Would a game like this be a sin?

[Charlotte408]

I wouldnt bother angel…hes right…

theres nothing I can teach him, nothing you can teach him, no one on here can tell him ANYTHING…

no advice given will pertain to him, no insight will be credible enough…

only He will be able to soften his heart…and unfortunately for him, ‘The best lessons are the hardest learned’

like I said, good luck on your journey…no pun intended…but your definitely in for a long, hard haul with this defiant, sarcastic, uncompassionate mindframe…

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

You shouldn’t be content with mediocracy when it comes to Faith, always seek to improve, what is it that is keeping you from coming closer to god, even if just for a little?

Eh… nothing? I go to Mass on Sundays (and on special days like Days of Obligation). I read up the Church’s teachings when I need to learn about its stances to help make my own moral decisions. I go to Confession whenever it becomes possible (rarely that may seem >_>;; ).

What more do I need? :ehh:

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

like I said, good luck on your journey…no pun intended…but your definitely in for a long, hard haul with this defiant, sarcastic, uncompassionate mindframe…

You’d be surprised how that type of mindframe is useful at silencing anti-Christ Libs but I doubt you’d have what it takes to be that mean.

 

[Charlotte408]

Oh honey, PLEASE do NOT get me twisted with some knitting catholic woman hiding behind her bible…I have the capacity to be much ‘meaner’ than you IM SURE…my criminal record could attest to that- but as a christian woman I’ve put my past behind me and cordially decline to go there with you, my brother. my strength is not in ‘mean’ words, my strength is in my love for Him…one day I’m sure you’ll reflect back on this conversation, and view it from a different perspective, and perhaps you’ll feel differently on the subject…I’m content with offerin’ this arguement up to God, He’ll have the last word

 

[Angel7]

He will have the last word, not to mention the last Laugh! ha ha im sorry, it just reminds me of a sermon my priest once gave, g-d gets the last laugh.
When g-d told Abraham and Sarah, they would have a child (she was infertile) they both laughed. So G-D told them to name their son “Isaac” which means laughter.
He does have a sense of Humor.

 

[Angel7]

What more do I need? :ehh:

Do you pray daily? that is something catholics are supposed to do, daily prayer.
I just want to broaden your perspective in the long run. G-dSpeed:takeoff: we need to stop argueing :slapfight:

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Oh honey, PLEASE do NOT get me twisted with some knitting catholic woman hiding behind her bible…I have the capacity to be much ‘meaner’ than you IM SURE…my criminal record could attest to that- but as a christian woman I’ve put my past behind me and cordially decline to go there with you, my brother. my strength is not in ‘mean’ words, my strength is in my love for Him…one day I’m sure you’ll reflect back on this conversation, and view it from a different perspective, and perhaps you’ll feel differently on the subject…I’m content with offerin’ this arguement up to God, He’ll have the last word

Well then I guess that’s where we’re different. I believe my strength is actually in using mean words (and in fact, all words of the English language in general given my tendency to play around with it when I write ). Such a talent is a gift from God and I must use it well or lest I end up like the third lazy servant and have it taken away from me.

Savvy?

He will have the last word, not to mention the last Laugh! ha ha im sorry, it just reminds me of a sermon my priest once gave, g-d gets the last laugh.
When g-d told Abraham and Sarah, they would have a child (she was infertile) they both laughed. So G-D told them to name their son “Isaac” which means laughter.
He does have a sense of Humor.

Unfortunately, here’s at least one difference you might want to consider.

The thing that would cause to me laugh should God suddenly show up at my door and say He’ll grant it is so beyond the laws of physics, it’s disheartening.

Do you pray daily? that is something catholics are supposed to do, daily prayer.
I just want to broaden your perspective in the long run. G-dSpeed:takeoff: we need to stop argueing :slapfight:

Duh. Every night, when I can help it. I admit that I may have some actual sins that would make me feel guilty/hypocritical when I pray but I feel sorry committing them and try to say even a quick prayer of thanks and stuff like that.

 

[CmGuy89]

Hi, I’m just jumping in. I have had personal experience playing this game, so I guess I can comment on it. Personally, it makes me feel a bit uneasy, in that the game forces you into challenging the Pope’s authority. Fictional or not, it’s an idea that’s got me unsettled.

Yet, for the strong of heart, it does prove how difficult it is to be graciously Catholic and still a conqueror. Perhaps the message of this game is that conquerors cannot be graciously Catholic? What I’m saying is that if you decide not to be a conqueror in the game (which will make you lose) you’ll not invite any trouble except for the occasional defense of your country from external conquerors.

Overall, this game isn’t a bad game inherently, but one should be of strong faith to play it. Its like the gaming equivalent or an R-rated (for controversial issues, not violence and sex) movie.

I usually play friendlier games and in RPGs, I try to embody a good, virtuous character. (I love chivalric characters! And if they ask me for my “deity” you know who I’m putting up!) Yet I also believe that people can play even violent and sexualized games if they can remain detached from it. Sin comes not from spending time on such games but from over-contemplating it afterwards. I have come to realize that I’m not a person of strong will, so I avoid such titles, but for stronger people, I see no problem…

If there’s one thing I’m concerned about though, is that games ARE getting too violent and sexualized. I’m not as worried about their effects as much as I’m worried about not getting enough wholesome games to play with. So in this respect, I have to thank God for Nintendo.

My two cents anyway.

 

[johngh]

Compared to a lot of games, the Total War series (which is an amazing series) is not sinful. In fact I would say in a lot of ways the game can be beneficial as it is good at teaching history. Rome Total War is my favorite and I learned a lot about the Roman empire from playing that game.

That being said, I think the “the character’s aren’t real” reasoning is severely flawed, as you can think of plenty of examples where violence in a video game really is most likely sinful. For instance going around in Grand Theft Auto with a chainsaw killing everyone in sight just for fun is probably not the best thing to do, even if no one is really getting harmed.

 

[CmGuy89]

Compared to a lot of games, the Total War series (which is an amazing series) is not sinful. In fact I would say in a lot of ways the game can be beneficial as it is good at teaching history. Rome Total War is my favorite and I learned a lot about the Roman empire from playing that game.

That being said, I think the “the character’s aren’t real” reasoning is severely flawed, as you can think of plenty of examples where violence in a video game really is most likely sinful. For instance going around in Grand Theft Auto with a chainsaw killing everyone in sight just for fun is probably not the best thing to do, even if no one is really getting harmed.

Nice, would you recommend Rome Total War? I like Medieval and all, but it’s just to hard to keep in the Pope’s good standing in the game.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

That being said, I think the “the character’s aren’t real” reasoning is severely flawed, as you can think of plenty of examples where violence in a video game really is most likely sinful. For instance going around in Grand Theft Auto with a chainsaw killing everyone in sight just for fun is probably not the best thing to do, even if no one is really getting harmed.

I actually agree with that and it’s my reason why I hate GTA. People kill innocent bystanders for pointless or worse, loathsome reasons. Though I wouldn’t say it’s sinful, it would reflect badly on your gaming ethic.

Besides, even if I were to kill something (which I actually do and enjoy ngehehehe… <), I’d let it be something that deserves to be killed (e.g. monster, zombies, or really, really really evil villains).

 

[torch621]

I’ve played the Call of Duty series, always put my responsibilities toward God first.

 

[cknick]

Hi, I’m just jumping in. I have had personal experience playing this game, so I guess I can comment on it. Personally, it makes me feel a bit uneasy, in that the game forces you into challenging the Pope’s authority. Fictional or not, it’s an idea that’s got me unsettled.
Yet, for the strong of heart, it does prove how difficult it is to be graciously Catholic and still a conqueror. Perhaps the message of this game is that conquerors cannot be graciously Catholic? What I’m saying is that if you decide not to be a conqueror in the game (which will make you lose) you’ll not invite any trouble except for the occasional defense of your country from external conquerors.

**Overall, this game isn’t a bad game inherently, but one should be of strong faith to play it. **Its like the gaming equivalent or an R-rated (for controversial issues, not violence and sex) movie.

I usually play friendlier games and in RPGs, I try to embody a good, virtuous character. (I love chivalric characters! And if they ask me for my “deity” you know who I’m putting up!) Yet I also believe that people can play even violent and sexualized games if they can remain detached from it. Sin comes not from spending time on such games but from over-contemplating it afterwards. I have come to realize that I’m not a person of strong will, so I avoid such titles, but for stronger people, I see no problem…

If there’s one thing I’m concerned about though, is that games ARE getting too violent and sexualized. I’m not as worried about their effects as much as I’m worried about not getting enough wholesome games to play with. So in this respect, I have to thank God for Nintendo.

My two cents anyway.

There are some errs in this type of thinking. First of all if you have read the bible and have come to understand God, God expects obedience and for us to attempt to master obedience. To be unsettled about challenging the magisterium is a good thing because
Jesus appointed Peter and Popes for the specific purpose of feeding his lambs and tending his sheep, and feeding his sheep. In other words, care and guidance.

You don’t have to be strong to play it…you have to be strong to “avoid” playing it.

You’ve already attached yourself if you are playing…unless you have multiple personalities/schizophrenic. One you play, you are engaged.

Is the game to celebrated the honor and glory of God? If not, you are wasting your time,
no matter how little you think about it afterward. Just my two cents

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

There are some errs in this type of thinking. First of all if you have read the bible and have come to understand God, God expects obedience and for us to attempt to master obedience. To be unsettled about challenging the magisterium is a good thing because
Jesus appointed Peter and Popes for the specific purpose of feeding his lambs and tending his sheep, and feeding his sheep. In other words, care and guidance.

You don’t have to be strong to play it…you have to be strong to “avoid” playing it.

And this all addresses the post you’re quoting… how? :ehh:

You’ve already attached yourself if you are playing…unless you have multiple personalities/schizophrenic. One you play, you are engaged.

Oh well then, I guess I should have no problem. In normal life, I’m just a regular net cafe clerk. However, in the world of Ivalice, I am Philippe Rendel, the most terrifying Black Mage in the service of the legendary Ramza Beoulve! AAAHAHAHAHAHAH!!! >8D

Seriously though, I don’t see anything wrong with that. It’s all just one big virtual play of Pretend and nothing more. People who don’t find it easy to distinguish the real from the fictional should be ashamed of their weak minds. Avoidance could be nothing more than oversensitivity (or worse, cowardice).

Is the game to celebrated the honor and glory of God? If not, you are wasting your time,
no matter how little you think about it afterward. Just my two cents

Why does everything have to be religious for it to be acceptable? Can a person not simply enjoy a game for the sake of it? Ever seen workaholics? Their mindsets are actually not very different from yours. Just replace work with religion.

 

[cknick]

Well,
I’d rather have a weak mind and a strong heart, if having a strong mind means playing with the dark side.

We are taught to keep our eyes fixed on Christ. In the life of faith, love should and does touch every other part of our lives. Every aspect should reflect the light of Christ, which is utter brilliance.

It’s like a cut diamond. A perfectly cut diamond will shine with brilliance from every aspect. If you aren’t cut and formed by God, you will be dull, dark and lifeless, with a murky reflection of sin and death.

 

[torch621]

I try to have both strong mind and strong heart. It’s served me well so far.

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

I try to have both strong mind and strong heart. It’s served me well so far.

Agreed. I find that many people I’ve debated with often fall one of the two formulas of Mind VS Heart.

Strong Mind + Weak Heart = Atheist
Strong Heart + Weak Mind = Fanatic

 

[Lost_Wanderer]

Well,
I’d rather have a weak mind and a strong heart, if having a strong mind means playing with the dark side.

As compared to running away from it and hiding in a bubble like a scaredy-brat? Oh yeah, you’re convincing me all right.

We are taught to keep our eyes fixed on Christ. In the life of faith, love should and does touch every other part of our lives. Every aspect should reflect the light of Christ, which is utter brilliance.

It’s like a cut diamond. A perfectly cut diamond will shine with brilliance from every aspect. If you aren’t cut and formed by God, you will be dull, dark and lifeless, with a murky reflection of sin and death.

As much as this doesn’t even address the point, I’ll play along.
Why reflect something that people shun at first sight? Walking around like some religious beacon and signaling to them that you live a lifestyle that disapproves of theirs is like having a Kick Me sign on my back.

You don’t attract bats with a flash light.

Playing with “darkness” as you call it can make it easier for people to relate to you. And from there, you can easily break a lot of misconceptions gamers have about religion.

 

[torch621]

Christians, Catholics especially, should behave in a manner that makes the faith attractive to everyone. Be a beacon of hope and truth, so to speak.

 

[dsears]

Alright, I know that this is a very old thread, but I eel like I have to throw my 2 cents in the ring as well. I love to play Medieval 2 total war, in fact I’ve figured out (with the help of the internet) how to play as the Papal States themselves.

I also have a active devotional life. I try to say at least 2 or 3 of the liturgical hours every day, and I try to get to mass at least 2 a week. (Actually I try to get 3-4 times a week, but some weeks that just does not happen. The least I will get to mass is twice a week. I also try to get to confession weekly, if not more.

I do not care for most video games, but my father got me Rome: Total War when I was in College. It was a good game and it got me interested in history. Medieval did the same thing. I have Empire: Total War, but I do not care for that as much. There is nothing wrong with these games. I do not think that one should spend all their time playing them, but there is nothing wrong with those who enjoy a good war game.

On that same thought. Would you say that I sinned because I read the book *The Killer Angels * which is a book about the battle of Gettysburg? Or how about the book Gods and Generals which is a book about the first part of the Civil War. They are violent, but as a student of history I find them very well written and they have rekindled my interest in the American Civil War