Comments on: If video games kill, what about the Bible?

CNET News.com's Charles Cooper says blaming the coarsening of society on the game development community is simply a cop-out.

[Rocker452]

Video Games Kill?

I don't think so. This is just like the gun control issue. Guns aren't the problem its the people that use them, same with video games. A few years ago they were blaming tv for the violence of minors. I play video games and I'm not going to go out and shoot-up a mall or something. This defense of " the video games made me do it " is a cop-out and lawmakers are qwick to jump on the bandwagon instead of using common sense. I remember when I was a little kid they were trying to label cartoons as being a bad influence on kids. They said whatching cartoons or the 3 Stooges caused violente behavior in kids. HOGWASH! Society wants to put the blame on things instead of the people. It the people,not the games that do these things.

[Steven N]

I still see one big difference

AFAIK, there is nobody that was killed by a video game, you could try throwing it at someone, but I think it must be a very "lucky shot".

People are being killed using guns on a daily basis...

[Rocker452]

Video Games Kill?

I don't think so. This is just like the gun control issue. Guns aren't the problem its the people that use them, same with video games. A few years ago they were blaming tv for the violence of minors. I play video games and I'm not going to go out and shoot-up a mall or something. This defense of " the video games made me do it " is a cop-out and lawmakers are qwick to jump on the bandwagon instead of using common sense. I remember when I was a little kid they were trying to label cartoons as being a bad influence on kids. They said whatching cartoons or the 3 Stooges caused violente behavior in kids. HOGWASH! Society wants to put the blame on things instead of the people. It the people,not the games that do these things.

[Steven N]

I still see one big difference

AFAIK, there is nobody that was killed by a video game, you could try throwing it at someone, but I think it must be a very "lucky shot".

People are being killed using guns on a daily basis...

The Bible! Give me a break!

Like someone else said, try reading it! It's from clear from this article the guy has never even read it! If more people did read it then maybe this poor kid from Alabama might have had a decent childhood. The CBS report just glossed right over the fact that this poor kid had been ping ponged back and forth to relatives houses and not really taken care of. No one wants to put the blame on family break downs because the majority of us don't want to feel guilty about the broken families we have and the childeren we've abandoned. Then we have the perfect setup to blame movies, video games, etc. when one of these kids goes off because they've never been given a moral basis to operate from. The entertainment industries certainly aren't blameless. Then again, if families were functioning as they should there probably wouldn't be a market for the more offensive material.

The Bible! Give me a break!

Like someone else said, try reading it! It's from clear from this article the guy has never even read it! If more people did read it then maybe this poor kid from Alabama might have had a decent childhood. The CBS report just glossed right over the fact that this poor kid had been ping ponged back and forth to relatives houses and not really taken care of. No one wants to put the blame on family break downs because the majority of us don't want to feel guilty about the broken families we have and the childeren we've abandoned. Then we have the perfect setup to blame movies, video games, etc. when one of these kids goes off because they've never been given a moral basis to operate from. The entertainment industries certainly aren't blameless. Then again, if families were functioning as they should there probably wouldn't be a market for the more offensive material.

Blame anybody else or anything else

If the piece is designed to place responsibility where it belongs, i.e., the actor, then good try. The blame-game should never replace the trap door on responsibility for one's acts. As for the Bible, read it from cover to cover. You might be surprised.

Blame anybody else or anything else

If the piece is designed to place responsibility where it belongs, i.e., the actor, then good try. The blame-game should never replace the trap door on responsibility for one's acts. As for the Bible, read it from cover to cover. You might be surprised.

[Felisita Cheung]

Bible Reveals the Dirt in us

The heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked. Who can know it?? Jeremiah 17:9

Think about it. The bible is not about rosy stories, streaked with human perfection to entice us to be Christians. Actually, it starkly shows how horrible we can be. God looks at us as nations/people devouring each other. Isn't evident in our video games and shows how cold our hearts has become?

For all our failures and finite mind, God loves us through Jesus. That is what I believe. We have been reminded of wolves in sheep clothing, and you can only know them by the fruits of their actions.

Remember Rome! The hearts of Romans were too cold to feel sorrow as Christian children were devoured by lions. Or remember the holocaust or the Japanese massacre in China. Didnt they looked at their victims as inhuman. Or even look into our world right now--children sold in Asia as prostitutes, broken homes, genocide etc.

I can remember a quote from a the Daily Bread. It says something like this " If you look into this world, you'll feel depress. If you look into yourself, you'll be depress. But if you look to God, you'll be at rest."

The BIBLE focuses on God's grace to our sinful nature through Jesus. 'Desperate House Wives' is about vanity over love and service for family. 'Grand Auto Theft' is again about vanity to amass more for things for oneself, even if you have to kill.

So which one produce good fruits of love, faithfulness,and hope? God gave you the freedom to choose. It's your choice. But let us be mindful of our thoughts and the words we share, we will all be judge and be accountable.

After all, we are only mortal humans.

[Felisita Cheung]

Bible Reveals the Dirt in us

The heart of man is deceitful and desperately wicked. Who can know it?? Jeremiah 17:9

Think about it. The bible is not about rosy stories, streaked with human perfection to entice us to be Christians. Actually, it starkly shows how horrible we can be. God looks at us as nations/people devouring each other. Isn't evident in our video games and shows how cold our hearts has become?

For all our failures and finite mind, God loves us through Jesus. That is what I believe. We have been reminded of wolves in sheep clothing, and you can only know them by the fruits of their actions.

Remember Rome! The hearts of Romans were too cold to feel sorrow as Christian children were devoured by lions. Or remember the holocaust or the Japanese massacre in China. Didnt they looked at their victims as inhuman. Or even look into our world right now--children sold in Asia as prostitutes, broken homes, genocide etc.

I can remember a quote from a the Daily Bread. It says something like this " If you look into this world, you'll feel depress. If you look into yourself, you'll be depress. But if you look to God, you'll be at rest."

The BIBLE focuses on God's grace to our sinful nature through Jesus. 'Desperate House Wives' is about vanity over love and service for family. 'Grand Auto Theft' is again about vanity to amass more for things for oneself, even if you have to kill.

So which one produce good fruits of love, faithfulness,and hope? God gave you the freedom to choose. It's your choice. But let us be mindful of our thoughts and the words we share, we will all be judge and be accountable.

After all, we are only mortal humans.

[shadowfist1105]

I believe the authors point is...

I beleive the author is just trying to make the point that all of this is about context. He uses the reference of the Bible and it's contents to prove the point that you can take things out of context and show that it is something it is not. Games are just games. There are very few things in life that cannot be taken out of context and twisted, the Bible included (Crusades anyone!).

[Felisita Cheung]

Crusades and true Crhistians

Again I will say "Beware of wolves in sheep clothing" You will know them by their fruits.

Jesus did not encourage amassing wealth or killing, actually all the apostels are persucuted. Only one survived--John.

What's true Christianity? Walk Jesus' way. (i hope I can do that.. im far from perfect)

[fmcgowan]

You were doing fine until the end.

The Crusades didn't happen in a vacuum or without reason whether you agree with those reasons or not.

Read a history book, maybe more than one...

[shadowfist1105]

I believe the authors point is...

I beleive the author is just trying to make the point that all of this is about context. He uses the reference of the Bible and it's contents to prove the point that you can take things out of context and show that it is something it is not. Games are just games. There are very few things in life that cannot be taken out of context and twisted, the Bible included (Crusades anyone!).

[Felisita Cheung]

Crusades and true Crhistians

Again I will say "Beware of wolves in sheep clothing" You will know them by their fruits.

Jesus did not encourage amassing wealth or killing, actually all the apostels are persucuted. Only one survived--John.

What's true Christianity? Walk Jesus' way. (i hope I can do that.. im far from perfect)

[fmcgowan]

You were doing fine until the end.

The Crusades didn't happen in a vacuum or without reason whether you agree with those reasons or not.

Read a history book, maybe more than one...

story about the Bible

i think charles cooper needs to read the Bible and understand it before cutting it down. you are talking about the inspired word of "GOD".....

[Felisita Cheung]

AMEN

There is only one Truth. Let's just pray that more will come to believe in Jesus. Our Lord Jesus knows who are His.

Our world is so different from Jesus. Its difficult to be a Christian. its truly a narrow road. Pray for me too.

story about the Bible

i think charles cooper needs to read the Bible and understand it before cutting it down. you are talking about the inspired word of "GOD".....

[Felisita Cheung]

AMEN

There is only one Truth. Let's just pray that more will come to believe in Jesus. Our Lord Jesus knows who are His.

Our world is so different from Jesus. Its difficult to be a Christian. its truly a narrow road. Pray for me too.

Fuzzy Thinking

Fuzzy thinking. That's what this article is. Is there really a comparison between the activity of reading classical, best-selling literature (the bible) and the playing of a modern video game, regardless of content?

Even if the comparison is allowed, the entire balance of the content should be considered, in which case the vast quantity and value of the literary, inspirational, and historical content of the text surely far outweighs the sections the author of this article draws attention to. Can the same be said of the video game? Are its proportions of value (literary, inspirational, and historical) to other content (sex, violence) really the same as the bible?

Even if we allow that (and to do so we are now REALLY stretching), is it accurate to assume that the graphic visual detail of the video game provides the same input to a young person's mind as the general verbal descriptions in the bible? I think there's a solid argument that the sort of modern video games at issue in the article take young minds beyond the protective limits of their own imaginations in a way that even Chaucer's Canterbury Tales cannot.

Let's do a better job next time. Fuzzy thinking in articles like this doesn't help further the debate at all.

Fuzzy Thinking

Fuzzy thinking. That's what this article is. Is there really a comparison between the activity of reading classical, best-selling literature (the bible) and the playing of a modern video game, regardless of content?

Even if the comparison is allowed, the entire balance of the content should be considered, in which case the vast quantity and value of the literary, inspirational, and historical content of the text surely far outweighs the sections the author of this article draws attention to. Can the same be said of the video game? Are its proportions of value (literary, inspirational, and historical) to other content (sex, violence) really the same as the bible?

Even if we allow that (and to do so we are now REALLY stretching), is it accurate to assume that the graphic visual detail of the video game provides the same input to a young person's mind as the general verbal descriptions in the bible? I think there's a solid argument that the sort of modern video games at issue in the article take young minds beyond the protective limits of their own imaginations in a way that even Chaucer's Canterbury Tales cannot.

Let's do a better job next time. Fuzzy thinking in articles like this doesn't help further the debate at all.

...

Anyone who believes that the bible is the word of god is just as dangerous as any teenager that plays videogames

[shadowfist1105]

re:...

Totally agree with you there. History is littered with crimes of atrocity that have been committed in "God's" name.

...

Anyone who believes that the bible is the word of god is just as dangerous as any teenager that plays videogames

[shadowfist1105]

re:...

Totally agree with you there. History is littered with crimes of atrocity that have been committed in "God's" name.

[rcblanchard]

Your examples prove just the opposite

It takes an incredible blindness, Mr. Cooper, to fail to see how our society has indeed been pushed toward lasciviousness and violence by our ever-deteriorating entertainment culture. Sure, Greta Garbo's sultry moves are tame by today's standards, which proves my point. We've continually lowered the bar, and there's no end in sight.

And religion? The Bible calls evil evil. Compare that to "Desperate Housewives" or "Grand Theft Auto" in which doing evil is the whole point. Sure religion can be perverted to evil ends. The Living Church of God is a cult, and Dennis Rader (if he's guilty) made the church and the Boy Scouts part of his masquerade. Neither proves anything about true Christianity.

The difficulty of defining a complex moral issue does not relieve us as a society from trying our best to wrestle with the issue. Since when are "good" (read "cunning") defense attorneys the measure of good and evil? Heaven help us...

[stevejobless]

And there lies the problem

Life isn't black and white, and who judges what is evil? It's all a matter of someones point of view, the problems occur when someone imposes their PoV at the end of a sword or at gun point.

BTW which version of the bible is God's word? They all have slight differences and variations (just take translation for instance).

[rcblanchard]

Your examples prove just the opposite

It takes an incredible blindness, Mr. Cooper, to fail to see how our society has indeed been pushed toward lasciviousness and violence by our ever-deteriorating entertainment culture. Sure, Greta Garbo's sultry moves are tame by today's standards, which proves my point. We've continually lowered the bar, and there's no end in sight.

And religion? The Bible calls evil evil. Compare that to "Desperate Housewives" or "Grand Theft Auto" in which doing evil is the whole point. Sure religion can be perverted to evil ends. The Living Church of God is a cult, and Dennis Rader (if he's guilty) made the church and the Boy Scouts part of his masquerade. Neither proves anything about true Christianity.

The difficulty of defining a complex moral issue does not relieve us as a society from trying our best to wrestle with the issue. Since when are "good" (read "cunning") defense attorneys the measure of good and evil? Heaven help us...

[stevejobless]

And there lies the problem

Life isn't black and white, and who judges what is evil? It's all a matter of someones point of view, the problems occur when someone imposes their PoV at the end of a sword or at gun point.

BTW which version of the bible is God's word? They all have slight differences and variations (just take translation for instance).

[System Tyrant]

Life

I believe that everything in life effects who you are. Music, video games, religion, etc. The real problems is that for many it's easier to just blame someone else. Sometimes no one is to blame, sometimes you are to blame, and sometimes others are to blame. But guess what... Blame never got any problems fixed.

I happen to agree that polititians are just grand standing. When this all blows over they will find something else to jump on and not even think about this issue again.

It's hard to love the people who don't share your point. It's hard to love you enemy. It's hard to accept that you don't understand everything. It's hard when you do. I don't think God ever intended for life to be a walk in the park for us, but you know what... I've never sat down and talk to God so I don't know what his real intentions are. Like everybody else I have to base my beliefs on the world around me.

I know this one is hard for a lot of people, but let God judge the sinners. All you need to do is love them.

Know as for games. Sure they influence people. But if violent video games are the cause of people picking up a gun and killing people then why are there not more murders because of it. Why is it only a handful. In my opinion it's because there is more to it than a lone video game.

This should be a call out to parents not to legislators.

[Sboston]

Agreed!

Its the break down of the family unit that is at the heart of this issue.

Children are just not raised like I was. You were taught what was right and wrong and were punnished if you did wrong. My parents did a fine job teaching me. I know what is right and wrong and try to do right at all times. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I know how to conduct myself.

I've played video games from when they first came out. And I own guns. Funny, but I've never had the urge to shoot anyone.

[System Tyrant]

Life

I believe that everything in life effects who you are. Music, video games, religion, etc. The real problems is that for many it's easier to just blame someone else. Sometimes no one is to blame, sometimes you are to blame, and sometimes others are to blame. But guess what... Blame never got any problems fixed.

I happen to agree that polititians are just grand standing. When this all blows over they will find something else to jump on and not even think about this issue again.

It's hard to love the people who don't share your point. It's hard to love you enemy. It's hard to accept that you don't understand everything. It's hard when you do. I don't think God ever intended for life to be a walk in the park for us, but you know what... I've never sat down and talk to God so I don't know what his real intentions are. Like everybody else I have to base my beliefs on the world around me.

I know this one is hard for a lot of people, but let God judge the sinners. All you need to do is love them.

Know as for games. Sure they influence people. But if violent video games are the cause of people picking up a gun and killing people then why are there not more murders because of it. Why is it only a handful. In my opinion it's because there is more to it than a lone video game.

This should be a call out to parents not to legislators.

[Sboston]

Agreed!

Its the break down of the family unit that is at the heart of this issue.

Children are just not raised like I was. You were taught what was right and wrong and were punnished if you did wrong. My parents did a fine job teaching me. I know what is right and wrong and try to do right at all times. I'm not saying I'm perfect, but I know how to conduct myself.

I've played video games from when they first came out. And I own guns. Funny, but I've never had the urge to shoot anyone.