Can I play a game with a Lesbian in it?

[CatholicMan2412]

So just a few days ago, on my birthday, December 12th, I got a copy of the video game, Overwatch. It’s a very mild shooter, with no blood, and it’s very fun. Honestly, I believe there’s nothing inappropriate in the game. Until now.

Today, it was officially revealed that a character from the game (Tracer) is lesbian (or potentially bisexual). Ugh, when I first read that, my heart probably skipped a beat.

Saint Thomas Aquinas and various other Saints have always declared same-sex attraction as sinful and evil. Various Popes have agreed to this. And we as Catholic should feel the same. But would it be wrong to play this game? Would it be wrong to play as her? I’ve always wondered this.

Anyone could help me, that would be great. God Bless You and Merry Christmas!

 

[Mary_Estelle]

I believe it would be best if you avoided playing the game. Also, you might try finding out if what was written about the character had any foundation of truth. In the end you must decide. Peace.

 

[CatholicMan2412]

I believe it would be best if you avoided playing the game. Also, you might try finding out if what was written about the character had any foundation of truth. In the end you must decide. Peace.

I know if I must stop playing, I will. But since it’s so much fun, I’d really rather find out first.

Here’s the other thing. Yes what was written was true. She is officially lesbian. It was in an official comic. But in the game, she isn’t shown as being lesbian. But the games do tie to the comics. I’m honestly confused.

 

[tilden_jane]

There is nothing sinful about being a lesbian. The catechism clearly states that people do not choose their sexual orientation. The behaviors they may engage in may be sinful (just the same for straight folks) but being gay or lesbian is not in itself sinful. Go ahead and play your game.

 

[Rau]

…Saint Thomas Aquinas and various other Saints have always declared same-sex attraction as sinful and evil. Various Popes have agreed to this. And we as Catholic should feel the same.

No, this is wrong. Attractions are not themselves sinful, though some are an attraction to essentially evil acts, so they can’t be regarded as entirely benign. But it is only the human acts which are sinful.

 

[Rau]

…The catechism clearly states that people do not choose their sexual orientation. …

That statement is not in the current catechism (though a close facsimile was in the prior edition (prior to preparation of the definitive Latin version, which is the basis of the current Catechism)). While many do choose to “embrace” their mis-directed attractions, I agree that a person who experiences same sex attractions does not choose to have that experience.

 

[CountrySinger]

No, this is wrong. Attractions are not themselves sinful, though some are an attraction to essentially evil acts, so they can’t be regarded as entirely benign. But it is only the human acts which are sinful.

I’m happily married, and as one of my married friends said, “I’m married, not dead”. If I see an attractive man, that isn’t sinful. If I decide to flirt with him, spend time alone on purpose with him, think about him in a romantic way, that would be wrong. But to be like “he is attractive” and then go about my day isn’t wrong.

Of course, I have a two year old, so I don’t a chance to notice people around me.

I can’t control if a bird lands on my head, but I decide if it nests there. I don’t know who said that, but it seems to fit the situation.

 

[CatholicMan2412]

No, this is wrong. Attractions are not themselves sinful, though some are an attraction to essentially evil acts, so they can’t be regarded as entirely benign. But it is only the human acts which are sinful.

God created man and woman as we see in Genesis Ch. 1. This was a specific nature that was created for a specific purpose. No Catholic should buy into the idea of homosexual attractions. To say that a can could man rationally be attracted to another man would be to say that the nature created by God would be flawed (same applies for females). Maybe psychological issues come into play, but those should be treated as such. Rational and willed homosexuality is sinful; I’m just trying the right level of tolerance.

 

[Rau]

God created man and woman as we see in Genesis Ch. 1. This was a specific nature that was created for a specific purpose. No Catholic should buy into the idea of homosexual attractions. To say that a can could man rationally be attracted to another man would be to say that the nature created by God would be flawed (same applies for females). Maybe psychological issues come into play, but those should be treated as such.

The blueprint for us humans also has us with 2 functioning eyes, and so forth. The evidence, however, is that things go wrong. In the case of same sex attraction - no one understands how or why this is experienced, nor how and why some report they experience no attraction to persons of the opposite sex. But the evidence (such as it is) including the testimony of faithful Christians who daily strive to maintain chastity, strongly suggests the attractions are real.

I am unclear what you mean by “rational” in this context. Certainly, it is objectively plain that desiring sexual acts between persons of the same sex (rather than opposite) are evidence of something amiss.

Rational and willed homosexuality is sinful…

If by this you mean “deliberately choosing homosexual acts is sinful”, I agree. But that is quite a different statement to the one I bolded above.

 

[MaryT777]

There is nothing sinful about being a lesbian. The catechism clearly states that people do not choose their sexual orientation. The behaviors they may engage in may be sinful (just the same for straight folks) but being gay or lesbian is not in itself sinful. Go ahead and play your game.

I agree with this unless they are actually showing her engaging in inappropriate situations regarding sexuality.

 

[CountrySinger]

The blueprint for us humans also has us with 2 functioning eyes, and so forth. The evidence, however, is that things go wrong. In the case of same sex attraction - no one understands how or why this is experienced, nor how and why some report they experience no attraction to persons of the opposite sex. But the evidence (such as it is) including the testimony of faithful Christians who daily strive to maintain chastity, strongly suggests the attractions are real.

I am unclear what you mean by “rational” in this context. Certainly, it is objectively plain that desiring sexual acts between persons of the same sex (rather than opposite) are evidence of something amiss.

I have a friend that I’ve known for years that is Catholic and is attracted to women. She has never been interested in men. And as far as I know, she has never acted on her desires. She says it is her cross to bear.

 

[Rau]

…“You are just using it as an excuse to not have kids.”

So someone who doesn’t act on her desires is STILL sinning? Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Literally

There is no sinning in choosing not to pursue marriage - even if what prompts one is a disinclination to give birth to children.

 

[Melodeonist]

My problem with the game Overwatch wouldn’t be the fact that there is a lesbian per se, but because nearly all the female characters are scantily clad. I’d never want to play a game that could be a near occasion to sin in regards to lust. In fact, I feel the only sin that one can commit while playing a game is lust due to obscene characters. Also, as a male it would feel extremely awkward being forced to play as a female character.

I much prefer Team Fortress 2. All the characters are male, so that means practically zero potential for lust.

 

[St_Pancake]

Is it sinful to play Colonel Mustard in the Library with a candle stick? Is it sinful to have the part of Judas in a passion play?

 

[WilliamE]

If I were the OP, I’d contact the game developer and inquire whether or not Tracer is actually a practicing lesbian, or if she just has SSA. I’d also inquire as to the marital status of all the characters and determine if any of them are married invalidly. That would be a deal-breaker for me.

 

[Blood_Angel]

It’s strange because Overwatch has been around for some time now and nobody who plays the game could care less about the characters sexuality, I’ve played this game myself and none of the character have that much depth to them, the game isn’t something you play for the story.

It seems to me that some kind of LGBT organization has been pestering Blizzard about this and Blizzard has just named this character a lesbian to shut them up. In the event that she was a lesbian when they designed her, it’s irrelevant really because sexuality is not something which is important to the game.

 

[CatholicMan2412]

My problem with the game Overwatch wouldn’t be the fact that there is a lesbian per se, but because nearly all the female characters are scantily clad. I’d never want to play a game that could be a near occasion to sin in regards to lust. In fact, I feel the only sin that one can commit while playing a game is lust due to obscene characters. Also, as a male it would feel extremely awkward being forced to play as a female character.

I much prefer Team Fortress 2. All the characters are male, so that means practically zero potential for lust.

If you actually play Overwatch, the female characters aren’t really scandalously clad. I mean, a few have heavy armor on, so obviously not there. And the few characters that do have tight outfits are in robot suits, so you hardly see it.

A priest once told me, when in entertainment, one can always brace themselves, so God can help them not to be tempted.

But once again, temptation in Overwatch, is really not that great.

 

[CatholicMan2412]

It’s strange because Overwatch has been around for some time now and nobody who plays the game could care less about the characters sexuality, I’ve played this game myself and none of the character have that much depth to them, the game isn’t something you play for the story.

It seems to me that some kind of LGBT organization has been pestering Blizzard about this and Blizzard has just named this character a lesbian to shut them up. In the event that she was a lesbian when they designed her, it’s irrelevant really because sexuality is not something which is important to the game.

I agree 100 percent with you.

 

[Tagetes]

That’s ridiculous. My sister plays Overwatch, and I know for a fact that Tracer’s orientation has no impact on the game. This is like boycotting a coffee shop you used to frequent just because you accidentally find out that one of the waitresses is gay.

And yet my gut feeling is that many would also boycott a coffee shop for this reason alone. Not to mention the resurfaced insinuations that even actionless attractions are sinful as such. Which is heartbreaking, and once again reminds me that, though certain users here try to persuade us (sometimes aggressively) that we hallucinate the prejudice, that we are welcome in the Church and are viewed as siblings in Christ, this couldn’t be further from truth.

 

[CatholicSheila]

If I were the OP, I’d contact the game developer and inquire whether or not Tracer is actually a practicing lesbian, or if she just has SSA. I’d also inquire as to the marital status of all the characters and determine if any of them are married invalidly. That would be a deal-breaker for me.

I guess I can’t play any married couples in the Sims. There are no priests so every one is an invalid marriage. They don’t go to reconciliation or mass either.