Can you believe in Christian non-violence and play Call of Duty?
Call of Duty: Black Ops
I consider myself an advocate of Christian non-violence; in other words, I believe Christians should follow the Prince of Peace and be people of peace in a world at war (as Hauerwas would say). However, I also own an Xbox, and one of my favorite series of games for years has been the Call of Duty games. Recently, I bought Call of Duty: Black Ops, and I really enjoy playing it–not from the killing people standpoint but the fun standpoint (hopefully, there’s a difference for you too). The game is a “shooter,” and it involves shooting a lot (emphasis on “a lot”) of simulated enemy troops. I have been wondering, and I am open to the dialogue, is it hypocritical to play Call of Duty games and be an advocate for Christian non-violence?
I guess there are a few reactions that I could think of:
1) Yes, it is hypocritical.
2) No, it’s totally fine like watching Saving Private Ryan is not conflicting to Christian non-violence.
3) You believe in Christian non-violence? Tell me more.
What do you think? Is it hypocritical? Should Christians be playing games like this at all?
I guess I would ask, what makes it fun?
Additionally, I think there is a difference between watching a movie that is telling a story about people involved in a war, and playing a first-person game of war, where you yourself are the killer.
(I guess you can tell which answer I would give your question, eh?)
Probably a bit of answer #1 and #2 mixed together. (added by Mobile using Mippin)
This has always troubled me too, as I find myself in the same boat.
If we extrapolate the Sermon on the Mount a little bit, we get the general rule that “if you’ve done it in your mind, you might as well have done it in real life.” How is shooting people in video games any different?
But then again, when I play shooters, I don’t for a second connect a headshot with some one ACTUALLY DYING, with a real loss of life. I just connect with “I might win this game!”
So is that the same? I dunno.
As a non-gamer, I have trouble believing someone could spend hours in a very realistic simulated war scenario and not have it affect them in any way. Then again, I’m not a gamer. So I’d say you have to take a long look at your heart and see if this game in any way draws you away from the calling of Christ. Then I’d look at the fact that the military uses games like these to recruit: http://news.softpedia.com/news/Army-Uses-Video-Games-to-Recruit-Teens-101889.shtml
@Jake, I guess what’s really strange is that when I play on Xbox Live with friends I don’t have any trouble with it. This question comes from playing “campaign” mode. That might be weird but it’s true.
@Gary, I guess I feel a little guilty, which is likely why I wrote this, but I am more conflicted over the question and principle of it than perhaps the actual playing of the game. Plus, the army point is a good one.
I think that it depends on how far you expand the definition of violence and how you approach simulations. Playing paintball is actual violence, just minimized (it stings, but doesn’t kill), but I doubt anyone would really have a problem with it. It’s fun and harmless (except for the bruises).
Something like this falls into a big gray area. I don’t play these types of games because I am not good at them, but when I do play them with friends it’s more about accomplishing an objective or solving a puzzle than recklessly killing people. I do think that some people are more affected by fictionalized violence, and in that case I don’t think you should play them.
If I had to make a statement about it, I think I would focus on this the same way as Paul tackled meat sacrificed to idols: eating said meat never makes you an idolater, just like playing Call of Duty doesn’t make you a warmonger—but it’s a stumbling block to some people.
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@Thomas, I think that’s a really good way of looking at it. I obviously am careful about who I play the game around (I don’t play it when my daughter is around and sometimes not even my wife who hates the “language” more than the violence).
I, myself, am a gamer and so is my wife. We loved the fact that we were both nerdy and very much “into” video games when we first started our relationship, and we still do. We came down this road when we got married and I brought in my “The Family Guy” DVDs. Before we were married I knew how she felt about the vulgarity, the undertones of “ism,” and the overall ignorance made into jokes the show depicts, but I still had them laying around. It got to the point that she said, “I’m throwing these away because I can’t stand that they represent me or you by being in our house.” I had to agree with her…they needed to go.
For a while I could justify to myself that they were harmless because they were just cartoons making fun of a bunch of different things, but as time went by I saw them how my wife saw them, a sad reflection of what we found humorous in our culture.
As time has gone by, we’ve realized that the Gospel has called both of us to sacrifice things we enjoy and “understand for what they really are” simply because they are not pleasing to the Lord but instead pleasing to ourselves.
I can’t help but always find the answer to these puzzling questions in my understanding of what a child-like faith is. When I ask myself, “would I want this for my children?” or “would I want this for someone new to the faith?” and the answer is a “no” then I feel it is my calling to rid myself of my (fill in the blank) and instead focus on living a life that is pleasing to the Lord.
John Klock
Great discussion - I’ve been meaning to comment all weekend. I own a 360 and haven’t played it in years. A few years ago, the youth group kids and I set up a Gears of War night every week and played on Live. I remember more of our laughs and trash-talking than I do the violence. It honestly felt like playing tag (only much more sophisticated
I agree with Gary on the part that constant gaming will have an affect. That is true of everything. Further, it’s a reflection of what’s in the heart and how are behavior is reinforced.
I am not sure I see the problem with playing Call of Duty for fun. It’s when I show up in our basement and the decor is militarized and you are pointing out the inaccuracies of modern combat (”That weapon can go through three people with a single shot, not only two as the Activision designers insist.”) that I think it’s a problem.
I am wondering if it’s “Christian” to play or spectate contact sports like football. The damage caused to the body and especially the brain is quite violent, more than boxing and MMA. New post Evan!
Another great post, Evan. I would go with your second scenario, which ties very closely with your cleverly-titled post on Rob Bell. In other words, merely listening to or reading something (or watching a movie, or playing a game) is not a sin, and I for one am growing increasingly weary of such legalistic implications that so many things are to be avioded (out of cultural or religious-group expectations only).
I mentioned the condemnation from a friend who discovered I was watching Rob Bell videos….and the sinful part of me wanted very much to inform him I have also read the Koran (does that make me a Muslim?). We have the ability to think for ourselves and compare what we take in to what we know to be right; we can accept things and reject things without writing off the whole. I concur with Tim in that if you took it to extremes, or played it so much you had no time for God, then it would be an idol, and thus wrong (but we can make idols of parents, children, church, and many other things that aren’t inherently wrong). I look forward to reading more of your posts, brother!
Evan, thanks for this post. It came up during my fb fast, so I didn’t see it before, but I thought I’d toss this in now.
I’m liking what John Klock said (as I usually like what he says). Participation and celebration of certain aspects of culture can really become damaging to the heart. For me (and it sounds like for Tim as well), celebrating sports/athletics culture is something I want to get away from.
For CoD (or Halo, or whatever), my heart really recoiled when I saw the commercial where everyone (Jimmy Kimmel, Kobe Bryant, random people) are all getting to blow stuff up and commit violence without any repercussions. That’s an aspect and outcome of violent-gaming-culture that I don’t want to celebrate or participate in. Plus, there’s the truism that “dwelling” on such things can harden us to the realities of violence…
Then again, it doesn’t hurt my heart - like it might for John - to participate in the humor of Family Guy, which, for some, can destroy all that is sacred.
Yes. You are a hypocrite. Sorry it that’s blunt, I really mean no offense, but you asked. The Bible clearly states that we should fill our minds with what is pure and good. (Philippians 4:8) It also says that what we do with our eyes and our minds is sin in and of itself, without any actions at all. (Matt. 5:28ff) In those verses Jesus is clarifying that while he came to end legalism, he makes the point that following him is infinitely harder than just following The Ten Commandments. Finally, Jesus said “Love your enemies.” (Luke 6:27)
Jesus clearly stated over and over again that following him would require sacrifice and that it would involve difficult choices. But, I truly believe that when people want to do the right thing, God will help them. For example, what would you lose from not playing first person shooter games? Worst case scenarios: you could lose a point of common interest in a popular topic of conversation, you could maybe look bad if you’re at a party and you don’t know how to play these games, you could not fit into a certain group of people. You could lose out on something fun and instantly gratifying to do when no one else is around. That’s about it. I’d say that if you ask God for friends who have the same interests you have who also don’t play first person shooter games and stay true to their Christian convictions, God would gladly help you out.
People compromise too much of what they believe to peer pressure when it can actually be fun to be a little different. What I’ve found attractive in other people is the way they carry themselves. If someone is kind, funny, well put together, has talents, interests, and passions, they can actually be a fun and popular person and still hold onto their convictions. When someone asks you if you want to drink, smoke, do drugs, or play violent video games your answer can be the same in each case. “No, I’m not interested.” Or even: “I don’t spend my time that way.” You might lose a few potential friends, but are people who wouldn’t befriend you unless you participate in those things really the type of people you need in your life? You only get a few breaths on this earth, so how are you going to use them to glorify God? And it is absolutely possible to glorify God and be happy.
I do feel for men and boys because what it means to be a man is a very narrow road. Women seem to have all the choices these days. The gender rules aren’t so tight for women in terms of interests and recreational pursuits. And, yet, what women want from men is so different these days. It can be confusing. Still, as a teacher, while I like all of my students, the kids who tell me they spend a lot of time on video games tend to be less well rounded and secure than those who are involved in sports, music, and general conversation.
Oh, and to add….
I think what makes first person shooter games a problem is that they are taking something serious and deadly and making it a sport. It makes it no better when people say “It’s just entertainment. It’s not real.” The fact that someone would find virtually killing another human being a form of entertainment is part of the problem. There is also no inherent “good” purpose for playing these games that can be applied to real life. Reading the Koran can have a negative purpose if one wants believe what it says, but it can also have a positive purpose to understand a Muslim perspective, to relate to Muslims in the community, and to know how to evangelize. Watching Saving Private Ryan for entertainment or to enjoy the gore would be a negative purpose, but to understand history and get a sense of the brutality of war has an educationally positive purpose. What is the value in training yourself over and over to be a killer? Our soldiers come back from war with PTSD after having trained in such a way. Why would we put our minds in that head space?
The bottom line is this: Would Jesus spend his time that way? If we search our hearts, with honesty, I think we all know the answer would be no.
@Jaelle, I did actually get rid of the game for a number of reasons, but I don’t know if what makes one a better Christian is whether he or she does not play violent video games, smoke, or drink. I believe our value as Christians is higher than those things. I truly believe this falls under the statement by Paul: “‘Everything is permissible’–but not everything is beneficial. ‘Everything is permissible’–but not everything is constructive.” In my case, playing the game would not be constructive or beneficial. I didn’t like the person I was becoming when playing it. In the same way some people can have nude art in their homes, I cannot. My friends who play the game and are unaffected I would challenge them if they believed they weren’t at all, but I believe many can play these games without compromising their positions as Christians (in my opinion).
I am a newly devoted Cristian and i have been enjoying online multilayer games like grand theft auto and call of duty. I can see why gta is a REALLY non Cristian game but call of duty is much like tag then restart or get the flag or dont get tagged by the zombie. So i think that it cant be considered the best game for our religion but im sure you will be able to play it.
As a believer and follower of Christ, I would advise anyone to stay away from videogames as much as possible. The reality is, its a waste of time and a way for Satan to preoccupy and control our minds so that we don’t spend time learning the Word of God, the Bible, and we don’t develop a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Videogames “dumb” us down and while they may provide entertainment, the Bible does have a lot to say about why we shouldn’t focus on entertainment.
@Alyssa,
Quite honestly, I disagree with some of the logic. If the criteria is that we should stay away from video games because “a waste of time and a way for Satan to preoccupy and control our minds so that we don’t spend time learning the Word of God, the Bible, and we don’t develop a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ,” then anything can fit into that (i.e., anything that preoccupies our time and does not allow for learning the Word of God and having a relationship with Christ). I would, first, disagree that video games are a waste of time, but that would be a lengthier argument than is necessary for here. Second, I woke up some time last week and began to read my Bible, my 1 year old son woke up and began crying. I went to get him. My son took me away from learning the Word of God. Could this be considered a Satanic attack to preoccupy me with other things? Yes, I imagine it could; but I doubt you would say that is the case (i.e., taking care of children = satanic).
However, the point is the mindset. You and I likely spend very little time in our day “learning the Word of God” and working on “a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.” If you spend 1 hour a day in prayer and Scripture, you only spent 23/24 (96%) of your day preoccupied with other things. But, if we switch it to a mindset, we then begin to think about what in our lives is being affected by Scripture and helpful to our relationship with Christ. Video games, movies, The Great Gatsby, The Mona Lisa, and eating a sandwich can all be done in a glorifying way. Thus, I am asking is Call of Duty something that glorifies God or is it something that I should stay away from?