Is playing violent video games a sin?

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Warcraft, Age of Empires, Final Fantasy, Half-life, etc. – are all these games and others which have violence in them sinful to play?
 
I’d say it depends on how you’re playing the game. If you play a game like Grand Theft Auto, and take pleasure in murdering innocents, then its possibly sinful. Unless you take pleasure in killing Nazis or aliens, games like Medal of Honor or Halo would probably be occasins of sin. If you dont enjoy shooting enemies but like the gameplay, etc, then you’re fine.
 
There are a myriad of other activities one can do besides playing these pointless games. Why would one want to waste time doing something like this? Point your mental energies to something more moral. You must have custody of what you put into your mind.
 
I would say that Age of Empires, Starcraft, and other civilization games should be okay.

They have greatly increased my knowledge of history, and they force you to negotiate, make deals, build economies, and raise balanced countries.

The carnage is very minimal, so I would okay these games to boys 10-12 and up
 
it is really like capturing a pawn in chess but with better graphics 😉

I can’t see how the game itself could be sinful

it is an exercise of the mind, a way to socialise, and build hand-eye coordination.

the problem of course, like many other things, is when you do it to much that it distracts you from your priorities

anything in excess can be a problem
 
I don’t think it is a sin to play these games. I like Medal of Honor and some other games like that. As long as you don’t have a sick and sadistic mindset when playing them and just looking to kill you should be fine.
 
I really enjoy video games. I’ve recently started to learn more and more and become more active in my church and faith. I now wonder if playing video games is a sin. Is it? if it is i am going to be very sad
 
davidM << I now wonder if playing video games is a sin. >>

Dance dance Revolution is absolutely satanic and sinful.

Grand Theft Auto (all of them) is just fine. :rolleyes:

Sorry I don’t follow this stuff, what’s the latest? I don’t have Xbox 360 yet. But I want to learn how to make them… who here can teach me about Pixel Shaders? Now we’re way off topic! 👍

Phil P
 
In moderation they are not bad. But of course that does depend on the game. In viedo games today there is a whole lot of desensitization. So just be careful.
 
Video games are a lot like movies. Some are violent and filled with profanity and sexuality, some are benign. Choose what you play with an eye to the morality of its content. I would suggest Grand Theft Auto isn’t the most morally acceptable game on the market.

That being said, any entertainment that negatively affects your family or relationship with God is best avoided. Tetris is certainly harmless in and of itself, but when it starts occupying an inordinate amount of your time (like these forums… :whistle: ), you may need to reconsider how you approach it.
 
If the games are appropriate(use your best judgement) and you do it in moderation they are fine. It is when you play them to the point that you are neglecting your faith and vocation that they become sinful.

God Bless,
Matt
 
I used to be a hardcore video game junkie. Once I started to move into my faith I kind of moved away from it and I just sort of thought where are these video games getting me? I play them much less now and usually only with friends. I try and substitute that time with my family or prayer or rosary making. Now I’m a hardcore Rosary making junkie 😛
 
Does it constitute grave matter to play violent video games (ie. ones in which you kill bad guys with a gun)?

I really don’t see how some of these games are all that different from the great old Western films in which the good guys shot the bad guys.
 
I have difficulty accepting the idea that it is ANY sort of sin at all. When we play darts, we attempt to impale the bullseys (or, really, the tripple 20) with a sharp implement. Is this a sin? Does the archer sin when hitting the target? Does the rifle marksman sin when hitting the target? Even if the target is a human sillouette?

Nobody on earth thinks that the characters in a computer game are acutal persons who actually suffer from our actions. We cannot commit sin by our actions “against” computer simulations.
 
David << When we play darts, we attempt to impale the bullseys (or, really, the tripple 20) with a sharp implement. >>

Darts are totally satanic! So is Pong! Sorry couldn’t resist. :eek: 😃

Phil P
 
marty1818I don’t believe it is a grave matter. It’s listed as a venial sin at this website.

catholic.org/frz/examen/examen_venial.htm
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God Bless,
Matt

Heh Matt,

It appears that the person who listed “violent” video gaming as a venial sin was one Fr.John T. Zuhlsdorf’.

While I have no doubt as to the good priest’s intentions in his examen (“Examination of Conscience”), many of things on his “list” are his opinions, and his opinions only.

Personally, I like to play FPS games (first person shooters). I have played Soldier of Fortune 2 on line for many years now, and have been able to witness to many of the people that I have played with.

They know that I am a Christian because I use the Fish sign in my name:

<((Fireman))>><

SOF2 is a military type “good team vs. bad team” game, and in it we do not attack civilians, policeman, children, etc. (like in that notorious game “Grand Theft Auto”).

So for me, I look at it as a merely “neutral” activity. Neither evil, nor holy. Just a pass time …

P.S. I am an adult who is over 18. All games that are sold have age requirements on their boxes, but parents (or stores even) don’t seem to be taking much notice of this when these games are purchased.

And that I think, is the REAL problem …
 
What about chess? Or Risk or Stratego? Is it a sin to have a “war” just for fun? Where is the line?
 
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PhilVaz:
Lapsed << Tetris is certainly harmless >>

Tetris is totally satanic! So is PONG! :mad: :mad: :mad:

Phil P
Click to expand...
Undeniable proof! :tiphat:
 
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