Violent Videogames=Sinfull?

[August]

As a seperate question from watching immoral behavior in movies, which I understand is only sinful if it causes you to sin in some way, how do you feel about violent videogames? I’m a young guy, 21, and I’ve been a gamer since I was about 13. Obviously, no real people are involved, but is it wrong to simulate killing? How about if you kill unnesesarily within the game? Like breaking a bad guy’s neck if knocking him unconcious is just as easy. I’d feel a little silly confesing this to my priest, so I’m looking for some feedback. Thanks.

 

[Trelow]

Use your best judgment. If it’s making you uneasy, then avoid it.

 

[Magicsilence]

It really depends on the individual.

If you find that playing the games negatively changes your character, why play them?

If they don’t affect you, then I am sure you still have better things to do with your life.

That being said, sinfulness will depend on the individual attitude towards the games.

God Bless!

 

[crazycatholic23]

This is an interesting question because Im a big call of duty fan, I think that many times videogames put you into situations that we wouldnt suspect. Its a sinamatic thing like in saving private ryan when theylet the prisner go. In the end it turns out they should have killed him. It is a video game so mainly just realize its not real. I know in a few games were they ask you to kill someone and your not sure of it like in splintercell pandora tomorrow they ask you to kill a person who just help you. you have the choice to kill her or not but in the end she turns out to be bad. In call of duty World at war on a russian level they ask a character to finish a man off and the character refuses because the mans helpless. The man then asks you to do it. You dont have to but this is the man who killed your comrad that helped you and was about to kill you. again its a video game. If it helps, always research a game before you buy it. Gmaespot.com and esrb.com are good websights for this

 

[Rascalking]

Context is key-Call of Duty-your killing bad guys. That’s one thing. Some games where you kill innocent civilians? That’s another.

I’m a video game nut, and I play Resident Evil, Call of Duty, KORT, (Golden Sun and THe Advance Wars series are what I’m currently obsesed with) and some other games that are rated M. However, I know it’s a video game and it stops there. I also don’t play 24-7.

If you do nothing but play violent video games, it does de-sensetize you. That can clearly lead to sinful behavior.

 

[shondrea]

Saying not to do something if it makes you uneasy is not very good advice, IMO. Some people would never do anything. It’s like the statement, “if you have to ask if it’s a sin, it obviously IS”. I don’t believe that.

I think it depends on the game just llike it depends on the movie or book. There are games that glorify killing, where there is NO plot to the game other than killing and stealing as much as possible. I don’t know if I’d say “sin”, but I wouldn’t reccomend these. But war games, fighting for the good guys, trying to save the day, secret mission to save the world games, I see no problem with in moderation.

 

[shondrea]

Also, most importantly, don’t let all opinions affect you. There is a difference between church teachings and individual interpretation. Thanks to more rigorist responses from this site, I can’t enjoy my favorite clean, non sexual, well written, non-occasion-of-sin series, because all I can think of is the words of some members telling me how evil of a sin fiction is. If you’re more of a worrier or scrupulous, all it can take is one person saying you’re hellbound for enjoying X thing, and you can’t get it out of your head.

That;s not to say that some things, games, books, SHOULD be avoided, of course, but the line where it’s drawn is not set in stone

 

[Ferds_Guiang]

I have this uneasy feeling when it comes to violent video games. This statement was released by U.S. Catholic Bishops:

Violence in our culture is fed by multiple forces - the disintegration of family life, media influences, growing substance abuse, the availability of so many weapons, and the rise of gangs. Traditional liberal or conservative approaches by themselves cannot effectively overcome this plague. In confronting a culture of violence, our Church calls for:

* opposing the violence of abortion;
* curbing the easy availability of deadly weapons;
* supporting community approaches to crime prevention and law enforcement;
* pursuing swift and effective justice without vengeance and effective reform of our criminal justice system;
* attacking the root causes of violence, including poverty, substance abuse, lack of opportunity, racism, and family disintegration;
* promoting more personal responsibility and broader social responsibility in our policies and programs;
* overcoming the tragedy of family violence and confronting all forms of violence against women;
* continuing to work for global disarmament, including curbs on arms sales and a ban on land mines.

And here is a website about what our present Pope says about Violent video games:
catholic.org/international/international_story.php?id=22807

From the above resources and since our God is a God of Love and Peace, I really have my reservations about saying that violent video games are harmless and morally neutral.