Assassins Creed 3 teaching the church is evil

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Hi all

I am a huge gamer, and with the release of Assassins Creed 3, the fourth game in the series I beg to wonder if the disclaimer saying all faiths played a part in making it is false.

the whole gave revolves around you playing as a assassin and your mission is to bring down the knights Templar and the evil church from enslaving the world. its in game encyclopedia seems like it was written mocking the church in every way, from the Borgia’s to the pope.

it being a popoular game, i have to wonder if young minds are being dangerously warped by this role of killing church related leaders, even a pope (you spare his life but …still go after him) that it hasn’t sparked more outrage.

I usually let things go as i have pretty much every game you can think of, but it gets worse and worse that i have to wonder if the makers have a serious issue with it, they even make a point to kill a convert that sees the church vision to prove what happens to people that turn to goes teachings.

I like the history environments but it keeps striking a nerve how they portray the church as a enslavement of the human race.

anyone else have thoughts to share
 
Both my wife and I are avid fans of this series. I never finished the first because of the horrendously repetitive gameplay, but I have played and finished the subsequent three.

I don’t think that the problem is so much them directly attacking the Church, but rather that they are speaking against directed faith in any form. The Church just happened to be the major power in the world during the Renaissance.

I agree that this game probably has the capacity to paint a negative picture of the Church -IF- people take it seriously. That’s the key. As with all things fantasy and gaming, it’s a fake story, meant to entertain, that’s all. Additionally, this game is not meant for young children, whom it has the greatest chance of influencing, but rather for adults who are already capable of discerning between what is true and what it fake.

I guess I’m saying that, yes, it takes a fairly negative view of the Church; but so does most media in our current times. People don’t like being confronted by their sinfulness, and don’t like being told their wrong about their perceptions of “freedom.” As such, the popular media rails against it. The best we can do is pray for the people who feel it’s necessary to attack the Church.

My advice, if it really bothers you that much don’t play it. As for me, I look forward to seeing the continuation of their story. It’s not going to stir up my faith precisely because it’s fake, and anyone with a shred of common sense will recognize it as such.
 
I was conflicted about this for a while, and decided not to play the series after completing the second game.

Yes, we know it’s fake, but at the same time, whether on purpose or not, the designers / developers are sending a clear message that they dislike Catholicism, period. It’s not just there in killing Templars and the like, either…there are lots of little bits of history and the like that one can read when looking at famous buildings and such, given to the player by one of the other characters in the game.

When this character started openly mocking the Scapular in one of the historical descriptions given, I’d had enough. There are numerous little jabs and scoffs in this manner, and I figured I was done paying a company to hear my faith run down in such a snide tone.

🤷

I find it a pity, because the gameplay and voice-acting in general was some of the best I’d ever seen in a series.
 
ProdglArchitect said:
I agree that this game probably has the capacity to paint a negative picture of the Church -IF- people take it seriously. That’s the key. As with all things fantasy and gaming, it’s a fake story, meant to entertain, that’s all.
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The problem I have with this thinking is that I don’t think “that’s all” it’s trying to do is entertain. Although I’ve not “played” the game myself, I’m familiar with it’s themes and the Da-Vinci-Code-esque opening disclaimer of the game:Inspired by historical events, this work of fiction was designed, developed and produced by a multicultural team of various religious faiths and beliefs.Catholic Games Reviews said: “that this game might just be the most anti-Catholic game I have ever played” and he didn’t let his enjoyment of the gameplay overshadow that sentiment.

Think of it like this. You can’t really write a story about how, say, Jerry Seinfeld used to kidnap small children and torture them in a basement, call it fiction, but that it’s “inspired by true events,” and just say you’re trying to be entertaining.
 
This just reinforces my general feeling about such violent games.

Peace
James
 
MarcoPolo said:
The problem I have with this thinking is that I don’t think “that’s all” it’s trying to do is entertain. Although I’ve not “played” the game myself, I’m familiar with it’s themes and the Da-Vinci-Code-esque opening disclaimer of the game:Inspired by historical events, this work of fiction was designed, developed and produced by a multicultural team of various religious faiths and beliefs.Catholic Games Reviews said: “that this game might just be the most anti-Catholic game I have ever played” and he didn’t let his enjoyment of the gameplay overshadow that sentiment.

Think of it like this. You can’t really write a story about how, say, Jerry Seinfeld used to kidnap small children and torture them in a basement, call it fiction, but that it’s “inspired by true events,” and just say you’re trying to be entertaining.
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This is true, and I can certainly understand the sentiment. There are things about the game that have annoyed me while I was playing it… Especially in Brotherhood… I won’t give any spoilers, just in case people here actually do play it, but the end ticked me off quite a bit. I guess I’ve just never considered it enough to prevent me from playing the games, similar to how the false religion of the Elder Scrolls hasn’t prevented me from enjoying them. I’m hoping that this newest installation will leave the Templar roots behind and instead start focusing on the Freemasons, which is what they should do if they follow their own story…

I recognize that this is not the majority opinion, and I do recognize that the game does have anti-Catholic sentiment, but so does basically everything now-adays. In time, I may start avoiding games like it, but for now it’s all just another story that I happen to really want to see the conclusion to. At least they don’t try to pass it off as true, unlike a certain Da-Vinci-Code-Writing-Hack.
 
I understand it can be offensive, but I think this reflects something that also bothers me. People are going to be critical of your faith. I think Christians, in general, enjoy privileges in being the dominant and, somewhat, “default” religious position. Like it or not, the Catholic church of the West, as a general whole, have left some very ugly, permanent stains on history. I look back at some of the acts of our predecessors and cringe. What do you think other religions do when they look back? I understand if someone cannot bear blaspheming and irreverence for the faith. However, I think a mature believer should be able to listen to an endure the harsh criticisms of their theological opponents. Some of the offensive things said might even be valid. Also, it would be a sort of pious ignorance to deny that corruption in the Western church was somewhat rampant in the Medieval and Renaissance eras. Look at it this way. You may find the video game irreverent or offensive, but it is not an inquisition. It is a fun game, with interesting insights, regardless of whether we agree with the point of view. You are playing an assassin… why would the character be a devout Catholic?
 
ApologiaSophia said:
I understand it can be offensive, but I think this reflects something that also bothers me. People are going to be critical of your faith.
I think Christians, in general, enjoy privileges in being the dominant and, somewhat, “default” religious position. Like it or not, the Catholic church of the West, as a general whole, have left some very ugly, permanent stains on history. I look back at some of the acts of our predecessors and cringe. What do you think other religions do when they look back? I understand if someone cannot bear blaspheming and irreverence for the faith. However, I think a mature believer should be able to listen to an endure the harsh criticisms of their theological opponents. Some of the offensive things said might even be valid. Also, it would be a sort of pious ignorance to deny that corruption in the Western church was somewhat rampant in the Medieval and Renaissance eras. Look at it this way. You may find the video game irreverent or offensive, but it is not an inquisition. It is a fun game, with interesting insights, regardless of whether we agree with the point of view. You are playing an assassin… why would the character be a devout Catholic?
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🤷 I can take criticism of my faith all day. But I don’t have to let that criticism creep into my entertainment…that’s like saying that, no matter what, 24 / 7, you should be just fine with people being constantly tacky about an integral part of your faith and being…I say that’s nonsense.

The world being what it is and God being who He is, I can’t force people to behave when I’d like them to, but I can certainly shake the dust from my shoes and leave 'em behind.
 
Lochias said:
🤷 I can take criticism of my faith all day. But I don’t have to let that criticism creep into my entertainment…that’s like saying that, no matter what, 24 / 7, you should be just fine with people being constantly tacky about an integral part of your faith and being…I say that’s nonsense.

The world being what it is and God being who He is, I can’t force people to behave when I’d like them to, but I can certainly shake the dust from my shoes and leave 'em behind.
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:-/ do you play Assassin’s Creed 24/7? If you do not want to be exposed to it, do not be exposed to it. You control the level of exposure. If you think it will bring you down spiritually then throw it away. I simply feel as though one can enjoy the game play and story line and maturely process through the controversial content.

By the way, if this is only a video game, why do the bits of anti-Catholic propaganda bother you, but the simulation of murder not? You are bother by what the game says about your Church, but you have no problem with playing a game that simulates actions contrary to your Church’s teaching? If you feel so strongly, than perhaps you should stop playing any video game where killing is involved. I, for one, think the fact that I am mature enough to distinguish fact from fiction, simulation from reality, and story from history is enough for me to play the game without serious need to worry. The Quran is anti-Catholic, but I would not condemn a mature, intelligent Catholic for reading it. In fact, I would commend them. Do what you think is best for you spiritually, but I think the issue is not that your spirituality is at stake… it just sounds like your offended.
 
i let everything go, and its fiction but they say they base it on historical fact, everyone who is a member of the church is monsters, i still play the game, and parts bother me, but if you read the codex that talks about people and places they really do seem like they have issues with the church.

take for the fact that many people don’t know the faith some have actually think this is what the church is…enslaving us…this isn’t harry potter, that a clear line of fiction but trying to warp the church something worse.

remember when tom hanks stared in those two movies…nothing compared to the negative view of these 3 games.

that being said, i play the games to the end and know its fiction but still bothers me.
as for elder scrolls that someone posted, plenty of false faiths in the real world, the game doesn’t force you to pray to them or anything.
 
ApologiaSophia said:
:-/ do you play Assassin’s Creed 24/7? If you do not want to be exposed to it, do not be exposed to it. You control the level of exposure. If you think it will bring you down spiritually then throw it away. I simply feel as though one can enjoy the game play and story line and maturely process through the controversial content.
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I’m not sure what you mean by “bringing me down spiritually”. I do think that the anti-Catholic sentiment is both prevalent and strong enough to warrant thinking twice about giving my money and time to a company that obviously has an axe to grind.
By the way, if this is only a video game, why do the bits of anti-Catholic propaganda bother you, but the simulation of murder not? You are bother by what the game says about your Church, but you have no problem with playing a game that simulates actions contrary to your Church’s teaching? If you feel so strongly, than perhaps you should stop playing any video game where killing is involved. I, for one, think the fact that I am mature enough to distinguish fact from fiction, simulation from reality, and story from history is enough for me to play the game without serious need to worry. The Quran is anti-Catholic, but I would not condemn a mature, intelligent Catholic for reading it. In fact, I would commend them. Do what you think is best for you spiritually, but I think the issue is not that your spirituality is at stake… it just sounds like your offended.
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I’m not worried about my spirituality. I’m a tad worried about others’ who have no proper education about the actual history and ways of the Catholic Church to be able to distinguish fact from fallacy, though. And yes, certainly, it offends me. It’s ok to be offended.

And, as to the acts of simulated murder? I do not feel as though animated violence will make the average person start to flit between rooftops, taking 50-foot plunges to the ground and stabbing blades into the heads of random passerby. Your argument in this area is as old as the hills, and has never held much water.
 
Lochias said:
I’m not sure what you mean by “bringing me down spiritually”. I do think that the anti-Catholic sentiment is both prevalent and strong enough to warrant thinking twice about giving my money and time to a company that obviously has an axe to grind.

I’m not worried about my spirituality. I’m a tad worried about others’ who have no proper education about the actual history and ways of the Catholic Church to be able to distinguish fact from fallacy, though. And yes, certainly, it offends me. It’s ok to be offended.

And, as to the acts of simulated murder? I do not feel as though animated violence will make the average person start to flit between rooftops, taking 50-foot plunges to the ground and stabbing blades into the heads of random passerby. Your argument in this area is as old as the hills, and has never held much water.
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that is the point i was trying to make, those that are not informed will thing all of us in church are monsters under the control of the church, wanting world domination…because they havn’t found the church yet.

take a look at lucy, she turned out to be a Templar and by the new game, they make her out to be a evil traitor. the whole game says, the order is out to destroy them.

the only thing i find funny is the multilayer part has you AS a templar which i could see happening to get the church not to file protest.

although i do find it funny that the Templars of modern day are pictured as rich republicans:D
 
There is absolutely no reason to play an anti-Catholic game. There are plenty of other (and better) games that are not anti-Catholic.

Why pay $60 to be mocked and ridiculed?
 
i played the first title in this series before my conversion and even then i was disturbed by the anti-catholic themes. wouldn’t go near this game again.

the church is an easy target for the popular culture and has been for decades.
 
DeMontfort2 said:
i played the first title in this series before my conversion and even then i was disturbed by the anti-catholic themes. wouldn’t go near this game again.

the church is an easy target for the popular culture and has been for decades.
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i think the first one was actually the most neutral, and was nice to see Jerusalem and its surrounding area and i could look past it.

now I end up playing dragon age all the time, nice to hear we give thanks to the maker over and over 🙂 even if its not 100 percent true to Catholics 🙂
 
Stick to Lego games…no problem! 😃

You have to know yourself and what will pull you off the path of following Jesus and what won’t.

I play video games for fun and I don’t look to them for historical facts.
 
Some other video games seem to have a bias against Christianity and/or Catholicism.

The Golden Compass video game is based on the series of books in which the enemy is called “The Magisterium”. The books and film adaptation have been criticized for attacking Christianity and Catholicism.

In the Halo video game series, the enemy is referred with terms that include: The Covenant, Halo, and the Ark. These are thinly veiled anti-Christian elements.

Anti-Christian and Anti-Catholic sentiments are becoming socially-acceptable.
 
Ron_Conte said:
Some other video games seem to have a bias against Christianity and/or Catholicism.

The Golden Compass video game is based on the series of books in which the enemy is called “The Magisterium”. The books and film adaptation have been criticized for attacking Christianity and Catholicism.

In the Halo video game series, the enemy is referred with terms that include: The Covenant, Halo, and the Ark. These are thinly veiled anti-Christian elements.

Anti-Christian and Anti-Catholic sentiments are becoming socially-acceptable.
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I think the main issue is the fact we give a pass to anyone who mocks us, we turn the other cheek, if this was islam or any other faith you would see huge outcry. im not saying the game is to be taken 100 percent fact and its historical visuals are nice BUT im getting tired of lets blame the church all the time. I actually found dragon age that has a huge faith based system to actually be refreshing positive for the most part.
 
I’ve played all of the AC games and just beat AC3 whihc is a amazing game but as far as i know the game doesn’t in any way contradict our faith rodrigo borgia was indeed a vicous and relentless man along with his son ceasare. As far as i know the knights templar were once a cause for the church but now are condemed from the church and as far as i know catholics can’t be templars the same way we can’t be masons because they are a distant order of the knights templar.
 
BigdogAman said:
I’ve played all of the AC games and just beat AC3 whihc is a amazing game but as far as i know the game doesn’t in any way contradict our faith rodrigo borgia was indeed a vicous and relentless man along with his son ceasare. As far as i know the knights templar were once a cause for the church but now are condemed from the church and as far as i know catholics can’t be templars the same way we can’t be masons because they are a distant order of the knights templar.
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half the statement about the knights Templar is untrue
 
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