend time together. You see far less addiction. You see far less violence and crime. You see a rate of divorce that almost doesn't exist! Don't get me wrong ... evil still exists ... perverse people still exist ... it's just on a much smaller scale or at least in a different form.

Why is this? Sure, there are many many reasons ... you can't just blame one thing! However, you can't argue that almost every movie you watch (rated PG and above) demonstrates that premarital sex is ok, cheating may not quite be ok but is almost permissable under certain circumstances, violence is a good solution to many problems, dating just for fun is perfectly normal, making fun of people is ok, living life for personal gain is not only not a bad thing but even admirable, and the list goes on and on. If you truly believe that people can't be "trained" or aren't influenced but what they do, watch and participate in then you are surely misguided. People learn lessons, good or bad, out of these things. This is especially true for younger people and society is basically encouraging kids to watch hours of TV and see movies that 20 years ago would have been rated Adult or Restricted.

Video games are all part of this. You may say that if the above pitfalls didn't exist that all these people who have a problem would simply just find "something else" to be a problem for them. I disagree! In some cases you may be right, but in some cases I'd wager you are most certainly wrong! If it wasn't so easy and accepted to completely waste your time these days people would actually be learning how to constructively use their time. Heaven forbid they might actually devote some time to prayer and reading the Bible.

Finally, don't think that I don't like TV and video games. I love to watch a good movie. I used to spend hours playing video games. I was probably considered to be an addict. It was so much FUN! However ... I've come to realize that all of these activities are pretty selfish activities. People do need rest and people do need down time (although not near so much as has become customary) ... but there are MUCH better ways to have this time. Spend it with friends, spend it talking to your significant other, volunteer somewhere to actually better society, bake a cake or meal for someone who needs it, help out your local church, take a nap (this is more restful than a movie or games), be creative and seek God. The Bible tells us the workers are few. It doesn't help that today's Christian workers are too busy tied up like the rest of the world in front of their TVs and computers all the time.

Sorry if I sound harsh ... I still struggle with this issue on and off all the time. I am as guilty as anybody else. I too want to experience pleasure and feed my selfish desires ... but is that really what God would have us do? Is that really what Jesus would be doing if he was here in the year 2007?

 

[MauiMamma]

I too want to experience pleasure and feed my selfish desires ... but is that really what God would have us do? Is that really what Jesus would be doing if he was here in the year 2007?

Answer: No.
Amen.
Thank you.
And, God bless you.

 

[Dust and Ashes]

Sorry if I sound harsh ... I still struggle with this issue on and off all the time. I am as guilty as anybody else. I too want to experience pleasure and feed my selfish desires ... but is that really what God would have us do? Is that really what Jesus would be doing if he was here in the year 2007?

Oh, I'm well aware of the effects the media has had on society, I'm just not addressing that here because this thread is referring to a much more narrow topic. I haven't overlooked it.

My personal experience with games and most other forms of media entertainment has been different from many others' experiences WRT their faith. I became a Christian in '92 but didn't get into video games until '97 other than having an NES for a brief time.

I was terribly obsessed (not addicted ) to Everquest for about 2 years. I never tried to limit my gaming/movies/TV to increase my spirituality or time with God. Then I became Orthodox in '04 and as I began to spend a lot more time in prayer and fasting and studying the Scriptures, my interest in gaming just began to drop off dramatically.

I used to really love "blood-slinging" movies and was really into Faces of Death type stuff before I became a Christian. Now, I just can't stomach gory movies and have no interest in watching them or playing games with gratuitous violence.

Sex & violence in games or movies doesn't bother me if it's part of the story and drives the story. Personally I find that gratuitous sex/violence detracts from a game or movie.

 

[Dust and Ashes]

And you don't sound harsh, you're just telling the truth. Sometimes the truth seems harsh because it doesn't agree with our sinful desires. I was personally blessed by your post. Thank you.

 

[Xtra]

I play video games (probably more than I should), but I don't think I'm addicted. I do take care of myself, and do other things as well. To me, it's just something I do to pass the time, or something to pull out during a long bus ride.

 

[Mrs. Enigma]

I don't see why it would be bad to be addicted to games, unless it is ruining your life or something. I mean it does not seem like a very bad addiction, I mean it seems better then just watching tv, or playing a board game, and I don't see how it is any worse then reading a book.

I mean, I think people worry too much about whether they are addicted to things. Why does an addiction have to be bad anyhow?

 

[Dannager]

I don't see why it would be bad to be addicted to games, unless it is ruining your life or something. I mean it does not seem like a very bad addiction, I mean it seems better then just watching tv, or playing a board game, and I don't see how it is any worse then reading a book.

I mean, I think people worry too much about whether they are addicted to things. Why does an addiction have to be bad anyhow?

There are many out there who don't classify something as an addiction until it begins to interfere with one's normal, day-to-day life in a significant fashion.

 

[serephim01]

Like I told my dad "I'll give up video games if he gives up smoking" I play games alot but not nearly as much as I did when he was alive. Games are only bad to those who can't play them....lol no but seriously if they get in the way of your life then you need to tone it down really