Christianity's views on violent games?

Topic

I am a Christian myself, but I'm not sure what stance Christians take towards violent/adults only type games.

(Would also be interesting to see what other religions views are, e.g. Muslims)

It's hard to compress it all into what "Christians" think about violent games because everyone has their own opinion. The Bible obviously doesn't talk about games, so it's all up for debate.

It's hard to compress it all into what "Christians" think about violent games because everyone has their own opinion. The Bible obviously doesn't talk about games, so it's all up for debate.

Cherokee_Jack

[QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"]

It's hard to compress it all into what "Christians" think about violent games because everyone has their own opinion. The Bible obviously doesn't talk about games, so it's all up for debate.

Whicker89

[QUOTE="Whicker89"][QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"]

It's hard to compress it all into what "Christians" think about violent games because everyone has their own opinion. The Bible obviously doesn't talk about games, so it's all up for debate.

Cherokee_Jack

[QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"][QUOTE="Whicker89"]Just wait till they edit it again, then videogames'll be in there somewhereWhicker89

[QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"]

It's hard to compress it all into what "Christians" think about violent games because everyone has their own opinion. The Bible obviously doesn't talk about games, so it's all up for debate.

Whicker89

Hey actually in my union we talked about this, overall I think we should avoid all apearances of evil, dont play too much, and also it depends on the mood of the game. Games like resident evil should be avoided, when I was a kid I had a awful nightmare that there was zombies coming at me, and I pressed start because I didnt want to play, but the game kept playing! You need spiritual discernment, so avoid games that go against morality. Back in the beggining games didnt have the graphics to look all that violent, even if it did, it didnt look real, but now it can look very realistic. It needs to be a game that is soley for entertainment, not to gross you out, or mess with your head like Super Mario brothers "I DIED NOOOOO!" That music when you die, will always make you do this:evil::|:|:|:?:cry:

Oh and bible adventures was nothing short of biblically epic in terms of games, jk. Meh, it can be entertaining, as for the sakes of lols.

Isnt halo also kind of a bible game, I mean every level seems to have some correlation with the bible, the covenant, the flood, but its loose though.

Topic

I am a Christian myself, but I'm not sure what stance Christians take towards violent/adults only type games.

(Would also be interesting to see what other religions views are, e.g. Muslims)

You should track down some Christian Video Game Reviews, they're pretty amusing.

Okami

I must admit that Okami was a blast to play, and there are few adventure games that are as original and fun as this one. At the same time, I believe that it would be safe for Christians pass on this one. Despite Okami's bright, colorful art **** I could sense something darker at work. I'm not naïve enough to think that Okami is nothing more than a Buddhist recruiting tool, but Eastern spiritualism is something that Christians should beware.

Bio_Spark

You should track down some Christian Video Game Reviews, they're pretty amusing.

Okami

I must admit that Okami was a blast to play, and there are few adventure games that are as original and fun as this one. At the same time, I believe that it would be safe for Christians pass on this one. Despite Okami's bright, colorful art **** I could sense something darker at work. I'm not naïve enough to think that Okami is nothing more than a Buddhist recruiting tool, but Eastern spiritualism is something that Christians should beware.

Bio_Spark

As always misinformed, Okami is not based in a Buddhist deity but the most important Shintoist deity.

[QUOTE="Cherokee_Jack"][QUOTE="Whicker89"]Just wait till they edit it again, then videogames'll be in there somewhereWhicker89

Probably very hypocritical considering the depictions in the Old Testament.foxhound_fox

Topic

I am a Christian myself, but I'm not sure what stance Christians take towards violent/adults only type games.

(Would also be interesting to see what other religions views are, e.g. Muslims)

wii_ds_mario

There are MANY different views on all subjects when it comes to christian opinions. It really depends on who you're asking. If you're asking extreme babtists or catholics, video games have a negative influence on humanity (look up jack Thompson). The farther 'left' you go on the Christian spectrum, generally the more lenient people get about video games, just like with most other people. Obviously video games weren't made in biblical times, but there are several loose verses that can pertain to it, such as a psalm that says blessed is the man who does not seek counsel in the unrighteous. That can be interpreted as not tolerating anything deemed immoral by some, or just by not taking philosophical advice from atheists (no offense).

I myself feel, as a fellow Christian that there are games we aren't supposed to play (GTA, Inferno, god of war, ect), but nobody's perfect. I recommend acting your pastor for spiritual guidance.

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]Probably very hypocritical considering the depictions in the Old Testament.abdelmessih101

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"][QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]Probably very hypocritical considering the depictions in the Old Testament.Funky_Llama

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"][QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]Probably very hypocritical considering the depictions in the Old Testament.Funky_Llama

Well when those kids are mking fun of a prophet, aren't they asking for death? I don't know about you, but if you piss off a guy with direct connections to god, thats basically saying you want to die.

As a practicing Christian, I see nothing wrong with violent games (I really like Manhunt 2) as long as the person playing understands it's just a game and does not begin to be influenced in their real life by the game.leeveeu

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="abdelmessih101"] What?abdelmessih101

[QUOTE="leeveeu"]As a practicing Christian, I see nothing wrong with violent games (I really like Manhunt 2) as long as the person playing understands it's just a game and does not begin to be influenced in their real life by the game.supa_badman

Unfortunately, that's never really a case. We get influenced by so many subtle ideas, opinions and morals through entertainment that we seldom even realize the influence it can posses. When we enjoy entertainment, of any kind, we usually have our moral 'shield' down and while the overtly obvious is still filtered (a cow being blown up, or zombie shooting), the subtle morals (nicco Belic's disbelief in the American dream, the prospect that it's ok to kill angels)are still being induced into the untrained mind. Should we ban violent games, no. Should we stop playing them, no. Should we not garner our morals from entertainment purposes, yes. I can't count the amount of liberal overtones in shows like Family guy and the simpsons, let alone in games like assassins creed (nothing [god] is real, everything is permitted) and even dead space (people with faith are coco)

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="abdelmessih101"] What?buldog300

Well when those kids are mking fun of a prophet, aren't they asking for death? I don't know about you, but if you piss off a guy with direct connections to god, thats basically saying you want to die.

[QUOTE="buldog300"]

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]The Old Testament includes God doing things that any game depicting them would probably be banned. Children being torn to shreds by bears from God = perhaps just a bit morally questionable. >__>Funky_Llama

Well when those kids are mking fun of a prophet, aren't they asking for death? I don't know about you, but if you piss off a guy with direct connections to god, thats basically saying you want to die.

They were calling him baldhead (not a big insult today, but it's a different time). Generally, in many religions, spiritual men shave their heads. I don't know about you, but I can tell the difference between a naturally bald person and one who shaves his head for one reason or another.

If thats not enough for you, then maybe the moral here should be not to make make fun of anyone for their differences. People like you say it's wrong to make fun of homosexuals (to which I would agree), then go on to complain about actions occuring in the bible that started with insults. Even if he wasn't a holy man, through out history, when one person insults another, they generally have a fight or one kills another (pistol duels, romans,heck even prison). It's not barbaric, it's simply standing up for yourself.

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]The Old Testament includes God doing things that any game depicting them would probably be banned. Children being torn to shreds by bears from God = perhaps just a bit morally questionable. >__>Funky_Llama

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="abdelmessih101"] You do know that there is a New Testament, right?abdelmessih101

Actually, Christ himself said he didn't come to change the old testament, but to complete it. If the old testament was no longer valid, why would we still go by the ten commandments?

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="abdelmessih101"] You do know that there is a New Testament, right?abdelmessih101

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="buldog300"]

Well when those kids are mking fun of a prophet, aren't they asking for death? I don't know about you, but if you piss off a guy with direct connections to god, thats basically saying you want to die.

buldog300

They were calling him baldhead (not a big insult today, but it's a different time). Generally, in many religions, spiritual men shave their heads. I don't know about you, but I can tell the difference between a naturally bald person and one who shaves his head for one reason or another.

If thats not enough for you, then maybe the moral here should be not to make make fun of anyone for their differences. People like you say it's wrong to make fun of homosexuals (to which I would agree), then go on to complain about actions occuring in the bible that started with insults. Even if he wasn't a holy man, through out history, when one person insults another, they generally have a fight or one kills another (pistol duels, romans,heck even prison). It's not barbaric, it's simply standing up for yourself.

Well people seemto assume that Christians are supposes to be totally peacful, yet there are countlesss records of God giving power to me like Samson to slaughter 1,000s by himself. He sends out David and others to war, and he even said himself that he came with a sword, not peace. So somewhat violent games are fine, but over the top are a bit disturbing to me.

[QUOTE="buldog300"]

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]The Old Testament includes God doing things that any game depicting them would probably be banned. Children being torn to shreds by bears from God = perhaps just a bit morally questionable. >__>Funky_Llama

Well when those kids are mking fun of a prophet, aren't they asking for death? I don't know about you, but if you piss off a guy with direct connections to god, thats basically saying you want to die.

You act like they were little children. They were your age. >_>

[QUOTE="abdelmessih101"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]Yes. I eagerly await your point.Funky_Llama

I hope you realize the only way into heaven is to accept christ, not by doing good or bad deeds. Deeds just determine how good you'll get it after judgement (treasures in heaven vs. treasures on earth which christ covered).

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="abdelmessih101"]The New Testament supercedes the Old Testament. When you take anything from the Bible out of context, you're automatically invalidating your point.buldog300

I hope you realize the only way into heaven is to accept christ, not by doing good or bad deeds. Deeds just determine how good you'll get it after judgement (treasures in heaven vs. treasures on earth which christ covered).

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="buldog300"]

Well when those kids are mking fun of a prophet, aren't they asking for death? I don't know about you, but if you piss off a guy with direct connections to god, thats basically saying you want to die.

Theokhoth

You act like they were little children. They were your age. >_>

Well people seemto assume that Christians are supposes to be totally peacful, yet there are countlesss records of God giving power to me like Samson to slaughter 1,000s by himself. He sends out David and others to war, and he even said himself that he came with a sword, not peace. So somewhat violent games are fine, but over the top are a bit disturbing to me.

dackchaar

It's not really the violence that's the problem. Heck, gamespot even posted a statistic showing that gamers are more peaceful than most. Maybe I'm digressing, but it's really the morals, not the violence. I read a penny arcade that said one level on the little big planet beta had the protagonist fying a plane into some towers. I believe parents just want to make sure their kids can determine the difference between right and wrong.

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]And the kids were supposed to know that how?Funky_Llama

You act like they were little children. They were your age. >_>

If it's customary for a bald man to be a prophet, and if you live in these customs and know perfectly well of them, then yeah, all sixteen-year-olds do know who is connected to God.:|

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"][QUOTE="Theokhoth"]

You act like they were little children. They were your age. >_>

Theokhoth

If it's customary for a bald man to be a prophet, and if you live in these customs and know perfectly well of them, then yeah, all sixteen-year-olds do know who is connected to God.:|

[QUOTE="buldog300"]

[QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]Cool. I think I'll go out and stab someone, then give to charity. It'll all be OK. By the way... how is it out of context?Funky_Llama

I hope you realize the only way into heaven is to accept christ, not by doing good or bad deeds. Deeds just determine how good you'll get it after judgement (treasures in heaven vs. treasures on earth which christ covered).

If you want to get into heaven it's not. You said stab someone and then charity, as if that were balancing your odds; I just don't like anything that could lead to moral inaccuracy

[QUOTE="Theokhoth"][QUOTE="Funky_Llama"]And as we know, all sixteen-year-olds know on sight who is connected to God, and thus whether their religion is the right one.Funky_Llama

If it's customary for a bald man to be a prophet, and if you live in these customs and know perfectly well of them, then yeah, all sixteen-year-olds do know who is connected to God.:|

The fact that everyone had to follow that religion makes it pretty likely that the kids figured "Hey, this guy's a prophet." Even if they didn't believe it, that wouldn't excuse them, just as not being part of a certain kingdom doesn't excuse being rude to a king.

And again, you act like this was nothing but being rude. . . .hard as it is for you to believe, it was a serious offence at the time. Just like if you went out and killed somebody you could be tried as an adult and be put to death, so the teens were. They were probably considered adults anyway.