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On Religious Violence And Videogame Violence
Thanks to the IGDA for its 'Culture Clash' column discussing the violent nature of many religious texts, and how that relates to religious criticism of game violence. The piece references The Passion Of The Christ, mentioning: "The film's portrayal of the delight these men took in administering the scourging draws an alarming parallel to some claims that video games desensitize young people to violence." It then goes on to argue: "The history of opposition to games is a long one, and religion is often used to justify that opposition, though naysayers tend to ignore the fact that religion itself is a major source of violent acts", before concluding: "Frankly, the arguments for and against violence in games, as in any entertainment media, must be assessed in context or not at all."
Don't know enough about the Christian concept of a 'Just War'
That's the funny thing. There isn't any.
As an Arab Christian myself, I'm glad.
The fact is that the church simply uses the topic of games to force people to look away from it's real problems.
;-)
Troll troll troll (yet I'm biting).
First of all, you speak of Catholics, not Christians when you speak of 'corruption' with the priests and all. Not only that, but they HAVE been speaking against games long before that ever came up.
That being said, I'm a Christian (raised Catholic) that has played video games all my life. Its all about knowing the difference between fantasy and reality. I've played violent video games constantly. When I see a car wreak I don't smile and drive away... I cringe in horror and try to help out. That's cause I can tell the difference between fantasy and reality. Those that can't? Well... violent video games are the least of their problems...
Now, its also something to note that 'religion' isn't the ones really crying out against violent video games... its usually overly strict parents and parents that want their children to see/hear no evil. The problem is the media spin and people shouting out about not knowing one side from the other. For example, the Catholic Church has agreed that Harry Potter is a good book and children can read it. I bet you either don't believe me, or are surprised to hear it. That's cause you talk from a perspective of knowing games, but not really knowing what the religions are doing/saying. Its the same thing with the religions and the parents... they speak knowing the religion, just not the games (or have ever really gotten into it). I try to stay in the middle and tell you both to quit getting your panties in a bunch and pay attention to your kids. If they exhibit violent behavior or an apathy to violence, its not the video games, but a problem with your child (if they didn't have violent video games, it'd be violent movies, or violence on the news, etc...).
I'd go on about how this country is so anal about nudity but fine with violence (except in games), when the rest of the world is the opposite, but I'll contain myself
Good quote, too many chars. Seriously, the slashdot 120 char limit sucks!
Sorry but that's total dross. Most inquisitors were really very devout. Some of their diaries make fascinating reading. They really believed that a little pain on Earth was better than eternal torment. The dissidents targeted were primarily religious - the huguenots and other early protestants.
The Catholic church of that time was a perfect example of how large scale religion and politics are indistinguishable. Little changes when we see Islamic fundamentalism locking horns with American Christian fundamentalism. Both are primitive regressive forms of their respective religions, but both are dominant and driven by politics as much as faith and both are leading to massacre and bloodshed of the innocents in the middle.
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USA: home of the world's largest terrorist training camp.
That aside, The Passion is not about the life of Jesus. The life of Jesus is the "curing of the sick", offering the "yoke that is not heavy", and the let's give everyone a present.
I didn't find the movie funny, either. What parts did you think were jokes? I'm curious, and wondering if I can explain some of them.
The Passion is about the death of Christ. Why He went through all this pain and agony is the question that's supposed to be generated. Here we have a guy who (in life and in the movie) claimed to be God incarnate. When he said "my kingdom is not of this world", he was referring to heaven and eternity. When he said he'd destroy the temple and raise it up in three days, he was making a reference to his own death and resurrection.
So why the heck did Jesus have to go through this beat-down, torture, and death?
One of the fundamental beliefs of both Jews and Christians: God is the definition of good. God is perfect, cannot make mistakes, cannot lie, cannot do evil. God hates evil and sin, and as such his standards are perfection.
Ever tried to live a perfect life? It's bloody hard. I bet you can't find anyone in history---not even Ghandi or Mother Theresa---who has lived a perfect life.
So there you have it. We all fail. We all fall short of God's expectations. We lose, and burn in hell. God hates sin and evil.
Fortunately for us, God still loves us. He hates our sin. He hates our evil. But, like a father loves their child, no matter what, God loves us... no matter what. And he wants us to be with him.
Enter Jesus. He was the price. He footed the bill for us. He died a terrible death and took the punishment of our sins on our behalf. All we have to do is ask for him to know us. Why does this work? Because Jesus was the son of God himself.
Which is why people refer to John 3:16 as "The Bible in a nutshell": For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son...
Dang... I'm starting to sound like a priest, and I'm running out of time to write this post...
Christians are not bound by Old Testament laws, so no stoning is required
How about if we all base our values on what's best for society, instead of trying to follow some documents cooked up to control the populace thousands of years ago.
This is one of the silliest objections to Christianity - you realize that the people who "cooked up" the New Testament all died as martyrs, right? Also, what is wrong with the central Christian value of "love your neighbor as yourself"? Seems like if eveyone followed that value, then there wouldn't be problems with society. This society has major problems because people are selfish and lazy, not because of Christianity.