Is playing violent video games a sin?

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I think it depends on the game which you are playing. For example, you shouldn’t be playing Grand Theft auto because you are assuming the role of a thief and as you know, thiefing is a sin. Then there are video games which, although a bit violent, aren’t senseless or pointless and can be pretty educational. I suggest going on to IMDB, search the video game page on that website and see the parents guide on it. It shows whether the video game has any blood or violence, sex and nudity, etc…

If I may offer a suggestion though, I suggest avoiding games such as Resident Evil, Manhunt (especially) and alot of other MMORPG’s. The first two because they are overtly violent, haivng to kill enemies over and over again, while MMORPG’s are just pointless. You will gain nothing playing WoW. I used to play an MMORPG when I was younger and nowadays I don’t play it at all, thank goodness. I wasted my time on it and to make it worse, the story and gameplay didn’t make any sense. Why do you have to be level 68 to open that damned door when you can force it open with a battering ram?:rolleyes:
 
philipmarie said:
You will gain nothing playing WoW.
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I agree… however that’s the point of all video games… mindless entertainment. There’s nothing wrong with that. It’s no different than getting hooked on a couple really good TV shows as some people do and devoting several hours a week to that. It’s the subject matter and the length of time spent doing either that can be problematic and what is ok in either case is entirely subjective.

As far as Manhunt, I remember playing or trying to play it… while the mechanics of it were very well done I couldn’t play it as it was very disturbing and quit after literally a few minutes and never tried again that was before any real religious affiliation too it just felt twisted trying to play it.

Also, someone had mentioned Christian themed video games… I agree and recently read about an upcoming one called El Shaddai: Ascension of the Metatron… I didn’t get too much detail unfortunately so I’m not sure whether or not it will truly be considered a Christian game but we’ll see hopefully it will be good and won’t be too controversial :rolleyes:
 
philipmarie said:
You will gain nothing playing WoW.
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I gained ideas on how to create various job classes based on different cultures. BP
Then again, it’s surprising how I learned that from playing all types of MMORPGs. BP

Not even reading mythology (a favorite subject of mine) helped me shape the mechanics as much as seeing it in action from playing. BP
 
Scourgeblade777 said:
I think we should get the Pope’s opinion about this cause I’m really confused.
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The Pope has bigger issues to worry about.
Scourgeblade777 said:
Also, World of Warcraft’s warlock class and Guild War’s necromancer class have references to the occult. For example, the warlocks in World of Warcraft call upon the power of demons in the twisting nether. That just doesn’t sound right. I thought Warcraft was one of the coolest games ever until I realized this.
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Fantasy magic =/= Real magic (no matter how dark it appears)
 
I think there’s a clear difference between committing sin on a video game, than in actual reality.

I don’t see the big deal, I know the difference between right and wrong and games are just games.
 
Lost_Wanderer said:
Fantasy magic =/= Real magic (no matter how dark it appears)
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Though if someone found a way to really summon a little imp who says funny stuff and throws fireballs at the mythological beasts who randomly attack me when I’m minding my own business picking herbs or mining I’d be ok with that… oh… wait…
 
Blood_Angel said:
I think there’s a clear difference between committing sin on a video game, than in actual reality.

I don’t see the big deal, I know the difference between right and wrong and games are just games.
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While I agree for the most part, you will find that this is an unpopular opinion on these boards.
 
mdrummer5 said:
Though if someone found a way to really summon a little imp who says funny stuff and throws fireballs at the mythological beasts who randomly attack me when I’m minding my own business picking herbs or mining I’d be ok with that… oh… wait…
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Oh believe me, God need only allow it and I’d soon run off to some crazy battlefield, a hybrid magic weapon in hand, a hated rival to duel it with, and a grand fight that defies all laws of science and physics with accompanying background music.

Ah well, better head back to reality soon. 🤷
 
Fantasy magic =/= Real magic (no matter how dark it appears)

Actually, since warlocks in wow summon demons, it’s refering the occult, because they try to summon satan. References like that are just plain wrong and don’t take the seriousness of not messing with dark forces.
 
Scourgeblade777 said:
Actually, since warlocks in wow summon demons, it’s refering the occult, because they try to summon satan. References like that are just plain wrong and don’t take the seriousness of not messing with dark forces.
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That would be true if Satan was actually capable of coming out of the ground looking like this:

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Theologically speaking however, Satan has no definite appearance in our world just as demons, angels, and even God Himself don’t. Demons in the world of Azeroth aren’t like the demons in our world. Hence the formula: Fantasy Magic =/= Real Magic.

No offense but you’re talking like a science nerd bashing super hero comics because of their non-serious treatment of gamma radiation and genetic mutation.
 
Lost_Wanderer said:
That would be true if Satan was actually capable of coming out of the ground looking like this:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/cicakmerah/4a46cd9344681ae1c868c.jpg

Theologically speaking however, Satan has no definite appearance in our world just as demons, angels, and even God Himself don’t. Demons in the world of Azeroth aren’t like the demons in our world. Hence the formula: Fantasy Magic =/= Real Magic.

No offense but you’re talking like a science nerd bashing super hero comics because of their non-serious treatment of gamma radiation and genetic mutation.
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That last part reminded me of a machinima series I watch (machinima is using a video game as a stage to act out scenes.) Its called Freeman’s Mind (played in Half life 1). He says at one point about radiation and super powers:

“The chances of any mutation from radiation actually being beneficial is astronomical. And even if it was, YOU’D STILL HAVE THE RADIATION POISONING!” 😃

I play a lot of games and I have to agree with the general idea spoken by peopel on here, games like GTA and certain Japanese games are sinful as they reward sinful behaviour an dotn punish it. I posted in another thread about games how in games like Dragon Age when you make an ‘evil’ choise you have consiquences. Also there is no morality bar saying “you are this good/evil” its up to the player to judge if their actions were right or wrong.
 
Lost_Wanderer said:
That would be true if Satan was actually capable of coming out of the ground looking like this:

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg250/cicakmerah/4a46cd9344681ae1c868c.jpg

Theologically speaking however, Satan has no definite appearance in our world just as demons, angels, and even God Himself don’t. Demons in the world of Azeroth aren’t like the demons in our world. Hence the formula: Fantasy Magic =/= Real Magic.

No offense but you’re talking like a science nerd bashing super hero comics because of their non-serious treatment of gamma radiation and genetic mutation.
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Okay, I know you have a different opinion, and I have a different opinion, but you don’t need to go calling me a “nerd” okay. Calm down, geez.
 
Scourgeblade777 said:
Okay, I know you have a different opinion, and I have a different opinion, but you don’t need to go calling me a “nerd” okay. Calm down, geez.
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I said, “No offense.”
And what I say is not opinion, it’s fact. Look it up. Satan has no definite form regardless of what medieval art or Chick tracts try to sell you. The formula will always stand.

Fantasy Magic =/= Real Magic
 
Lost_Wanderer said:
I said, “No offense.”
And what I say is not opinion, it’s fact. Look it up. Satan has no definite form regardless of what medieval art or Chick tracts try to sell you. The formula will always stand.

Fantasy Magic =/= Real Magic
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google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://realdealonsports.files.wordpress.com/2009/11/south-park-the-devil-sadame1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://realdealonsports.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/the-real-deal-on-headlines/&h=288&w=460&sz=17&tbnid=AoKRdtPFigzLPM:&tbnh=80&tbnw=128&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dsouth%2Bpark%2Bdevil%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=south+park+devil&hl=en&usg=__tVUVq0csDHvrH5d2M6D5tgu8ghA=&sa=X&ei=ZbedTYr5G4PqgQfSpfWvBA&ved=0CBoQ9QEwAQ

I’m at work so I can’t post a picture… or this would be a lot funnier!
 
 
Aside from the fact that games are just a medium, like books and movies, and should treated with the same precautions, some of them are quite beautiful. I’m thinking of Legend of Zelda, Okami, and Final Fantasy here. Some of them approach works of art, and I find many of the stories to be inspiring, like any good story. Most of the fantasy games are kind of pagan, but they are more like mythology - and if it’s OK to read the Odyssey, then it should be OK to play Okami.

There are great stories in action games too - the Call of Duty Series is remarkable. Even though it is very violent (being about WWII) it is all about heroism, and history. Especially in World at War - the cut scenes use newsreel footage and maps and the like, like the History Channel used to before they got dumbed down. Or Halo? Play through Reach (don’t worry, it’s short) and tell me it doesn’t put a lump in your throat the way “Bataan” or “Sands of Iwo Jima” do. It’s all about duty and sacrifice.

However, given the great storytelling potential, it does frustrate me that many people (particularly kids) get a new game, stick it in their machine, and go straight for the online mode, without even playing through the story. I chalk this up to lack of imagination.
 
Claire_C said:
Aside from the fact that games are just a medium, like books and movies, and should treated with the same precautions, some of them are quite beautiful. I’m thinking of Legend of Zelda, Okami, and Final Fantasy here. Some of them approach works of art, and I find many of the stories to be inspiring, like any good story. Most of the fantasy games are kind of pagan, but they are more like mythology - and if it’s OK to read the Odyssey, then it should be OK to play Okami.
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Oh yes, I totally agree (especially with Final Fantasy)! I mean I’ve hardly played FFXII and yet I still downloaded all images related to its 13 Espers.

There’s also this other series called Monster Hunter and while there really isn’t much of a story there, I was really impressed with how they infused the looks and anatomy of real animals and blew them into mythical proportions. Check this beastie out for instance:

View attachment 10178
Claire_C said:
However, given the great storytelling potential, it does frustrate me that many people (particularly kids) get a new game, stick it in their machine, and go straight for the online mode, without even playing through the story. I chalk this up to lack of imagination.
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I have similar complaints directed to those who complain about RPGs having a long story and care only about grinding and farming fancy items. I mean for goodness sakes, it’s an RPG of course there has to be a story at some point! DX
 
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