The church I went to discussed this with their followers. The pastor preached that anything which leads to obsession is most likely used by the devil to get a hold on the person and lead him away from christ and God. The church also invited 2 witness to come on stage and share their experience.
The witnesses went on stage and gave a testimonial on how they were addicted to online gaming that they played the game for almost 14 hours a day. They also mentioned that because of their addiction, bad things happened to them, e.g(1 of them failed his O lvls (a national exam) badly).
And somehow when they asked for help, God came into their life and helped them. One of the witness's online game account was hacked into and he lost every item and equipment in it. He eventually gave up playing that game because he felt bored.
The pastor therefore urged people to destroy copies of their online games and appeal to young fathers, who may have young children, not to be influenced by the games and stop playing games totally. The pastor also said self control is impossible for the long term, as online games are structured in such a way that it is impossible to gain satisfaction just by spending 1 hour or less playing it.
What do you think? Are online games evil?
I don't think online games are evil. I am not sure about the church however.
14 hours a day isn't healthy for anyone, but to get rid of games completely? That sounds a bit extreme. Online games are great, they're social, they encourage thought and strategy forming. With moderation what's not to like? Anything can lead to an obsession (I've seen people spend that much time on one of those 3D puzzles), so I can't see why online gaming, which can be very beneficial, should be targeted.
I think they hold the potential to be addictive, just like 3D puzzles (lol, I like that). But I think that there is more potential for eventual boredom.
I don't know, alcohol can be addictive, so, should the U.S. bring back Prohibition? Should a large part of society be deprived because of a smaller number of potenially addictive people? I think this is not the best idea. I guess I don't see an issue with the games themselves, but there is nothing wrong with parents being aware of how much time a kid spends on the games and if there are any negative changes in behavior.
There's two sides to this coin, unfornutately.
I've heard numerous times that the devil can be associated with "not progressing". If you aren't making things better, you're making things worse to a sense. Sitting at home for hours on end and burning your skull into an online game doesn't grant immediate benefits - if any.
Why not be aiding the poor? or educating yourself?
I'd understand why he'd make that point, but if he wants to single out "online gaming" we could single out a lot of other things too.
Simple answer 
the reason he failed his exam was because he didnt study.. well DUH! I dont know how he had time to eat playing for 14 hours a day let alone study. Online games are fun, as long as you keep them under strict control. I say no more than one hour a day. It is true however, if they get out of hand, they can cause a lot of problems in life, mainly social.
It can be. If it replaces God in your life, it can be satanic. If it exposes you sex, cursing, violence, etc. than it pretty much is satanic. The media is trying to take us over with all this stuff. DO NOT CONFORM.
'Evil' is morally objectionable behaviour. Playing online games for 14 hours is as evil as watching TV for 14 hours. Its stupid behavior. But saying video games or online games is evil is misdirection. Misdirection can also be construed as evil because you move attention away from the true cause of the problem. After that preaching, I would imagine some of the parents having arguments with their kids about online games... but not discussing ways of controlling 'obsession', and discussing the fine line between obsession and perseverance. I do hope that preachers realize the responsibility they have when they label things 'evil'.
Some people are addicted to the church, lets ban that....
Now wait a minute. I think this Online game and the devil thing should be examined more closely. Just think about it a second here. Most online games only run on Microsoft platforms......
| Tex_Arcana wrote: |
| Now wait a minute. I think this Online game and the devil thing should be examined more closely. Just think about it a second here. Most online games only run on Microsoft platforms...... |
ha ha that's great 
| Soulfire wrote: |
| It can be. If it replaces God in your life, it can be satanic. If it exposes you sex, cursing, violence, etc. than it pretty much is satanic. The media is trying to take us over with all this stuff. DO NOT CONFORM. |
You're contradicting yourself. You're telling people to do what the Bible says is right, and then, in the same instant, telling them not to conform...
| Garnet wrote: |
| Tex_Arcana wrote: | | Now wait a minute. I think this Online game and the devil thing should be examined more closely. Just think about it a second here. Most online games only run on Microsoft platforms...... |
ha ha that's great |
I thought so at the time but the serious answer is that the problem is not online games or even "The Devil". The real problem is a lose of balance in ones life.
Let's say I become totally obsesed with posting on these forums. Now I think everyone here can agree that these forums are not evil nor or they hosted by "The Devil", but for some reason or another I cn't stop posting everytime I see a thread that someone else has posted in and when I have all the threads ending with only my posts I have to start new ones (I hope you folks realize this is all hypothetical, right?). Let's say I do this so much I don't go to work, I ignore my wife, I don't eat or even sleep. All I do is post and post til I get sick (it really sounds like I already am) and drop.
Now who's fault is it? Is it Frihosts for having put up this forum? Is it my ISP's fault? Is it "The Devils" fault? If I were to engage in behavior that taken in moderation would do no harm at all and extend that behavior to the point that I ruin my life with it then it is my own damn fault. If I couldn't realize that what I was doing was so harmful to me I would hope that my wife would slap me up side the head with a cast iron skillet and call the loony bin to pick me up but ultimately it's my responcablity to realize that something is wrong with my behavior and correct it myself (step away from the computer and go to work) or get someone to figure out what is missing in my life that I need to post on this forum all the time.
It's as simple as that. No demonic forces involved. Just another case of personal responcability. | Marston wrote: |
| Soulfire wrote: | | It can be. If it replaces God in your life, it can be satanic. If it exposes you sex, cursing, violence, etc. than it pretty much is satanic. The media is trying to take us over with all this stuff. DO NOT CONFORM. |
You're contradicting yourself. You're telling people to do what the Bible says is right, and then, in the same instant, telling them not to conform...
|
By "Do Not Conform" I mean do not conform to the patterns of this world. Perhaps I should've specified. I mean, this world makes sex okay, it makes drugs okay, it makes everything okay.
Soon there will be no punishment for murder, and Christianity will be a crime, we are in a downward spiral... a freefall. | Yantaal wrote: |
| Some people are addicted to the church, lets ban that.... |
Yes, but not addicted in the same sense. I am addicted to God. At least it's something GOOD and gets something accomplished. We have a right to religion here in the country (but not for long, the way we're going).
And was there a suggestion to ban games? I didn't see one 
. | Soulfire wrote: |
| Soon there will be no punishment for murder, and Christianity will be a crime, we are in a downward spiral... a freefall. |
What the hell?! What're you talking about?[quote="Soulfire" I mean, this world makes sex okay[/quote]
WTF? you think sex is wrong?
