VideoGameJunkie Posted November 19, 2013 Posted November 19, 2013 I know the church has a stance against R rated movies, but what about M rated video games like Halo and Call of Duty? As you can tell by my username I like video games.
pogi Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) I think M rated video games are worse. It is one thing to passively watch fake violence on the screen, it is another thing to actively participate in it. That goes with the sex and profanity as well. No bueno! Edited November 20, 2013 by pogi
Grudunza Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 You can, but it's up to you whether you should. The church doesn't actually have an official position against rated R films, outside of the youth, but certainly cautions against consuming inappropriate media in any form (or rating). That being said, I feel as though we should always exercise personal discernment, and there are some (though few) rated R films that are more spiritual and praiseworthy and worth spending your time watching than those that are rated G or PG. 2
VideoGameJunkie Posted November 20, 2013 Author Posted November 20, 2013 Hmm I have a decision to make because I really love 2 particular trilogies of games that are all rated M for violence. The Bioshock games and the Mass Effect games, if anyone's heard of them.
Ahab Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 Hmm I have a decision to make because I really love 2 particular trilogies of games that are all rated M for violence. The Bioshock games and the Mass Effect games, if anyone's heard of them.Brace yourself. You're in need of a major overhaul, but it's a good thing, and you'll be amazed at what you are when God's done with you. You'll just have to give up the things in your life that aren't lovely and virtuous and, well, you know, the best things you can experience and instead incorporate more of the really good stuff in your own life. Violent video games? Come on. You know that's not the best kind of thing you can be doing with your very precious "free" time. I once enjoyed playing Everquest, especially Everquest 2, but now I see there are much better things for me to do with my time. If you're not ready for a major overhaul all at once and you'd rather go about it just a bit at a time, you can do that, but think about yourself as your best self, the very best self you can be, like Jesus, and then do what you can to become like he is. 1
Hamba Tuhan Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 My personal rule: Imagine getting a phone call in the midst of whatever activity I'm questioning, with a request to come immediately to the hospital and give a priesthood blessing to a beloved ward member who's been in a life-threatening accident. If I'm able to respond immediately, with the presence of mind that invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the activity is fine. Otherwise ... 3
AndyDnom Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 you're "allowed" to do whatever you want. The Church does not have a stance against R rated movies. Although they do mix god and mammon in donating money to and lobbying on behalf of the MPAA. See "This film is not yet rated" for more details. or "Cleanflix," or "8: the Mormon Proposition"
Hamba Tuhan Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 My next rule: Imagine myself untold years in the future in the Celestial Kingdom and then ask, 'Do I seriously think I'll be saying, "Wow, I sure wish I'd done more <activity> during mortality"?'
Tacenda Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 I know tons of people that play Call of Duty, Halo etc. TR holders, kids in JR. High on up, maybe younger. I use to hate my kids playing games that are Mature. But I can't fight a high schooler. The boys in my Primary class are big into games, now I forgot the game, but it sounds pretty mature for 9/10 yr. olds.
Tacenda Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) Dbl. Post Edited November 20, 2013 by Tacenda
VideoGameJunkie Posted November 20, 2013 Author Posted November 20, 2013 My personal rule: Imagine getting a phone call in the midst of whatever activity I'm questioning, with a request to come immediately to the hospital and give a priesthood blessing to a beloved ward member who's been in a life-threatening accident. If I'm able to respond immediately, with the presence of mind that invites the companionship of the Holy Ghost, the activity is fine. Otherwise ...That's a good way of looking at it!
VideoGameJunkie Posted November 20, 2013 Author Posted November 20, 2013 I know tons of people that play Call of Duty, Halo etc. TR holders, kids in JR. High on up, maybe younger. I use to hate my kids playing games that are Mature. But I can't fight a high schooler. The boys in my Primary class are big into games, now I forgot the game, but it sounds pretty mature for 9/10 yr. olds.Ya, I was really big into games when I was in school. Now, not as much, but I view them as a good interactive book.
VideoGameJunkie Posted November 20, 2013 Author Posted November 20, 2013 My next rule: Imagine myself untold years in the future in the Celestial Kingdom and then ask, 'Do I seriously think I'll be saying, "Wow, I sure wish I'd done more <activity> during mortality"?'That's a good point. I doubt I will care about video games in the Celestial Kingdom. Unless I find out I was responsible for helping build video games in the pre mortal existence for the earth.
drums12 Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 I believe it's more useful to choose entertainment by the criteria set forth in the 13th Article of Faith than by rating. There was a time in my life that I tried to use it as my guide, and it was a very happy time in my life. I'm trying to get back to that. 1
altersteve Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) I don't agree that the Church has a stance against R-rated movies. I agree with Orson Scott Card on this topic: http://www.nauvoo.com/library/card-r-rated-movie.html I'm not going to let a group in Hollywood tell me what is and what isn't appropriate to watch. The MPAA's rating system is completely inconsistent. Edited November 20, 2013 by altersteve 1
VideoGameJunkie Posted November 20, 2013 Author Posted November 20, 2013 I don't agree that the Church has a stance against R-rated movies. I agree with Orson Scott Card on this topic: http://www.nauvoo.com/library/card-r-rated-movie.html I'm not going to let a group in Hollywood tell me what is and what isn't appropriate to watch. The MPAA's rating system is completely inconsistent.I agree that the MPAA makes mistakes. The Matrix should not be rated R.
teddyaware Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 I know the church has a stance against R rated movies, but what about M rated video games like Halo and Call of Duty? As you can tell by my username I like video games. Tonight I saw an add for the new generation of Super Mario video games. Real cute with great graphics and the original Super Mario electronic music themes charmingly updated for the 21st century. Why don't you bite the bullet and play kiddie video games, like this one, rather than spending excessive amounts of time exterminating Zombie Aliens from the Crab Nebula? Better to be safe than sorry...
VideoGameJunkie Posted November 20, 2013 Author Posted November 20, 2013 Tonight I saw an add for the new generation of Super Mario video games. Real cute with great graphics and the original Super Mario electronic music themes charmingly updated for the 21st century. Why don't you bite the bullet and play kiddie video games, like this one, rather than spending excessive amounts of time exterminating Zombie Aliens from the Crab Nebula? Better to be safe than sorry... You do have a point. Mario and Sonic games do rule.
altersteve Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 My take on this is that if you feel like the Spirit is telling you not to play a video game, don't play it. Plain and simple. 1
Garden Girl Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 Post #7 said exactly what I was going to say... i.e., "You're "allowed" to do anything you want.... it's called agency...The guidelines are there... we know if what we take into ourselves is worthwhile... virtuous, beautiful, and of good report. What we then choose is up to us... but it impacts who we are and if the Spirit can abide with us... GG
VideoGameJunkie Posted November 20, 2013 Author Posted November 20, 2013 Post #7 said exactly what I was going to say... i.e., "You're "allowed" to do anything you want.... it's called agency...The guidelines are there... we know if what we take into ourselves is worthwhile... virtuous, beautiful, and of good report. What we then choose is up to us... but it impacts who we are and if the Spirit can abide with us... GGTrue. I will use judgement calls regarding my games. Because there are M rated games like Mass Effect and Halo and then there are "M" rated games like Grand Theft Auto and God of War. The latter are much worse. 1
thesometimesaint Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 Personally I find some of the M rated games are far worse than R rated movies. They have first person shooting, and absolutely gratuitous violence. They have a substantial desensitizing effect. If that is what you want to fill your mind with it is up to you.
Hamba Tuhan Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) 1. Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life? 2. Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways? Edited November 20, 2013 by Hamba Tuhan 1
Glenn101 Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) 1. Does the use of various technologies and media invite or impede the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost in your life? 2. Does the time you spend using various technologies and media enlarge or restrict your capacity to live, to love, and to serve in meaningful ways? Actually we are allowed to watch any type of movie or play any type of game we desire. That is our agency. However, what are the consequences? I think those questions are important. We are making choices that will get us closer to Heavenly Father, or further away in our daily life. I, for one, just do not want to take a chance on something of the sort negatively affecting my chances of exaltation. Glenn Edited November 20, 2013 by Glenn101 3
Tsuzuki Posted November 20, 2013 Posted November 20, 2013 (edited) I know the church has a stance against R rated movies, but what about M rated video games like Halo and Call of Duty? As you can tell by my username I like video games.You are your own person and don't need anyone's permission to play any video games you want, or watch any movies, for that matter. Or read any books. Or listen to any music. Edited November 20, 2013 by Tsuzuki
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