For Christians

Why would I?UpInFlames

My sentiments exactly.

As a Christian, it can be a tough call on what games I should be playing. I am still working on it, but here are my thoughts on it based on an Email I wrote to someone who had the same question: While the Bible may not specifically have anything to say about videogames, it does have something to say about how we are supposed to live our lives for God. Phil. 4:8 says it clear enough: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, whatever things have virtue, whatever is praiseworthy, dwell on these things. People misuse this verse to flame all media, especially videogames, claiming that they are just violence simulators that destroy our brains. But this is not what I see in this passage, here is my take: This verse is pretty much asking: Is this something really worth pursuing? Is it well done? Is it true? God is not against videogames. Contrary to what people may think, God wants us to enjoy the life He has given us. The main thing is just knowing how to discern which games are worth playing. For me, reading about games through sites like gamespot and others gives me a good idea on which games are worth my time. If it is just a game that is violent for the sake of being violent, no thanks. If it is a game that treats women like objects waiting to be used, nope. So games like the Grand Theft Auto series(and its many copycats) are not my type of games.

Just to legitimize myself, I am not a Nintendo fanboy who only plays the kiddy titles. While I still enjoy some of the classic Nintendo titles, I do own a 360 and enjoy playing games on it as well. Check out my profile if you want.

Take this as you will, I am still trying to figure these things out. Any responses or questions would be appreciated.

The only game I've ever stayed away from is GTA. It's not really about my faith, either, because I see games in the same light as movies and books... they are fiction entertainment and shouldn't be the sources of your morality.

But GTA, I just found uncalled for. My first encounter with it was a buddy of mine demonstrating how he could rent a hooker, park in an alley to do their thing, and then he beat her to death with a baseball bat afterwords to get his money back... all the while laughing like it was the funniest thing he'd ever seen. I found it distasteful and disturbing... Turned me off to the entire series.

As a Christian, it can be a tough call on what games I should be playing. I am still working on it, but here are my thoughts on it based on an Email I wrote to someone who had the same question: While the Bible may not specifically have anything to say about videogames, it does have something to say about how we are supposed to live our lives for God. Phil. 4:8 says it clear enough: Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, whatever things have virtue, whatever is praiseworthy, dwell on these things. People misuse this verse to flame all media, especially videogames, claiming that they are just violence simulators that destroy our brains. But this is not what I see in this passage, here is my take: This verse is pretty much asking: Is this something really worth pursuing? Is it well done? Is it true? God is not against videogames. Contrary to what people may think, God wants us to enjoy the life He has given us. The main thing is just knowing how to discern which games are worth playing. For me, reading about games through sites like gamespot and others gives me a good idea on which games are worth my time. If it is just a game that is violent for the sake of being violent, no thanks. If it is a game that treats women like objects waiting to be used, nope. So games like the Grand Theft Auto series(and its many copycats) are not my type of games.

Just to legitimize myself, I am not a Nintendo fanboy who only plays the kiddy titles. While I still enjoy some of the classic Nintendo titles, I do own a 360 and enjoy playing games on it as well. Check out my profile if you want.

Take this as you will, I am still trying to figure these things out. Any responses or questions would be appreciated.

Well, as a (lazy) Roman Catholic, my faith only says I need be present at church once a week, which is anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half. However you practice your spirituality outside of that is of your own accord.

Even if I were more devout, I know I'd have time to play games should I wish.

That and I have no moral disagreement with many games I play. Some games preach tolerance and compassion for others and about the value of life and friendship (I'm talking about things like Mass Effect, Persona 3 and 4, and Metal Gear Solid). While clearly violence is involved, but the overall goal of these titles is to preserve life and that of your friends and fellow man. Christians would take the holy land back by force, so engaging in a fictitious game that has good morals in the end would not be contrary to living a good life. Who is to say what one does is exactly as God specifies.

This gets down to the core of what religion is, and I don't want to go there, but personally I have no reservations about my video game playing when it comes to religion.

I completely disagree with the quote by Philmargera. In every major religion, there are going to be bad apples, especially when there are over 1 BILLION followers of said religion. You cannot let a few bugs ruin the entire harvest and you should not be so quick to condemn all Christians because of a few obviously misguided people who chose to divert from the teachings of the Bible. I am by no means perfect and, in fact, many Christians find Christ after leading lives that are filled with all types of sin. There are many people out there who claim to be Christians but are "twice a year" church goers or even those who attend church on Sunday but are merely "Sunday Christians" because their actions do not reflect their beliefs throughout the week. I understand your opinion of Christians in general but ask you to not to rush to judgement because of the actions of a few who should be setting an example.

That being said, I believe that you should not play a video game if you believe it will either lead you away from the Lord's will for your life or adversely affect your relationship with God and lead you to sin. I personally do not play any of the game in the GTA series and tend to avoid games with large amounts of explicit language (F-bombs or S-bombs, or any variation) or high amounts of foul language in general, almost no sexuality/nudity, and overwhelming amounts of blood (such as No More Heroes. My only exception is Ninja Gaiden II). Aside from that, I think most other games are alright and will not cause me to go astray from the desires of the Lord.

I am a confirmed Catholic, but I haven't been to church in over a year, believe most of the Bible is made up and that many prophets were mentally ill. That being said, I'm glad this thread is an actual discussion instead of people being mocked for their religious beliefs!

I don't think you guys should let religion alone limit what you allow yourselves to see. However, if you really don't like the themes a game presents to the point you aren't having fun, then why play it? Like I had a friend who loved GTA 3 and Vice City, but just couldn't stand San Andreas cause of all the gangsta rap stuff. That isn't much different than deciding you don't enjoy sex, blood, or cussing in the games you play. However, to claim that limiting yourself to certain games is an issue of morality is taking it to an extreme that I can only respond to with the face palm...