M rated video games at Catholic school

[peaceandblessin]

I have concern about M rated video games being played at my children’s high school. It is a Catholic school. During lunch the computer club is allowed to play online first person shooter games. One game is “Unreal Tournament” which is extremely violent. Another is “Halo”. I have spoken to the teacher who says she does not see anything wrong with the games and that it promotes friendships that would not ordinarly happen. The principal agrees with me, but is hesitant to interfere into the teachers area of authority. Am I off base that these games are inappropriate at ANY school, and especially at a Catholic institution? Any suggestions on where to go next?

 

[nike248]

Maybe I’m not conservative enough but I also don’t think there’s anything wrong with either one of those games. Just my opinion. However, games like the new God of War is definitely sinful (sex mini-games and naked women).

EDIT: Actually, Unreal Tournament might be sinful. I forgot about the violence. Try to get games like Empire Earth, Sim City (not the Sims). Things like that.

 

[Dr.Colossus]

I’m another person who finds nothing wrong with these “war” games. Unreal Tournament is rated M for violence, but you should know the premise of the game: in the future, gladiatorial combat has returned, but the battles are fake (holographic). The violence, even inside the “story” of the game is not real. In Halo, it’s earth battling aliens…obviously fantasy.

I should also add that Unreal Tournament has the option to turn off “bloody” graphics, and I think it would be prudent of anyone at a Catholic school to do so.

 

[chevalier]

I don’t think mature themes in a game are sinful if they are meant as a representation of real life, so long as the audience is not expected to be shielded from this type of content even in real life (you don’t talk to ten year olds about prostitution and drug pushing, for instance, although it’s a normal subject for a teenager).

Gratuitous sex or violence in a game is a problem, but it still doesn’t automatically make playing the game sinful.

You should see how the priest who teaches religion in my brother’s secondary school owned the whole class of teen boys in Quake without getting killed even once.

Of course, the maturity of the individual young player is a consideration, as well as his individual vulnerability to potential bad influence. Quake was too much for my liking, but I played e.g. some Duke Nukem 3D multiplayer (single player campaigns in those games still creep me out) and it didn’t make me a sadistic murderer.

I must say, though, I’ve seen what violent games can do to a kid. Twelve year olds dressed in camouflage and talking back to elders as if they were not even peers, but lesser creatures (the effect of making you a gun-waving hero in a game) and failing to observe any sort of etiquette. No one is going to tell me this doesn’t affect the way kids treat other kids, as well.

 

[Dr.Colossus]

I forgot to mention, Unreal Tournament has some foul language as well, but this can also be turned off.

 

[Scott_Waddell]

Guess I better not bring my X-box and Ninja Gaiden to my next Religious Ed class. “No! X plus Y and then Y again to decapitate!”

Scott

 

[Alterum]

Having played Unreal Tournament extensively (and having spent a bit of time with Halo), I too am of the opinion that there’s nothing wrong with these games. The violence is entirely unrealistic and the games are simply meant to be fun. Indeed, they do encourage socialization. Frankly, I don’t see how they could possibly promote any measure of immorality. As has been pointed out, there are of course M-rated games that are entirely inappropriate.

All of that said, it seems a bit strange to me that school computers are being used to play computer games - especially during school hours, even if it is lunchtime. Still, it just seems like the computer club having a little harmless fun.

 

[Scott_Waddell]

Alterum:

Having played Unreal Tournament extensively (and having spent a bit of time with Halo), I too am of the opinion that there’s nothing wrong with these games. The violence is entirely unrealistic and the games are simply meant to be fun. Indeed, they do encourage socialization. Frankly, I don’t see how they could possibly promote any measure of immorality. As has been pointed out, there are of course M-rated games that are entirely inappropriate.

All of that said, it seems a bit strange to me that school computers are being used to play computer games - especially during school hours, even if it is lunchtime. Still, it just seems like the computer club having a little harmless fun.

Right. There is a difference between violence like playing a soldier in a conflict, versus playing a criminal and committing objectively evil acts.

Scott

 

[Dr.Colossus]

Scott Waddell:

Right. There is a difference between violence like playing a soldier in a conflict, versus playing a criminal and committing objectively evil acts.

I agree. I think there is a large difference between these types of games and, say, Grand Theft Auto. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that playing GTA is sinful, but because of the subject matter of the game I think for many people it could be a near occasion of sin, and it would certainly have no place in a Catholic school.

 

[Darrel]

First person shooters on a computer are much different then games like pac man. They are totally addictive for a few reasons. The games allow for tweaking which means that there are many settings that can be altered in the game to become more accurate or increase performance.

One becomes more skilled in accuracy and the player is competing with other people real time including game types like 1v1 or team death match.

The objective is to kill the enemy and these games are not healthy as they promote killing and nothing more. It considered elite to be the most skilled player in movement and accuracy and all sorts of status is attached to the best player as if it is some kind of killing sport.

As a former gamer (very former) and a former quake three arena server owner I can assure you that these games are not of God and do not belong in a Catholic school.

Online gaming was the most difficult addiction I have dealt with to be honest. It would seem harmless but it is such an evil thing and can consume ones life.

-D

 

[R26]

Kids have no business playing a MATURE rated game period. Parents need to quit looking ant Gaming PC’s and consoles as toys and Digital baby sitters. Most children today can’t separate fact from fantasy. That is why there are more gun related incidents involving children today.
Parents use your head when a game store ask for ID to buy a game or has to verbally advise you of a games graphic nature before they can legally sell it to you.

I currently run a computer shop and have a pro-gaming team.
I have three children of my own and I take a strong stance on the ESRB raiting system.
This is were I chose to begin my campaign to get parents to take it seriously.
If you wish to check out my team or our site we are at undeapc.org
I have no religion but I do know the difference between rite and wrong.

 

[razredge]

Um, Halo is about as violent as a Star Wars movie and Unreal Tournament has exaggerated, cartoon violence - plus it’s so old and out of date now that it’s pretty much impossible for anyone to take seriously.

They probably watch movies with far more questionable content.

Some people should just relax a bit.