World of Warcraft. evil?

[Masaweng]

First of all the original question posted is an important one for all Christians who are wondering about playing Warcraft or more generally fantasy roll playing games at all.

Considering where this conversation has been going, i decided to give another some more thought to the ongoing conversation.

I am at least in part a Warcraft fan. And I have tested WOW to see what it was like, and found I liked it, can afford it without problem would love to play it. But, I chose not to. This does not have to do anything with my parent or such, it is between me and God and I feel it should share my point of view of the whole matter. This may also give some thought to the whole discussion so it can be expanded a bit.

How i see the game, is that it is not in itself a sin, nor is necesarily the in -game-magic that consists of programed color and lighting effects, and of "physical" effects on other in game characters, (pretty much as in shooting an arrow at another game character will get the character hurt.) the and such, in fact its pretty cool, well thought out and makes the game all the more fun to play. So the game itself isn't evil nor can the digitalized magic be said to be evil, this is also true of any other of the in game features (although there may or may not be accepptions to what i just said, that others also have pointed out before me, although i can not say what these would be as i have not come across them while playing )

Why I personally do not play the game comes from two reasons. one has to do with the magic aspect of the game. As i said before I do not believe that the magic as it is in the game is magic at all, it is digitalized effects made to be a part of the game experience. The other has to do with the different deities that are spoken of as worshiped in the game (ex: Tauren and their goddess - the Earth Mother; shamanistic society of the Orcs). I am very well aware of that not all Christians will have any thoughts about these things being wrong, I personally don't a problem with playing a character that "worships" another deity in the spoken of made up digital world..

For me the whole thing comes into light after asking God weather i should allow myself to play the game or not. The answers that i have gotten is sort of long but still pretty much straight forward and some of them are just a no and i have not asked for a furthur explenation of why as i belive that a.yes from God is a yes and a No from God is a no and should be accepted as such, and I do not necessarily always have to know exacly why. Yes I am allowd to play the game - that is not a problem, As long as i do not use the in game magic, or do quest that requier magic in some form, or quests that have to do with the worship of another diety then God. So yes I am Can to play the game but i wouldent be able (because of what God has asked of me) to use all the features of the game. in short I only have two classes accasible to me, the rouge and the warrior and can not do all of the in game quests as some of them requier magic or invole the worship of another diety in some way or another, which sort of takes away the fun of the game and not feeling that i can bring myself to use all the features of the game with a clean concience i therefore have decided to not play the game at all or any other game that involve magic worship of other dieties. On a side note I do though find that I with out problem can play games like Anarchy Online freely without having to set strickt boundaries, in this case because the "magic-like" system is not even in theory described as magic but rather is a effect of nanotechnology (in this case micro-robots and the programs which control them.), and the game does not mention the worship of any deity at all.

Mind you I am fully aware that it is still only a game and in actual fact only has to do with digital effects. an interactive story. and when all comes around this for now Only has to do with Games (games at all), but not with other fantasy media that describe the worship of other deities and magic as a part of their story, such as books and movies.

The main point of all this though that you should ask God what he wants you to do, and i he says its fine then go ahead and if he says no then don't. I know that everyone won't get the same answer, remember, God works in his own ways, and that we can not understand them. So therefore you can comfortably conclude that while he allows some to play all kinds of games, others he will ask not to play some games, and yet others he will ask not to play any games at all simply because he has a specific will for each and every single one of us, and he doesn't always explain exactly why, and at those times we just have to accept his answer just as it is.

Ok, that was a long one but i do hope it was understandable.

DEC

 

[Dannager]

A bunch of things...

So...God speaks to you?

 

[PanDeist]

Or through....

 

[SteelDisciple]

I think alot of this argument comes down to lack of understanding due to two totally different points of views.

Often times people I talk to who are against violent games seem to have this belief that believe who DO play them want to fullfill some violent tendancy. That they want to do it to "hurt" or "murder" others. This is the most common belief I've encountered among that type of individual.

When in reality...it has nothing to do with that. When a person plays Battlefield 2142 or Halo...the last thing going through their head is "murder". It's competition...it's about winning...it's about helping your team achieve a goal. In essense, it's really just a sport like any other in terms of the mentality.

 

[Dannager]

Or through....

Perhaps equally as disturbing.

 

[RichardE]

Very much so.

 

[JC4LIFE316]

Ok, now if u look at Blizzard Entertainment, and all the games they made, u can tell that the maker use magic, demons, and lots of spiritual stuff in their games. Every Christian knows there is a spiritual world, and what if Blizzard Entertainment are devil worshipers or something in that nature and are trying to use witchcraft in their games. Plus look how successful they are with W.O.W. 8million users paying $15 a month, every month to play the game. Now there are successful people like actors, singers, bends and etc. that gave their soul to devil to get rich and famous. 60% of WOW players are addicted to the game, I mean addicted. Wouldn't u start thinking that there is more then oh its just a game, its all digital. devil uses everything he can against us humans to get us trapped. So thats my thought, let me know what u all think!

 

[Dannager]

Ok, now if u look at Blizzard Entertainment, and all the games they made, u can tell that the maker use magic, demons, and lots of spiritual stuff in their games.

Sure. Demons and magic make for fun games.

Every Christian knows there is a spiritual world, and what if Blizzard Entertainment are devil worshipers or something in that nature and are trying to use witchcraft in their games.

They're not. Blizzard's studios are located on my campus, and I know many of their employees. It's a developer house just like any other. This is, quite frankly, a ridiculous claim to be making.

Plus look how successful they are with W.O.W. 8million users paying $15 a month, every month to play the game.

Yep, they are rolling in the dough.

Now there are successful people like actors, singers, bends and etc. that gave their soul to devil to get rich and famous.

Could you please provide us with some evidence of celebrities trading their souls for fame and riches?

60% of WOW players are addicted to the game, I mean addicted.

75% of statistics are made up on the spot, including this one. Unless you provide a statistical study citing an addiction rate of 60%, you shouldn't be making up figures like this. It's not honest.

Wouldn't u start thinking that there is more then oh its just a game, its all digital.

No.

devil uses everything he can against us humans to get us trapped. So thats my thought, let me know what u all think!

Given the lack of people becoming satanic devil-worshipers by playing WoW, I'd say he's not doing a very good job, then.

It's a game. It's not real.

 

[Cubemario]

lol, there is nothing wrong with WoW. I've played it off and on for a long time. I only read the first page, but i'm sure the rest is just repeats.

The first page pretty much gives tons of facts of why it's not evil. God has not told me it was evil, he hasn't given my any signals to stop playing it or anything. The only signals he's been giving me is to play less, which i've been doing.

In fact, world of warcraft has been a great inspiration to me in a part of what God's plan is for me. I'd go into more detail, but i'm keeping details hush hush at the moment.

 

[JC4LIFE316]

Sure. Demons and magic make for fun games.
They're not. Blizzard's studios are located on my campus, and I know many of their employees. It's a developer house just like any other. This is, quite frankly, a ridiculous claim to be making.
Yep, they are rolling in the dough.
Could you please provide us with some evidence of celebrities trading their souls for fame and riches?
75% of statistics are made up on the spot, including this one. Unless you provide a statistical study citing an addiction rate of 60%, you shouldn't be making up figures like this. It's not honest.
No.
Given the lack of people becoming satanic devil-worshipers by playing WoW, I'd say he's not doing a very good job, then.

It's a game. It's not real.

Feel Sorry for u bro, but u ain't thinking healthy.
1. No everything that has to do with magic and demons in any shape or form, a true Christian should stay away from. (that actually rhymes

2. It is not ridiculous clam. Of course they are located somewhere, its not like they are in outer space. Seriously everyone knows which games are made by Blizzard, and pretty much most of them or maybe even all of them have contents in the game that has to do with magic, demons, and evil spirits. Now as a Christian u and I know that there is Devil and God and that means there are two powers. Well the contents in Blizzards games are strongly show who they represent. U have to look at their fruits, in other words what they make, not how they look and what they say. Yes they can be next to u and u might know some of their workers, but that doesn’t matter. I can go on but don’t feel like I need to right now.
3. NO, I didn’t make this numbers up, here is link to clear up your head and also just by seeing what happed to some of my friends and people I know that played and play WOW I can easily say 60% is nothing special. Here is a link: youtube. com/watch?v=K8hfK3RQs2g
4. If you didn’t know, you don’t have to become satanic devil-worshiper to be unsaved and go to hell. You know that God has to be in the first place in your hart, and if he is not there, there is no buts, so first of all, all these people that are addicted to the game, Christian or not, where are they going. Second of all devil is using everything he can to make sure, that you’re his property, so please don’t say magic and demons in games is for fun, there is more to it then that. You can’t just say oh it’s just a game. Again there is more to it than that. Always understates that there is a spiritual world and this thing can affect us. Its like saying what’s wrong with pornography on the computer it’s all digital, ….sounds stupid right. When it comes to magic, demons and etc. in any kind of form, (movies, books, games) a true Christian should be careful at all times. You don’t want to feast from Satan’s table.

 

[Dannager]

Feel Sorry for u bro, but u ain't thinking healthy.
1. No everything that has to do with magic and demons in any shape or form, a true Christian should stay away from. (that actually rhymes

Haha, a "true" Christian? There's no reason for anyone to stay away from WoW just because it contains magic and demons. They're not going to coerce you into practicing the occult yourself, unless your grip on the difference between fantasy and reality is non-existent.

And, speaking from a psychological perspective, my thinking is very healthy, thank you.

2. It is not ridiculous clam.

Yeah, it is a ridiculous claim.

Of course they are located somewhere, its not like they are in outer space.

Of course, but my point is that they are located next door to me.

Seriously everyone knows which games are made by Blizzard, and pretty much most of them or maybe even all of them have contents in the game that has to do with magic, demons, and evil spirits.

Yep. Blizzard has a record of making great games.

Now as a Christian u and I know that there is Devil and God and that means there are two powers.

Sure.

Well the contents in Blizzards games are strongly show who they represent.

Yep, I agree. It shows they represent gamers, their publisher, and their employees. By making popular games like they do, they benefit all three.

U have to look at their fruits, in other words what they make, not how they look and what they say.

Their fruits are fantastic video games. If I just looked at those, I'd think they were an amazing development house.

Yes they can be next to u and u might know some of their workers, but that doesn’t matter.

And why is that?

I can go on but don’t feel like I need to right now.

I think you do.

3. NO, I didn’t make this numbers up, here is link to clear up your head and also just by seeing what happed to some of my friends and people I know that played and play WOW I can easily say 60% is nothing special. Here is a link: youtube. com/watch?v=K8hfK3RQs2g

Again, do you have a source for your 60% figure, or did you just make it up off the top of your head?

4. If you didn’t know, you don’t have to become satanic devil-worshiper to be unsaved and go to hell.

Sure, all you have to do is avoid accepting Christ for your entire life.

You know that God has to be in the first place in your hart, and if he is not there, there is no buts, so first of all, all these people that are addicted to the game, Christian or not, where are they going.

It depends. If they have accepted Christ into their lives, they'll be going to heaven. If not, they'll be going to hell.

Do you honestly think that God sends all addicts to hell? I want you to write that question down and take it to your pastor, priest or what have you, and ask that question of him. Listen to his answer. I imagine it will have something to do with obstacles to overcome.

Second of all devil is using everything he can to make sure, that you’re his property, so please don’t say magic and demons in games is for fun, there is more to it then that.

No, there isn't. Magic and demons in games are there for fun.

You can’t just say oh it’s just a game.

Yeah, you can.

Again there is more to it than that.

No, there isn't.

Always understates that there is a spiritual world and this thing can affect us.

Perhaps, but that spiritual world is taking stabs at us through video games.

Its like saying what’s wrong with pornography on the computer it’s all digital, ….sounds stupid right.

Pornography and magic cannot be linked in this fashion. Pornography involves lusting after women (or men), and is currently the subject of debate with Christians. The argument would go that to lust after a woman all you have to do is look at them, something pornography facilitates. Magic, on the other hand, cannot be practiced through a video game. What you see in a video game isn't real magic (if real magic exists). It's fake, digital magic that involves pretty colors, some made-up words and waving your hands around. This is the same sort of argument people tried to use against games like Dungeons & Dragons back in the day, and they failed miserably. D&D is now a huge-grossing product with millions of players. You haven't got an argument.

When it comes to magic, demons and etc. in any kind of form, (movies, books, games) a true Christian should be careful at all times. You don’t want to feast from Satan’s table.

There's that "true" Christian statement again, a replica of the No True Scotsman Fallacy. Don't worry about us. We're not feasting from Satan's table. We're not even scrabbling at the scraps he throws off it. Stop trying to demonize video games for the sake of your own righteousness.

 

[RichardE]

Yea my point would be everything on a computer is digital so technically according to your arguement christians forums is in some way linked to the all mighty Dj Lucifer, who hacks Hi Fi's with satanic music and employs blizzard for his empire of satanic minons to destroy the world and you know what its just easier to say your arguements stupid without facts, figures and well anything that I would call sceintific, satans magic is in WOW, boom! I cant argue with that scientific evidence! Wow please tell me you come to this... you know what

If a game influences you, music, video or well anything that pathetic, you are the dark lord and really have a mental problem, proving you cant function in society without being led into something just because you see pixilated charecters, its sad really is.

Oh and no wonder some people dont accept christ when apprently as true christians we cant handle imaginary things let alone real world problems, gesh worry about gun crime, the state the war world is in or hey the upcoming votes instead of a game, which i repeat, is simply 1's and 0's, like my words I type and the screen you see, just 1's and 0's, then again if you stick the i under the 0, curve it and turn it upside down and add two more you get 666 so i suppose we are all screwed.

 

[JC4LIFE316]

It depends. If they have accepted Christ into their lives, they'll be going to heaven. If not, they'll be going to hell.

Ok if this was the case, then we would only need like one chapter in the New Testament. There is more then just accept Christ. Have you read the New Testament at lease once??? Because Jesus and apostles clearly show the path and how to get to haven and its not by just accepting the Christ, but then I realize that I am talking to a Catholic, and I am Pentecostal, so our views on Christianity have some big differences. But if anyone else is interested to hear more on this subject let me know and I’ll give you some pointers.

Yea my point would be everything on a computer is digital so technically according to your arguement christians forums is in some way linked to the all mighty Dj Lucifer

Dear Richard, I never said that anything that is digital is evil and liked to Lucifer. What I said is that when contents like again magic, demons, evil spirits, and satanic powers are used, they are bad news for Christians and it doesn’t matter what form they are in (movies, games, books, etc.). Now if you read the Bible, you will know that we can’t hide our thoughts from God. Jesus said that if you look at the woman with lust you are already sinning. Now if you hate someone but you don’t show it. Are u sinning. YES. Now content like magic, demons, evil spirits, and satanic powers belong to who??? Devil and do u really think that if it is fantasy than its ok. Well u you fantasize about a woman is not then, that is also not ok ether. Jesus wants us to study the scriptures, to be holy like him. The problem with Christianity now a days, is everyone is trying to pick out the parts form the Bible, and just use what they think is right or what they like, but you have to look through every verse, because that what God wants. By the way you don't have to tell me how computers work, I have build about at least 7-10 pc in the last 3 years. The one that I am using right now is water cooled, pretty cool huh!

 

[RichardE]

Lusting after a woman is real.

Hating in the mind or physically is real.

Magic on a pc game is not real.

 

[Cubemario]

This topic is so silly to begin with. Here is the only fact that matters. World of warcraft IS NOT REAL and doesn't have hardly any sexual content in it, and the little it does, it is easily avoided.

The fact is world of warcraft is a game for entertainment, fun. It's not real folks. This game doesn't even take itself seriously not at all, neither does it teach any evil. I'll take it that people who think world of warcraft is evil think that children movies with pixie dust and faeries is evil too.

I think the only people who persecute a game like world of warcraft and call it 'evil' are the people who don't even know what it is, and haven't played it enough to understand the game.

World of warcrafts idea of 'casting spells' is just a click of a button with players moving around funny when casting these 'spells' and ends with a fancy looking effect that makes some numbers pop up on a screen. I think that's far from evil. It's not like harry potter movies where they go around chanting and crap.

My dad thought the game series resident evil was evil and bad. Then I showed him how lame the game was, and how silly and completely far out the game really was. I mean secret experiments that go wrong, and crazy zombies and creatures that make funny sounds and sometimes pop out and surprise you isn't evil, it's just very fun and harmless (at least for older audiences, it would probably frighten younger audiences, but that's why it's rated M for mature).

 

[Dannager]

Ok if this was the case, then we would only need like one chapter in the New Testament. There is more then just accept Christ. Have you read the New Testament at lease once???

Oh, for goodness' sakes. The requirements for admittance into heaven are a clean soul and the acceptance of Christ. The majority of the Bible is instruction on how to be a good Christian, beyond just being saved.

Because Jesus and apostles clearly show the path and how to get to haven and its not by just accepting the Christ, but then I realize that I am talking to a Catholic, and I am Pentecostal, so our views on Christianity have some big differences. But if anyone else is interested to hear more on this subject let me know and I’ll give you some pointers.

I needn't pointers from you, I'm well-versed in my own church's catechism.

Dear Richard, I never said that anything that is digital is evil and liked to Lucifer. What I said is that when contents like again magic, demons, evil spirits, and satanic powers are used, they are bad news for Christians and it doesn’t matter what form they are in (movies, games, books, etc.). Now if you read the Bible, you will know that we can’t hide our thoughts from God. Jesus said that if you look at the woman with lust you are already sinning. Now if you hate someone but you don’t show it. Are u sinning. YES. Now content like magic, demons, evil spirits, and satanic powers belong to who??? Devil and do u really think that if it is fantasy than its ok. Well u you fantasize about a woman is not then, that is also not ok ether. Jesus wants us to study the scriptures, to be holy like him. The problem with Christianity now a days, is everyone is trying to pick out the parts form the Bible, and just use what they think is right or what they like, but you have to look through every verse, because that what God wants. By the way you don't have to tell me how computers work, I have build about at least 7-10 pc in the last 3 years. The one that I am using right now is water cooled, pretty cool huh!

I would suggest that the problem with Christianity nowadays is that religious fundamentalists are taking the Bible far too strictly and literally in places where it was not intended as such.

If your argument is to be believed, since performing magic in a game is like performing magic in real life (carrying the weight of the sin associated with it), then giving money to a homeless cripple in a video game should be just like giving money to a homeless cripple in real life, and should carry the rewards of charity with it.

Do you see how your argument is more than slightly ludicrous?

 

[JC4LIFE316]

Lusting after a woman is real.

Hating in the mind or physically is real.

Magic on a pc game is not real.

So tell me is lusting after a woman on a pc game, it that not real ether.
I am sure you use your mind when u play games. You choose if you want to be a Warlock or a Paladin, which spell you want to cast out, and what you want to chat about.

 

[Dannager]

So tell me is lusting after a woman on a pc game, it that not real ether.

I don't think you understand the sin very well.

The sin of lust involves longing physically for a woman you should not have.

The sin of magic involves practicing magic.

You can lust after a woman you see on a computer.

You cannot perform magic on a computer.

Are you following this?

I am sure you use your mind when u play games. You choose if you want to be a Warlock or a Paladin, which spell you want to cast out, and what you want to chat about.

More precisely, you choose which button you want to click on so that your digital character will manipulate the game world in a manner that is referred to in the game as magical.

 

[Cubemario]

Just as clarification, the question of if someone goes to hell or not depends on a lot of things, but this one statement covers it all.

Your upbringing and what you've done with your life.

Yes, you can accept christ and what not, which is a fantastic step and the biggest one, but it doesn't end there. A lot of people can accept christ into their life, but do nothing with it their whole lives and keep on sinning. People like that, would go to hell. It's a pretty simple system if you ask me.

 

[JC4LIFE316]

If your argument is to be believed, since performing magic in a game is like performing magic in real life (carrying the weight of the sin associated with it), then giving money to a homeless cripple in a video game should be just like giving money to a homeless cripple in real life, and should carry the rewards of charity with it.

Do you see how your argument is more than slightly ludicrous?

I never said that magic in games is like performing magic in real life, please don't put your words in to my mouth. What I was saying all this time is that a Christian should avoid anything that has to do with magic, demons, satanic powers, even if its is something like books, games, movies and etc. End of Story!