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Video Games Are Anti-Social and Addictive

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Video Games Are Anti-Social and Addictive

from JoeUser Forums
First of all, I'd like to say that the anti-social behavior this article is talking about has nothing to do with violence. Violence and video games is a completely different argument.

Video games allow a person to feel as if they have accomplished something without doing anything. So you beat every Final Fantasy. Nobody really cares, except other people that have played Final Fantasy, and even they don't care that much.

A huge problem is that a lot of women are not gamers. Some are, sure, but a lot aren't. These women tend to have very little respect for in-game accomplishments. That's why a lot of gamer guys want to date a gamer girl - because she is more likely to give him the respect he doesn't deserve. I know it's not a big deal to my wife that I can build a business in Capitalism 2, a theme park in RollerCoaster Tycoon(though I did get her playing that one) or that I can build a city in Sim City 4. Every time I say "Look what I did" she reminds me that I did nothing, which is the truth.

But it does not feel that way when I am doing it. None of it is worth anything in the real world, but it feels like it's so important. So I waste time with them instead of hanging out with my family, doing work, or spending time with God or on ministry.

You may say, "But I play video games and I do all those other things too." I say to you, are you doing those things while playing video games? If so, then there is room for them in your life. Sadly, in my life, my wife is not interested and my son is not old enough. Work has it's 40 hours a week, so that's not an issue. The only thing left is God and ministry. The only way I can do ministry through video games is to play multiplayer games, so all single player games are out. And God wants me out there doing real things for real people. So even multiplayer games are out.

So my video game time really is wasted time. But I'm not going to give them up yet. I'm not ready. I'm still addicted. I want to accomplish fake things, because it's fun. One may say to me, "Entertainment is needed too, so video games are okay in moderation." But really, I could have just as much fun playing with my son, hanging out with my wife, talking to God, or doing ministry. So I'm thoroughly convinced that these games are not needed. But it's just like any other addiction... it'll eat away at me until I give in, or I get over it. I'm still giving in.
gaming
122,488 views 193 replies
Reply #101 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
The real words of god would never make anyone feel "uncomfortable".

'Talking to god' would be like having a conversation with yourself but infinitely wiser and more patient, and with no limit to understanding.

If you have a little voice asking, 'why aren't you doing this, why haven't you achieved that'... that's not god.


Reply #102 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
So, apparently you apply your own morals to the Bible and use that to judge it for yourself. This assumes, of course, that your morals are an adequate gauge for measuring the morality of the Bible. The biggest problem here isn't that the Bible is a bad book - the problem is that it teaches a different philosophy than you do, and you are uncomfortable with the philosophy it teaches.

This is also an appeal to outrage - you hope that by only looking at the "worst" parts of the Bible, you can discredit the religion as a whole.


To me, traditional christianity defies all reason and logic


So far, you've barely shown that you understand Christianity, other than a common stereotype. Your stereotype and poor understanding of Christianity are the only things that defy reason and logic.


So, explain to me how God is good and sinless despite sending us all to hell for not believing in Jesus? What if someone is born severely mentally retarded??? Have you ever preached the good word to someone with severe Down's Syndrome? Someone who can't conceive in tying his own shoes let alone conceiving in Christ? What happens to young babies that die?? Do they go straight to hell because they didn't put their faith in Jesus? Explain to me exactly how God is not an evil bastard if this is true????? Surely, if I threw your son or daughter into an oven and burned him or her alive for a few minutes that would be extremely evil right??? Of course, burning alive for a few minutes is infintely better than burning for all eternity. I don't know - as I said I am just using the reason and logic God gave me, unless of course God didn't actually create me.

I bet you I could make a movie about Hell. It would be a movie so horrifying, it would make movies like Saw 3 look like carebears or whinnie the poo. People would have to leave the theater because they have the urge to throw up. The church would probably be in an outrage if such a movie was made which showed people and babies screaming in agony for 2 hours. Oh, but the last 10 minutes of the film, we see those who have believed in Christ. Even a person who murdered and raped women every day of his life until he turned to Jesus at the last possible moment at the age of 80. I will bet the really good hindu boy burning in Hell, would be furious to say the least. The Church would be tongue tied. THEY COULDN'T SAY ANYTHING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Since this is the trash they have preached for centuries.
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Reply #103 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
What was this thread about again? God? no wait, wasting my time. Video game s CAN be a bad thing, but the same logic used to discredit them can be used for any activity. My wife thinks they're just for kids, but she can stand to watch Donal Trump fire someone. i think THATS a waste of time. But we each find some enjoyment in out free time activities, so its really not a "waste". At my age i feel i'm allowed to be antisocial for a few hours here and there.

As a side note, to jump on the off-topic band wagon here... Inability to prove something doesn't mean it is untrue, science doesnt work that way. I can not prove the sun will rise tomorrow,I can predict it, but I can't prove it to you.

I can't see air but i know i can't live withoput it.

If anyone has questions about the fairness of God and His justice, please don't bring it up here, ONLY because there probably won't be any answers to your concerns, not becuse you dont have a right to express them. If you want these questions answred you should visit a bible based church and have a discussion with someone who does know.
Reply #104 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Stanley: I wrote a whole bunch, but decided not to risk the wrath of the moderators by changing this into a full-blown discussion. If you want to continue this argument, you may by PM or email. In the meantime, here's a link to an article where similar questions are asked and answered:

http://www.christian-thinktank.com/evilgod.html
Reply #105 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Well... on the issue of addictive personalities. There's no such thing. Anyone can get addicted to things that are addictive. On that note, anything can be addictive. It depends on where your interests are. If we were to start declaring things anti-social and dangerous on the grounds it can be addictive, then we might as well ban everything.

Also, I can't think of many things more traumatizing to a child than for their parents to rip away the thing that gave them joy in life in favor of pushing their own ideals on them. Don't expect to be thanked for it, now or later.
Reply #106 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Stanley: I wrote a whole bunch, but decided not to risk the wrath of the moderators by changing this into a full-blown discussion. If you want to continue this argument, you may by PM or email. In the meantime, here's a link to an article where similar questions are asked and answered:

http://www.christian-thinktank.com/evilgod.html


Did you see my post? I haven't been kicked out yet. I would love to see these pathetic arguments saying God isn't being insanley evil for sending people to Hell forever.
Reply #107 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
What was this thread about again? God? no wait, wasting my time.


They started it. Someone shoves Jesus down my throat, I bring out the 6 inch cannons. I am just fighting against absurdity thats all. They brought this war upon me, and I shall stand my ground to the very last!!!!!!!!!!
Reply #108 from JoeUser Forums Top


So, explain to me how God is good and sinless despite sending us all to hell for not believing in Jesus? What if someone is born severely mentally retarded??? Have you ever preached the good word to someone with severe Down's Syndrome? Someone who can't conceive in tying his own shoes let alone conceiving in Christ? What happens to young babies that die?? Do they go straight to hell because they didn't put their faith in Jesus?

You clearly don't understand Christianity. People who cannot make the decision of accepting Jesus as their saviour do NOT go to Hell, for obvious reasons.

Also, I would like somebody to explain to me the 6,000 years theory. As far as I know, it says the Earth is 6,000 years old because of Adam & Eve -- unfortunately, we have no way of knowing whether or not the Earth was made when Adam was born, we just assume it was made a few days before, but you have to remember, to God, time is nothing, a second, a minute, a day, a year -- it's all the same. 6 days could be the same as 60 million years.
Reply #109 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
You clearly don't understand Christianity. People who cannot make the decision of accepting Jesus as their saviour do NOT go to Hell, for obvious reasons.


Show me in the bible where it talks about this. Also, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, the idea of God sending me to Hell for eternity for my finite sins is rediculuous. It is basically like me shooting someone because they couldn't tie their shoes fast enough. Or it is like burning someone alive in an oven because they lied to me and then "didn't beg forgiveness in X's name"

Also, if what you are saying is true, then we should kill all infants. Send them automatically to Heaven. Why even take the chance that they will reject Jesus and end up in Hell later on?? Some maniacs who truly believed in what you are saying did this to their own children.

Man, I wish I was born with severe Down's Syndrome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I have said before, show me in the bible where it says you are automatically saved if you can't make the decision yourself.

What if I am 40 years old, have an "accident" where I then become brain dead??? Am I automatically saved now because I can't accept or reject Jesus anymore??
Reply #110 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Also, have you guys done some research on near death experiences? That is the evidence I am using, so it isn't like I am just going soley off of logic. My only evidence is near death experiences, yours is the bible, unless I am mistaken???
Reply #111 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Also, I would like somebody to explain to me the 6,000 years theory. As far as I know, it says the Earth is 6,000 years old because of Adam & Eve -- unfortunately, we have no way of knowing whether or not the Earth was made when Adam was born, we just assume it was made a few days before, but you have to remember, to God, time is nothing, a second, a minute, a day, a year -- it's all the same. 6 days could be the same as 60 million years.



Well earth is about 4 billion years old. And that is scientific fact. But of course that doesn't mean that there is no god.

Reply #112 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

Well earth is about 4 billion years old. And that is scientific fact. But of course that doesn't mean that there is no god.


Nope, it doesn't disprove god...just the bible.

Reply #113 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I'd love to talk in depth about all this, but unless I get the blessings of a moderator, I think it's best we return to the actual subject of this discussion. Stanley, I received your email and am currently writing a reply. You should receive it within a day.
Reply #114 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
What kind of a Christian are you? I thought Christians should witness even though they may die. You won't speak because you are afraid your post might get deleted?? I thought Christians were supposed to fear God and all of his wrath rather than anything "of this world".
Reply #115 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Also, I am not even sure how to access PMs on this forum. I will have to try to figure that out I guess.
Reply #116 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
also, this is an opportunity for you to witness to everyone who happens to read this!!!! Aren't you excited that you will get to save people from God's evil, evil wrath????
Reply #117 from GalCiv2 Forums Top


And is it really anti-social? Gaming is a unifying activity for me and my friends. LAN parties, voice chat while playing multiplayer games, and talking about gaming with friends when not necessarily in front of a TV or monitor. It can be antisocial, but it doesn't have to be. The choice is with the individual.



I totally agree with this. Many of my oldest and best friendships have been forged over the fires of competitive gaming. I would not be living with such kickass housemates if it wasn't for video games, and I wouldn't have met half the awesome people I know if not for the shared interest of gaming.

The original poster sounds like he uses games to give him a feeling of acomplishment rather than just to unwind. Most of the people who game realise that achievements in game don't mean much in real life but do it anyway because it's fun.
Reply #118 from GalCiv2 Forums Top

There is no point basing anything on the bible, or pretty much any holy text you can find something to support anyview you like other than one which promotes free though, a handy tool if your trying to control people from a government that claims legitamacy through divinity, US? Saudi Arabia?

the 6000 years thing is nuts. Have these folks never heard of dinosaurs? and do not tell me that God went running orund with a shovel burying things and muttering "now we'll see who beleives in me!" cause if thats the view you take of your deity then you have 'other' issues
Reply #119 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
and do not tell me that God went running orund with a shovel burying things and muttering "now we'll see who beleives in me!" cause if thats the view you take of your deity then you have 'other' issues


No, thats actually an appropriate view for Christians because He wants to deceive us so much in this world so we won't believe in Jesus, because the evil bastard can't wait to torture us forever.
Reply #120 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Woaaa! This has gotten out of control! This is what happens when someone mentions his religion....it's such a touchy subject!   
Reply #122 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I know, and I am so sick and tired of hearing about Jesus on the radio, everywhere!!!
Reply #123 from Stardock Forums Top



Show me in the bible where it talks about this. Also, FOR OBVIOUS REASONS, the idea of God sending me to Hell for eternity for my finite sins is rediculuous. It is basically like me shooting someone because they couldn't tie their shoes fast enough. Or it is like burning someone alive in an oven because they lied to me and then "didn't beg forgiveness in X's name"

Also, if what you are saying is true, then we should kill all infants. Send them automatically to Heaven. Why even take the chance that they will reject Jesus and end up in Hell later on?? Some maniacs who truly believed in what you are saying did this to their own children.

Man, I wish I was born with severe Down's Syndrome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

As I have said before, show me in the bible where it says you are automatically saved if you can't make the decision yourself.

What if I am 40 years old, have an "accident" where I then become brain dead??? Am I automatically saved now because I can't accept or reject Jesus anymore??

Unfortunately, I do not have evidence form the Bible on the children issue at hand, and I'm not about to go searching through my book to give you an answer which you'll probably just question anyway.

This is not a reason to kill children. In case you've forgotten, God kinda frowns on killing. Anyways, if we did that, the human race will have died out within a couple of years and then Jesus would have nobody to come back to.

If you were 40 years old and then got a disease that messed with your brain, it wouldn't matter. You'd already had 40 years to make up your mind, if you didn't believe in God by then, you most likely wouldn't have after then (though you might have had some experience which changed your mind later on like Saul/Paul and so that's not totally fair).

Hell is not the same is killing someone for not tying their shoe in time. You're given about 70-80 years if you live a healthy life to decide, and frankly, I think that should be time enough. The point is, if you're at the gates of Hell and you got another chance to make your decision, everyone would say, yup, I believe in you now. If you need to actually see to believe, then that means you have absolutely no faith. The idea is that you're supposed to believe even without evidence (which obviously will sound very stupid to you and most other people) of God existing. And if people had a second chance to decide when they were dead, then they'd be saying that they believed merely to escape damnation, and if you believe in God for impure reasons (like to get out of Hell), then that's just as bad as not believing.

This argument serves no purpose. I could get you a recording of Jesus Christ Himself and you'll find some way to question me. Good-bye.
Reply #124 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I guess the whole point is believe or burn huh????? I think the only reason you have faith is because you were born to Christian parents and you have been brain-washed.

Anyway, have you read anything about near death experiences??? Certainly that is a piece of evidence just like the bible.

Why put faith in a 2000 year old book that has multiple versions, and God knows how many times it has been changed throughout history. How come their isn't one version of the bible? I guess God's language and word choice wasn't good enough. So we humans had to change the bible????? How is the bible a better piece of evidence then say the Koran??? What if the Koran is true?
Reply #125 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hell is not the same is killing someone for not tying their shoe in time.


You are correct; it is infinitely worse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

God kinda frowns on killing.


Why????????? He doesn't frown on killing people by the thousands and millions, and apparently he must throw us into the lake of fire or "eternally seperate us", or whatever for not believing in Jesus, so why would he frown upon killing?

Well, it looks like you don't care about anone else going to hell but yourself. And this is my biggest argument of all against Hell, is NONONE TAKES IT SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!! If you TRULEY BELIEVED that Hell is real and that you must accept Jesus to avoid Hell, then your life must be eat, sleep, take care of yourself, and save as many people or lead as many people as you can to Christ before you die. Everytime, you play galciv2, watch T.V., etc. that is valuable time that you could be saving people. I mean if you truly, truly believed in Hell, you would have to be put in a nuthouse. You would go insane, because all you would think about is how everyone is comming to terrible and everlasting pain. Your lack of concern for me proves that you really don't believe in Hell. Either that or you don't care about me at all. Like you would basically be that person to just sit and watch a burning house with tonns of kids in it, and just be like, well serves you right you didn't believe.