Is it ok for Catholics to play violent video games?

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DMITRIYL

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Hello, I was just wodnering if it is ok for Catholics to play violent video games; like assassins creed or call of duty? I don’t do it because I want to kill anybody. It just helps me relax and get my mind off things. Thank you.
 
DMITRIYL said:
Hello, I was just wodnering if it is ok for Catholics to play violent video games; like assassins creed or call of duty? I don’t do it because I want to kill anybody. It just helps me relax and get my mind off things. Thank you.
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I think it’s okay, so long as it is not portraying violence done against innocents. For example, playing Grand Theft Auto and mowing down a crowd of pedestrians with a minigun, or beating one up with a billy club.

I love Call of Duty. Think of it as G.I. Joe for grown-ups, or virtual paintball. Just beat the campaign of Advanced Warfare this morning. I’d say it’s a good thing to prevent Kevin Spacey from taking over the world 😃

I’ve never played Assassins Creed, so I can’t speak for it. Their portrayal of the Catholic Church isn’t positive (then again, Alexander VI was the Richard Nixon of the papacy, so no point in glossing over the facts).

I know a very devout and holy seminarian who plays Borderlands, which is pretty much what Call of Duty would be if it were an R-rated Looney Tunes cartoon.

Really, it’s no different than watching a movie with violence in it. I think it depends on the context of the violence: there’s a vast difference between Saving Private Ryan and American Psycho.
 
DMITRIYL said:
Hello, I was just wodnering if it is ok for Catholics to play violent video games; like assassins creed or call of duty? I don’t do it because I want to kill anybody. It just helps me relax and get my mind off things. Thank you.
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IMHO, no.
 
I don’t know anything about these games, so I really can’t comment other than to say:
Why do violent games calm you? :confused:
Seems incongruous.
🤷.
God bless you.
 
pianistclare said:
I don’t know anything about these games, so I really can’t comment other than to say:
Why do violent games calm you? :confused:
Seems incongruous.
🤷.
God bless you.
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I think by “calm”, he means that they let him unwind.
 
Yeah, as far as the context of the violence, for AC it is the french revolution. And robespierre was not exactly a pillar of morality, so I would say opposing him is a good thing. I was just wondering about the fact of the actual violence itself. Not whether the position you are in the game is morally superior to the other, but if the actual portrayal of violence is itself objectionable.
 
DMITRIYL said:
Yeah, as far as the context of the violence, for AC it is the french revolution. And robespierre was not exactly a pillar of morality, so I would say opposing him is a good thing. I was just wondering about the fact of the actual violence itself. Not whether the position you are in the game is morally superior to the other, but if the actual portrayal of violence is itself objectionable.
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Well, IMHO, portrayal of violence in a non-reporting form such as for entertainment is not a good idea. Many will disagree.
God bless you. Hope your New Year is wonderful.
 
DMITRIYL said:
Hello, I was just wodnering if it is ok for Catholics to play violent video games; like assassins creed or call of duty? I don’t do it because I want to kill anybody. It just helps me relax and get my mind off things. Thank you.
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1 Corinthians 10:23 (RSVCE)
Do All to the Glory of God
23 “All things are lawful,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful,” but not all things build up.
 
DMITRIYL said:
Is there any the Chuch has to say on this?
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I don’t think so. It’s a question that has come up in my mind off and on. Let me put it this way: does it feel like an obstacle between you and God? If no, then you’re okay.
 
I think maybe it’s good to play a game that could be harmonious with just war theory if it is somewhat realistic. (just my opinion) I used to play EA Battlefield games all the time. The main problem was that I spent WAY WAY WAY too much time playing them.

Simulating in a game something that is not moral, such as killing noncombatants seems distasteful to me and I think it would not be good.

I think one must be careful not to let these games eat up too much of our time.
 
In my opinion one can play anything he likes, as long as he knows it is a game and therefore not seriously. Plus, if there is anything on the Church which might disturb, it is good to make sure that the player doesn’t intent to mock the church. There is for instance a role playing game which has some sort of religious clergy with sacraments and so on. Well, if it serves the plot without damaging the churches dignity, alright. Finally, some games are good imputs for reflections. 🙂
It would be nice to have opinions from theologians, since I think the Church doesn’t have a teaching on this.
 
i didn’t let my children play them, so you can’t either.😉 seriously, what is Jesus thinking as He’s looking over your shoulder?🤷
 
IMHO, it doesn’t matter very much. If it is a sin, it is probably venial. Probably no more sinful than playing chess, or playing with tin soldiers or those little green army men.

Well… as long as you don’t fantasise about hacking people apart. Take relish in blood and guts and torn ligaments. That sort of thing.
 
Well, I’m a guy and some of these games make me feel a bit umm…Well, the games with scantily clad female figures in them with highly sexualized body features…I think they often can incite lust in guys. I don’t think it is just me. And that is a bad thing.

To name one, Lara Croft is realistic enough to be that way.
 
JamalChristophr said:
Well, I’m a guy and some of these games make me feel a bit umm…Well, the games with scantily clad female figures in them with highly sexualized body features…I think they often can incite lust in guys. I don’t think it is just me. And that is a bad thing.

To name one, Lara Croft is realistic enough to be that way.
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This is a good point, and that’s the other thing to watch out for.

There is, for example, a very, very good virtual novel eroge. The story is actually very good. And for 1991, so are the graphics. But I have to resist the temptation to download and play it because it is also an occasion of sin for me, namely the pornographic aspect. (And, sadly, I very much doubt there ever will be anything like a “clean” version.)

I would bother more about avoiding chainmail and fur bikinis than about avoiding violence. Most people don’t get off on violence. Most men, on the other hand, do get off on sexuality.
 
The irony here is that almost every video game out there involves killing someone, shooting someone, trying to destroy someone and almost all these games are rated T for Teen to M for Mature.

But don’t you dare show a nipple or suggest sex!
A for Adults only!

The hypocrisy of Violence vs Sex in the USA.
 
for once i agree with you. except you probably think they should all be allowed, and i think they should all be banned.😛
 
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