Video Games

PunkStar · Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2003 6:58 pm Post subject: Video Games

Hey Guys:

This is a question I've been asking myself for a while. I was wondering what you guys thought.

I've been an avid video gamer for most of my young life. But recently I've had a thought. You know those shooting games? I was wondering if I really should be playing them. I've given them up for the moment until I figure this out. My reason for not playing them is a feel that I shouldn't be doing things that are dishonarable to God. And I figure the games are a bit of a grey area. I'm thinking the games may be dishonorable because it is symbolizing killing other people, even though it's not real. I don't think the Bible left us any clear commands in this area.

What you you guys think. Am I being a bit oversensitive and reading too much into this. Do you think the games are ok to play as a Christian?

ACfixer · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2003 1:41 pm Post subject:

Punk Star, I think it's one of those things where we just let the Holy Spirit lead us to where we need to be. If you are feeling convicted about it then I think you have your answer.

I am 41 and I like video games too but I usually steer clear of the violent ones, probably for the same reasons. I get the same kick out of some of the others that have no "grey areas" I need to concern myself with.

Some personal favorites:
Madden 2004
Tony Hawk
Pretty much all racing games are good. NASCAR Thunder 2004 is good.

Some war games have "killing" like the Command & Conquer kinda stuff, but I don't thing that's what you are talking about.

If you find one where you get to shoot Saddam, I think it's probably ok... Wink

Let the Holy Spirit guide you always PunkStar Smile

jeff_osu · Tiger Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 838 Location: Oklahoma

I agree with ACFixer, just do whatever feels right and steer clear of what feels wrong. Personally, I love Unreal Tournament, but Grand Theft Auto I think is retarded. I've hunted all my life, and death is NEVER pretty. I try to be as humane as possible, and I always give animals the sporting chance. But there is nothing entertaining about watching an animal die, and I think death itself is something you shouldn't use as entertainment. Last Friday I was really disturbed at the sight of a duck I shot, I won't go into details, but watching something struggle for life is a truly sad sight. Things like that are probaly why I very rarely ever try to get my full limit, just shoot what you can eat. But I'll get off my soapbox now Wink

.

Man, did Sadaam looked wacky or what?

(My fav. games are football or Star Wars related, I love Obi Wan on X-box Cool

.

PunkStar · Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2003 9:54 pm Post subject:

Do you get the feeling that there are different things that are right and wrong for different people? Like the example mentioned in the Bible about eating meat sacrificed to idols. Some felt it was ok, some didn't. I guess it's a modern day version of the same issue. I haven't played games like Command and Conquer either for the same reason, it's the same principle to me.

Yeah, I don't get any thrill out of the actually killing. Just playing games gives me something to do. And I know the games don't influence my behaviour, I'm too gentle to even strike another person unless I'm really mad (despite the fact that I have a third-degree blue belt in Taekwondo). I'm just thinking the old conscience is getting oversensitive about stuff. Or maybe my mind is playing tricks on me because it's school holidays and I want to play some of my old collection of shooting games. Either way, this is an issue that I need to sort out sometime soon.

So, do you think there could be different things that are right and wrong for different people?

And yeah, I don't think I'd ever play Grand Theft Auto. That game is just so morally low I wouldn't waste the money on it.

markm2553 · Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2003 5:07 am Post subject:

God holds us acountable for the why we do what we do, more than the what we do. Two people may "do" the same thing, to one it may be a sin to the other not. Just because of why they did it. Say two people gave money at Church, one because they thought the Lord lead them, or to help with the Lord's work. The second person gave the same amount, and made sure the person sitting beside them saw it. Just because they wanted to be seen as a "giver".
I know Jesus wants us to have a good time. There is something most of us where told as kids, would you do it if Jesus was standing beside you? Becasue He is. As we become more mature Christians we stop asking "what's wrong with it", and start asking "what's good about it".
That all being said, I still like a good race of Mario Cart! And 007 is pretty fun.
There is a family in my Sunday School Class that I have all the confidence in the world in. They are great caring people of God. Every year they get together a couple of times and play cards, and bet money. It's all family present, no one is going to lose their house or anything. I could not play, I have been asked. Though I feel it would be wrong for me to play for money, these people don't feel convicted to change, and I'm not going to condem them for it.
But there are many areas that are not gray.

jeff_osu · Tiger Joined: 17 Sep 2003 Posts: 838 Location: Oklahoma