Modern Videogames

[doke]

Do you believe it is a sin to play video games where you are playing a character who is sinning? My confusion is that you are not actually commiting these sins.

 

[duffyk4]

Not necessarily, but it would be wise to avoid things that might encourage you to sin, or those that might put you in a less-than-ideal state of mind.

 

[MarianD]

No, but if it tempts you to sin, then you should avoid that “near occasion of sin”

I play games where the characters sin a lot of times, but I’m never tempted to do so myself.

 

[RosaryFan]

To play a sinning character in a video game may not be the same as committing that very sin (e.g. shooting and murdering other characters), but it may be sinful because the very idea of enjoying such immorality is offensive to Our Lord. I would compare it to watching a TV show or movie that is morally offensive. You’re not actually doing the act, but you are enjoying someone else committing the act and it, therefore, offends Jesus. Just some food for thought.

 

[Mintaka]

Of course, if you play a character who is sinning but beginning to learn better, or if the game as a whole has the attitude that a sinful life isn’t much fun, that’s different. If the game is designed such that it pokes fun at sinful behavior, that’s different too. Even a certain amount of empathy for evildoers can be healthy; we know we’re sinners, and watching the story of someone wicked can teach us to avoid his deeds and way of thinking.

There is also a lot of leeway in Catholicism to permit makebelieve and other forms of recreation for your brain. St. Thomas Aquinas (not exactly a party animal) was adamant about saying that people studying hard also needed to rest and refresh themselves with humor and games. Nobody ever said that Catholics can’t write hardboiled crime novels, for instance.

But if you think that a game is really appealing to your prurient side, or if you are savoring sinful thoughts stirred up by the game, then you ought to either fight the thoughts or drop the game altogether. A game is for fun, not for troubling your soul and making your life more difficult.

 

[TommyWommy]

Do you play the game, or does the game play you? It’s kind of like wondering if having nice stuff or being rich is sinful. Do you have the stuff or does the stuff have you?

Also, there are some games (like movies) that kids shouldn’t play or see. If that’s the case, keep the little ones away lest it become a stumbling block for their sense of morality.

 

[Church_Militant]

I know there was some controversy when Modern Warfare 2 came out about a scene in the game where you are playing a Russian terrorist in a group pretending to be American terrorists attacking civilians in a Russian airport. They essentially roam the airport killing everyone in their path then engage police with riot shields before making their escape. You are actually an American spy and you are murdered by the leader at the end of the scene.

Turns out they knew who you were and you are killed to frame the U.S. inflame the Russian nationalism, and precipitate an invasion.

It was made possible to skip that segment.

The lesson that I saw in it was that the guy was duped with an appeal to patriotism and paid dearly for it morally and with his life.

 

[Shannon9791]

I know there was some controversy when Modern Warfare 2 came out about a scene in the game where you are playing a Russian terrorist in a group pretending to be American terrorists attacking civilians in a Russian airport. They essentially roam the airport killing everyone in their path then engage police with riot shields before making their escape. You are actually an American spy and you are murdered by the leader at the end of the scene.

Turns out they knew who you were and you are killed to frame the U.S. inflame the Russian nationalism, and precipitate an invasion.

It was made possible to skip that segment.

The lesson that I saw in it was that the guy was duped with an appeal to patriotism and paid dearly for it morally and with his life.

The scene in that game is pretty gruesome, but even though you’re walking through an airport “supposed” to be shooting civilians. You don’t have to really shoot anyone, you can walk alongside the other terrorists and just watch the carnage. In the end though, your character still took a bullet to the brain. It was a good call by game makers to allow individuals to skip the scene if they chose.

 

[Junebug999]

I just really dislike these modern video games. So many people are just endlessly hooked on them. My son has become hooked on a game about war…war is gruesome enough without “playing” war…bleah.

I think it’s a sign of our evil times. And also, it concerns me that some of these awful video games train people to be proficient in some things that are then a danger to our society and a danger to law enforcement officers.

 

[scimitar60]

Yay! I’ve been waiting for a good post like this to come up. I also want an answer to that question. Playing video games is one of my favourite hobbies! I like to play gun games like Counter-Strike and strategy games like Medieval 2: Total war. I find it funny how in the medieval one the Pope just spams excommunications on every nation that doesn’t do what he asks. It makes me chuckle alot ^^

 

[thistle]

Do you believe it is a sin to play video games where you are playing a character who is sinning? My confusion is that you are not actually commiting these sins.

How would that differ from an actor in a movie. If it were a sin it would mean every actor who plays a bad guy would be sinning. Doesn’t make sense.

 

[TommyWommy]

In Romans 1:32 Paul talks about the Gentiles taking pleasure in the sins of others. The footnote in my Bible says, “The Gentiles are guilty of adulation, i.e. the sin of applauding others for their wrongdoing.”

So, when it comes to watching sinful behavior in movies or games (or hearing it in music), one has to procede with caution. With a movie, you are an observer. With a game, you are both an observer and a participant in the action. There is plenty of opportunity for adulation. Keep in mind that entertainment is designed to immerse you. It’s hard to be immersed in a pool without getting at least a little bit wet. Same would be true of a sesspool.

I’m not saying, “Don’t play games.” I am saying, “Guard your heart.” There is such a thing as evil, and its goal is to seek out the chinks in your armor. Entertainment is one of its favorite tools. So, again I’ll say, “Do you play the game, or does the game play you?”

Also, if the games are interfering in your relationships with God and/or family, that’s a bad sign.

 

[Church_Militant]

The scene in that game is pretty gruesome, but even though you’re walking through an airport “supposed” to be shooting civilians. You don’t have to really shoot anyone, you can walk alongside the other terrorists and just watch the carnage. In the end though, your character still took a bullet to the brain. It was a good call by game makers to allow individuals to skip the scene if they chose.

Yep…that’s how I went through it. Even tried to gun down the mob I was with and avert the carnage, which doesn’t work.

I just really dislike these modern video games. So many people are just endlessly hooked on them. My son has become hooked on a game about war…war is gruesome enough without “playing” war…bleah.

I think it’s a sign of our evil times.

I think I’ll take a war game over the real thing any time.

And also, it concerns me that some of these awful video games train people to be proficient in some things that are then a danger to our society and a danger to law enforcement officers.

I don’t know about that. Most of the guys and girls I have seen playing on there aren’t learning much of anything. Their style of play is anything but something that would make them efficient at war. If they did what they do in game, they’d be casualties before the end of their first engagement. I do game with a number of cops and soldiers who play, and they make some of the best players and friends.

…

I’m not saying, “Don’t play games.” I am saying, “Guard your heart.” There is such a thing as evil, and its goal is to seek out the chinks in your armor. Entertainment is one of its favorite tools. So, again I’ll say, “Do you play the game, or does the game play you?”

Also, if the games are interfering in your relationships with God and/or family, that’s a bad sign.

Good points Tommy.