Is playing this game sinful?

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I just found this new game on the internet called Civilization Wars, you can check it out if you want (it’s kind of silly). I was wondering if it would be sinful to play such a game seeing as it talks about things like “the Ancient forces” and you obtain magical crystal power, and so forth. It also has characters that look kind of evil and pagan.

Anyway, is it sinful as long as you don’t take it seriously?
 
There are many things in popular culture that contain elements such as these. The Harry Potter series is a popular example that generates endless debates on the morality of reading stories that some people believe glorify witchcraft.

The bottom line is that a Catholic with a properly formed conscience can often indulge in such things as long as they do not present a near occasion of sin – in other words, if he or she is not going to be tempted into dabbling in witchcraft or worshiping pagan gods.

Having not checked out this game, I can only say that in general, one should rely on one’s conscience to guide one’s choices of entertainment. Using Harry Potter as an example, I happen to be a big fan because despite the use of “magic” as a storytelling device, I am particularly pleased with the strong Christian message of the power of sacrificial love contained in the story. A video game that is violent and/or contains questionable content usually contains no such thematic substance to offset said content, so it may be harder to justify its use.

I hope this helps!

Peace,
Dante
 
DanteAlighieri said:
There are many things in popular culture that contain elements such as these. The Harry Potter series is a popular example that generates endless debates on the morality of reading stories that some people believe glorify witchcraft.

The bottom line is that a Catholic with a properly formed conscience can often indulge in such things as long as they do not present a near occasion of sin – in other words, if he or she is not going to be tempted into dabbling in witchcraft or worshiping pagan gods.

Having not checked out this game, I can only say that in general, one should rely on one’s conscience to guide one’s choices of entertainment. Using Harry Potter as an example, I happen to be a big fan because despite the use of “magic” as a storytelling device, I am particularly pleased with the strong Christian message of the power of sacrificial love contained in the story. A video game that is violent and/or contains questionable content usually contains no such thematic substance to offset said content, so it may be harder to justify its use.

I hope this helps!

Peace,
Dante
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Can you clarify a little bit on exactly what “dabbling” is? I’ve never really understood this.

The game is just these little cartoon characters who run around and take over different buildings.
 
From my former Pagan perspective, dabbling in witchcraft means buying a spell book and trying to cast spells. Or maybe dabbling in the occult would mean buying a tarot deck, a palmistry book or even a Ouija board. To me, dabbling means testing these things out, or trying it out in a very shallow way, while still being Christian. Once you get past dabbling, you can become more immersed in these practices, which takes you even further from God.

It is a slippery slope. I have known people who have dabbled in these things, felt it did not work and never tried it again. Then there are people like me who spend more of a decade immersed in occult practices.

But even dabbling in these things is a sin.

So, if you play any of these games, watch any of these movies or read any of these books, and you start to feel drawn towards occultism or pagan ideas, you should step back and pray for a bit.

If it doesn’t effect your relationship with Christ, then don’t worry.
 
McatholicN said:
I just found this new game on the internet called Civilization Wars, you can check it out if you want (it’s kind of silly). I was wondering if it would be sinful to play such a game seeing as it talks about things like “the Ancient forces” and you obtain magical crystal power, and so forth. It also has characters that look kind of evil and pagan.

Anyway, is it sinful as long as you don’t take it seriously?
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can’s see how it could be sinful if you did take it seriously. its cartoon fluff.
 
But could this somehow be opening yourself up to demons?

I’m really confused about this kind of stuff.
 
Yes and no. These games aren’t designed to open you to demons. It is unfair to say that these games open people to demons. It’s like saying watching a soap opera will open someone to having sex with their sister-in-law.

The soap isn’t a part of your real life, and neither is the game. Keep them separate and remember God.
 
You have asked posted a number of questions about different electronic games, whether or not they’re sinful, but hopefully you have other occupations besides playing electronic games. 🙂

When you die Jesus isn’t going to ask you how many games you played and won.
He’s going to notice whether or not you do kind acts for others. See Matthew 25 verses 31-46.

Playing a lot of e-games is basically fantasy, not real use of your time and life. They’re time-passers. Sure they can involve skills, but at the cost of not developing other skills. I hope you also put yourself to helping others out, parents, friends, others. 🙂 What is primarily sinful is if you play these things to the exclusion of other healthy activities, and at the cost of not doing good for others as well as yourself.

I think you have your own commonsense that will tell you if a game distracts you from better things, whether it distracts you from kindness and doing things you should be doing, and thoughts and preoccupation that detract from thinking and functioning in a Christian way in the real world. This is where it becomes sinful.
 
I mean Jesus Has over time Conquered and slain and gotten magical crystal powers right??? So why would it be sinful for you to do these things???👍
 
If you’re worried so much about sinning, why stll be apartt of this religion. all you do is give your money away to a child molesting priest. agnostic/atheist for the win!!!

cant wait til it turns out we’re all wrong 👍
 
OK, I made a long thought out reply, and got randomly logged out, and lost everything. Here’s round two.

Fantasy games are perfectly safe. I’ve never played the particular game you speak of, but if it’s anything like most of them, then it’s fine. I have played numerous fantasy games, read fantasy books, and am a fan of Harry Potter. This stuff doesn’t even come close to real life witchcraft. Not even a little bit.

So you know what to actually avoid, I’ll explain a little on the subject. One example of real life magic seen today is divination, that is fortune telling. Tarot cards, palmistry, etc. Avoid these things, some people say not even read your horoscope (it’s also basically just made up randomly, and as it’s commonly done, it has little to do with actual astrology, so take that as you will). The other thing is spells. Spells are basically just a form of prayer for Pagans. The most common religions to use spells are Wiccans/New Age/Pagan (all Wiccans are Pagans, but not all Pagans are witches, so I seperated them). They use spells for what you would expect them to use prayer for. That’s it. Nowhere near as exciting as flying around, casting lightning bolts. They’re just another religion; they don’t get special powers. Also, most of their teachings say not to use magic to hurt others, just as you wouldn’t pray for harm to come to another person. Still, as almost all spells invoke a Pagan deity or some other spirit, it’s in direct violation of the first commandment, so no Catholic should perform them.

It’s basically just another religion; don’t do their rites or pray to their deities, and you’ll be fine. Fantasy book section/video games/movies is not where you will find temptation. It is occult stores/fortune tellers.
 
kbwall said:
OK, I made a long thought out reply, and got randomly logged out, and lost everything. Here’s round two.

Fantasy games are perfectly safe. I’ve never played the particular game you speak of, but if it’s anything like most of them, then it’s fine. I have played numerous fantasy games, read fantasy books, and am a fan of Harry Potter. This stuff doesn’t even come close to real life witchcraft. Not even a little bit.

So you know what to actually avoid, I’ll explain a little on the subject. One example of real life magic seen today is divination, that is fortune telling. Tarot cards, palmistry, etc. Avoid these things, some people say not even read your horoscope (it’s also basically just made up randomly, and as it’s commonly done, it has little to do with actual astrology, so take that as you will). The other thing is spells. Spells are basically just a form of prayer for Pagans. The most common religions to use spells are Wiccans/New Age/Pagan (all Wiccans are Pagans, but not all Pagans are witches, so I seperated them). They use spells for what you would expect them to use prayer for. That’s it. Nowhere near as exciting as flying around, casting lightning bolts. They’re just another religion; they don’t get special powers. Also, most of their teachings say not to use magic to hurt others, just as you wouldn’t pray for harm to come to another person. Still, as almost all spells invoke a Pagan deity or some other spirit, it’s in direct violation of the first commandment, so no Catholic should perform them.

It’s basically just another religion; don’t do their rites or pray to their deities, and you’ll be fine. Fantasy book section/video games/movies is not where you will find temptation. It is occult stores/fortune tellers.
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Thanks for the response!

I’m sorry to drag this out, and it’s kind of dumb question in the first place but…
you’re saying that participating in “magic” actions is not sinful in games? Such as trying to get the “magical power” from the crystal and things like that?

Can demons enter a person even if they aren’t presented with a temptation to do magic and such in real life?
 
I found out this game uses spells too. Will that make any difference to its morality?
 
McatholicN said:
Thanks for the response!
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You’re welcome.
I’m sorry to drag this out, and it’s kind of dumb question in the first place but…
you’re saying that participating in “magic” actions is not sinful in games? Such as trying to get the “magical power” from the crystal and things like that?
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It’s fine. Ask as much as you need to.

The games are not sinful at all. Their magic isn’t anything lke real magic. While there may be some superficial similarities, such as the crystals you mention, fantasy magic is still nothing like real magic. It’s to entertain, nothing more.

For a good comparison at how ridiculous it is, compare demons in fiction to what Chrstianity teaches us of demons. In religion/reality, demons are spirits that tempt, or in extreme cases, possess. They have their dangers, but they are still intangible beings. In fantasy, especially Buffy, they’re physical beings/monsters that you can fight with your fists or other physical weapons. See what I mean? Not even close.
I found out this game uses spells too. Will that make any difference to its morality?
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I haven’t played this particular game, but if ithe spells used anything like Harry Potter or Dungeons and Dragons, then no, it doesn’t affect the morality. It’s still not sinful. Since we’re primarily talking about video games here, I can’t imagine any game using something similar to a real life spell. It just plain wouldn’t be any fun. Wouldn’t be anymore fun that playing a game about Christian prayer.

An accurate depiction of a real witch is more similar to that of a hippie than that of a fantasy being. Even if a peice of fiction portrayed the occult accurately, I would be hesitant to call the fiction evil in and of itself. Stories always feature sinners, excepting those made for very small children. Are you tempted to murder when you watch an action film or play an action game? Things like this would be up to the individual to decide if they can handle it or not, but I wouldn’t think just because a show features sin it’d be sinful to watch (with the exception being pornography). If you are tempted, you may want to abstain though.
 
I feel I should warn you about the real occult too though. Some people are tempted by the occult if they come acrossit. It isn’t anything like the stuff found in video games/movies, which is why the fiction is so harmless. This stuff, unlike the other stuff I talked about, can be tempting, and be careful around it (avoiding it altogether would likely be safer). As Dymphna82, don’t dabble. For future reference, if you ever come across the real occult and feel temptation, just ask yourself how comfortable are you with Christ? Remember, the Pagans are just another religion, don’t get caught up in their stuff just because their rituals seem more exotic. Are you tempted to convert to Islam when you see a muslim praying on his prayer rug? Or when you see a Hindu praying to their deity? Do you ever feel like you get swayed when you read about other’s religions? Don’t feel bad if you answer yes, nobody is perfect. Simply pray to God to make your faith stronger.
 
HOney. Chill. This is just a role playing game. Just fantasy. You’re not doing anything more sinful than Emma Watson when she dons an actors set of Hogwarts robes and waves around a stick. It’s a game. You are playing a simple, fun game. There is NO HARM in this.

SO quit getting yourself in a tizzy and go have fun. The only time games like these pose a danger is if you say, “Golly, casting spells in this game is fun! I wonder if I could cast spells in real life…”

Quit worrying about demons in the video game. It isn’t the vvideo game that a demon would come through, but the uninformed, weakened or immature mind of someone who didn’t know how to make it JUST a game. You seem very evout. So quit stressing
 
shondrea said:
HOney. Chill. This is just a role playing game. Just fantasy. You’re not doing anything more sinful than Emma Watson when she dons an actors set of Hogwarts robes and waves around a stick. It’s a game. You are playing a simple, fun game. There is NO HARM in this.

SO quit getting yourself in a tizzy and go have fun. The only time games like these pose a danger is if you say, “Golly, casting spells in this game is fun! I wonder if I could cast spells in real life…”

Quit worrying about demons in the video game. It isn’t the vvideo game that a demon would come through, but the uninformed, weakened or immature mind of someone who didn’t know how to make it JUST a game. You seem very evout. So quit stressing
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Couldn’t have said it better myself.
 
I don’t think an RPG with pagan stuff in it would lead me to dabble in the occult any more than Grand Theft Auto would lead me to “dabble” in mass murder and vehicular homicide.

Fantasy=/=Reality.
 
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