Hey everyone,
In the past few weeks I responded to an article in our local newspaper. The article had to do with videogame violence and how we tend to become attracted to 'evil' things. I don't normally state my opinions on a public stage, but I guess I finally got fed up of people using my favorite form of entertainment as a medium for explanations of violence... especially without looking at the opposite view. My response was published in a later edition of the newspaper and I'm here to share that with everyone.
Without further explanation, here is the article and my response respectively, I've left out the name of the person who wrote the article and my real name, but I've provided links so if your so inclined to see the originals, you can follow the links.
___
Why is evil so attractive for so many?
(Name), The Times
Published: Friday, January 09, 2009A few months ago, I was visiting my sister at her home on Vancouver Island and spent some time with her two boys who are in their late teens.
Apart from TV and soccer, they were especially absorbed by myriad video games, which they played for many hours, sometimes late into the evening.
We would have meals together but they would immediately disappear to play still another game.
I became intrigued with their choice of entertainment - I knew little of the games -and although I was aware of their popularity, I wanted to see for myself what made them so attractive.
One evening I found that one of my nephews had left his computer on: I discovered that I could easily access an assortment of video games using icons on his desktop.
One, in particular, Grand Theft Auto, located in Vice City, caught my attention; it turned out to be a disturbing portrait of an imaginary Florida city devoid of any morals or values.
A simulated tourist guide issued to users - presumably young males - caught my eye; it was included in the package of software issued with the game (which I did not view at the time).
In fact, Vice City was overtly a portrayal of evil. There was absolutely nothing wholesome, pure or selfless about the inhabitants of the imaginary community.
The economy, according to the guide, includes revenue from the black market. Politics is portrayed as toxic with a congressman subject to gossip regarding his affection for alcohol and young female interns.
The guide characterizes religion as money and refers to a TV preacher who promises heavenly rewards to supporters who fund his "ministry" with the right donation.
Tourists visiting Vice City are recommended to carry fake identification and a firearm at all times. Police are not to be trusted and, "even a minor infringement can escalate into a full-blown showdown."
Amoral, violent and abusive of women, the depiction of Vice City is entertainment at its darkest.
Unfortunately, much of what passes today as commercial amusement seems to dwell almost exclusively on evil. Lust, greed, pride, envy, gluttony, even extreme wrath (in the form of violence), are at the core of many movies and TV programs, for example. But why? Why do we appear to have an insatiable appetite for evil?
I believe such an attraction is found in our hearts - it may be stimulated through a video game, film, DVD or by some other means, but it is at the core of our being.
Parents and teachers don't have to be reminded that, in general, children and young people must be taught to embrace altruistic behaviour. The Bible speaks about this when it says, "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Sin - all the bad things we have done - separates us from God and his perfection.
You might have a sense of this in your own life - a covert temptation that you know is wrong and others might say is evil.
The Bible also emphasizes the power of evil: "But each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed; then, after desire is conceived, it give birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown gives birth to death."
But there is hope. This familiar Bible verse should encourage you: "For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Christ, who was perfect, accepted death on a cross for you personally. And he rose from the grave.
Why not make your decision for God today?
- (Name) attends church in Abbotsford and writes Faith That Matters for the Abbotsford-Mission Times every month.
Link: http://www.canada.com/abbotsfordtimes/news/faith/story.html?id=ae2cf83d-662e-4b10-a127-5d27e8db0551
___
Not all the video games that seem filled with evil are evil
The Times
Published: Tuesday, January 13, 2009EDITOR, THE TIMES:
Re: Simon Gibson's faith column in Friday's Times entitled Why is evil attractive for so many?
I tend to agree with this article, but only to a certain point.
I believe it is immature to speak of a singular entity of a larger whole only because we've experienced small facets of that singular case (example, don't judge a book after reading just the first few pages).
That particular video game is one of just a few of its kind which seems to find its way into all sorts of topics related to video game violence and its "evil" effect on an individual.
The fact of the matter: There are more video games that have an enriched storyline and teach good moral values than those that are similar to Grand Theft Auto. The same can be said about movies.
I play video games on a semi-casual basis (about 10 to 12 hours per week) and the type of video games I play are indeed of a violent nature. I feel however, that I am not morally affected by these video games because they are simply a medium of entertainment.
Since people with little knowledge about video games like to spin them in the direction of evil with a related example, I will do the opposite and speak some good of them with my own example.
The Legend of Zelda series is about a young man who must go through arduous tasks to vanquish an evil bent on destroying all that is good. Among the game are various puzzles, interactive battles, endearing miniature games within the game, a beautiful landscape and an expansive storyline filled with wonder and fantasy.
Some of the moral values it teaches, especially in the more recent of the series, are hope, perserverance and courage.
Evil will find a way into the hearts of people, yes that's true. It's an unavoidable instance of life that is difficult to get away from. Not all things that seem evil are filled with evil however.
There is a greater good to be found in all things and we as believers of God and faith must embrace that idea.
Faith shouldn't be an object to be thrown around wherever we see fit.
Faith, like the good morality we want to instil within ourself, is something sacred that we should try and use when we feel hopeless and have no where else to turn to but God.
(My name)
Vancouver (Not Abbotsford).
Link: http://www.canada.com/abbotsfordtimes/news/letters/story.html?id=7b3cb814-9640-4ea8-bd6d-02eb51e79e4c
___
Well, I don't know if what I did was right or wrong and I'm not too satisfied with my response. It was mostly on instinct after all.
Also, to reiterate, I don't consider myself passionate about videogames, but it is my favorite form of entertainment. After seeing all the stuff in the media about violence in videogames, I just had to shed a different light towards it.
This thread is not just about me though; I want you guys to post anything you've done in a similar fashion, how did you stand up for gaming?
-hiro
Log in to comment