Violent computer games

Paul Wilson · Jan 20, 2005

At the youth fellowship I go to, they do not permit the use of violent games (Think GTA and Manhunt, etc)

These games are violent yes. They say that it only makes the soul dirty, which is a fair enough valid point.

But is it really true? Think of it like this. If you hit someone in your car (in the game) you are not killing a person, you are simply stopping that characters animation loop. What's wrong with that?

IMHO, it is ok to be a Christian and to play a violent game. Just don't emulate the game in real life! Playing a game is something fun, allbeit a violent one, and brings some fun into your life, there's nothing wrong there.

So how can this make the soul dirty?

You're not hurting anyone by removing their heads with a shotgun in Manhunt, so how can this be bad? Unless you emulate it in real life, you're not doing any harm to anyone or making your own soul a diry one.

What's so bad about violent computer games?

Now, if you'll excuse me, i'm going to go install Hitman 2.

Discuss.

Fear · Jan 20, 2005

First you would have to establish that a soul exists, which you won't. Then you'd have to explain how you can make something supernatural that is disconnected from the body become dirty.

Violent computer games aren't bad if you understand that they're not real. My little cousin use to go around punching people and stuff after he watched us plaing smash brothers, I think that they can influence kids.

Clem is Me · Jan 20, 2005

Wrong forum

UMP · Jan 20, 2005

Paul Wilson said:
At the youth fellowship I go to, they do not permit the use of violent games (Think GTA and Manhunt, etc)

These games are violent yes. They say that it only makes the soul dirty, which is a fair enough valid point.

But is it really true? Think of it like this. If you hit someone in your car (in the game) you are not killing a person, you are simply stopping that characters animation loop. What's wrong with that?

IMHO, it is ok to be a Christian and to play a violent game. Just don't emulate the game in real life! Playing a game is something fun, allbeit a violent one, and brings some fun into your life, there's nothing wrong there.

So how can this make the soul dirty?

You're not hurting anyone by removing their heads with a shotgun in Manhunt, so how can this be bad? Unless you emulate it in real life, you're not doing any harm to anyone or making your own soul a diry one.

What's so bad about violent computer games?

Now, if you'll excuse me, i'm going to go install Hitman 2.

Discuss.

You could use the same logic to rationalize porno tapes.
N'est pas ?
To further the analogy, what about digital animation porno?
Although not quite the same thing, but I think you get my drift.
At least it's an analogy worthy of consideration.

Paul Wilson · Jan 20, 2005

Yes, but isn't that not lust? Be it computer animated or video'd in some persons basement.

UMP · Jan 20, 2005

Paul Wilson said:
Yes, but isn't that not lust? Be it computer animated or video'd in some persons basement.

Yes,
Of Course. Just my weak attempt at an analogy.
Pray about it.
I can't see that mildly violent games, perhaps shooting deer or some such thing, could be detrimental. Though I really don't know.
However, chopping off peoples heads in search of more " machine gun power" is not my idea of "edification".

Alencon · Jan 20, 2005

One theory is that violent computer games can desensitize an individual to violence and therefore make one more likely to engage in verbal or physical violence.

A reverse theory postulates that playing violent computer games can actually release pent up hostility and therefore, if done in reasonable moderation, might actually have a positive effect.

Clearly there is no agreement on this topic and I'm not aware of any evidence one way or the other so I have to consider both theories not much more than speculation.

However I think you can see, if the first theory is correct, why there might be some concern about the playing of violent games.

Runilo · Jan 20, 2005

religion sometimes goes way to far. Why not just stik to what the bible says, and hang on to that?

Silent Bob · Jan 20, 2005

Alencon said:
One theory is that violent computer games can desensitize an individual to violence and therefore make one more likely to engage in verbal or physical violence.

A reverse theory postulates that playing violent computer games can actually release pent up hostility and therefore, if done in reasonable moderation, might actually have a positive effect.

The first theory makes a valid point but only when you consider childern. Desensitivity occurs in mass to adults with movies IMO. The bloody holywood culture that is shown in mass quantities is far more dangerous. Firstly it is realistic. Real human actors, realistic blood and gore. We are far from pixels here.

Secondly a certain problem occurs with movies based on the revenge scenario. A good character with which you can relate to takes his "justified" revenge from an ultra evil person. Three problems occur. You have identified with the main character. You justify his need for taking the law on his/her hands. And through the carthasis of the final confrontation you enjoy a human's death (be it an evil vilain).

When we are talking about pc games and adults I am a supporter of the second theory. Regardless of the fact that the thought of carjacking occured to me the first time I left my house after playing GTA 3 for three days straight. Moderation folks! Hehe look who's talking!

Paul Wilson · Jan 20, 2005

Runilo said:
religion sometimes goes way to far. Why not just stik to what the bible says, and hang on to that?

But nothing from the bible is rhetorical and usually a pun. Or atleast some people precieve it as pun and make more out of one thing that what was intentional.

One theory is that violent computer games can desensitize an individual to violence and therefore make one more likely to engage in verbal or physical violence.

I have not heard much of this before, but it does make some sence. Personally I see it more along the lines of, if you play a violent game, and you watch your character kill someone as a defencive action, then the player will be more enticed to use that same leathal defencive action in real life, other than something that would be used to stun/knock out.

A reverse theory postulates that playing violent computer games can actually release pent up hostility and therefore, if done in reasonable moderation, might actually have a positive effect.

Now this one I do agree in. I play GTA: San Andreas quite often, as a way of entertainment, and it does release some anger. It even helps me sleep after a hard days work at school!

Nothing tires me more than playing SA or reading The hitch hikers guide to the galaxy.

davyuk · Jan 20, 2005

Paul Wilson said:
At the youth fellowship I go to, they do not permit the use of violent games (Think GTA and Manhunt, etc)

These games are violent yes. They say that it only makes the soul dirty, which is a fair enough valid point.

But is it really true? ...

If a person can't separate polygonal representations of reality from actual reality, they need psychological help. Fortunately there are hundreds of millions of people who enjoy videogaming, like myself, and never become a murdering or violent psycopath.

Violence has existed for the duration of mankind. Laying the blame on some aspect of society has always been popular. There are even people who think rock is the music of Satan!! And now videogames are the latest victim to this scapegoating.

The sad fact is that these critics seem to think that everyone apart from them is stupid. They think we're too stupid to separate reality from digital fantasy. They think we're too stupid to know what is right and wrong. Who do they think they are?

However, I do agree that videogames should be subject to the same guidelines for film classification. Thankfully there are, which many 'game haters' seem to forget when asking how our children could be affected by such games as GTA:SA - well they shouldn't even be playing them. Simple as that.

And finally I'd like to say that, in my experience, the most violent of videogames have usually been the poorest in quality.

p.s. Porn is film of actual events. It does NOT compare to videogames.

Anovah · Jan 20, 2005

davyuk said:
If a person can't separate polygonal representations of reality from actual reality, they need psychological help.

Bingo.

That is the exact same mentality that would have you believe books of fiction will make you go mad (Don Quixote anyone?).

Paul Wilson · Jan 20, 2005

davyuk said:
If a person can't separate polygonal representations of reality from actual reality, they need psychological help. Fortunately there are hundreds of millions of people who enjoy videogaming, like myself, and never become a murdering or violent psycopath.

Amen, to that.

Ben Borg Again · Jan 20, 2005

Paul Wilson said:
At the youth fellowship I go to, they do not permit the use of violent games (Think GTA and Manhunt, etc)

These games are violent yes. They say that it only makes the soul dirty, which is a fair enough valid point.

But is it really true? Think of it like this. If you hit someone in your car (in the game) you are not killing a person, you are simply stopping that characters animation loop. What's wrong with that?

IMHO, it is ok to be a Christian and to play a violent game. Just don't emulate the game in real life! Playing a game is something fun, allbeit a violent one, and brings some fun into your life, there's nothing wrong there.

So how can this make the soul dirty?

You're not hurting anyone by removing their heads with a shotgun in Manhunt, so how can this be bad? Unless you emulate it in real life, you're not doing any harm to anyone or making your own soul a diry one.

What's so bad about violent computer games?

Now, if you'll excuse me, i'm going to go install Hitman 2.

Discuss.

As a teen, I tend to think violent videos game are bad. The brain is still developing and what ever input we put into our brain is going to have a lifelong impact. I can think of half a dozen mental hang ups I have that started as a teen, and now my brain is hard wired for life.

As an adult I dont think violent video games are bad. I play the most violent that is on the market, and I really enjoy it. At the same time I am a very peaceful guy whose biggest pet peeve is glorified violence on TV and media. Call me a hypocrit, but I absolutely hate glorified violence in culture. At the same time I love violent video games. At the same time I cannot watch a violent TV show or horror movie without walking away angry at the glorification. Because I know real life violence is not fun, its messy, its stinky, and full of sadness and suffering.

unrealshadow · Jan 20, 2005

To further the analogy, what about digital animation porno?
Although not quite the same thing, but I think you get my drift.

If it involves animals is it still a sin? I sure hope not :-/

DailyBlessings · Jan 20, 2005

Might I remark that many games which are obscenely violent are often also morally deficient in other respects as well? GTA, for instance, involves all sorts of immorality, not just random killings. I certainly wouldn't want my child playing it. Moreover, I can't imagine a good reason why pretending to own a strip joint or murdering John F. Kennedy would appeal to the imagination of a faithful Christian. I mean, that goes past "release"; if you are having unsatisfied urges to beat prostitutes to death, you need psychiatric help, not a video game.

Zoot · Jan 20, 2005

These games are violent yes. They say that it only makes the soul dirty, which is a fair enough valid point.

What's a... "soul"?

Anovah · Jan 20, 2005

DailyBlessings said:
Might I remark that many games which are obscenely violent are often also morally deficient in other respects as well? GTA, for instance, involves all sorts of immorality, not just random killings. I certainly wouldn't want my child playing it. Moreover, I can't imagine a good reason why pretending to own a strip joint or murdering John F. Kennedy would appeal to the imagination of a faithful Christian. I mean, that goes past "release"; if you are having unsatisfied urges to beat prostitutes to death, you need psychiatric help, not a video game.

Ever laugh when the Acme anvil hits Wyle E Coyote in the head? Are those that do, in need of psychiatric help?

Zoot · Jan 20, 2005

Ever laugh when the Acme anvil hits Wyle E Coyote in the head? Are those that do, in need of psychiatric help?

Ever played a rape-simulation computer game?

Anovah · Jan 20, 2005

Zoot said:
Ever laugh when the Acme anvil hits Wyle E Coyote in the head? Are those that do, in need of psychiatric help?

Ever played a rape-simulation computer game?

Why is it always rape and/or bestiality? Sorry, but your shock tactic doesn't work here.

Can you give me an example of such a game? Why or why not? Would playing such a game make you a rapist?

By the way...you never responded to Wyle E and the anvil.

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