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A Balanced Viewpoint on Christian Gamers, Offensive Games & Army Of Two "Homo-Erotic" Hype

December 07, 2008 in Blog comments 18

OXCGN takes a proper look at the Debate behind Christian Gamers and Offensive Games which appeared on a listing at GamePolitics.

Our writer looks at this from his own perspective. Being a gamer, a father and a Christian, I think he comes prepared with some 'real' and normal approach. Unlike some hype or scare mongering media seem to want to do when you combine games, violence, children and christianity together in the media, painting all with the same brush.

Slip over to the site and read an honest, sincere and thoughtful article on the touchy subject matter.

Yes, we do exist.

Christian gamers that is. I don’t think most of us make a big deal of it and I think some people would be surprised to find that Christians are as diverse a group as any other group (like, say, gamers).

army-of-two-01Yet the overall opinion I encounter is that Christians are all right-wing Conservative game-haters who think that gaming comes directly from the devil to tempt us into all manner of evils. They are also all against the R-18 rating in Australia, of course. Well, I’m not. Have a read here if you don’t believe me.

I can’t blame the gaming public for thinking this way when you have so much ignorant game-blaming going on in the press, and often by Christian organisations or individuals. Take this report, for example.
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Most recently commented on by on Dec 8, 2008

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  • 3
    SUPREM_KITE Dec 7, 08
    What he says is mostly true. There are christian gamers, I am myself actually, but most things are blown way out of proportion, we really don't care what a game has in it, because well its just a game. There are just those few individuals like in every group that feel it's their duty to stop what they think goes against their group, the only problem is they never consult the group. In fact my church as a whole supports video games, and I have even made a new years celebration that is the 48 hour gaming marathon, this year is the 5th annual, the only thing we wont have are m rated games simply because their will be people from all age groups. So this turned out longer then what I thought it would be but christian does not mean game hater.
  • 3
    XboxOZ360 Dec 7, 08
    Very true, and it's those who chose to use the few that do not, that make it difficult for the ones that do.

    Great to hear, and glad you enjoyed the article. In the end, we are gamers, those that say otherwise are neither gamer nor a person of integrity.

    No matter where we all come from, it's important that we tell the truth so that others understand. It's a shame that politicians and media use the sensational things they do, and more often than not, simply blow a small item way out of proportion. But then again, many gamers like to do the same with platforms, which is also a shame.
  • 1
    Storm Dec 7, 08
    I agree. Gamers are gamers, come in all shapes and sizes. The only thing I'm questioning here is Timothy's viewpoint on games like AoT and Gears. I just find them looking too deep towards these games...I mean, homo-erotic, seriously? It's not like they start making out or anything...

    But it's the firm's opinion so meh.
  • 2
    dwg14390 Dec 7, 08
    My father was a pastor for a short time (we had to move) and I honestly don't know what that other so called "christian" see's any homo eroticism in Army of Two.

    I didn't buy the game because of that, I bought it because I played it at a friends house and IMO I just didn't like it.

    Gears of War, Resident Evil, even DOOM, not much really matters to me or most other christian gamers because......well....there just games.

    The most damage a game can do is teach you a new bad word.
    (what Gears of War did to my little nephew lol)
  • 2
    Sayyed Dec 7, 08
    quote
    That is my choice but I cannot force my opinion on another adult in a free society. We are responsible for ourselves and judging others is not our job.

    Many games do have questionable or uncomfortable content. So do many movies. So do many songs. So do many books. So do many cartoons.
    Most important part right their. Seriously, TV and movies have had a much greater effect on people then gaming has since the dawn of gaming.

    And what wrong with games like DMC? Your killing demons, isn't that a good thing?!
    • 4
      RabidChinaGirl Dec 7, 08
      Maybe they didn't like the way the fourth game portrayed religion. The pseudo-Christian establishment that you fight is pretty strange.

      Or maybe they have a problem with the really sexy characters. XD

      Irrelevant side note Is that website snowing? That's adorable~
      • 2
        XboxOZ360 Dec 8, 08
        yes, it's snowing . a little feature any member of the wordpress group can activate during the holiday season .. cute eh . . it'll run until the 4th of January.
        • 2
          RabidChinaGirl Dec 8, 08
          Aaw, your website makes me happy... and gives me the urge to use insanely sweet emoticons. :3 Thaank you!

          PS Your articles aren't bad either.
        • 1
          XboxOZ360 Dec 8, 08
          Well we now have some christmas lights up hehehe hope that helps as well. While we usually have a HOT christmas here in Oz . . we don't mind pretending about the snow . . .

          Also glad you enjoy the articles, we aim to please. Plus we may well be looking for a few 'good' writers come the new year from the US or Europe . .
    • 1
      Raziel_326 Dec 8, 08
      Not all religions portray demons as evil beings.
      • 1
        Gameroz Dec 8, 08
        The Eastern tradition sees demons quite different, judging by games like DMC, Onimusha etc.
  • 2
    Steelspawn Dec 7, 08
    I guess this is the kinda of subject which will always have a group blowing things well out of proportion.
  • 1
    Final Blade Dec 7, 08
    The list was already bogus to begin with, I don't need his words to realize it.
  • 3
    Immortal Kaim Dec 7, 08
    Unfortunately the 'extremists' in any political/religious group, mare the overall perception of the group in question. The general public seem to paint an entire demographic with the same brush, based on a select few peoples opinions.
  • 1
    ShadowJ Dec 7, 08
    This is why I love the gaming population, it is the only group I can think of that doesn't discriminate someone for their race, their appearance or their religion/beliefs.

    However it is those people that aren't part of that community that stir things up. The way I look at things is simple...if you believe that homosexuality is wrong or a sin then good for you...it's when that same ideal is forced upon others that it isn't fine.

    quote An example from the source
    can’t blame the gaming public for thinking this way when you have so much ignorant game-blaming going on in the press, and often by Christian organisations or individuals.
  • 3
    Gameroz Dec 8, 08
    Isn't it great that people can discuss this issue with intelligence and not start in with some blanket negative statement meant to upset people.

    Gamegrep has some great viewers.
  • 3
    Silent Storm Dec 8, 08
    quote
    We live in this world and if Christians want to present the positive face of our faith we need to be involved with non-Christians at a social level as non-judgemental friends who keep our standards but don’t go around frowning at everyone and spouting vitriol.
    Amen.
  • 2
    Bale Fire Dec 8, 08
    Not exactly balanced, since if it was he would be halfway between the extremists who posted that list and a sensible person. This guy is just sensible

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