If Video Games Make You Violent...

Today, I turned on my computer in an attempt to do some work and sadly ignore the gorgeous weather outside. Of course I could not start working without a little “research” and I happened to fall upon a picture that I found to be very interesting, and also very fitting to the topic of violence and video games as was discussed in this weeks class.

Of course, this picture evoked a response out of many people who completely agree with the idea that just because there is violence in video games, it does not make people more violent. This question, that philosoraptor asks, is exactly the way in which many people seem to approach the topic of violence in video games. This is contrary to how some Christians have reacted to the violence in video games, as some do in fact want to ban violence and even go a step further and use video games in a Christian fashion.

                                             Screenshot from the video game “Bible Fight”

However, couldn’t it be argued that creating video games with Christian ideas may just create an even more complicated relationship between the two, as by no means are all video games extremely violent, yet some would remain to be primarily about killing zombies or what have you?

This may just be me playing devil’s advocate, as it may also be true that it would be more harmful than beneficial to create two completely different worlds that would not embrace each other. Yet again, when talking about violence and Christianity on a larger part one must be very careful, and I still do believe that Christianity does and should look at violence with a critical eye. Christians should also realize that people are raised on a basis of both nature and nurture.  There is no guarantee that keeping a child away from violent video games will ensure that they are a non-violent person, and there is also no way to say that those exposed to violence in video games will make more violent members of society. Yes we should be careful about what children are exposed to as it does have an effect on them; but video games are not the only places where kids can experience violence. I believe that this relationship should be studied more in depth before a resolute decision can be made.