Mormons and video games


ahriik
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Video games... All I can say is don't get addicted to them and don't let them take priority over school and your social life. Video game addictions can be just as destructive as pornography when it comes to dissolving one's marriage, relationships with friends/family, and life in general. If video games ever cause you to ditch responsibilities or neglect your family and friends, you are on the WRONG ROAD heading toward a DEAD END in life.

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Yeah so long as they dont take controll of your life I dont think theres much wrong with them. However there is a difference between fighting Nazis, Aliens, and demons that only show blood. And playing as a gangster that rapes, and dismembers humans with the game going into extreme detail. Its just a matter of judgement

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I love video games. In fact I just finished a couple rounds of Modern Warfare II. I have played a bunch of games over the past few decades - mostly on the PC.

I still don't see the connection between violent video games and committing actual violent acts. Show me one instance where violent video games led directly to an act of violence without any other influencing factors. I am not even sure how desensitizing they can be. Think about this realistically for a minute. I have played hundreds of hours of video games - some more violent than others. If I were to actually see someone get shot it would affect me in a very drastic way. I am just not sold on this idea that violent video games lead to violence.

I have played through nearly all of the Grand Theft Auto games and I haven't yet even come close to stealing a car or beating up a prostitute.

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  • 2 months later...

First, violence.

It depends wholly on the nature of the violence, not how graphic it is, considering you're not squeamish and can stand up to such things while taking in a good message. If the nature of the violence has to do with a noble cause, such as rightful self-defense or the nature of war, I see no problem with it. However, if the violence involves senseless, mindless killing of either people or animals without a greater noble purpose (defeating evil, fighting war for good or as a historical teaching purpose, etc), then it has to go. This includes games such as Grand Theft Auto and Manhunt. Also, some try to say that the violence is ok when there is no blood or no humans involved. I suggest they check out a game called Naughty Bear which was just released. The game is predicated on retaliative killing, the only difference is that the victims are living teddy bears. I was as equally shocked by that as Grand Theft Auto.

Now, to give a good example. I own a J-RPG called Tales of the Abyss. It's a wonderful game, based on saving the world and defeating evil caused by warped ideologies. Some other underlying themes are personal identity crisis, and treating all human beings equally with kindness and compassion regardless of their circumstances. There is, however, killings of humans in that game. However, we must take into context what the killings represent, and for what reason they take place. The game takes special care to explain the value of human life and the nature of war, how soldiers put their lives on the line to defend the ideals that they believe are right, and why lethal self-defense is sometimes a necessity when reasoning with your opponent isn't an option. There is a specific scene in which the protagonist, Luke, has never had to kill before, and he is put in a position where instead of knocking out the soldiers as per what happens prior to this moment in the game, and he must kill the soldier instead. He is traumatized by it, and the other members of the party who are either soldiers or are familiar with the idea of necessary violence tell him to step aside if he isn't comfortable with killing people who would seek to kill him to support their ideals. Eventually, Luke comes to the knowledge that the ideals the party shares are unmistakably the correct ones, and that life must be taken since no reasoning can be had.

Another example was with Tear, the female protagonist. Her brother, Van, is the main antagonist of the game. Throughout the plot is her constant struggle of having to come to terms with battling her brother to the death in order to save the world, because she loves him so. Not once did she fault her brother for being wrong, instead, she forgives him and continuously tries to convince him otherwise. Through this, it's taught that we must love and forgive our enemies who commit violence against us when they seek to kill in the name of false ideals.

Second, nudity.

No amount of nudity should ever be allowed. If there is revealing attire, there are ways we can change it. Sometimes, the game creators give us costumes. If this isn't available, we can choose to look away from the character in question who is sporting an inappropriate outfit. Modesty applies in fiction as much as it does in reality.

Third, profanity and sexual innuendo.

If you can censor it, then you're in the clear. Mute the TV, cover the subtitles, do whatever you need to. Fortunately for me, in most of the games I play which happen to be thick story-driven RPGs, you can skip dialogue with questionable content.

For the second and third points, if there is ever so much nudity or profanity or innuendo that censoring it interferes with either your experience or the overall message that the game is trying to bring, I suggest you take the game back or sell it to someone else. It's obviously doing no good for you in that case. This same concept can be applied with music, movies, and various other forms of media.

I find it rather silly that people choose to reject good brought by a larger story because they're too lazy to censor out a few seconds of bad. When we censor things, it shows that we choose to accept the good and not recognize the bad as ever being there. I think that what we choose to remember is what's truly important. In heaven, we will remember the good from all our experiences and memories in this life, and all the small little bad memories that may have accompanied them will be gone.

Edited by PrinceofLight2000
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I see video games as an entertainment medium that can be misused just as books, TV, movies, and the internet can.

But guess what, books, TV, movies, and the internet can also be used in great ways. i.e. book of mormon, educational/inspiring TV shows,

I play games with my friends and my wife even, and we have a lot of fun doing so. Many games such as RPGs (which are basically just novels in video game format) and party games like Mario Party, Wii Sports, etc., are fun ways to spend an hour or two when you're not feeling like doing anything else.

That being said, I do think certain games are inappropriate. If they either contain a lot of violence/nudity (just as R movies do) or if you spend too much time playing them, especially by yourself, then they can become a bad thing. Just as books, TV, internet, and movies can.

So to summarize, I think anyone willing to condemn videogames in general is pretty ignorant, but I do see the need to place limits on it just as we do all other types of media.

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I see video games as an entertainment medium that can be misused just as books, TV, movies, and the internet can.

But guess what, books, TV, movies, and the internet can also be used in great ways. i.e. book of mormon, educational/inspiring TV shows,

I play games with my friends and my wife even, and we have a lot of fun doing so. Many games such as RPGs (which are basically just novels in video game format) and party games like Mario Party, Wii Sports, etc., are fun ways to spend an hour or two when you're not feeling like doing anything else.

That being said, I do think certain games are inappropriate. If they either contain a lot of violence/nudity (just as R movies do) or if you spend too much time playing them, especially by yourself, then they can become a bad thing. Just as books, TV, internet, and movies can.

So to summarize, I think anyone willing to condemn videogames in general is pretty ignorant, but I do see the need to place limits on it just as we do all other types of media.

I like to call them interactive plays, haha.

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  • 2 weeks later...

I love video games, and have always been somewhat talented at playing them. In some games, I would go to regional tournaments and win, and at one point I got 2nd place in the world at a tournament Nintendo hosted. I used to play a lot(practice makes perfect) but I would always use the same screen name: Mormon. I became famous among some gamers and everyone knew me only by that name.

Inevitably, their curiosity led to many gospel conversations. People never stopped asking "so are you really mormon?" "but what does that mean, or what?" And it was my pleasure to explain, and guide them to mormon.org...

I believe God gives everyone talents and that perhaps the quick thinking and quick fingers abilities needed to play video games can actually help the gospel cause. It may sound crazy, but I sincerely believe it.

However, there are obviously some games that are not appropriate... I do not play gears of war or any of those overly gory games. I stay away from that content as I would if it were a movie... But these talents, used correctly, I believe can be made to do good things. For example... How do you get to an inactive teenager's heart? There are very few effective ways, but if you send another teenager over to his house and they start playing games together... They bond a little and now the inactive has more friends in the church and more reason to go to church.

But that's just my $0.02

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In my ward, a lot of the youth play video games. Xbox, Playstation, PC, you name it. We play all kinds of games, from Guitar Hero/Rock Band to Halo. We do occasional parties where video games are involved, and one of my fellow deacons owns a variety of vintage arcade games. Anyway, I find that enjoy playing certain games that my parents don't seem to like. For example, I love playing Doom, Quake, and the Halo games. I also play a little Modern Warfare every now and again. But my parents do not like these games. "violent" and "evil" and some words used by them to describe the games I play. I know for a fact that a Mormon, Sandy Peterson, was one of the creators of Doom and Quake. Anyway, I just wanted to get some opinions from other Latter Day Saints. Are some of the games I play bad? I am not offended by the violence, and I despise games with sexual content or heavy swearing. I just find first person shooters very fun.

To tackle the OP first...

First and foremost... do what your parents say. There ARE situations where telling your parents no and doing your own thing is valid and even essential... this is, however, NOT one of those situations. Its your parents perogative to allow and disallow any and all forms of entertainment you read, watch, or play until you come of age.

That said... once you have come of age, you have to know what you can handle, just as its your parents job to dictate what they feel you can handle now, that responsibility will fall upon you. Games, like movies, are not inherently good or bad. Violence, language, sex... all in moderation can be useful and aid into a person's maturity, helping to understand and coexist with others. But you have to know what you can handle... you have to know what you can take... you have to be able to realize when too much is too much and be able to stop yourself from making mistakes (be them temporal or spiritual).

Video games have many uses... myself, I use them as an out. I take out my built up aggression upon other "people" with games like Call of Duty... or use them to relax with games like Guild Wars... and even to escape, as one would use a novel, with games like Final Fantasy.

All are useful and good reasons to play. That said, you still have to be in control. If you're getting angry at any game for any reason, the game is fundamentally defeating its own purpose and you shoulds top playing it. Similarly if a game's content ever makes you feel uncomfortable, be it for voilence, sex, or language, you should probably stop playing it, as well.

Ultimately, things come down to you. But remember, thats only after you come of age.

Until then, heed your parents' words and keep away from any and all games they say.

I know it sucks (believe me, I know)... but its a fundamental principal of our faith.

Honor thy Father and thy Mother... bottom line:

Until you're 18... stop playing those games.

I DESPISE video games....kids at school will say :hey get on XBOX LIve lets hang out:

quality time is not xbox live.

it promotes lazyness and is horrible for us...what does it provide us with ?

knowledge ? A testimony ? an education ? relationships ?

nothing :8

The mentality of a gamer, yes, can promote laziness, however claiming them to be "horrible" for us is naive at best. Studies have proven time and time again that Video Games are actually really good for developing enhanced hand-eye coordination, an improved sense of problem solving, and increased reading comprehension (less often now that most all games have voice casts). Plus, online play can also help some people form social skills that can be applied offline in the real world. So basically... yeah... definately not horrible, and clearly providing us with something of worth outside mere entertainment.

Now, let me take a shot at your questions as quickly as possible:

Yes (in many ways yes).

No... well... no... not really.

Absolutely (especially historically based shooters).

Most definately (they may be "online" friends, but those are still relationships).

I personally draw the line at sexual themes. It doesn't matter the rating, I won't get it.

And with violence it depends what's getting killed. If it's M for violence and I'm killing humans, I won't play it. Story also effects my view of the violence. I don't like Halo because of the gore. The story is what holds my interest. If it had no story I wouldn't play it.

Thats too bad... I can understand Sexual "Content" or any forms of "Nudity" on the ratings, but Sexual "Themes," as far as the ESRB is concerned, actually only consists of any romantic plot at all.

For example Final Fantasy VIII was rated T for Sexual Themes and there was no sex within it. The extent of the "sexual" content was the love story between the two main characters (Rinoa and Squall) and of some minor characters (Laguna, Raine, and Rinoa's mom [can't remember her name off hand]). No sex took place anywhere within the game, but becasue a romance is based on sexuality, "Sexual Themes" become the label.

That said... to each their own.

I doubt video games are even a scratch on your lords mind.

I agree with this quite a bit. As long as its not effecting your personal life in a negative way, and is not presenting you with any sort of pornography, then I really don't think the Lord cares whether you play these video games or not.

Video games... All I can say is don't get addicted to them and don't let them take priority over school and your social life. Video game addictions can be just as destructive as pornography when it comes to dissolving one's marriage, relationships with friends/family, and life in general. If video games ever cause you to ditch responsibilities or neglect your family and friends, you are on the WRONG ROAD heading toward a DEAD END in life.

I also agree with this... video games are fine... obsessive behaviour is not.

Many a marriage has been ruined by addicted games like WoW.

Knowing how to manage game time with real life is key.

Survival Horror games like Resident Evil can teach you how to ration food, increasing your welfare and budgeting skills.

LOL!!! That is hands down the best justification and defense for the Resident Evil series I have ever heard! AWESOME!!! :D

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I for one, have never played a single M rated game in my life. I have always played age appropiate games. I mean Halo looks cool and all that but I wouldn't play it unless they took out the blood. I never had the taste for First Person Shooters anyways, I'm a Racing Game kind of guy, due to the fact that I was a pro at Need for Speed at age six!

I have to admit though this quote defending such games is a win!

Originally Posted by dorave

Survival Horror games like Resident Evil can teach you how to ration food, increasing your welfare and budgeting skills.

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I for one, have never played a single M rated game in my life. I have always played age appropiate games. I mean Halo looks cool and all that but I wouldn't play it unless they took out the blood. I never had the taste for First Person Shooters anyways, I'm a Racing Game kind of guy, due to the fact that I was a pro at Need for Speed at age six!

I have to admit though this quote defending such games is a win!

Depends on the context of the blood. Wars (including intergalactic ones) are usually fought for noble purposes on one side or the other.

If you're squeamish, that's alright, and you shouldn't play if it gets to the point that it bothers you (I can't take a ton of blood or guts either), but Halo is still a good game with a wholesome message about the nature of warfare. Sometimes war is the only option. It's unfortunate that humans have to be injured and die, but we need to be able to defend ourselves from threats. I don't feel any war that we've had in recent years has been an offensive war. They have either been in our defense (Afghanistan and Iraq), or to stop the brutal actions against humanity perpetrated by others (Iraq).

Don't forget that violence is detailed even in scripture. Remember when Ammon cut off the arms of the Lamanites? I'm sure that involved quite a bit of blood. It's the reason for the violence that is the key.

If you'd like all of my thoughts on this topic, I have a post up above. lol.

Edited by PrinceofLight2000
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Depends on the context of the blood. Wars (including intergalactic ones) are usually fought for noble purposes on one side or the other.

If you're squeamish, that's alright, and you shouldn't play if it gets to the point that it bothers you (I can't take a ton of blood or guts either), but Halo is still a good game with a wholesome message about the nature of warfare. Sometimes war is the only option. It's unfortunate that humans have to be injured and die, but we need to be able to defend ourselves from threats. I don't feel any war that we've had in recent years has been an offensive war. They have either been in our defense (Afghanistan and Iraq), or to stop the brutal actions against humanity perpetrated by others (Iraq).

Don't forget that violence is detailed even in scripture. Remember when Ammon cut off the arms of the Lamanites? I'm sure that involved quite a bit of blood. It's the reason for the violence that is the key.

If you'd like all of my thoughts on this topic, I have a post up above. lol.

You could say I don't 'delight in bloodshed'. I'm not squeamish, I just don't like the fact that in Grand Auto for example you go around killing people pointlessly.

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You could say I don't 'delight in bloodshed'. I'm not squeamish, I just don't like the fact that in Grand Auto for example you go around killing people pointlessly.

Nor do I. I don't think any moral person would delight in any form of bloodshed. However, sometimes it's necessary, and even commanded by God. I don't think Heavenly Father wanted Nephi to have to murder Laban (obviously), since Laban is His son as well. But in His wisdom He knew it would be necessary, as painful as the idea was.

Notice that GTA was one of the games I singled out as being unsavory.

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I don't think any moral person would delight in any form of bloodshed. However, sometimes it's necessary, and even commanded by God. I don't think Heavenly Father wanted Nephi to have to murder Laban (obviously), since Laban is His son as well. But in His wisdom He knew it would be necessary, as painful as the idea was.

Notice that GTA was one of the games I singled out as being unsavory.

GTA is one game that should just be banned altogether. I heard about the one version that had the hidden 'game' in it.

The details of which I'll withold (for obivious reasons), but let's just say the contents of said game made me disgusted.

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  • 3 weeks later...
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In my ward, a lot of the youth play video games. Xbox, Playstation, PC, you name it. We play all kinds of games, from Guitar Hero/Rock Band to Halo. We do occasional parties where video games are involved, and one of my fellow deacons owns a variety of vintage arcade games. Anyway, I find that enjoy playing certain games that my parents don't seem to like. For example, I love playing Doom, Quake, and the Halo games. I also play a little Modern Warfare every now and again. But my parents do not like these games. "violent" and "evil" and some words used by them to describe the games I play. I know for a fact that a Mormon, Sandy Peterson, was one of the creators of Doom and Quake. Anyway, I just wanted to get some opinions from other Latter Day Saints. Are some of the games I play bad? I am not offended by the violence, and I despise games with sexual content or heavy swearing. I just find first person shooters very fun.

People are just to squeamish. Get over it. The victorian age ended over a hundred years ago, but people don't seem to get that.

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From For the Strength of Youth:

While much entertainment is good, some of it can

lead you away from righteous living. Offensive material

is often found in web sites, concerts, movies, music,

videocassettes, DVDs, books, magazines, pictures, and

other media. Satan uses such entertainment to deceive

you by making what is wrong and evil look normal and

exciting. It can mislead you into thinking that everyone

is doing things that are wrong.

Do not attend, view, or participate in entertainment

that is vulgar, immoral, violent, or pornographic in any

way. Do not participate in entertainment that in any way

presents immorality or violent behavior as acceptable.

Source: http://lds.org/youthresources/pdf/ForStrengYouth36550.pdf

This seems to draw a pretty clear line about what types of video games are appropriate and which are not. If it glorifies violence or immorality, or makes them seem acceptable, it will drive away the Spirit. Avoid it.

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A day off for a video game?

I get five weeks vacation, Pam. This is Europe! :D

I have set the day aside to turn out the lights, turn up the volume, put this on my bigscreen high definition television and have me scared out of my skin.

The Clown in the original game is one of the scariest moments ever the first time you see it.

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