205: Pastor Blaster

[Wildrow12]

An excellent article.

Isn't it a wonderful thing when we don't see others by their labels
and instead focus on what we have in common.

Best example I could give was my last tabletop gaming group. There were five of us:
An atheist, A Non-Denominational Christian, A Muslim, A Wiccan, and a Roman Catholic seminarian (our GM) , gathered in a library playing CoC. That was the best group I ever played with, and I am still in contact with all of them.

Not to put too fine a point on it, but gaming in general reveals a common truth: we may disagree on certain things, but if we take the time to understand each other as people (as opposed to the caricatures created by Hollywood and society), we might find ourselves calling each other "brother" and "sister" in spite of it all.

 

[Anarchemitis]

My pastor probably would be a lot like that guy if he had the time or money to expend on video games as his past time, instead of his current hobbies which may or may not include potato guns and a large tractor.

 

[pigeon_of_doom]

Interesting article, although for some reason I'm mildly disturbed by the idea of a pastor directly participating in a murder simulator (despite the conflict with a percieved, or in the case of Doom, obvious evil, violence is the main point of the game). Perhaps, as a lapsed Catholic, I have entirely unrealistic expectations of the clergy that doesn't even translate appropriately to the topic of the article. But would the simulation of violence be analogous to sexual fantasies on the part of a Catholic priest? Sinful in regards to the fact that they stimulate feelings that go against their respective doctrines? An unbidden fantasy may be regarded as a spiritual attack, certainly something the priest attempts to overcome, but in the case of violent video-games, the person in question has actively sought out the sensation and could be analogous to a Catholic priest browsing through a copy of a gentleman's magazine.

By no means do I support the view I just explained, as I dislike the repression in more puritan religions. I'm just curious as to how playing violent video-games can be justified on faith grounds, as it has some effect on the purity of thought or something. Probably. I could easily be confusing doctrinal issues between different religions, or imagining a problem that does not exist, but if anyone better informed has an answer (or more wild speculation to add to my own) then it would be very welcome.

 

[MorkFromOrk]

I can see a pastor of a Christian church having no problem with video games or the gratuitous violence many video games portray. I mean the Bible is chalk full of stories that, if made into a video game, would probably get an "A" rating by the ESRB.

You probably wouldn't see a Buddhist monk playing video games because video games in essence are an illusion inside an illusion and further traps man in the world of sensation.

 

[quack35]

Neat article.

 

[Harbinger_]

Great article, this actually made me smile although I was nervous at first with the title.

 

[Vert]

Great article! I think you hit the nail on the whole subject of how society is gradually changing the way it views and accepts videogames. The only thing I felt was missing was a more direct quote from the pastor himself as how he perceives the issue of violence in a game, although the simple fact he plays the games shows us quite clearly that he has no qualms with the subject. Also, the fact he finds swearing to be a problem is an eye opener.

 

[searanox]

I'll bet his Gamertag is "Kill_The_Christians_666" or similar. The minister thing is just a front. He is a death machine and out for blood.

 

[RedPanda]

Daily bases of videogames is to help make something that can't be normally achived in real life possible only in the gamer's standards. I'm religious (christian) myself, and I play games most of the time when i'm not overpacked with work. I have to say, I give editors credit for all the work they put in games to make it worth playing, very fun. My point is just cause someone is important or is entitled as "pastor/rightiousness" it shouldn't mean their whole lives are fixed on that task nonstop

Golfing, Bowling, Games, Movies, Football, School...So forth is very important to entertainment, it's what makes us human to acess better ways to amuse ourselves, lol sounds odd but yeah it's how it rly is. Beer doesn't count btw <-- jk

 

[zoozilla]

A pastor playing Doom? That's pretty funny.

I expect this kind of thing to become completely commonplace as the years go on. We've come a long way from when "Nintendo" was interchangeable with "video game".

I've no doubt we'll see an increase in games catering exclusively to the religious, as well.

 

[MorphingDragon]

I can see a pastor of a Christian church having no problem with video games or the gratuitous violence many video games portray. I mean the Bible is chalk full of stories that, if made into a video game, would probably get an "A" rating by the ESRB.

You probably wouldn't see a Buddhist monk playing video games because video games in essence are an illusion inside an illusion and further traps man in the world of sensation.

Yes, thats quite true. I don't know where people got the idea that christianity is fluffy pillows and rabbits.

My Pastor and I are Christian. We play games... so what? He watches sports and LOTR and Star Wars!!!

 

[linkedtoxbox]

There is a miss-conception that Pastors by definition are not people but rather a walking pulpit. This conception would be built upon many factors:

Experience of person,
Experience of influential people around said person,
Culture of person,
Conceptions of religion, God and religious leaders.

I would put the idea forward that our experiences shape our beliefs and such that we define all experiences by beliefs. It's a cycle.

That is how one would come to that idea.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To have an understanding that God is some idea 'X' it would be logical to define all elements of God as containing or utilising 'X'.

Example if God is perceived as being a 'hater of evil', then it would be expected that those who preach God's message would display this element of God and 'hate evil'.

So bringing this point to the video game world, we see that there are some who would perceive that God is love. Love does not hurt or kill, therefore any killing is wrong, therefore a pastor should not kill even vicariously.

What the limitation of this way of thinking doesn't understand is that video games by design are a contextualised situation. A story. And that is what matters. If you saw two people fighting in the street it's a blank context and a person might say that is outright wrong. But if it was know that one man was trying to rob a lady and the other man was stopping him, then the situation has a morality and even heroic cause to it. Where rather omission to the situation would be the more evil of deeds.

Working the idea of context back to Christianity and it's message.

Christianity is about Jesus Christ and His message. Salvation is by Christ alone, believing in Him and His grace, that brings one to God. It is not earned but rather a gift freely given.

Christ brings humanity who cannot earn salvation, but rather in grace by sacrificial atonement brings all humanity and creation to the place of restoration, when one chooses Him. Therefore salvation is about restoration of God into the believer's life. To make right what the enemy has made wrong.

The last point to add is the desire at the heart of man. This is the call to adventure, the desire to be a hero, to rescue a beauty to do great things, to make a difference, to be a man.

Taking the idea of contextualised situation, the Christian message of redemption, and man's desire for adventure we can arrive at video games. (within reason)

Video games like Doom are about restoring order and justice, about removing the evil horde of minions. Games like Call of Duty, medal of Honour, are about restoring freedom to the oppression of the the evil Nazis. Games like Mass Effect area about restoring and saving.

Video games set a situation where something is wrong and a battle needs to be fought, an adventure taken or a Princess needs to be rescued. This speaks to man's heart and even to the idea of redemption. Video games have a way of speaking to a man's desires and that is most likely why males game. The sense of adventure and the ability to achieve.

To conclude I would reason that all conceptions come from belief, belief comes from experience. That would see how this conception of pastors as non-gamers would arise. But I would debate that the Christian message is about restoration (and relationship) and as such video games offer a world to be restored. And as such the need creates a battle to be fought and that is at the heart's desire of man.

While there are a few non-desirable elements in games, like swearing, it's up to Pastors and Christians to really read the Bible and ask God, whether these elements make it a no player. I would rather put forward that too many young men play video games and waste their time on the internet, then actually live life. It's all about balance.

Yes I am a Christian and a Theology student.

Cheers

 

[Dfskelleton]

Funny, the pastor at my church plays video games, too. He doesn't play anything like Doom or Call of Duty, but he does play quite a few sports games. He's not bad at them, either.
Even as a Catholic, I understand that some other Catholics would protest a game that features your character fighting demons in hell, but I think it's fine. In fact, it's probably one of the more Catholic games I've played. Sure, you shoot things in the face, sure there's pentagrams everywhere, but you're playing as a marine, who is most likely Catholic, triumphing over the evils of hell. That seems pretty fine to me. Not exactly Catholic, but it's closer than most games.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

Pretty good article. I know a Pastor who plays video games with his kids, heck he's even willing to play Uncharted 2 with them.

 

[SenseOfTumour]

I'm actually all for people being critical of games.

So long as there are real, fair reasons for the criticism, and 'mature' rated games can be a little excessive on the swearing, I won't say 'unnecessary' because almost everything enjoyable in life isn't 'necessary', but I would say it's 'trying too hard to be cool' when there's excessive sweariness, or indeed, excessive violence, unless it's done very, very well.

If you don't allow criticism of things you love, you're saying you can't see any flaws and don't want any improvements. It's the type and quality of criticism I usually have trouble with, such as blaming 'Mature' games for kids playing them (try doing some parenting, we're already checking ages at stores and simply and clearly labelling the games.) Or saying that virtual guns are turning our children into killers, while supporting real ones with every fibre of your being.

However some things do deserve criticism, certain marketing campaigns (Dead Space 2's 'look how gross we can be, we annoyed some moms' ads are a fine example), certain types of games such as BMX XXX, Dead or Alive Volleyball etc.

I'm just pleased to hear of someone trying games and understanding them, so that when parents turn to them, they can explain that yes, SOME games are not suitable, but many are, and there's a fairly simple guide printed on the box.

 

[geizr]

I couldn't help but laugh as I read through this article. I've been through a few of those "paradigm shifts" myself in my life(although, not necessarily related to gaming), and, let me tell ya, they can be some real doozies. You have to hold on tight to something, else you may find yourself flat on the floor wondering what the hell just happened to you. It not a fun feeling when the entire Universe shifts few centimeters to the left without you.

 

[mattag08]

I'm actually all for people being critical of games.

So long as there are real, fair reasons for the criticism, and 'mature' rated games can be a little excessive on the swearing, I won't say 'unnecessary' because almost everything enjoyable in life isn't 'necessary', but I would say it's 'trying too hard to be cool' when there's excessive sweariness, or indeed, excessive violence, unless it's done very, very well.

If you don't allow criticism of things you love, you're saying you can't see any flaws and don't want any improvements. It's the type and quality of criticism I usually have trouble with, such as blaming 'Mature' games for kids playing them (try doing some parenting, we're already checking ages at stores and simply and clearly labelling the games.) Or saying that virtual guns are turning our children into killers, while supporting real ones with every fibre of your being.

However some things do deserve criticism, certain marketing campaigns (Dead Space 2's 'look how gross we can be, we annoyed some moms' ads are a fine example), certain types of games such as BMX XXX, Dead or Alive Volleyball etc.

I'm just pleased to hear of someone trying games and understanding them, so that when parents turn to them, they can explain that yes, SOME games are not suitable, but many are, and there's a fairly simple guide printed on the box.

Well said. This is something I've been trying to tell people for years.

I would translate "trying too hard to be cool" into "childish or immature." If you listen to a youngish (<14) kid swearing, it's humorous how poor their understanding of what they're saying is. In a way, it's almost like the first couple seasons of South Park where the fart jokes and swearing kids were supposed to be hilarious, but were really just juvenile.

 

[Omenseer]

It is one of my earnest hopes that the demonisation of Christianity, and indeed all religion, may eventually subside through the humanisation of church leaders.

You think religion/faith and the leaders of such are inhuman?