Playing Video games a sin?

[BRZ]

Is it a sin to play video games? I play all kinds of games, some which are violent, others which are not. Is it wrong to play games in general or is there a point where too much is wrong or whatever? Are there any official words from the church regarding such things, I suppose it would be the same for movies and such.

 

[requiemaeturnum]

No. Playing violent video games is not a sin, unless you are playing it because it is violent. Same goes for movies.

Although, if by watching/playing the things you are somehow putting yourself in a near occasion of sin, then doing so is a sin in itself!!

 

[Caesar517]

Do you feel that video games lead you away from God? Do they tempt you to sin? If not, then enjoy them.

 

[Starwynd]

No, but I’m an avid player of World of Warcraft and I have seen sinful behavior in the game from some of the players. Such as when you’re mining they jump your claim and steal your node from you. There has also been bad behavior from players too.

The Bible itself has a lot of violence in it, from God as well. Should it be considered sinful?

 

[Transformer]

Matter of prudential judgment.

 

[rotlex]

I think if you play them for pure enjoyment\entertainment, your fine.

Well, at least I hope so as I’m a 41 year old video game addict whose been playing for the last 35 years or so. (Yeah, since, Pong)!

Seriously though, I love gaming, any kind really. Favorite genre is RPG. Baldurs Gate series, Final Fantasy, Oblivion and most recently Fallout 3, which is a bit over the top on some things, but when kept in context, a fantastic game.

 

[pumpkinbeast]

I think as long as you put God, school/work, your family, and other commitments first, there is certainly nothing wrong with enjoying video games, like any other hobby. Unless, as a previous poster said, there is something about the game that leads you into temptation for some reason.

I’m a World of Warcraft player myself! I’m a human paladin on the Maelstrom server! Starwynd, what’s your race/class/server? ^^

 

[BRZ]

I don’t feel the games I play lead me to sin at all, I just feel like I play them too much and that might somehow be a sin but it is the only way I know how to relax.

 

[Caesar517]

Seriously though, I love gaming, any kind really. Favorite genre is RPG. Baldurs Gate series, Final Fantasy, Oblivion and most recently Fallout 3, which is a bit over the top on some things, but when kept in context, a fantastic game.

I’m mainly an RPG and RTS player. I haven’t gotten Fallout 3 yet, I wasn’t sure if it was worth it…

 

[SoulRebel777]

Video games , rather too much video gaming to me is dangerous for this reason. I think it removes you too much from reality and brings you into a world of illusion. I think sometimes, espically Kids, Teens but even sometimes adults have the danger of blurrying reality and fanasty. I think because of this , the dehumanizing images they see in the violent video games like grand theft auto, can carry over into there real lives.

Also , Ive seen Video gaming become an addiction to some people. I think in these ways Video games can move you away from God, and so Could be called sinful or at least objectable.

 

[rotlex]

I’m mainly an RPG and RTS player. I haven’t gotten Fallout 3 yet, I wasn’t sure if it was worth it…

Depends I guess. If you have played Oblivion, or even Morrowind, it’s well, similar, yet different. The game world is very engaging, the story, well, so far so good, and the gameplay itself, especially the VATS combat system, is just plain fun.

 

[Caesar517]

Depends I guess. If you have played Oblivion, or even Morrowind, it’s well, similar, yet different. The game world is very engaging, the story, well, so far so good, and the gameplay itself, especially the VATS combat system, is just plain fun.

I did enjoy Oblivion, despite it’s problems; the poor AI and general glitchiness almost killed it for me. If I can get my sister to split the cost, I might get it.

 

[vera_dicere]

I love my violent video games, like Resident Evil and Silent Hill. While some people have told me I’m goign to hell for playng them, God has expressed to me that they are no problem as long as I dont’ make them an idol. If I decide to sit on my backside and blast some zombies instead of going to mass, then they have become an idol and thus sinful.

 

[Shike]

If you put more time into video games than praying, there is a problem, garenteed.

Growing up with video games has been a problem for me. I spent too much time and always have a hard time stopping; it’s best I stay away to be safe than sorry. I also think video games can promote “control” issues… what happens when you see you can’t control real life as well as when you’re in the game world?

• You get depressed
• You look to games more for an escape
• or both
  Certain video games can really get a hold on you because they offer a reward and no deffinite final end or goal. Many multiplayer games fall into this category. There will always be one more match to win, one more tango to kill, etc. Not to mention they are anti-social… chatting online doesn’t really count or help develope social skills in my opinion [including right now ].

And where does all this video game playing get you? What is the benefit? Not much other than a lot of time ultimately wasted. Playing more video games than praying (more than just a little little fun/entertainment) promotes mediocrity and a certain laziness in the spiritual life. Seriously evaluate where you fall with regards to games, take it to prayer.

All in all, not worth it for me.

peace,
Michael

 

[Caesar517]

If you put more time into video games than praying, there is a problem, garenteed.

The number of minutes we spend doing something is not an appropriate measure of its importance.

I also think video games can promote “control” issues… what happens when you see you can’t control real life as well as when you’re in the game world?

• You get depressed
• You look to games more for an escape
• or both

It is certainly important to keep it all in perspective. What you have described above is what happens to those who fail to do so.

Not to mention they are anti-social… chatting online doesn’t really count or help develope social skills in my opinion [including right now ].

Anti-social?

Half of my friends I have never met face to face.

And where does all this video game playing get you? What is the benefit? Not much other than a lot of time ultimately wasted.

For FPS games, I can understand why you feel that way. RPG games or RTS games are a different story.

All in all, not worth it for me.

I can respect that.

 

[Dwyer]

I know this question has appeared a few times in this section.

I found this on another Thread here at Catholic Answers:

Quote:
MESSAGE OF THE HOLY FATHER BENEDICT XVI
FOR THE 41st WORLD COMMUNICATIONS DAY

Theme: “Children and the Media:
A Challenge for Education”

May 20, 2007

Any trend to produce programmes and products - including animated films and video games - which in the name of entertainment exalt violence and portray anti-social behaviour or the trivialization of human sexuality is a perversion, all the more repulsive when these programmes are directed at children and adolescents.

How could one explain this ‘entertainment’ to the countless innocent young people who actually suffer violence, exploitation and abuse? In this regard, all would do well to reflect on the contrast between Christ who “put his arms around [the children] laid his hands on them and gave them his blessing” (Mk 10:16) and the one who “leads astray … these little ones” for whom “it would be better … if a millstone were hung round his neck” (Lk 17:2).

Again I appeal to the leaders of the media industry to educate and encourage producers to safeguard the common good, to uphold the truth, to protect individual human dignity and promote respect for the needs of the family.

Pope Benedict doesn’t say that it’s a sin exactly, but he does condemn games that “exalt violence and portray anti-social behavior or the trivialization of human sexuality” as a perversion (my note, that is very strong moral language).

I remember once hearing Father Mitch Pacwa on the EWTN radio really sort of not recommending video games, except perhaps some WWII type games, because obviously the “killing” that goes on in those types of games is not murder but Justifiable homicide because it’s being done in the defense of the nation.

So, probably war video games that portray a just war scenario, like Medal of Honor, would be OK.

While watching the World Youth Day 2008 coverage in Sydney, Father Mark interviewed a nun, and the question of popular media came up, and being interested in this question, I paid attention.

The nun gave some spiritual advice and said something to the effect that one should get rid of anything, whether movies, video games, music, whatever, that has a bad influence on their soul.

Try and pay attention to your conscience. God works through your conscience.

If you have to ask someone else about the games and what they think, that indicates that you feel there something is wrong with the game.

I downloaded some of the WYD programming from EWTN which they made available to the public, so I might be able to find the exact quote of what the nun said.

Benedict is addressing the people who make these games and sell them to children.

 

[Dwyer]

Benedict is specifically addressing the people who make these games and sell them to children.

It is kind of difficult for me as a lay person to say if it is a sin or not to play a video game that exalts violence, however, like a lot of things, it is probably better for the soul to avoid such media (video games, music, movies etc.) in the first place.

Remember, the main reason the people produce the video games, music, and movies is so that you give them your money.

I know some people aren’t going to like my answer, but we have a very broad interpretation of the First Amendment in this country, and just because our government has interpreted that amendment in a way that allows junk to be published, it doesn’t necessarily mean that, as a Catholic, you should consume it.

 

[Leeta]

Studies have shown that the medium of computer decreases social intereaction. Violent video games were implicated in the Columbine shooting spree and other such incidents. What is violent? We define it as aiming pretend guns or bombs at obviously human figures and seeing blood. Also if it glorifies and graphically depicts impurity it is certainly sinful, just like movies.
So yes, moderation and discermentt are called for.

s

 

[Caesar517]

Studies have shown that the medium of computer decreases social intereaction.

Talking to people online doesn’t count as social interaction?

Violent video games were implicated in the Columbine shooting spree and other such incidents.

Keep in mind that these incidents were not caused by video games, but by a damaged person.

What is violent? We define it as aiming pretend guns or bombs at obviously human figures and seeing blood. Also if it glorifies and graphically depicts impurity it is certainly sinful, just like movies.
So yes, moderation and discermentt are called for.

I agree with this.

 

[Shike]

The number of minutes we spend doing something is not an appropriate measure of its importance.

While it’s not 100% logical airtight relationship… time is an appropriate measure since we are humans in time and we have a relationship with God as a person. I agree, say one spends an hour or so a day in prayer with God, we don’t have a concrete way to measure that person’s total love of God and the total importance God is to him. But we can conject that God is important enough to have say 1/16 of his waking hours.

Wouldn’t you say there is something wrong spending more time playing video games than spending that time, say, with your wife? I only say this because video games are an aside entertainment for most people, not a job.

peace,
Michael