Question of the Day, August 17, 2010

[mikespoff]

The question, as it is phrased, is pretty ridiculous. Games, like movies or books, can be used to communicate anything that the writer thinks is important. What qualifies as important is entirely up to the writer.

 

[TheDoctor455]

Why not? I mean, you risk alienating certain audiences. But that's really up to the private organisation making the games. It's not like the state is really involved.

I don't have a problem with religion based games, and this is coming from atheist.
To be clear, I think that if the developers of a game wanted to promote one religion or another, then there's nothing wrong with (freedom of speech).

But what I do have a problem with are people like the guy mentioned in the question that had nothing to do with the game's development, marketing, etc. and are trying to use someone else's creation to promote their own personal dogma. To me, that sounds like digital vandalism.

 

[Eumersian]

I was confused by the question, as in, "should" is different than "can" or "should be allowed".

 

[Lizmichi]

Honestly no. Propaganda for religion is already too much as it is. Besides you go to hell for playing video games anyway. *rolls eyes* Religion is find in books and TV but it bugs me to have it in games. With games it feels shoved down my throat and I don't see the "religion RPG" taking off. Also you won't always know you're buying a game that's promoting say Hinduism in a game till you play it. It's fine to have it be a reference in the game like Taoism is in Okami but it's not promoted, it adds to the story. Hell I'd buy a game the promotes the Chain of Light. XD oh wait I already did. Thank the Maker.
On a side note, from a logical stand point there is no problem with it but just because it's logically right doesn't mean it's completely right.

 

[MeTheMe]

Well, I can understand religious people wanting religious games, but I don't know about PROMOTING religion. Games about it could work, I think, but working to convert people? No.

 

[Extraintrovert]

I don't like it, at all, but there is no logical reason why video games can't or shouldn't be used to promote religion. I originally thought there should be limits of some kind, for example don't make it outright propaganda that declares this religion super duper awesome and everyone else evil scum, but really those are my personal feelings on the matter and have no relevance to reality. I wouldn't like it, but go ahead, they can knock themselves out.

 

[Thunderhorse31]

The question, as it is phrased, is pretty ridiculous. Games, like movies or books, can be used to communicate anything that the writer thinks is important. What qualifies as important is entirely up to the writer.

Agreed, though I'm kind of surprised by the ridiculous slant in the poll results - it looks like more people are responding as if to say "No! Religion should be quashed in all forms!" instead of what the question is actually asking.

 

[lizards]

no purely on the basis i think religion has will or ever do any good to balance out the negative things its caused

 

[Kaymish]

SHOULD they be used to promote religion No since all religions are wrong and you risk alienating people like me who dont subscribe to any religion at all

but should religions be ALLOWED to promote themselves with video games yes as we should be living in a world where in regards to censorship less is better
however should nutcases succeed in getting violence striken from video games so should religion it is just if not more dangerous as pixilated violence could possibly be

 

[Cody211282]

Why not, they use everything else to, why limit it? If you don't want to play it then don't play it.

 

[teisjm]

Sure, especially in-game relegions, with the dieties of the games world beeing promoted.

Would be epic of churches and cults dedicated to gameing dieties startet to appear in teh real world due to in-game promotion.

 

[Twilight_guy]

Sure why not. I don't know if he can come up with a way to actually do it and not look like an idiot but if someone wants to try, why not let him.

 

[ishist]

Only Buddhism

 

[Blue Musician]

I rather not in most games, but I can see why some people want to.

 

[xXAsherahXx]

Very strange that someone would pray for the ability to play a dance game. I think they should both be separate.

 

[Glamorgan]

Oh God please no

*sigh*
That was NOT funny.

OT: I see no reason as to why not. As long as they don't force it upon people, I see no problem with it.
Plus, a priest playing DDR. Freaking awesome.

 

[The Austin]

Sure, why the hell not?

It's pretty damn cool that a preacher holds some DDR records, I'll bet his church kicks ass.

 

[PhiMed]

Yes, any medium can be used to endorse religion. And it will suck, just like Christian fiction novels, Christian rock, and Dianetics.

People should be able to make all these things. That doesn't mean it's a good idea.

 

[Billion Backs]

I already hate pretty much every damn religion, so fuck no.

Satanists, LaVeyan and the real kind, and the believers in the mighty Flying Spaghetti Monster are not excluded although those are at least generally fairly nice and interesting people to be with.

But hell, what do I care. They can do whatever the fuck they want, it's not like I'm going to end up playing those games and it's not like every damn fantasy novel or video game preaches some kind of religion or viewpoint on life already. Oh wait, it is.

Notice how practically every fantasy novel has gods, with ones who we're supposed to root for totally not copied off the more familiar Greek and Norse gods or that unimaginative Christian God? Narnia and Lord of The Rings/Silmarillion excluded for obviousness.

And if you consider the numbers (At least something like 70-80% of population identify themselves as belonging to a religion or vaguely spiritual), chances are that more then half of the books/games are going to be written by religious or generic "spiritual" new-age bullshitters anyways, and naturally we're all happy to preach our own ways to everyone.

Meh. The damage's already done, lol. At least if CERTAIN religions try to preach themselves through the gaming medium it might help some people to see how retarded said religions are and turn away from them. When you're surrounded by silent adults in church or your totally devout (and idiotic) family, you're kind of compelled to conform. When you can be alone and think over the concepts and realize how stupid they are, there's no way you're going to stay with it.