The question is actually a lot more complicated than that, and has a much more complicated answer. For instance, what is the christian gamer living for? The next game time? The rush of conquest? Is he/she actually obsessed with the game/gaming? Does the gaming get in the way of relationships (in particular one's relationship with God).
As the title of this post suggests, the question itself is one which is blatantly legalistic. But I have to say that my desires certainly don't line up perfectly with what I have in my mind as 'living the christian life'. Gaming being a small disimilarity. To be quite honest, I don't have the time to play games much, though I do find myself occasionally "making time" (weekends). The spark for this entry comes from the desire to play EVE, an online space-faring game[wikipedia entry]. A game which doesn't necessarily demand weeks of actual playing time in order to enjoy the game. But is that just part of my rationalizing to allow myself the cost of a new distraction?
10 comments:
that's no help!
man. eve-online = sooo beautiful...
I go on WoW and witness to people.
Just kidding, but I don't care.
If you think you might get obsessed with it, then probably not a good idea. Otherwise, if you can play continently, then it is probably fine to play.
there's enough dead time in the game that I can actually play and do other things at the same time. plus there's benefits in the game to NOT being logged in, as the real passage of time is actually rewarded regardless of in-game or out.
I got the 14 day trial. heh. It's pretty, but my computer is too slow and doesn't have a graphics card suitable for it. Which may change................... maybe next month or so.
I say learn c++. Then you can join Abe and I in our computer game creating.
Also, don't listen to the voices of the heretics, who have no appreciation for the True language due to being reprobate.
Hey Luke!
I have no answer. There is no law from God saying: DO NOT PLAY or STAY UNDER 10 hours per week but of course you know that. In this area as well as other areas of our lives I think we should stick to the principles God has given us: Can I play with a clear conscience? Do I have faith to play that Game or do I play with doubt? If the latter is the case it is sin! A good question is also: How long is it really fun for me to play a Game and a source of relaxation and when does it become an obsession that I cannot control and that frustrates me?
Does the content of the Game honour God or do I practice sin? I have no problem with defeating Nazis in a Game like "Call of Duty" but I don't feel comfortable being a criminal in one of the GTA's. But then again isn't it sick I find fun in killing people in a game?
I have wasted hours in front of the computer playing when I know I should have done other things.
But I think it is not ONLY about learning to avoid to sin in our lives. I prefer learning to do God's will and to trust he is good and has something for us to do.
When I am bored I sometimes pray and suddenly God shows me something: A friend calls or I discover something useful to do.
What I am more worried about in my life than the desire to sin is the lacking desire to seek and trust God. Anyone know how to get it?
Greetings from Germany,
Holger (holgmei[at]aol.com)
I keep coming back to this blog and thinking, Should I comment on this?" Now I am in an airport, waiting for a flight... and no new entry has been posted. Hmm.
So, when is it legalism to make a value judgement related to how you spend your time? How is playing games less a waste of time than watching TV? Is there something you should or ought to be doing with this time (especailly if it is over an hour at a whack, and you are not is a situation where there really is nothing else you could or should be doing)?
How about me? How much playing solitaire goes beyond Altzheimer's prevention and becomes a waste of my life? Where is the line between a needed break and a bad habit or an addiction? Who do I ask this, and who cares? Well, I know the God who made me cares, and knows the answser... and if I knoew the answer, would it make a difference in how I spent my time? Hmmm... Then it would not be a legalism issue, but an obedience issue.
What everyone needs to do is just buy a DS and brain age. Then, whenever you are playing a game you know you are making yourself smarter.
Or, learn to program and join Abe and I in our quest to create a game that is good for you.
Well, for those of you who follow posts, and comments on this blog.. here's a bit of a related update:
I downloaded a trial version of EVE, and it was great. My laptop isn't quite capable of running it at it's finest, but the game is enjoyable, there's great comradre between players and it's beautiful in-game. I've stopped playing though because this is a VERY busy time for me. Microsoft stuff to learn, moving to a new house, getting an used car, etc... all crazy busy. And I need the sleep that I'd been losing by playing.
Holger, your post was extremely well thought out and I really appreciate all that you shared. Even before I wrote this post, I felt the same way as what you had expressed, but the blog post was more an expression of my desires and how they conflict with what I know God to be saying. My mom picked up on that very well in her response as well. Thank you both for the good words and thoughts that you put into your replies.
Eric, I'm bound to get a DS Lite at some point in the not-so-distant future, and "brain age" will be among the list of games that I'll acquire. Again, this will be after I've completed necessary busyness and find myself with a mite of recreational time to be had. You know you and Abe are putting up QUITE a challenge for youselves, right? I wish I could contribute to your program.
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