Violent computer games

[Zoot]

Can you give me an example of such a game?

I did a quick search, but I'd prefer not to be going to those sites from a work computer. They're there, though. Search for "sex simulation" "game" "rape", etc.


Would playing such a game make you a rapist?

Nope. Would playing such a game mean you need psychiatric help?


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

No, I didn't laugh. Not because it was violent, but because it wasn't particularly funny.

 

[theywhosowintears]

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.

Violent computer games are not appropriate for children...that is why they have ratings.

 

[Antoninus Verus]

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

I doubt there are any relavent quotes to this subject

 

[Anovah]

Can you give me an example of such a game?

I did a quick search, but I'd prefer not to be going to those sites from a work computer. They're there, though. Search for "sex simulation" "game" "rape", etc.

That's okay. Let's just assume for a moment that Capcom has just released Rape2005 which is a game all about how great rape is. By your own admission this would not make someone a rapist, so I'm afraid I don't see your point.

Would playing such a game make you a rapist?

Nope. Would playing such a game mean you need psychiatric help?

No. Why would you? The post that you replied to was in response to someone else's comment about needing psychiatric help if playing so called "violent video games" appeals to your imagination, which I don't understand. You're reply seems to agree with that. Why?

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

No, I didn't laugh. Not because it was violent, but because it wasn't particularly funny.

I think you see my point as you still dodged my question by only answering half of it. What about those that do laugh?

 

[Charles Darwin]

Violence is alright in computer games as long as the person playing is able to keep in mind and realize that it is ONLY A GAME and should not be emulated in real life. as far as pyschiatric help, its somewhat ironic that games involving violence and less than model citizen type actions have sometimes been used to help people who have violent tendencies. its kind of like when a mother tells her child to punch a pillow instead of their sibling when they are mad at them. I know i pop in the DOOM III cd when im mad at a certain situation/person and blow up some zombies/hell knights/revenants rather than doing anything in reality.

as a side thought, maybe christians who like video games should be encouraged towards doom III as it is all about beating minions from hell (alternate dimension) that are invading a Mars colony, and then preparing to attack earth just a thought...

 

[Zoot]

No. Why would you? The post that you replied to was in response to someone else's comment about needing psychiatric help if playing so called "violent video games" appeals to your imagination, which I don't understand. You're reply seems to agree with that. Why?

I was just wondering if you thought that someone who enjoyed playing a computer game that simulated the forcing and screams and violence of rape could be considered in need of psychiatric help. If you thought that they did, I would suggest that you reconsider your argument that as long as the deed isn't being committed, there's nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Kripost]

I can also argue that classic board games are evil too. For example, in Go, each player is supposed to capture as much territory as possible, at the expense of the opponent, and thus it promotes greed (I know, it is a stretch).

 

[Maethor]

It's better for people to be living their sick fantasies out in GTA than on the streets.

 

[henrylee100]

In GTA, at least in Vice City, try killing someone and then stay and watch what happens, an ambulance will appear , paramedics will pop out of it and reanimate/resurrect the person you just wasted. In fact the exact same thing happens to your character when you get wasted, you then get resurrected at the nearest hospital.
What is really bad for the soul is those frustrating missions that take lots of attempts to complete, in Vice City by far the worst one is racing against Hillary, short fused people may really find themselves flinging things around their real world room after a few futile attempts , now that's dangerous, one of those scenarios where a video game sort of gets to you on the emotional level and thru there manages to spill over into the real world.
once again in video games a lot depends on your perception. In fact I wouldn't brand GTA or Hitman violent games, GTA Vice City is basically a modern version of monopoly, you aquire assets, activate them so they will generate income for you, it's not really violence, it's pure business, nothing personal. Now Postal II that one's a violent game, in it you get to play for a total psychopath. But even that can be amusing at times, can sort of help you fume the anger that you can't let out in the real world and that would otherwise burn you from within.
Whether it's ok to play those game if you're a christian, everyone should probably decide for themselves. if you're in a group that requires that its memebers not play video games then you'd better quit playing them if you want to stay on that group and be honest with them and yourself or leave the group and continue playing. Sometimes you can't have everything.

 

[Bevlina]

A Christian playing violent games? That is highly hypocritical. Jesus came to us and spoke of Love, He gave us the Commandment to Love one another. For a christian to even think of playing such games is totally wrong. Some of those games are there to promote violence in the mind. They are evil PLUS!

 

[Paul Wilson]

A Christian playing violent games? That is highly hypocritical. Jesus came to us and spoke of Love, He gave us the Commandment to Love one another. For a christian to even think of playing such games is totally wrong. Some of those games are there to promote violence in the mind. They are evil PLUS!

Yes, Jesus did come to save our souls, to free us of our sins, and to show us the love of God.

Jesus has successfully done this to the fullest.

The question I arise in my mind right now is.

Jesus done all that he done for us and our souls. By playing these games are we making our souls dirty? But surely a dirty soul is that of a lustfull, glutony filled one. How can a simple computer animation controlled by our thumbs be detremental to our souls?

 

[Bevlina]

By playing these games are we making our souls dirty? But surely a dirty soul is that of a lustfull, glutony filled one. How can a simple computer animation controlled by our thumbs be detremental to our souls?

Easily, it fills your mind with nonsense when you are supposed to be seeking a spiritual life and to be closer to God. You would never know what is masqued behind some of that music which is the background for many of those games which can be absorbed by the brain. Far better to play Snakes and Ladders ot Chess. Better still - do a jigsaw puzzle.

 

[flicka]

Easily, it fills your mind with nonsense when you are supposed to be seeking a spiritual life and to be closer to God. You would never know what is masqued behind some of that music which is the background for many of those games which can be absorbed by the brain. Far better to play Snakes and Ladders ot Chess. Better still - do a jigsaw puzzle.

Everyone does things because its fun and enjoyable even if it isn't bringing you any closer to God. Those things are not making your soul dirty which, BTW, is impossible and just another example of 'Christian-speak' that doesn't really mean anything but obviously scares the bejezus out of alot of gullible people.

Nobody has their mind on God 24/7...if they did it would only prove they were brainwashing themselves. Diversions are a nice escape, whether it's a jigsaw puzzle or a rousing game of Halo2.

 

[Lokisdottir]

Okay, this might be a bad example, because I'm going to mention D&D, which some Christians think is the game of the devil or some such nonsense.

See, in D&D, you create a character. You give attributes to this character, creating a unique personality and history for him or her. If done properly, you end up not with a flat, one-dimensional thing, but a well-rounded individual. The best part is, this character need not resemble its player in any way.

If in real life you are a mousy, soft-spoken, female bank accountant, you could play D&D as a six-foot-five male barbarian with a penchant for drinking booze and killing monsters. By adopting this persona, does this mean you have an underlying desire to get a sex change, grow a foot taller, get a great big axe and go kill things? Of course not. Sometimes the fun is in taking on the role of a character who acts completely different than you, who does things you'd never dream of doing in real life.

So, no: playing a game in which the main character steals cars and kills prostitutes does not necessarily reflect a desire to go out into the real world and do the same thing. To step into the shoes of somebody who does those things is a base thrill, to be sure, but it's not necessarily unhealthy, wrong, or evil.

Anyone who is influenced by these games to commit crimes almost certainly had criminal tendencies to begin with, and if Grand Theft Auto doesn't bring them to the surface, something else will. The problem in this case is not with the game, but with the person playing it. Seek psychiatric help for such a person, but don't chastise those of us who do know how to separate reality from fiction.

 

[morningstar2651]

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.

I'm a game developer.

Playing games rots your soul? I've heard the "rots your brain" argument, but this is a new one to me. My brain is quite healthy.

The people stupid enough to commit a crime because they see it in a videogame don't belong in society.