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coolcatholicguy
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I am making sure. Can anyone answer please?
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Newbie2
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Depends on the video game, how much time is spent at playing it (time that should be used for chores, homework, etc.).
Something like “Grand Theft Auto” or some first-person shooter games I would question whether or not they desensitize the player to violence, which could lead to sin. On the other hand, playing something tame like Snood, which I find very addicting, can be just as bad if it keeps you from things you should be doing.
Something like “Grand Theft Auto” or some first-person shooter games I would question whether or not they desensitize the player to violence, which could lead to sin. On the other hand, playing something tame like Snood, which I find very addicting, can be just as bad if it keeps you from things you should be doing.
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fulbert4605
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In and of itself, playing video games is not a sin. It becomes a sin if your playing of the video games cuts into time you should be using productively. This is admittedly a grey area, for it seems as if we are entitled to some R&R time each day.
It is also a sin if the video game leads you closer to some other sin. If the video game is an instrument of scandal in other words.
It is important to recognize each generation has had their vices concerning entertainment. These above guidelines should be able to apply to all sources of entertainment. Skipping stones, for instance, could qualify as a sin. Of course in most cases it wouldn’t qualify.
It is also a sin if the video game leads you closer to some other sin. If the video game is an instrument of scandal in other words.
It is important to recognize each generation has had their vices concerning entertainment. These above guidelines should be able to apply to all sources of entertainment. Skipping stones, for instance, could qualify as a sin. Of course in most cases it wouldn’t qualify.
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edwest2
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Let’s not be vague folks. Grand Theft Auto is right out. I watched another computer game where a character pauses to have an off-screen sexual encounter with a woman he passes close to.
Next, depending on your age, cooperate with your parents, or ask your priest for guidance. There is too much junk out there.
God bless,
Ed
Next, depending on your age, cooperate with your parents, or ask your priest for guidance. There is too much junk out there.
God bless,
Ed
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thistle
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You asked this question in another thread. How many times to we have to tell you NO it is not a sin to play video games per se (unless pornography is involved).
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NJJMBVB
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Depends on the game itself, the circumstances of the game, and the reason for which the game is being played.
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diggerdomer
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coolcatholicguy
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Are you serious?
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thistle
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You seem to be not only the most scrupulous forum member but one of the most naive!!
Everyone told you to stop opening these silly threads and speak to a priest. You said you were going to do that. What did the priest tell you?
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Edward_H
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Not all video games are bad. I suspect the ones that allow 2 players to play are better than self-absorbing, single player games. The violent/sexual ones of course are not good.
So I can see how an adventure or even some action games shared with others, say, after well done school exams, might be useful. It might allow you to get to know your fellow dorm mates, etc. It might give you a chance to show generosity, good humor, cheerfulness, and a sense of temperance/detachment (“hey, let’s move on to something else - let’s go to the gym, let’s get a bite to eat, let’s go see how Tom did on his exams”).
In this way the game becomes a means to a better end: personal communion/exchange/relaxation.
Playing games by oneself…like watching tv by oneself is generally a waste of God’s time. It’s just plain dissipation.
A wise priest once told me: Christians rest so they can work more, so they can give more, so they can love more. Just like our Lord. We don’t work so we can rest.
So I can see how an adventure or even some action games shared with others, say, after well done school exams, might be useful. It might allow you to get to know your fellow dorm mates, etc. It might give you a chance to show generosity, good humor, cheerfulness, and a sense of temperance/detachment (“hey, let’s move on to something else - let’s go to the gym, let’s get a bite to eat, let’s go see how Tom did on his exams”).
In this way the game becomes a means to a better end: personal communion/exchange/relaxation.
Playing games by oneself…like watching tv by oneself is generally a waste of God’s time. It’s just plain dissipation.
A wise priest once told me: Christians rest so they can work more, so they can give more, so they can love more. Just like our Lord. We don’t work so we can rest.
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diggerdomer
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McatholicN
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“Enjoy yourself as much as you like, only if you stay away from sin.” -Saint John Bosco
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Edward_H
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“…only if…”
Closer than you think. What’s the original source for that quote?
Fly from bad companions as from the bite of a poisonous snake. If you keep good companions, I can assure you that you will one day rejoice with the blessed in Heaven; whereas if you keep with those who are bad, you will become bad yourself, and you will be in danger of losing your soul. – St. John Bosco
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McatholicN
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webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:c5qtPQ5ZofkJ:saints.sqpn.com/saint-john-bosco/+enjoy+yourself+st.+john+bosco&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=us
Right next to your quote.
I never said anything about bad companions. Yes, stay away from things that will lead you to sin, but it seems some people are preaching pleasure as an evil.
Peace be with you.
Right next to your quote.
I never said anything about bad companions. Yes, stay away from things that will lead you to sin, but it seems some people are preaching pleasure as an evil.
Peace be with you.
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Edward_H
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And to you. God gave us the ability to experience pleasure…so pleasures are good, when done in line with God’s will, of course.
There’s just a bit too much of a “if it feels good, do it” in that out of context snippet from St John Bosco.
Pleasures need to serve a purpose…to marvel at God’s work, to deepen our gratitude, to increase love, to create ‘communio’, to allow us to rest…so we can work…and give…and serve God and others.
Dissipation is not seeking pleasure in the right manner.
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McatholicN
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Could you explain dissipation?
Are you saying that it is wrong to look up your team in the standings, or watch a movie, or read a book, or play a game unless we are serving god doing it?
Are you saying that it is wrong to look up your team in the standings, or watch a movie, or read a book, or play a game unless we are serving god doing it?
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Elijah_Baley
Guest
So all entertainment by oneself and only oneself is inherently sinful? This is a poor standard for discerning sloth, I think. Is reading sinful? How about writing, if that floats your boat? These are both basic activities which require solitary time without other people around for the fullest value, and cannot be done effectively with more than one person.
Personally speaking, I know I can’t be out and about with friends all the time. I’m not naturally social, and I get worn down very easily when I’m out doing things all the time, or even having anyone over for something more sedentary. Where does alone time fit in with this?
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McatholicN
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This was a great post and I am eagerly anticipating responses.
By the way, I just found a great article called “The Theology of Pleasure”. Here it is: semperficatholic.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=31764&sid=ea72952d1290ec7e0e44b94ab3d0550e
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Edward_H
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Of course not. This point always trips up people at first.
From Luke: “Take heed to yourselves lest your hearts
be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and
that day come upon you suddenly like a snare” (Lk 21:34).
Dissipation is wasteful, un-purposeful, undirected activity. Consider 2 vacations…one spent sleeping in late every day…going to the beach…and laying out all day…eating…taking a nap…watching tv, eating and snacking more. Again and again, and then going home.
Vs. A purposeful vacation…sleeping an extra hour. Then a vigorous walk. Followed by a set of things to do. A chapter to read in a good book. Some history to take in at a local site. Writing postcards - connecting to others - in the late morning. A light lunch. Buy some goodies to drop off at a local Church. Some games at the beach for the kids in the afternoon. Tasking them with making dinner for the family present. Calling the grandparents on the video-skype that evening as a family. Card games. Songs. Prayers.
Remember…we should be praying always (says so in the Bible, several places…). We can turn any event into prayerful conversation and an offering. We can give supernatural intentions to everything we do. We can read a book…so that we can learn more about a subject…to stimulate our brain. Fiction is fine. Watching a movie…with others is great.
Plugging our selves into a movie…and another one…and other…entirely by ourselves…is starting to border on dissipation.
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McatholicN
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That was a very good answer, though I will disagree with you that enjoying pleasure by one’s self is “dissipation”. Call me a nerd, but I love to create languages, sports, and write philosophies of mine. I don’t see these as sinful, in fact, I believe God gave me the talents to be able to do these. Most priests I know have televisions, and I don’t think their doing too much watching with others.
I’ve always been confused at the command to pray unceasingly. I find perpetual conversation with God to be very difficult and almost burdensome. I’ve been told, however, that saying the Morning Offering and living our actions as a prayer is fulfilling this command.
Peace be with you.
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