Is Gaming a Sin?

[JakeSim]

So, I honestly do not follow religion and I believe if I were to follow any it would probably be Christianity. So I also want to mention I have OCD, so I obsess about things. But, I do want to ask the question if anyone here thinks gaming is a sin. I know it’s a matter of opinion but I would highly like some (name removed by moderator)ut on this matter if possible, please.

I am just basically wanting to know if playing certain games like Call of Duty, Mortal Kombat, or just games in general. Now, I know I could find another hobby but I have always enjoyed video games because they help me to relax when I am at home and have things on my mind and I just simply enjoy them. I feel like by not playing them that I am just making myself depressed and not letting myself have a good time. I have honestly always found video games to keep me busy when at home, which is a good portion of time.

So, all in all, I feel like not being able to play my games limits me to a certain degree because it helps to relax me.

I’d greatly appreciate it if I could get some (name removed by moderator)ut on this. Thank you!

 

[Alexander_Smith]

Besides possibly wasting time by playing them TOO much, or maybe some sexual content in some games, no there is no sin in gaming.

I am a staunch Catholic, and I play games like Neverwinter Nights, WoW, CoD, Battlefield, Halo, Dead Space, and the Half Life series often.
Unless the game is causing you to sin, enjoy it!

Btw I should mention that people often ask this question with the idea that gaming is iffy, and TV is OK. I’ve encountered far more sexually charged commercials and photos/videos on news channels than I’ve encountered while playing games, and games are a far more active experience anyway.

 

[Barbkw]

As above, the amount of time spent gaming could / will conflict with relationship building outside of the game.

We don’t like to believe it, but time is precious.

 

[Rascalking]

As above, the amount of time spent gaming could / will conflict with relationship building outside of the game.

We don’t like to believe it, but time is precious.

I agree. Some games are gravely immoral, no matter what anyone says. The Grand Theft Auto series comes to mind.

Having said that, 90 percent of other games are just fine. People dont seem to understand that moderation is the key. Don’t spend all your time playing a game, don’t play it if it’s going to warp your mind…etc. Other than that, relax and knock yourself out.

 

[thirddec]

Its all about time; moderation is of course important; but how else could you be using that time. Do you make some time for a Rosary every day; If you are at school do you ensure you have you studies upto date; do you find time to show consideration and love for mebers of your family by helping out a little at home. Are you involved in you community in any way ? Do you get to mass every Sunday. Do you recieve Communion in a proper manner.

So Gaming itself is not a sin ( some games ) but llook again at how balanced is your life and your time. Could it be balance in a healthier and more spiritual way that can lead to a greater personal sense of fulfillment?

For now you are the Judge of this

 

[nickybr38]

You know what I don’t understand? Why is it that dwelling on and/or watching sexual content is sinful (or borderline so) BUT dwelling on murder and/or watching murderous actions on screen is NOT sinful? I’m really not getting that.

There are quite a few shows that have distressing amounts of violence glorified (perpetrated (sp?) by the ‘hero’ of the show) and yet those are appropriate while a sex scene isn’t?

Personally I feel both are wrong but I’m just wondering why one is all right when the other isn’t?

 

[Zsofia_A]

You know what I don’t understand? Why is it that dwelling on and/or watching sexual content is sinful (or borderline so) BUT dwelling on murder and/or watching murderous actions on screen is NOT sinful? I’m really not getting that.

There are quite a few shows that have distressing amounts of violence glorified (perpetrated (sp?) by the ‘hero’ of the show) and yet those are appropriate while a sex scene isn’t?

Personally I feel both are wrong but I’m just wondering why one is all right when the other isn’t?

I here you there…watching sexual scenes can get you aroused and that state falls under adultery…but watching violent scenes does not make you want to kill? Maybe that is the difference???

Other than that I agree with the others…if you have balance between games and real life duties, relationships and spiritual life, then it should be fine

 

[JakeSim]

You know what I don’t understand? Why is it that dwelling on and/or watching sexual content is sinful (or borderline so) BUT dwelling on murder and/or watching murderous actions on screen is NOT sinful? I’m really not getting that.

There are quite a few shows that have distressing amounts of violence glorified (perpetrated (sp?) by the ‘hero’ of the show) and yet those are appropriate while a sex scene isn’t?

Personally I feel both are wrong but I’m just wondering why one is all right when the other isn’t?

Would you guys possibly consider Mortal Kombat under “wrong”…grand theft auto is a game I won’t touch anymore however.

But anyway, that does not make that much sense to me either but I do have a question that is off this topic, and brings curiousity to me…why are teenagers so filled with hormones and it’s to a so uncontrollable level for a number of teens…does this mean that because they have those hormones just out of nature that they’re sinning?

 

[trmyjs]

Would you guys possibly consider Mortal Kombat under “wrong”…grand theft auto is a game I won’t touch anymore however.

But anyway, that does not make that much sense to me either but I do have a question that is off this topic, and brings curiousity to me…why are teenagers so filled with hormones and it’s to a so uncontrollable level for a number of teens…does this mean that because they have those hormones just out of nature that they’re sinning?

I don’t think having the hormones is a sin, since God gave them to us. It’s what you do with them that can be sinful.

 

[JakeSim]

I don’t think having the hormones is a sin, since God gave them to us. It’s what you do with them that can be sinful.

But isnt it a sin to even have sexual thoughts and to be aroused? From what I’ve read at least.

 

[Alexander_Smith]

Would you guys possibly consider Mortal Kombat under “wrong”…grand theft auto is a game I won’t touch anymore however.

But anyway, that does not make that much sense to me either but I do have a question that is off this topic, and brings curiousity to me…why are teenagers so filled with hormones and it’s to a so uncontrollable level for a number of teens…does this mean that because they have those hormones just out of nature that they’re sinning?

Mortal Kombat is a very good game series. Yes there’s a lot of violence, but it’s some of the best fighting games available.

It’s not the hormones that are at an uncontrollable level, it’s sexual/other temptations being hurled at teenagers from friends, TV, media, ads, music, and culture in general. Most jokes I heard at college were sexual in nature, and sex is topic numero uno around the work place and in general conversation a lot of the time.

The temptation wouldn’t be so hard to deal with if it was just the natural urge, but it is heavily supplemented, which makes it very hard to deal with sometimes.

But isnt it a sin to even have sexual thoughts and to be aroused? From what I’ve read at least.

It’s not a sin to have sexual thoughts, or to be aroused. It IS a sin to encourage sexual thoughts, and deliberately seek to gain or maintain sexual arousal.

 

[kbwall]

Why does Grand Theft Auto always get the worst rep possible in topics like these? Grand Theft Auto is not that bad. It has minimal sexual content, and it’s all offscreen so there’s no arousal/pornographic content.

It’s one of the best free-roaming games, and it started a whole genre of similar free-roam games (not all of which are based on crime). Few other games allow you to explore a modern day city the way GTA does. The only thing a little objectionable is the fact that the story is centered around crime, but it’s not real. The violence and crime is no more real than it is in any other game.

IMO, the only game that would consitute a mortal sin are games that basically are porn. Such as the countless Japanese hentai games, Leisure Suit Larry, etc.

On that note, what are your opinions regarding games with a lot of fanservice? For example, the Dead or Alive series?

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Nope. As what everyone said, moderation is the key.
May I also add my ever trusty formula in discussions such as this:

Reality =/= Fantasy.

There’s no harm getting your head in the game but remember to keep your feet grounded in real life.