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CoD cures Rabbi's fear of Nazis

March 08, 2009 in Blog comments 16

In a poignant blog post Rabbi Micah Kelber details his experiences of the FPS game Call of Duty. He reviews the game in a highly favourable way while also mentioning how the game helped suppress his fear of the Nazis. See everyone? Games are good!

You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in two words: virtual victory. Virtual victory at all costs — despite all terror: The Churchillian imperative is in full force throughout “Call of Duty: World at War,” but playing, in addition to being just plain fun, is also an incredibly visceral experience, especially for Jewish players.

Over and above their ease of use, story and visual appeal, video games can also become important cultural experiences when the creators make the world psychologically significant to the user. By making a World War II video game that is more realistic, and with more opportunities to make choices than any previous one, software developer Treyarch has created a game that can provide deep insights about violence, history and the Nazis’ significance as psychological demons. It is also qualitatively superior to other shoot-’em-ups, because of the elegant game-play and the surprisingly varied pacing of the complexly textured story.
Euphoric via forward.com »
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  • 0
    EOM Bassist Mar 9, 09
    Isn't it like, against some sorta Jewish religion, or any form of extremist religion like that to play videogames? But hey, whatever makes 'em happy I spose. Good on 'em.
    • 0
      Euphoric Mar 9, 09
      Your missing the fact that the Priests (for Christianity) and the Rabbi's (for Jews) etc are the ones that give out the 'correct' interpretations of what's right and wrong. Meaning this guy can do what he wants as he makes the rules.
    • 1
      Miss Razz Mar 9, 09
      Err... Judaism isn't an extremist religion.

      It's nice to see a religious leader speaking positively about video games.... or any leader speaking positively about video games for that matter. WE NEED MOAR OF IT!
      • 0
        Capn Droid Mar 11, 09
        Sure it is. The extremists just haven't necessarily made themselves well know yet.
        • 1
          HisServant77 Mar 11, 09
          I can't determine whether you're joking or not...but if you're being serious, does this mean that you're a rapist and just haven't made yourself well known yet? I mean, the percentage of men being rapists, compared to judaic extremists would show that you'd be more the rapist.

          Just a thought there, in case you really are serious and think/believe what you said above. If not . . . well don't take offense, it's a point someone may need.
    • 3
      HisServant77 Mar 9, 09
      Thank you, GG. I find it odd that someone believes Judaism is an extremist religion or even groups them with extremists.

      (That, and believing the leaders in Judaism and Christianity create their own sense of right and wrong. THAT, my friend, is what you call a dictator and a false teacher. Did you blame Math and say all of math was wrong because of a few teachers who taught it poorly, or taught certain incorrect things? I would hope not. I hope you catch my drift there.)

      It does strike me as odd though to hear of a Rabbi playing video games haha. But I guess the same could be said about me: being a minister myself who plays video games!
      • 0
        Ameer Mar 9, 09
        quote HisServant77
        Thank you, GG. I find it odd that someone believes Judaism is an extremist religion or even groups them with extremists.
        I don't know, their record in Palestine is not exactly flattering...
        • 1
          HisServant77 Mar 10, 09
          So . . . Jewish people (the people themselves, not the Judaic religion) should bend over and take it in the rear then, eh?

          Okay, if you say so. . . But I wouldn't suggest anyone do that, no matter nationality.
        • 0
          Ameer Mar 10, 09
          I fail to see what exactly what you are alluding to.
        • 1
          HisServant77 Mar 11, 09
          Not sure what you mean, Ameer . . .

          I really wasn't alluding to anything, just saying that if you think conflicts = extremism, then the only way to stop that is to bend over and take anything people do to you without standing up for yourself or others. Not to mention, wars are not religion vs religion. But people vs people . . . sometimes using the excuse of religion, but it's only an excuse to cloak a deeper reason, and a poor one at that.
      • 0
        chautemoc Mar 9, 09
        There are plenty of dictators and false teachers within any religion. Religion does not except human nature.
        • 1
          HisServant77 Mar 10, 09
          Exactly. That's why I mentioned what I did. It isn't "All religious leaders are dictators and false teachers" but rather "Some Dictators and false teachers are religious leaders"
  • 0
    GTA_Fanatic Mar 9, 09
    lol

    I've never heard of Jewish people, especially rabbis, playing video games. Go jews, I guess...
    • 1
      Euphoric Mar 10, 09
      That's a ridiculous comment. They are human are they not? They have spare time do they not? Why wouldn't they play games? Maybe not all games would be acceptable from a parents point of view but nothing in their religion says you can't game.
      • 0
        GTA_Fanatic Mar 10, 09
        I understand that and you're right, but it still seems weird to me. Of all the Jews I've ever met (that I knew was a Jew, at least), I've never met one that plays video games.
        • 1
          Big A2 Mar 10, 09
          I've never met an Anglican who plays video games, so I guess they don't play games either.

          And if your post wasn't stupid enough already, you went ahead and put a laughing smiling. Geez...

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