Too much video games

[CatholicMan2412]

Hi, my name is Anthony.

Since I was a small child, my parents have raised me Catholic. I remember first seeing Our Lord in a picture! I am still Catholic, and although I struggle in a few sins, I am fighting, and trying to be a good one.

But around the same age, I was first introduced to video games. As you probably know, video games are just a form of entertainment. There is nothing wrong, with running around as a little guy in a hat, trying to save a princess, for a little bit. Saint Thomas Aquinas recommends every to pray as much as possible, but says there’s nothing wrong with just having a little fun in entertainment.

But recently, I realized something: I play TOO much video games. My video game system (Wii U) records how long I play. One month, I believed I did around a 100 hours…

Several other games tell me how much I’ve done. I’ve spent around 500 hours on a single game. And I play LOTS of different video games.

And it came to my understanding, that since my family says the Rosary every night, we only take about 30-45 minutes to say it…so that’s no where near as much (yes, there’s other prayers throughout the day), considering I play around an hour or two a day.

So I was thinking: is it wrong to play more video games than pray? I’d think so. Is it? I’d rather not be held by this on my Judgement.

Thank you, and God Bless You!

 

[ameliepoir]

Your family takes 45 mins to pray the Rosary?? Maybe I’m doing it wrong but it takes me 15 mins tops!

Anyway my instinct is that it’s not “wrong” to do any given thing (work or leisure) more hours than prayer. If that were the case no one could hold a job or have much rest/play time in the evenings. But in any case 100 hrs per month may still be too much. Remember to take frequent breaks to rest your eyes and get enough exercise during the day. Are you meeting other personal goals (like finishing a book) or are you letting the games get in the way of that?

 

[CatholicMan2412]

Your family takes 45 mins to pray the Rosary?? Maybe I’m doing it wrong but it takes me 15 mins tops!

We say the rosary slower, to ensure reverence. Not to brag. I’m sure you’re saying it fine aswell. We also often do meditations in between. Usually, it’s not 45 minutes though. I know I said that, but that’s only max.

Anyway my instinct is that it’s not “wrong” to do any given thing (work or leisure) more hours than prayer. If that were the case no one could hold a job or have much rest/play time in the evenings. But in any case 100 hrs per month may still be too much. Remember to take frequent breaks to rest your eyes and get enough exercise during the day. Are you meeting other personal goals (like finishing a book) or are you letting the games get in the way of that?

Well right now it’s summer, and I generally just play video games. I still read, but I have small thing to help my family. Haven’t been too much, because of games.

 

[kptrs]

I think you have answered your own question. If you think you play video games too much and aren’t giving enough time to prayer and other things, then simply reduce the amount of time that you spend playing video games and spend more time praying and doing acts of service. You can start in your own home and neighborhood. Maybe relieve a family member of their usual chores for a day. Or walk an elderly neighbor’s dog. You can also look into volunteer opportunities at your church. The more time you fill with praying and serving, the less time you’ll have to fill with video games.

 

[CatholicMan2412]

I think you have answered your own question. If you think you play video games too much and aren’t giving enough time to prayer and other things, then simply reduce the amount of time that you spend playing video games and spend more time praying and doing acts of service. You can start in your own home and neighborhood. Maybe relieve a family member of their usual chores for a day. Or walk an elderly neighbor’s dog. You can also look into volunteer opportunities at your church. The more time you fill with praying and serving, the less time you’ll have to fill with video games.

Sounds good to me. Thanks for your help. God Bless.

 

[PraiseChrist]

You remind me of myself, but with forums.catholic-questions.org

 

[RPRPsych]

Hi, my name is Anthony.

Since I was a small child, my parents have raised me Catholic. I remember first seeing Our Lord in a picture! I am still Catholic, and although I struggle in a few sins, I am fighting, and trying to be a good one.

But around the same age, I was first introduced to video games. As you probably know, video games are just a form of entertainment. There is nothing wrong, with running around as a little guy in a hat, trying to save a princess, for a little bit. Saint Thomas Aquinas recommends every to pray as much as possible, but says there’s nothing wrong with just having a little fun in entertainment.

But recently, I realized something: I play TOO much video games. My video game system (Wii U) records how long I play. One month, I believed I did around a 100 hours…

Several other games tell me how much I’ve done. I’ve spent around 500 hours on a single game. And I play LOTS of different video games.

And it came to my understanding, that since my family says the Rosary every night, we only take about 30-45 minutes to say it…so that’s no where near as much (yes, there’s other prayers throughout the day), considering I play around an hour or two a day.

So I was thinking: is it wrong to play more video games than pray? I’d think so. Is it? I’d rather not be held by this on my Judgement.

Thank you, and God Bless You!

Anything that one is inordinately attached to, and which takes us away from God, can be considered sinful. There’s nothing magic about video games in that regard. It could be romance novels for another person, sports for yet another, and so on. I know I’ve had to go “cold turkey” on games sometimes, and I can’t say I was the worse for cutting down on them. (coughChrono Crosscough )

Honestly, it’s good that you’ve raised this issue now (100 hours a month isn’t really a hard “gaming addiction”), because all you probably need to do is cut back a little and use the spare time left for a spiritual activity of your choice, which could be anything from reading your Bible, to developing a devotion to your favourite Saint. Be creative.

And if you want to combine the two, well:

rpgmaker.net/games/5645/

 

[CatholicMan2412]

You remind me of myself, but with forums.catholic-questions.org

Hahaha! Maybe you should cut back too!

 

[CatholicMan2412]

Anything that one is inordinately attached to, and which takes us away from God, can be considered sinful. There’s nothing magic about video games in that regard. It could be romance novels for another person, sports for yet another, and so on. I know I’ve had to go “cold turkey” on games sometimes, and I can’t say I was the worse for cutting down on them. (coughChrono Crosscough )

Honestly, it’s good that you’ve raised this issue now (100 hours a month isn’t really a hard “gaming addiction”), because all you probably need to do is cut back a little and use the spare time left for a spiritual activity of your choice, which could be anything from reading your Bible, to developing a devotion to your favourite Saint. Be creative.

And if you want to combine the two, well:

rpgmaker.net/games/5645/

Sounds good to me! Thank you!

 

[Entwhistler]

Playing video games too much can do weird things to the brain and possibly damage it. Not that video games are intrinsically damaging, but playing them too much can be. I usually just play on Saturdays and sometimes on Feast Days (and my birthday ). I don’t think it’s a question of praying more, but of course it won’t hurt. I would just say doing other things more and playing less. Don’t feel that you have to go full-on no video games though.

 

[RPRPsych]

Sounds good to me! Thank you!

Always welcome.

You can read my (totally spoilerrific) reviews of those games at the same site; I post there as “Professor_Q” (which I wish was my username here…why, oh why, can’t we change user names? )

 

[PraiseChrist]

You sound like in a good spot, and it’s good you’re looking to limit this. You can time yourself in playing video games.
Maybe I’ll do the same for this site as well . Maybe also with these smilies
:takethat:

 

[ResoluteSheep]

Hey, I used to play a heck load of video games as well so I know what you’re going through. You should check my account on steam, over 6000 hours total, and I’m just a teenager! It was not until I started to take my faith seriously that I cut down on these games. It’s been 8 months since I last played a computer game on my desktop, but I’m planning to limited to 2 hours just for some fun leisure and some fun times with friends.

Video games are not bad in itself (unless you play GTA and enjoy running around killing innocent people then yeah that’s bad), however it becomes bad if you play it too much. It does not matter whether we pray 2 hours a day and still spend many hours on video games. I used to think that way, ‘‘oh I’m praying 2 hours a day I’ll be fine’’ which also caused me to really neglect my studies and commit many mortal sins over and over again, oh the horror

But it’s certainly good to see that you want to change, which is a great start to overcoming the problem pray to God for guidance, and be certain to consult a priest about this (preferably the same one whom you can talk with overtime) issue so that God can guide you through him too.

 

[ResoluteSheep]

Oh yes, also, it’s not a matter of whether you pray more or play more (of course praying more would be good though!) it’s about whether you have a balanced life. Is your spiritual life balanced alongside your life on this earth? God does not demand us to pray 24/7 but worship 24/7 meaning doing everything for the glory of His Name (something I’m still struggling with myself haha) for instance, when you play your video game, thank God for the benefits given to you and the enjoyment too.

A balanced life is most important, sufficient time for studies, sufficient time for praying, sufficient time for playing, sufficient time for fellowship. Ask yourself this daily ‘‘Am I satisfied with how my life is going right now?’’