Would This Be a Mortal Sin

[YEARNING4TRUTH]

Hello everyone, I just wanted to ask about this issue that I’ve been struggling with. Okay, so a couple of days ago we got the new Super Smash game and it’s really fun. After a while I noticed that you can choose several characters that does black magic. I don’t really know what the Church teaches about black magic in video games, but I feel that games with stuff like that shouldn’t be played. I not only have problems with black magic being in video games, but also in shows. And now, I’m struggling to decide whether or not I should bring the game to my friend’s house tomorrow, for fear of presenting that temptation to use those characters, which I think would be a sin in itself, a serious sin, for I fully understand that I would be presenting such a temptation upon my friends. So I just want to know, what does the Church really teach about black magic being in video games and shows, and would I be committing a venial or mortal sin if I did allow such a temptation to be presented to my friends? Oh and can you guys refer me to some quotes from the CCC to support your claims. I kind of want a valid reference that will help me believe in the claims that are given. Thanks.

 

[afs108]

I presume you mean the WiiU version? The only characters I can think of are Robin and Dark Pitt - neither of whom are bad guys or use “proper” black magic.

In specifics, I don’t see a problem with a good Smash Bros session - take it over to your mate’s and give him a good thrashing!

I’d only have a problem with a game that glorifies sinful, evil or demoniac behaviour (eg. Bayonetta), or ultraviolent games (eg. Postal - though that is a rather dated reference). Smash Bros is neither of those, and I certainly can’t see how it would encourage anyone towards dabbling in the occult.

Smash Bros. is a lot like Mario Kart - it’s a light, cheery game, and great fun for everyone - the actual canons of the various characters are quite irrelevant - otherwise, it would be quite impossible to have Mario racing Baby Mario, Bowser, Peach and Link!

In general, though, your question addressed the depiction of immoral behaviour in entertainment media. A lot of ink has been spilled over this, and I’m sure that, were you to start a new thread on this subject, you’d get many great answers from much more learned people than myself.

 

[truetofaith]

Hello everyone, I just wanted to ask about this issue that I’ve been struggling with. Okay, so a couple of days ago we got the new Super Smash game and it’s really fun. After a while I noticed that you can choose several characters that does black magic. I don’t really know what the Church teaches about black magic in video games, but I feel that games with stuff like that shouldn’t be played. I not only have problems with black magic being in video games, but also in shows. And now, I’m struggling to decide whether or not I should bring the game to my friend’s house tomorrow, for fear of presenting that temptation to use those characters, which I think would be a sin in itself, a serious sin, for I fully understand that I would be presenting such a temptation upon my friends. So I just want to know, what does the Church really teach about black magic being in video games and shows, and would I be committing a venial or mortal sin if I did allow such a temptation to be presented to my friends? Oh and can you guys refer me to some quotes from the CCC to support your claims. I kind of want a valid reference that will help me believe in the claims that are given. Thanks.

I don’t know what the Church teaches but common sense tells me anything that has to do with black magic, white magic or witchcraft is from the devil & evil. I would stay away from these things, including owega boards!
There are other fun games that won’t lead to satanic things.

 

[bisco]

is there a difference between magic and black magic?

 

[Steveabrous]

I don’t know what the Church teaches but common sense tells me anything that has to do with black magic, white magic or witchcraft is from the devil & evil. I would stay away from these things, including owega boards!
There are other fun games that won’t lead to satanic things.

What about Tolkien and CS Lewis? Their story’s are universally hailed by Christians of all kinds. And they are riddled with magic.
Personally I dont have an issue with things in entertainment that have what I call fantasy magic which is more like super powers then real magic. Games like grand theft auto are more of a concern to me then any Mario game

 

[YEARNING4TRUTH]

Yeah, that’s what I’m confused about. I mean there are those who depict that there is good kind of magic and bad. Overall, I don’t see the problem with stuff like LoTR, but then there’s the case of Harry Potter, where it gets more confusing for me.

 

[truetofaith]

is there a difference between magic and black magic?

Magic, to me is a card trick or pulling a rabbit out of a hat. A show, which everyone accepts as a show.
Black magic is putting spells on people or contacting the dead. White magic is about the same.
Harry Potter uses magic for good but according to our Bible…Revelation 21: 8 & Rev. 22: 15, “those who practice magic arts will be in the lake of fire.”

That’s enough for me to steer clear of this stuff!