The new Bloodshed

[Nerobyrne]

Hi,

I just recently read the latest news post about the finland shooting, and I was startled by a few things that were said.

Firstly, I have played DOOM for a few levels, and I can guarantee that nobody can hone any murderous skills playing that game. It is so far removed from reality, not to mention the gameplay is completely unrealistic.

But that apart, I do realize that there are certain people who are unable, or should be banned from playing these games because of their mental state, but I am most certain that just because of these few disturbed individuals, billion-dollar industries will NOT take any action to ruin their business. And while I am not supporting this, I do not support this, i know that nothing will be done about this from the side of the companies.

So once again, i am most certain that nobody can learn killing skills from playing DOOM...DOOM3 maybe, but that wasn't out yet in 1999. And i am certain that the triggers for these horrid deeds are much closer to home than some video games. I believe firmly that the columbine shooting as well as most others, although I am undertain about finland, are those around the people, most often bullies who tormented them, and the teachers who refused to do anything about it.

BUT the most important thing that we have to remember is that it was ultimately the person's own choice, and banning things that MAY be related to it will NOT solve any problems.We have to stop blaming neutral things and look to what we can do about this problem/ after all, should we stop buying things from remington sttel, just because some people were killed by their shotguns? Or should we ban certain brands of kitchen knives, because they were used by OJ simpson??

[Shammu]

Games (video) like this should NOT be allowed at ALL, but this is my opinion. There is enough problems in the world without this kind of garbage. These games are ruining the values of todays children. All these type of games promote is violence.

My kids never had these types of games in the house, and they turned out great. By the way, they are adults now, and married.

[Soldier4Christ]

These games cannot be compared to owning guns or knives. Guns or knives do not necessarily promote violence or killing as do most of these games. I am not personally familiar with the ones that you have mentioned. The ones that I am speaking of are those that have the player going around killing people. These types are especially harmful to children that are of an impressionable age that do not know better as of yet or those that have difficulty knowing the difference between fantasy and reality. A ban? Maybe, maybe not, but at least an age appropriate usage of them. A better comparison might be with war movies. I certainly wouldn't allow my children or grandchildren to watch violent movies at a young age. Most of my children were adults before they saw such movies.

[HisDaughter]

I totally agree!  My kids didn't have em' either.  However my daughter lets her kids play em and I am horrified by what I've seen!  Even IF you are not going to get "skills" by playing these awful things, I believe it has the capability to desensitize one.  I think the same way about some of the violent movies and music.

(I had to say "some" on the movies because I enjoy a good "payback" movie from time to time, but not all the blood and gore and sick mind ones.)

[David_james]

I have seen violent movies, shows and games and because of that, I sometimes have violent thoughts.

Thank you Lord for my disability so that my violent thoughts can't become violent actions.

[Nerobyrne]

Well,

I believe that everything you have said is true....There are definitely games that will provoke violent thoughts. My intention was not to say that they do not, or that children should be playing the,.

I only wanted to point out that we can;'t blame games for things that people do. They made the choice to play those games, and they did so because they already enjoyed violence. That is why i am certain that removing these games will not stop school shootings, albeit it may be a good idea to ban at least some of the really bad ones. I just get kind of annoyed when everyone tries to blame things like games, music and hobbies for these actions, because that accomplishes nothing and gets us nowhere. I haven't heard about a lot of programs to reduce bullying, and many teachers reportedly ignore complaints of harassments simply because it is to troublesome. frankly, if we cannot accept that we have to change, not "the big bad video game companies", then i don't see any improvement in the future. Instead of avoiding people who we think might be deeply depressed, we should try to come alongside them and help them get out of this deep hole of abuse, or whatever it is that gets them down.

And let's face it, who profits from endless rants about negative influences of video games?Many many people have preached endless sermons over years on this subject, and so far nothing has changed. Because people still want them. Millions of people play them every day, and only a few odd cases turn out really bad, and sometimes they had no influence by games at all.
So not that I am trying to undermine you guys, or promote companies like Rock Star games......but I just don't get what the point is of ranting about things that won't change....



PS: I love your spell check system!

[Soldier4Christ]

PS: I love your spell check system!

So do I. It helps tremendously with my bad spelling. 

Banning the bad games is just one of the many steps that needs to be taken. I would agree that doing that and that alone is not sufficient. The major thing that needs to be done is for people to hear the word of God. When the word of God was taken from schools and is now being silenced in anything public it takes away the chance for many to hear that word.

Rom 10:17  So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

When Biblical morals are removed from public then it gives such games as those a priority in peoples lifestyles. No, it isn't just the games, it is teaching people that they are nothing more than animals and there are no consequences to their actions in this life and there is no life afterward so no consequences then either.

[Nerobyrne]

I agree with you Roger,

Perhaps I am not affected by games and movies because I study the Word and believe God to be the highest authority, so video games and such are nothing but entertainment to me. But if someone does not have the wisdom of God or teachings from the bible and is always told that God isn't important, then he would have no moral code to hold on to, especially if life becomes hard and he/she doesn't know what they can do to make it better. 

It is most unfortunate that in many schools in north America Christian values are nearly impossible to represent, so the only thing that seems to be open is to live by example and try to make a difference that way. But if people don't want to listen to the Truth, than they can't be surprised if it has no effect on their lives.

Nerobyrne 

[ravenloche]

I think that Paul said it best in Corinthians; "filthy comunication corrupts good manners"
The influences we have around us will, and do, affect the way we think, act, and react
to what is happening around us. I will not allow my son to play any of the "blood, kill, maime
slaughter ect type games.

There are plenty of bible games, including adventure games that promote morality and the
things of our Lord. I can not allways control how my son is influenced, but I can control what
kind of influence I am on him!

Proverbs says raise up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from
it.

I pray that my son sees, not only that I talk about living for Jesus, and shun the very appearance of evil, but
that I live it as well

respectfully yours in Yeshua

ravenloche