Being Gay in Video Games

[genesisrocks]

I believe homosexuality is a sin, you can't get past romans 1 without the bible stating it plainly: homosexuality is unnatural and it is a product of sin. however I enjoy games that give good worlds and stories. Bioware isn't promoting this lifestyle. They are all about choice and as long as it doesn't force you to participate in this activity I'm fine with their being the possibility, personally I will never follow those areas anywhere in the game.

[rexecidous]

War games themselves can be bad I mean its making it ok to kill people like call of duty. It makes war look fun when its not !

[ColdPhone]

I think the above poster has a good point; if you believe homosexuality to be a sin and you've got a problem with it being in video games, you should also have a problem with any other sins being in video games. As it's been stated, BioWare is giving players a choice here. There are countless games out there where the whole point of the game is to kill people and it's not a choice (well, unless you don't care about progressing in the game at all). It's strange times when people get more hung up over something like who a person has a crush on over the taking of a life.

[Chozon1]

The problem with that being 1) killing isn't always a sin, so the point is nullified; and 2) it's usually frowned upon or discouraged even in necessary cases, whereas homosexual relationships are generally not, but just considered as being OK. Something God says ain't right.

Even Call of Duty is ridiculously anti-war in it's styles (and always has been), and the game revolves around fighting. War games also often show the cost of war and portray it as gritty, violent, and though fun in the game, not a good way of going about things.

Homosexuality in games? Not so much. It's just another option.

[ArcticFox]

I do agree on some level that the presence of homosexual characters in video games may be intended as a way to normalize it, with the idea of making people stop seeing it as sinful... But I hesitate to automatically pin that motive on every game developer that puts gay characters in there. I mean, in the case of ME3, since the character is intended as a romantic option for Shepard, it may be nothing more than putting in an option that the gaming community was requesting.

I don't know.

But as I said earlier, I do hope that the data on how often that option gets chosen is sent back to Bioware, because I have a feeling it won't be as popular as some expected.

[ColdPhone]

Killing is always a sin. Jesus was not a fan.

[Nate DaZombie]

Killing is always a sin. Jesus was not a fan.

Because I remember the Israelites killing plenty of people. Death is necessary, and sometimes the process needs to be sped up. Murder is a sin, but it's not a sin to kill. Murder is unjustly killing another, but sometimes it's necessary to kill.

[blacksinow]

I have seen the reviews of many Christian gamers, gamers with an unrealistic perspective regarding video games. It would be nice to have a game where there is a man for every woman. I am obviously a big believer in this idea as well. But this is Mass Effect, a science fiction franchise NOTED in many views that the average Christian would be offended at (like the asari race). It is not uncommon in many other types of science fiction. In games such as Mass Effect, there IS going to be a more realistic culture, and unfortunately... homosexuality is one of them. I am not excusing it, but... directing my focus to ventures that I feel are worth bothering with.

With sites such as kickstarter, it gives Christians who are very interested in game developement a chance to create an indie title that many gamers might be proud to back up. I have searched through kickstarter, and found maybe ONE title. It seems that some Christians are devoting themselves to pointless complaining, instead of taking the future of gaming for Christian gamers everywhere, by making something that is decent and dare I say it... playable.

I mean heck, authors like C.S Lewis were faced with similar circumstances and look what got accomplished? We have the Chronicles of Narnia, a series that teaches you valuable lessons often found in the bible, utilizing a fantasy setting! If Lewis can write it in paper form... I fail to see why Christian programmers can't utilize indie game developement...

[ccgr]

Welcome to the site! Even with kickstarter I wonder if there would be enough publicity or interest to get something good off the ground.

[blacksinow]

As I've said, most people who call themselves Christian on the internet, are more interested in complaining about an element in a game without applying common sense, rather then taking actual interest in developing or funding a game. If I knew there was a great Christian indie game out there, you can BET on me donating some cash towards the development. That is to say, I would be happy to do it, provided the gameplay isn't watered down with something only suitable for kids. And again, as I've mentioned, it can be possible to have gameplay suitable for teenage-adult gamers WHILE keeping Christian values intact. People will always have a problem with anything with the Christian label on it, and to be fair... I think most of it is our fault.

When we should have been building up our image, most of us were being petty and greedy... It doesn't help that some of us are so stuck on tradition that we do more harm to our reputation as Christians by not being welcoming to people who are not Christians, or people who are just a bit more eccentric then usual.

[Syxth]

I haven't played the Mass Effect series... I have a friend that does have it though and he loves them.

But here is my two cents... As long as they aren't pushing it on me (if I played the games) then it's no biggie to me. Homosexuality is a sin to me, but I'm not a "homo-phobe". Personally, I would like to know how many of these people were sexually abused when they were little, because to me I think that's what it usually boils down to. I pity them.

Pity - Noun: The feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortunes of others.

It may be a choice to be gay (I believe it is), but I see it as holding onto a wound. To the point that they accept it as part of them and make the choice to proudly display it after they have hidden it for awhile. Just like with any other wound. "So-and-so did this to me... therefore instead of acknowledging that it hurt me and forgiving that person I'll bury deep down inside where no one will see it" And then boom it's manifested itself in your thoughts, actions, and speech. Pray for these people, cause they already condemned. Let's not belittle them.

Once I was in an elevator at work and my homosexual co-worker gave me a compliment and made joke that if I wasn't straight he would allow himself to admire me. I accepted his compliment and said,"Dude, you probably already do, but you know I'm straight and that I'm opposed to it." And he completely understood. He actually came from a Baptist family as well. Kept it hidden and moved out as fast as he could. I haven't said a prayer for this guy in awhile, but I wonder what happened to him. Hopefully he gives his life to Christ before it's too late. He liked video games just as much as we all do.

Read Romans 14 concerning this gaming stuff. There are grey areas in the bible or "disputable matters" (NIV) or "doubtful disputations" (KJV) Let's not quarrel over these things or question these things. It's a matter of personal faith. If your neighbour has a problem playing Mass Effect then they can enjoy other games. If you don't have a problem with it then don't get caught up in religious dogma, because if when you do your mind becomes double minded (James 1:8) and that can get you in a confusing mess. And we all know who ISN'T the author of confusion (1 corinthians 14:33).

I like long hair and I'm a guy... And SO many christians can't stand a man with long hair cause they go back to that one scripture in the bible. (1 corinthians 11:14) ... But instead of passing judgement how about we all do this... Romans 14:13 "Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way."

[ArcticFox]

Well said, Syxth.

[rexecidous]

Killing is always a sin. Jesus was not a fan.

Because I remember the Israelites killing plenty of people. Death is necessary, and sometimes the process needs to be sped up. Murder is a sin, but it's not a sin to kill. Murder is unjustly killing another, but sometimes it's necessary to kill.

The isralites did not kill for entertainment!!!

[rexecidous]

War video games are like gladiators


killing and violence for the entertainment of others!!!!

[Orodrist]

I'm sorry...did you have a point?