Should Christians be allowed to play fighting games?

[uc pseudonym]

I have modified this thread to more properly reflect the intent (that is, correcting the grammatic issue in the poll and altering the title to be more representative of the poll question). Meanwhile, I feel no particular need to comment upon it.

[mitsuki lover]

I don't play videogames not because I'm against such things but simply because I don't have a videogame system.If I did I wouldn't personally
have any problem with something like Dragonball Z or Mortal Kombat.
More of a problem with some of the shooter style games that deal with
human as opposed to alien opponents,but that is just me and doesn't
reflect how I think it should be for everyone else.
I think when it comes down to it though that it is really up to each person's
taste wheter or not they should play shooters and other action style vidoegames.
Although I think more kids should spend their time outside playing sports when the weather is good then inside playing vidoegames.That's the one
objection I would have that too often kids spend their times inside playing]games on the video when they should be outside playing sports.

[Kisa]

It all depends on each person....
Everyone is affected differently by different things, if it causes you to stumble, then no. If its just a game to you and you realize that just hurting people for no reason is bad, ect... then fine.
It also depends on each person's conviciton on the issue.

[Bobtheduck]

Sports are for the weak of thumb. Don't betry your inner geek! ^_-

Fighting games are cool... Nothing wrong with them. Of coruse, games that require fast movements of fingers and wrists are a really good setup for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and very sore thumbs (blisters are nasty.) Aside from that, some fighting games are used just to show off a system's power in polygons and effects and physics... Physics being a big one, so a lot of these games more recently have girls with very, um, bouncy personalities...

Very few fighting games have any depth to them, which I really need. They are fun for short amounts of time and then you're done with them. Meh, they can be nice distractions if you are into that. St. Kevin's list was great, but I'd like to add a point, and add to one of his points as well:

1. Obey your parents. They must always be honored, and must be obeyed as long as you live at home.

2. Obey your convictions... For YOURSELF, if you feel wrong playing them, don't play them and ask your friends not to play them AROUND YOU. Offer suggestions for other things to do. Don't stop them from playing them when you're not around, however. You are not their conscience. If they are Christians, the Holy Spirit is.

Also, one last thing... It is best not to base our requirements of other Christians on anything that isn't directly biblical. Now, I can think of some verses, taken out of context, that people could say "No, a christian can't play any video games with any sort of violence in them, or watch anything remotely violent on TV or in movies" but frankly, these do not refer to fictional stories but things happening in real life. Violence in Books, movies, and video games is not talked about in the Bible. Don't make absolute rules on something like that, because God doesn't hear people who "teach man-made traditions as if they were doctrine."

When it comes to these grey areas, we only have a right to worry about ourselves and our children. We can give oppinions, but it must be up to the other person. Just make sure you personally are doing what you feel God wants you to, keeping your brother and sister in mind, and that's all you must worry about.

[Saint Kevin]

Yeah, how could I forget the "Obey your parents" thing? Good catch Bob, and well said.

[Savior_Sora]

I say yes.

Just don't let them take over your life. I agree with everyone who said that video games dont make people become murderers and all that. They did the same thing, but it was with The Matrix with the Columbine Shooting. The movie didn't make them do it. they wanted to and even planned it, so the intent was there before they even saw the movie (or so i read).

I play them all the time, but I don't take it out on people or use it in real life. So as long as everyone can do that I'm ok with it all the way. *is in the mood to play Budokai 3...*

[ZiP]

Yes.

True Christians won't become killers over those games (nor will 999, 999 people in a million).

[Hitokiri]

I'm sure would prefer Sim games .

Despite all the exual references


I see nothing wrong with a Christian playing shooting or fighting games...unless it occupies your thought and you put that before Christ.

[Azier the Swordsman]

I never thought the Sims went over board on the sexual content....

Unless you are talking about the expansion pack.... with the vibrating bed.....

other than that, I though it was pretty mild.

[Fireproof]

[quote="cbwing0"]
I think that Jesus would play these games, but only if he could lead others to believe in Him though the activity]
"If Jesus ate with sinners, he'd probably frag with gamers."

[uc pseudonym]

Wouldn't that imply something about gamers?

I seriously doubt that anyone is concerned about youth becoming mass murderers in droves. Those against fighting/shooting games are generally just wondering about the morality of playing something that is immoral or the desensitization factor, as opposed to serious actions.

[Arnobius]

I have modified this thread to more properly reflect the intent (that is, correcting the grammatic issue in the poll and altering the title to be more representative of the poll question). Meanwhile, I feel no particular need to comment upon it.

Is "allowed" really a gramatic issue? (This is for general discussion and not a criticism of your action BTW).

[1]"Should Christians Play" implies an issue of conscience
[2]"Should Christians be allowed to play" implies seeking permission from another source

The first seems to be an issue between an individual and God. The second seems to be the sort of question a parent or other authority might ask.

When I originaslly posted, I presumed it was #1. Did I miss the point?

[Fireproof]

Wouldn't that imply something about gamers?

I'm sure that wasn't the original quotee's intention, but I suppose it could be derived from what was said...

[Bobtheduck]

Wouldn't that imply something about gamers?

Yes. That they are people who have been historically belittled and avoided by those who consider themselves above that, and Jesus doesn't go for that under any circumstances.


(I know... I know... I ruined a joke, sorry... It's just that while it was a joke for most, some would not take it as such, since it was close to home.)

[uc pseudonym]

To at least explain my reasoning:

Is "allowed" really a gramatic issue? (This is for general discussion and not a criticism of your action BTW).

[1]"Should Christians Play" implies an issue of conscience
[2]"Should Christians be allowed to play" implies seeking permission from another source

The first seems to be an issue between an individual and God. The second seems to be the sort of question a parent or other authority might ask.

When I originaslly posted, I presumed it was #1. Did I miss the point?

I believe you are correct, actually, nor am I satisfied with the current state of the title. But to say "should Christians play" implies a requirement to play, as in "you should brush your teeth" whereas "should Christians be allowed to play" does imply permission as you said. Taken in a rather liberal sense, we do wish to have permission from God, though I imagine most will think of the typical authoritative sources.

[John316]

I believe you are correct, actually, nor am I satisfied with the current state of the title. But to say "should Christians play" implies a requirement to play, as in "you should brush your teeth" whereas "should Christians be allowed to play" does imply permission as you said. Taken in a rather liberal sense, we do wish to have permission from God, though I imagine most will think of the typical authoritative sources.

Maybe it should be changed to: "Are Christians allowed to play fighting games" instead of "Should Christians be allowed to play fighting games?" As people have said before, this is a matter between ourselves and God, and saying "should" implies that we are questioning God's position (whether it's permissive or prohibitive) on the subject. Of course, the question could be taken to mean permission from the typical authoritative sources, but unless it's made clear that we're not talking about God in the question, people may get the wrong idea.

[kryptech]

This has been an issue on my mind for some time too. I appreciate St. Kevin and Bob(the Duck)'s comments - well done.

I began getting FPS's in earnest a little over a year ago when I upgraded from a 166MHz machine to my current Athlon XP 2600+. I was mucho eager to flex its muscles so I started downloading lots of game demos like Quake 3 Arena, Max Payne 1 & 2, Far Cry, XIII, Halo, Doom 3, etc. Mostly I got them to check out new gaming technology that I'd not experienced on my old computer but I got rather into them. I mean, it is exciting sneaking through the bowels of Halo's substructure to round a corner and engage the Covenant forces. Packing duel Ingrams lends one a feeling of power. These games give an adrenaline rush and exercise one's inherent hunter abilities.

Lately I've moved away from these games. I've deleted pretty much all of them (I kept XIII not to play but to demonstrate the cool cell-shaded graphics to my friends). I noticed they did affect me. Max Payne, for example, makes it extremely stylish to massacre hordes of people (even if they *are* criminals and trying to kill you). In slow motion you dive into a room with four badies, Ingrams blazing. When time goes back to normal you jump to your feet, walk past the bleeding bodies, and continue on your merry way. That has an impact on a person, or at least it did on me. For the worse... It is very easy to become callused to wanton destruction of human life by logging a bunch of hours a week playing that kind of game.

A few people have mentioned that they differentiate between taking on humans and taking on non-humans. Personally I still have a bit of a problem with FPS's where you are fighting sentient beings, even if they aren’t humans. Robots and animals are fair game though. And violence can be portrayed in different ways too. A fighting game could be vicious hand-to-hand combat or it could be a friendly sparring match. Is the violence stylish and gratuitous or shown as a necessary evil? Is it the focus of the game or an obstacle in the protagonist’s quest?

Shooting/fighting games are not the root of real life violence, but I think they do foster our inherently violent natures. The decision of playing these games is something to consider without answering a quick "yes" or "no". Instead take a little time to think how it affects you, your fellow Christians, and your witness to non-Christians.

[Arnobius]

To at least explain my reasoning:



I believe you are correct, actually, nor am I satisfied with the current state of the title. But to say "should Christians play" implies a requirement to play, as in "you should brush your teeth" whereas "should Christians be allowed to play" does imply permission as you said. Taken in a rather liberal sense, we do wish to have permission from God, though I imagine most will think of the typical authoritative sources.

You make a good point on the connotations of phrasing, that I didn't consider. Perhaps phrasing it like: "Is it morally acceptable for Christians to play" would be more precise.

...or maybe I should give it a rest before I transform this from a discussion on gaming into a hair-splitting discussion on terminology. Sorry.

[The Shadow]

thanx guys for your oppinions
im sorry for the incorrect englishin the poll but i hope
those that voted got the drfit

ive come to the conclusion that its okay top play them as long
as it does not effect my physical life
but i also come to the conclusion that any fighting games with demons
zombies, and magic should not be played.

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

What about Christian games like Eternal War: Shadows of Light, Ominous Horizons and Catechumen? They feature demons and you fight them. Like it or not, demons are part of spirtual warfare, although God is much more powerful.

[Arnobius]

What about Christian games like Eternal War: Shadows of Light, Ominous Horizons and Catechumen? They feature demons and you fight them. Like it or not, demons are part of spirtual warfare, although God is much more powerful.

Do they still make religious themed games? I remember some old Nintendo ones (based on the Zelda engine I think), but haven't seen any for a while. If anyone knows of some, I'd appreciate a link. Thanks.

[uc pseudonym]

There are fairly recently created Christian games, yes. Almost all of them are first person shooters. Two of the previous three games mentioned are from the same company. Their website (it has been a while, but I think this is still it):
http://www.n-lightning.com/

[The Shadow]

What about Christian games like Eternal War: Shadows of Light, Ominous Horizons and Catechumen? They feature demons and you fight them. Like it or not, demons are part of spirtual warfare, although God is much more powerful.

yea but only through Jesus can u throw back Demons not guns

[Warrior 4 Jesus]

Yes, I know. But in Eternal War you are an angel sent by God and in the others you are a Christian warrior and use the Armour of God. You don't use guns either, you use spiritual weapons from the Holy Spirit (like the Sword of the Spirit and others).
Eternal War is by Two Guys Software. I wish their was more innovation in Christian games (eg. gameplay, variety, graphics).

[The Shadow]

i wish there were some cool christian games
any one know of any?????????????????