False Religions in Video Games, Moral or not?

[aguyoverthere]

I have been looking for the answer for awhile now, I am very careful of what games i play, for instance, if there is magic in it, i check to see how it is being used (i don’t agree with sorcerers being good guys, that’s just plain stupid) and if i see something that’s demonic, like a pentagram, i stay away from it. I also don’t play games with sex in them at all, I’ve only played very few games with suggestive themes in it (and i researched most of them first). But I have always wondered about this, i asked a priest, and he said that you really shouldn’t, but he also said that a strong catholic would just ignore it, so I’m a bit lost here, and would like others opinions, or perhaps an official teaching(although i doubt they came out with 1 for a video game lol)

I ask this because some of the games that i have played in the past, Guild wars 2, Legend of Zelda : windwaker, twilight princess, Skyward sword(I stopped playing this 1, theres a part in which they don’t let you say no to helping a demon-like guy, just so any parents who read this will know), and for any games in the future, I would like to know.

Thank you.

 

[I_R]

here is a random fact, the NES legend of zelda originally had Christianity associated with it. notice the cross on the link sprite’s shield.

that being said, i feel game developers want to avoid real world references like religion to avoid controversy. the only time i see fictitious religions as morally offensive, is when its a parody of a real world religion portrayed in a bad light.

 

[aguyoverthere]

here is a random fact, the NES legend of zelda originally had Christianity associated with it. notice the cross on the link sprite’s shield.

that being said, i feel game developers want to avoid real world references like religion to avoid controversy. the only time i see fictitious religions as morally offensive, is when its a parody of a real world religion portrayed in a bad light.

Yeah I mean, i have thought that through(not the link thing) , and i can see how you would want to just make up your own religion for a game so you can have freedom with the story line, but I’m not quite sure if that’s right

 

[KendraDZ1902]

It’s make-believe.

 

[Spencerian]

Fictitious religions in games are just that.

That does not mean that you cannot play these games. In fact, you may find a fictional faith in the game that supports similar means of kindness, altruism, respect, and defense against evil. No game ever made today (at least, any that you’ll buy) will be an advocate for Catholicism, much less Christianity as a whole. That won’t sell, in the minds of the game makers.

I play an online game based on the rules of Dungeons & Dragons. I gravitate to the Monk, a player class with a Shinto “kung-fu” monk unarmed fighting style. Often, their abilities are meant as defensive skills, but they can and do fight well. They also give me a Buddhist-thinking vibe that is compatible with my Christian beliefs of care for self and others.

Likewise, D&D offers the Cleric and Paladin classes. In most incarnations these classes are heavily aligned to fictional dieties that are quite good-aligned. The Cleric protects and heals, while the Paladin is a holy fighter that wards himself against the nastiest of evil in the game.

You can not only enjoy and play those classes that match to your real-life sensibilities, you can reflect **your **personal sensibilities by being a paragon of the good that is reflected in the games in terms of how your act and react to other gamers in the gaming world. Do NOT interpret this as evangelizing or proseletzying, which are often against the rules of these online games and can get you banned. Rather, if you play a character with a religious concept attached to it, play it as Christian as you can and enjoy it for what it is: a game.

I enjoy and play the Zelda game series *because *Link is a good person who never strays.

As with all things, don’t overdo gameplay and neglect the matters of the real world.

 

[Joe_5859]

that being said, i feel game developers want to avoid real world references like religion to avoid controversy. the only time i see fictitious religions as morally offensive, is when its a parody of a real world religion portrayed in a bad light.

I agree. I’d much rather a game just make up a mythology than pardoy real religion. That’s why I like Nintendo. They generally steer clear of social commentary.

 

[MPat]

I have been looking for the answer for awhile now, I am very careful of what games i play, for instance, if there is magic in it, i check to see how it is being used (i don’t agree with sorcerers being good guys, that’s just plain stupid) and if i see something that’s demonic, like a pentagram, i stay away from it. I also don’t play games with sex in them at all, I’ve only played very few games with suggestive themes in it (and i researched most of them first). But I have always wondered about this, i asked a priest, and he said that you really shouldn’t, but he also said that a strong catholic would just ignore it, so I’m a bit lost here, and would like others opinions, or perhaps an official teaching(although i doubt they came out with 1 for a video game lol)

I ask this because some of the games that i have played in the past, Guild wars 2, Legend of Zelda : windwaker, twilight princess, Skyward sword(I stopped playing this 1, theres a part in which they don’t let you say no to helping a demon-like guy, just so any parents who read this will know), and for any games in the future, I would like to know.

Thank you.

First of all, try to classify it. Since the priest said that “a strong catholic would just ignore it”, you can conclude that, objectively, it is not likely to be a sin. If something is not a sin and the priest has advised you against actually doing it, you can conclude that it is probably an “occasion of sin”. You can read about them in the Catholic Encyclopedia: newadvent.org/cathen/11196a.htm or oce.catholic.com/index.php?title=Occasions_of_Sin.

As you can see, there can be “proximate” and “remote” occasions of sin. “Proximate” ones are further classified into “necessary” and “voluntary”. One only has a duty to avoid the ones that are “proximate” and “voluntary”. But occasions of sin that are “proximate” to some are going to be “remote” for others. Perhaps the priest thought that this specific occasion of sin, while “very remote” for others, is “proximate” to you…? Or maybe he only meant that it is not completely impossible that such occasions of sin are “proximate” to someone (anyone)…? In the end, we don’t know you well enough to decide if it is a “proximate” occasion of sin for you with any accuracy.

Also, while it is probably safe to say that no “official” answer to this specific question exists, there might be something similar in the Scripture… The eighth chapter of St. Paul’s first letter to the Corinthians talks about meat sacrificed to idols. That looks similar (if not much worse) than games with fictional religions, doesn’t it…? Perhaps the same advise will work in your case as well…?

And one more thing… Try to think like a good economist and consider the “opportunity costs”. What would you be likely to do instead of playing such games? It would be a very bad idea “to run from the wolf and into the bear” (as one Lithuanian saying goes)…

Finally, while it doesn’t really concern your question as such, you can try to use those games (and not just games) as an opportunity to pray for their creators and thank God who gave inspiration to them…

 

[minion]

I have been looking for the answer for awhile now, I am very careful of what games i play, for instance, if there is magic in it, i check to see how it is being used (i don’t agree with sorcerers being good guys, that’s just plain stupid) and if i see something that’s demonic, like a pentagram, i stay away from it. I also don’t play games with sex in them at all, I’ve only played very few games with suggestive themes in it (and i researched most of them first). But I have always wondered about this, i asked a priest, and he said that you really shouldn’t, but he also said that a strong catholic would just ignore it, so I’m a bit lost here, and would like others opinions, or perhaps an official teaching(although i doubt they came out with 1 for a video game lol)

I ask this because some of the games that i have played in the past, Guild wars 2, Legend of Zelda : windwaker, twilight princess, Skyward sword(I stopped playing this 1, theres a part in which they don’t let you say no to helping a demon-like guy, just so any parents who read this will know), and for any games in the future, I would like to know.

Thank you.

I don’t particularly have a problem with fictional religions, but it does bother me when games make a parody of a religion to attack a strawman it to demonstrate the evils of religion (ex. Final Fantasy Tactics & Final Fantasy X).

 

[Kamaduck]

I agree. I’d much rather a game just make up a mythology than pardoy real religion. That’s why I like Nintendo. They generally steer clear of social commentary.

They certainly don’t usually make excessively complex or controvertial commentary. They’re usually more likely to focus on simple themes like friendship, perseverance, and teamwork.

I prefer that a game make up a fictional religion. I would much rather fight for the three goddesses that created hyrule than have to play as an actual buddhist, actual hindu, actual muslim, or badly-portrayed Christian. I wouldn’t want to have real-world religion in my crazy fantasy epic. The only real alternative would be defaulting to atheism, and that’d be kind of sad.

 

[Razanir]

I have been looking for the answer for awhile now, I am very careful of what games i play, for instance, if there is magic in it, i check to see how it is being used (i don’t agree with sorcerers being good guys, that’s just plain stupid) and if i see something that’s demonic, like a pentagram, i stay away from it. I also don’t play games with sex in them at all, I’ve only played very few games with suggestive themes in it (and i researched most of them first). But I have always wondered about this, i asked a priest, and he said that you really shouldn’t, but he also said that a strong catholic would just ignore it, so I’m a bit lost here, and would like others opinions, or perhaps an official teaching(although i doubt they came out with 1 for a video game lol)

I ask this because some of the games that i have played in the past, Guild wars 2, Legend of Zelda : windwaker, twilight princess, Skyward sword(I stopped playing this 1, theres a part in which they don’t let you say no to helping a demon-like guy, just so any parents who read this will know), and for any games in the future, I would like to know.

Thank you.

1. Sorcerers being good guys. Umm… Link uses magic, if that counts. (For that matter, it’s even granted by Din, Farore and Nayru, three fictional goddesses)
2. Pentagrams. Okay, what if it was the villain? Villains get more leeway in what they do, because otherwise they wouldn’t be Evil with a capital E
3. Skyward Sword. Wow… Judging a guy on outward appearances. That’s brilliant of you… He’s actually a friendly monster who wants to be accepted by everyone, and there’s an entire collection quest you can do throughout the game to help him become human. (Admittedly, that opened a whole other can of worms, but so be it)
4. I agree with Kamaduck on this one. I’d prefer a fictional religion that has similar values to ours over a real-world religion used or portrayed poorly.
5. And last, but certainly not least, I present some art from Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past (which happens to be my second favorite game in the series after the collective Oracle game). LttP also happens to include Link making the Sign of the Cross and praying at one point.

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

 

[aguyoverthere]

1. Sorcerers being good guys. Umm… Link uses magic, if that counts. (For that matter, it’s even granted by Din, Farore and Nayru, three fictional goddesses)
2. Pentagrams. Okay, what if it was the villain? Villains get more leeway in what they do, because otherwise they wouldn’t be Evil with a capital E
3. Skyward Sword. Wow… Judging a guy on outward appearances. That’s brilliant of you… He’s actually a friendly monster who wants to be accepted by everyone, and there’s an entire collection quest you can do throughout the game to help him become human. (Admittedly, that opened a whole other can of worms, but so be it)
4. I agree with Kamaduck on this one. I’d prefer a fictional religion that has similar values to ours over a real-world religion used or portrayed poorly.
5. And last, but certainly not least, I present some art from Legend of Zelda: Link to the Past (which happens to be my second favorite game in the series after the collective Oracle game). LttP also happens to include Link making the Sign of the Cross and praying at one point.

1. there’s a difference between using magic for good reasons(like gandalf, he’s a wizard, but he’s clearly a good guy), i meant that things like necromancers, raising the dead, being evil etc.(also the part about the goddesses, that’s why I’ve posted here.)
2. If it were the villain then idk, but I’d much prefer they didn’t.
3. Look, all i know is, the guy said this if i remember correctly, " yes yes…look into my demon eyes"
4. Agreed.
5. I know all about link’s catholic background(didn’t know when i posted this thread) but i found out about it later

 

[Kamaduck]

1. there’s a difference between using magic for good reasons(like gandalf, he’s a wizard, but he’s clearly a good guy), i meant that things like necromancers, raising the dead, being evil etc.(also the part about the goddesses, that’s why I’ve posted here.)

I think most of us here prefer it if the good guys are not evil.

Not sure why you included “raising the dead”, though. I assume you mean creating zombies, because raising the dead is something Jesus did.

 

[IvanHR]

Talking about religion in games, I played Dead Space with 2 of my friends yesterday (we wanted a scare). I think the setting is around 2400 but I’m really not sure, and I know that some weird church is part of the lore (the church has nothing to do with Christianity, I think it’s in a way similar to Scientology but again, I really don’t know) and it really surprised me how the characters would, when surprised, yell “Jesus”.

 

[InNomineDomini]

My basic principle: if something good is being presented as somehow unattractive or wishy-washy or foolish, or if something evil is being portrayed as fascinating and enticing and thrilling, then I generally view the overall quality of the art to suffer, and I avoid it.

If, on the other hand, evil is presented as ugly and to be avoided or overcome, and if good is presented as something worthy of cultivation, then I consider the art to be worthwhile. (If evil in this sort of context should get a little graphic – so long as there isn’t a sincere chance of temptation – then I think the context does warrant such a presentation. Evil can be depicted as being actually evil, it’s the idea that such evil is also a model for emulation that’s to be avoided in the art.)

Saying these things are make believe or simply fictional fantasy doesn’t take into consideration that so many forms of art – from films to video games – can be powerful commercials through which individuals passively assimilate world view presuppositions into their thinking. We do have an obligation to discern.

 

[Razanir]

If, on the other hand, evil is presented as ugly and to be avoided or overcome, and if good is presented as something worthy of cultivation, then I consider the art to be worthwhile.

What if it’s done so in the context of a fictional religion? The biggest example being “Company X doesn’t want to offend any real-world religions. So instead of using one possibly poorly, they present similar values in the context of a fictional religion.”

 

[Gullveig]

What do you guys think about games in which there is a fictional religious controversy, a la the Dragon Age series (need for the Chantry to control dangerous mages for the public good vs. basic human rights of mages/Lyrium-addicted Templars)?

Personally, I don’t like games that are heavy handed on the “religion is bad and corrupt” angle or when they align way too closely with specific real world religions. I also don’t like it when they create an obviously “good” religion and an obviously “bad” religion that are in contest with each other, it’s just sloppy world creation. I guess the litmus tests would be “What is the point that the game creator is trying to make by pulling this information into the story?” and “Can I separate fiction from reality?”. If the game creator is trying to ham-handedly diss religion or you have difficulty separating fantasy elements from real ones, then I’d say don’t play that game. Otherwise, I’m not sure what the problem would be.

 

[Kamaduck]

What do you guys think about games in which there is a fictional religious controversy, a la the Dragon Age series (need for the Chantry to control dangerous mages for the public good vs. basic human rights of mages/Lyrium-addicted Templars)?

Personally, I don’t like games that are heavy handed on the “religion is bad and corrupt” angle or when they align way too closely with specific real world religions. I also don’t like it when they create an obviously “good” religion and an obviously “bad” religion that are in contest with each other, it’s just sloppy world creation. I guess the litmus tests would be “What is the point that the game creator is trying to make by pulling this information into the story?” and “Can I separate fiction from reality?”. If the game creator is trying to ham-handedly diss religion or you have difficulty separating fantasy elements from real ones, then I’d say don’t play that game. Otherwise, I’m not sure what the problem would be.

That could actually be a cool conflict, though. Just because the conflict centers around religion doesn’t necessarily mean that the story is dissing it. I haven’t played Dragon Age (isn’t it super violent?), but the idea of controlling dangerous people vs. respecting their human rights is an important and interesting conflict worthy of discussion.

If the fictional church is merely a backdrop for a discussion of other conflicts, I see no issue.

 

[punisherthunder]

Zelda is fine. A great game, and it’s also a safe one for kids to play.

 

[Gullveig]

That could actually be a cool conflict, though. Just because the conflict centers around religion doesn’t necessarily mean that the story is dissing it. I haven’t played Dragon Age (isn’t it super violent?), but the idea of controlling dangerous people vs. respecting their human rights is an important and interesting conflict worthy of discussion.

If the fictional church is merely a backdrop for a discussion of other conflicts, I see no issue.

Oh, I wasn’t saying the Dragon Age stuff was bad. I adore Dragon Age. I was just curious how people whose religion was close to the window dressing of the Chantry side of the argument would see something like that.

 

[Kamaduck]

Oh, I wasn’t saying the Dragon Age stuff was bad. I adore Dragon Age. I was just curious how people whose religion was close to the window dressing of the Chantry side of the argument would see something like that.

Ah, OK. I guess you know where I stand- I love good moral questions in my fiction, even if I disagree with the story’s conclusion. It gets people thinking.

They have to be good moral questions, though. It doesn’t work if one side is obviously, completely in the wrong. That’s boring.