Religion And Gaming: Between The Lines

[StephenArdrey]

I have been doing this series for awhile. I do it as a way to explore theological concepts. that video games heavily relate too. This all started when I was heavily engaged by the indie game, The Binding Of Isaac.

For those of you who haven't played it, you should. This dark, Legend of Zelda style narrative, is one of the best critiques on modern religion. The story focuses on a little boy named Isaac, who's mother is trying to kill him because god told her to. Nintendo, anounced they wouldn't be releasing it to the 3DS due to concerns of backlash from religious groups.

Other games have touched on religious zealousy and haven't been met with disapproval. The bigger questions to me, is this still and child's sport and could we handle it as gamer's? I think we have shown our maturity developing more, we are able to play serious games without any issues.

Dante's Inferno, would have came and went if it wasn't for EA's efforts to create a fuss about it.  I enjoyed the storyline and even if it was a God Of War clone, it still had a good point about not always doing what your told. I am a Catholic, but I can respect that we have had some fucked leadership. From the child abuse scandal to everything else, maybe we didn't always have the right people in charge.

What it boils down to, is that if we want to be considered art, we need to quit censoring our selves. Television, music, movies, and art isn't afraid to show anything. They are able to go all out and be as free to express the divergence of opinions that are availible in the world.

If you look at how many games have been censored because of religious themes, it starts to add up. Little Big Planet, Splatterhouse, and many others have had parts taken away from them because someone might be offended. To me, offense means that you didn't really believe in the first place.

If a video game, can change your outlook on your faith. Maybe, you weren't that faithful in the first place. Discourse and argument are common in theology. I had a really deep philosphical statement planned, but it's time for lunch. It just boils down to all of us having a thicker skin.

[Mouse]

I think some companies should take more risks. People get too concerned with what other people are going to say.  It's one thing to put yourself out there and be different, but it's another thing to make something then chicken out cause your afraid of backlash.  Take a chance once in a while you might be surprised.

[JaneLane44]

Im not offended  by these since I don't believe in any religion. My parents do but i really don't understand how a god exists or that he controls the whole universe. I gave up on religion a long time ago so it doesn't matter what the game is about to me just if it's good.

[StephenArdrey]

Im not offended  by these since I don't believe in any religion. My parents do but i really don't understand how a god exists or that he controls the whole universe. I gave up on religion a long time ago so it doesn't matter what the game is about to me just if it's good.

I am pretty sure , that someone could find something that personally offends you to put in a video game. Everyone has a hot button and for many it is religion. They question is, would any company lose that much money due to including a game like The Binding of Isaac, to deem it to inappropriate to release.

Doom, is filled with Satanic elements but no one has ever really gotten mad about that.

[Duck-and-Cover]

Im not offended  by these since I don't believe in any religion. My parents do but i really don't understand how a god exists or that he controls the whole universe. I gave up on religion a long time ago so it doesn't matter what the game is about to me just if it's good.

I am pretty sure , that someone could find something that personally offends you to put in a video game. Everyone has a hot button and for many it is religion. They question is, would any company lose that much money due to including a game like The Binding of Isaac, to deem it to inappropriate to release.

Doom, is filled with Satanic elements but no one has ever really gotten mad about that.

Maybe not so much now, but when Doom first came out there were a lot of pissed off religious groups

But yeah, I think religion is a fascinating subject and should be fully exploited as a narrative device in video games.  Dead Space is a perfect example of this in action.  They fashioned a believable, detailed religion that draws upon many real life organizations/cults, and they really went to great lengths to have it pull you into the story

[StephenArdrey]

Im not offended  by these since I don't believe in any religion. My parents do but i really don't understand how a god exists or that he controls the whole universe. I gave up on religion a long time ago so it doesn't matter what the game is about to me just if it's good.

I am pretty sure , that someone could find something that personally offends you to put in a video game. Everyone has a hot button and for many it is religion. They question is, would any company lose that much money due to including a game like The Binding of Isaac, to deem it to inappropriate to release.

Doom, is filled with Satanic elements but no one has ever really gotten mad about that.

Maybe not so much now, but when Doom first came out there were a lot of pissed off religious groups

But yeah, I think religion is a fascinating subject and should be fully exploited as a narrative device in video games.  Dead Space is a perfect example of this in action.  They fashioned a believable, detailed religion that draws upon many real life organizations/cults, and they really went to great lengths to have it pull you into the story

I remember more of the fuss being around violence more than the sacriligious over tones. What I always thought was so funny about that, is that they could have modded it and made it into "Christain" game where you go around saving sinners. That's what I am always dumb founded by.

A lot of people point out JRPG's when I talk about religion and gaming but frankly, I think a lot of those go over board on the subject. They very rarely have a differing view than ,"Relgion Bad, Humanism Good". I don't mind that view, but I also want people creating things of all notions when it comes to this.

Assassin's Creed and Drakengard, only touch on it in a shadow history sort of way. Not really dealing with it in a direct real world approach. The amazing thing, is that I think that indie-gaming is going to excel in this area.

[The_YongGrand]

Doom did not offend me at all. All in the game is to survive in a space station which is fucked up into a mess and the protagonist of the game have to go to hell. That's all. There are no elements of Satanism, or there are no elements which forces one to go submit themselves to the devil. In the end of the game, you have to defend yourself from the cyberdemon and the spider mastermind, and destroy them at all costs.

Long time ago, once there was a big hoo-ha about "Death Metal" in my country. Feeling afraid and paranoid, they point fingers to all to the media which has potential evil. That, and some schools began to "interview" students one by one because they have to "correct" the students. In the interview form, it asked about from what music you liked, to what kind of hobby you did enjoy. My sibling got that compulsory and obligatory interview, so he jokingly put (well he admits that he likes 'em) "Jimi Hendrix", "Red Hot Chili Peppers", "Alice in Chains" and "Hobby: Electric Guitar".

He and another few folks were dragged into another room and asked a few questions later. My sibling was spared much of the interrogation because he was a top student in the school. So much for being paranoid.

[StephenArdrey]

Doom did not offend me at all. All in the game is to survive in a space station which is fucked up into a mess and the protagonist of the game have to go to hell. That's all. There are no elements of Satanism, or there are no elements which forces one to go submit themselves to the devil. In the end of the game, you have to defend yourself from the cyberdemon and the spider mastermind, and destroy them at all costs.

Long time ago, once there was a big hoo-ha about "Death Metal" in my country. Feeling afraid and paranoid, they point fingers to all to the media which has potential evil. That, and some schools began to "interview" students one by one because they have to "correct" the students. In the interview form, it asked about from what music you liked, to what kind of hobby you did enjoy. My sibling got that compulsory and obligatory interview, so he jokingly put (well he admits that he likes 'em) "Jimi Hendrix", "Red Hot Chili Peppers", "Alice in Chains" and "Hobby: Electric Guitar".

He and another few folks were dragged into another room and asked a few questions later. My sibling was spared much of the interrogation because he was a top student in the school. So much for being paranoid.

Anytime something that questions the mainstream comes into play, it becomes that kind of situation. It's the theory of in and out groups as well as ow we relate to society as a whole. Anything, that questions the in groups views, will be subjagated.

[Duck-and-Cover]

Doom did not offend me at all. All in the game is to survive in a space station which is fucked up into a mess and the protagonist of the game have to go to hell. That's all. There are no elements of Satanism, or there are no elements which forces one to go submit themselves to the devil. In the end of the game, you have to defend yourself from the cyberdemon and the spider mastermind, and destroy them at all costs.

yeah I always found that pretty funny.  these groups were angry because the game had pentagrams and referenced hell- never mind the fact that you're saving humanity from hell and its clutches.  You'd think they'd embrace it! Just goes to show how much these people play the games before labeling them

Long time ago, once there was a big hoo-ha about "Death Metal" in my country. Feeling afraid and paranoid, they point fingers to all to the media which has potential evil. That, and some schools began to "interview" students one by one because they have to "correct" the students. In the interview form, it asked about from what music you liked, to what kind of hobby you did enjoy. My sibling got that compulsory and obligatory interview, so he jokingly put (well he admits that he likes 'em) "Jimi Hendrix", "Red Hot Chili Peppers", "Alice in Chains" and "Hobby: Electric Guitar".

He and another few folks were dragged into another room and asked a few questions later. My sibling was spared much of the interrogation because he was a top student in the school. So much for being paranoid.

I hear you there man.  In the not too distant past this friendly fella:



was the subject of scorn.  With his outlandish hip gyrations how could teens not help but be forever lead down the path of wickedness and sin.  Now they play his music on the radio all of the time.  That's what gives me a lot of hope for the future: as each generation passes the torch on to the next, tolerance/acceptance come along with it.  So if Elvis went from menace to musical genius, I should hope that video games can go from violent murder simulators to good fun for everyone.

[Toploader]

So there we have it, Elvis lead to Postal.

[StephenArdrey]

So there we have it, Elvis lead to Postal.

I can prove this.

[Duck-and-Cover]

So there we have it, Elvis lead to Postal.

Of course man, dontcha know 

[FaTony]

There's another great game that mocks religion: Black & White.

Oh, you can also torture and kill children in it, one of the best games ever made.