Christ Centered Gamer

Hey guys;

Something my professor said a while back really stuck. He was commenting on how we tend to find a lot of joy in things that are quite disturbing when we think about it. My example would have to be games like GTA or Dark Souls.

What do you guys think? Is it sinful to engage in a game like GTA when breaking the law, and old ladies, is a large part of the game?

I am genuinely interested in what you guys would have to say about it!

Douw

That is an extremely difficult question.
I personally draw the line at sensuality and gore. If either of those two is in a game I will not play it. But here is an idea that I think Kotaku brought up about video games: Violence is the core game in most cases. It is how games tend to be played. Even in Mario, you are still technically stomping on a things head and killing it. You are generally hurting or killing something or other to complete the game.

Is it a sin though?
I don't think we will ever have a clear answer until we ask God himself one day.

I tend to be of the mindset that if a game encourages you, the player, to perform actions that could be construed as morally questionable, you may want to reconsider playing it.

Let's look at the Mario games, since TDog9631 brought them up. In one respect, yes, there is violence. Slapsticky, cartoon violence, but violence nonetheless. However, many of these creatures are either a) attacking Mario in the first place, or b) accomplices to a kidnapping of a member of the royal family. In either case, you could argue that Mario is justified in his violent actions, as he is trying to do the right thing for the good of the Mushroom kingdom. All to a catchy soundtrack.

The Grand Theft Auto games are another story, however. Is it possible to play through the game - basically, engage in the full storyline - without breaking any laws? I've never played the games, so I can't speak from personal experience, but when I've asked this of other gamers who have enjoyed the franchise, they basically respond with blank stares or hesitant verbal pauses (e.g. "well... I dunno....") Maybe the indicator is right there in the name - with a title of "Grand Theft Auto," criminal behavior is to be expected and even encouraged in playing the game.

Now I know there are some that argue that these kinds of games can be a conducive outlet for these kinds of behaviors - by playing these kinds of games, it ensures that the gamer will be less likely to perform these actions in real life. I find that a bit hard to believe, for some odd reason... better to avoid the temptation entirely, in my opinion. But that's just my thoughts on the matter.

Sstavix wrote:to perform actions that could be construed as morally questionable

engage in the full storyline - without breaking any laws?

I know this isn't where you were going but you're making a major false association between morality and legality here. I don't hear many people decrying people for hiding Jews in Nazi Germany. For that matter, a significant argument could be made that there is a moral duty to break all laws regardless of whether a law is unjust or not. With man having a right to govern himself, is not all external government tyranny?

Orodrist wrote:

Sstavix wrote:to perform actions that could be construed as morally questionable

engage in the full storyline - without breaking any laws?

I know this isn't where you were going but you're making a major false association between morality and legality here. I don't hear many people decrying people for hiding Jews in Nazi Germany.

Good point in that there is a difference between morality and legality. Perhaps it isn't man's laws I was referring to. After all, just because something is legal does not mean that it is moral. It takes wisdom to discern between the two.

Orodrist wrote: For that matter, a significant argument could be made that there is a moral duty to break all laws regardless of whether a law is unjust or not. With man having a right to govern himself, is not all external government tyranny?

That could be an interesting philosophical discussion, but strays a bit off the topic of this thread.

I agree with the basic premise that we shouldn't be practicing sins virtually that we shouldn't be doing in the real world. I also think that we shouldn't put obscene images or language in front of our eyes or ears for enjoyment.

What's sad is that we will often try so hard to justify games we like, even if they are clearly ungodly, all in the name of entertainment. There are plenty of games out there. Why settle for ones that encourage virtual sin?