Simon Belmont: Super Smash Bros. And Blasphemy

[FaithRuir]

I know there are multiple threads for this here, but due to this issue being so recent in particular, it hasn’t really come up for me.
The Castlevania games are fine, I know that. Using Holy Water to kill monsters and a positive view of the Catholic Faith! They use objects like crosses and holy water to vanquish evil

However, in Smash, Simon or Richter aren’t fighting monsters, they’re fighting beloved game characters, but they use the same weapons.

Does that make it a form of disrespect and irreverence to these objects?

 

[HopkinsReb]

I know there are multiple threads for this here, but due to this issue being so recent in particular, it hasn’t really come up for me.
The Castlevania games are fine, I know that. Using Holy Water to kill monsters and a positive view of the Catholic Faith! They use objects like crosses and holy water to vanquish evil

However, in Smash, Simon or Richter aren’t fighting monsters

Is there a question here?

 

[FaithRuir]

Accidentally posted without finishing. My apologies

 

[HopkinsReb]

Does that make it a form of disrespect and irreverence to these objects?

I don’t think so. Smash Bros isn’t exactly heavy on the story. They’re part of the character design, and it’s just a bunch of characters smashed together. I wouldn’t read too much into it.

 

[MarysLurker]

Having been scrupulous and a video gamer myself I know what the rest of the post will say.

Using holy water to fight monsters? Great! But now I’m using holy water to fight the good guys! Is that a mortal sin?

… it’s a video game. Your intention is to have fun, not commit sacrelige.

And folks, I know this seems like a silly question, but unless you’ve been under the yoke of scruples you don’t understand how hard it is. OP, head over to https://scrupulousanonymous.org/ and follow the advice there. Take care and God bless.

 

[LawyersGunsAndMoney]

… it’s a video game. Your intention is to have fun, not commit sacrelige.

Anytime someone asks if something they “did” in a video game was sinful, I think two things. First, this person is probably scrupulous. Second, this person is way too invested in video games if they’re having trouble differentiating the game from reality this way.

 

[MarysLurker]

this person is way too invested in video games if they’re having trouble differentiating the game from reality this way

It’s scruples, not that. Scrupulosity makes you think even your dreams are sinful.

Also, Smash Bros. is the quintessential social game. It’s meant to be enjoyed with friends. It’s just a nice social activity.

 

[LawyersGunsAndMoney]

Also, Smash Bros. is the quintessential social game. It’s meant to be enjoyed with friends. It’s just a nice social activity.

Oh, I don’t have any issue with video games per se. If it’s just the occasional casual pastime, it’s fine. But when people start thinking that their actions in a video game have moral weight, I tend to think they might need to chill out on the gaming a bit.

 

[MarysLurker]

But when people start thinking that their actions in a video game have moral weight, I tend to think they might need to chill out on the gaming a bit.

I totally get what you’re saying. Games can become a means of escapism if abused. But speaking from experience I think it’s a classic case of scrupulosity, not a problem distinguishing the game from reality or anything like that.