Witchcraft and Games

It isn't a big deal...It's not real, so as long as you can grasp that, then there should be nothing bad with it.

Lithium Hobo said:

but honestly, only really really REALLY young children are influenced by that. And those kids should have better parents if they're playing those games.

Click to expand...

I agree with you parents statement, it is up to the parents to help their kids grow up into decent adults. However your statement about only really young children being influenced is quite naive. I mean you are continually influenced by everything around you. It is true that younger children are influenced more and it becomes less and less as you get older. But you never stop being influenced. And if you spend your time enough with something you will be influenced greatly by it.

I watched a lot of cartoons as a kid, and the reason they're funny is that they're not plausible. I never dropped anvils on cats, either.

no but that walking on air doesnt work I've discovered.

The following is my humble opinion based on Scripture.

In the first Corinthian epistle, Paul addressed the question of whether eating meat that was served unto idols (after the sacrifice, the meat was sold in a market at a discount) was a sin. This was his response:

1 Cor. Ch. 8 KJV

4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.
5 For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,)
6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

Click to expand...

Paul states that since we, the church, know that people serve false gods everywhere, but our God is sovereign and there are no other true gods but He. Therefore, since these gods are simply objects worth nothing more than stone they were carved from, knowledge tells us that there is nothing morally wrong in itself with the act of eating that meat; the meat is no different than any other meat. However, if we read on...

7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.

8 But meat commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better; neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 
9 But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak. 
10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol’s temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 
11 And through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ died?
12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
13 Wherefore, if meat make my brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I make my brother to offend.
​

Click to expand...

The sin is committed not when one eats the meat, but when a fledgling Christian, seeing us eating this meat that was offered unto an idol, determines in his heart that there is no sin against God committed when one involves himself with the wicked acts of idol-worship. We made our knowledge a stumblingblock to the Christian who was not as spiritually-mature as we are. This is indeed a sin. The key verse for this passage sums up the idea:

1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth.

Click to expand...

Our knowledge tells us there is nothing wrong with this act, but when we add Christ's love to the equation, we begin to realize that our actions may send a wrong signal to those "newborn" Christians who are watching us. We should live our lives basing every decision on whether someone watching us would be brought closer or pulled farther away to Christ in his walk.



My point?



Though some of us, in our own knowledge, may see nothing wrong with the use of magic and sorcery in video games, if we add love to the equation, what does it show to you? Can you honestly say that someone watching you and looking up to you as a Christian role-model would never base their feelings on whether the acts of witchcraft and wizardry are sinful on seeing you cast a magic spell in some RPG? You can't say for sure. You may not even realize who is watching you and basing their decisions on yours.

You may say, "Who could blame me for the actions of another Christian"? God would. We should base every decision we make on whether someone watching us potentially could grow spiritually or not. If not, don't do it. It's that simple.

Crashfreak said:

I agree with you parents statement, it is up to the parents to help their kids grow up into decent adults. However your statement about only really young children being influenced is quite naive. I mean you are continually influenced by everything around you. It is true that younger children are influenced more and it becomes less and less as you get older. But you never stop being influenced. And if you spend your time enough with something you will be influenced greatly by it.

Click to expand...

Ah, I see what you're saying and can understand why you misunderstood me. When I say 'influenced', I mean they are influenced to a state where they try to emulate it exactly.

Everyone is always influenced, yes, but as we get older, we become more reasonable with what we do based on what we see.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Alexander Nissi said:

The bible doesn't condemn witchcraft? What about Leviticus 20:6 that says "I will set my face against the person whoturns to witchcraft or sorcery and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them."



I couldn't agree more with this statement~Alec

Click to expand...

Actually, another translation says a bit different on the interpretation of that verse: NLT Lev 20:6

6 "If any among the people are unfaithful by consulting and following mediums or psychics, I will turn against them and cut them off from the community

Click to expand...

I dont think anyone here who is playing games is consulting mediums or psychics or looking for anyone else to being their lord other than Jesus. They may get their entertainment from "Pixilated versions of nothingness' (copyright, 2000, Bethshaya) but not their wisdom from it.

I choose to play with other Christians online through a Christian Gaming Guild called Tribe of Judah. There are lots of Christian gaming guilds. Many of which choose to spread the Good News to those who may not hear it. It has been effective in the past. I have seen it work very well in games that have a christian overtone such as Dark age of Camelot where King Arthurs court and the holy grail are parts of the story. It is easier to preach the good news while "roleplaying" a christian character. The reactions of other players differs from anger to questions to even coming to Christ. Its amazing how God works and he will meet you where you are at.

PS, both myself and my fiancee play WoW and other games, when we get a little to caught up in the game and dont "win" something we were playing hard to get, we chalk it up to losing "pixilated versions of nothingness". You cant lose what isnt really there.

Hey another Tribe of Judah member. Even though th ToJ guild on Ragnarok has only one member I still am proud to be that one.

In RPG's I find nothing wrong with that stuff as long as you dont actually try to practice it! Ya know! Witchcraft and wizzerdry in are TOTALLY wrong, but in RPG's most of the time its fantasy, its not real. That stuff really hasn't affected me, once the game turns off its gone, and I go live my life. Just like people say anime is bad, but it isnt. I'll admitt i have played Diablo II and The Elder Scrolls III : Marrowind both of these are fantasy and have magic in them, but theres nothing wrong with that, its just the stuff in the real world that is wrong!

I have no idea which games Jesus would like.

If Jesus were standing behind me? He'd say "You're low on energy, go back for that mushroom."

CWLite said:

I don't know man, Jesus telling you to eat shrooms?

Click to expand...

Presumably, with Him right there, any visions I had would be appropriate.

CWLite said:

Can you see Jesus relax (He did have relaxing times) behind a computer and play Diablo 2, RE 4, or Doom 3? Or if Jesus was standing right behind you while you were playing, what would He say?

Just a question.

Click to expand...

"Wait! Don't kill the Cow King!"

Edit

CWLite said:

Can you see Jesus relax (He did have relaxing times) behind a computer and play Diablo 2, RE 4, or Doom 3? Or if Jesus was standing right behind you while you were playing, what would He say?

Just a question.

Click to expand...

"Watch out! That nooblet has a rocket launcher!"