Do our action in games really affect our soul? Is it wrong to play certain game titles?
While I do not claim to be an expert on the subject of sin, I can offer some of my reasoning and point you to sources for your own further research. I am definitely open to corrections of my views should something be contrary to Church teaching.
What is Sin?
Let's define some terms here. Sin is the transgression of God's Law. There are Mortal Sins which deprive us of everlasting life and Venial Sins which weaken our will. Both are not good but we are creatures of sinful nature.
More details can be read here. I'm summarizing. (And doing a poor job of it.)
Traditionally there are 3 conditions that must be met to consider a sin a Mortal Sin:
- It is a grave matter in direct conflict with God's Law.
- There is full consent of will
- Full Knowledge that this is a sin
Venial sins are things of habit that are not something that deprives us of sanctifying grace.
Gaming and Sin
It is sure to come up for a moral Christian: Is playing "Game Title" sinful? As a Catholic we are morally obligated to filter what we consume as entertainment. Many little sins can lead up to serious sin later. Or using "Boiling Frog" anecdote, numbing our senses to the seriousness of a sin does not make it less serious.
So where does one draw the line when playing games?
In some cases, the sin is obvious...for a moral person. A rape simulator or pornographic game, is sinful to play because viewing pornography is a sin against Chastity.
Murder is also a sin and often times games are criticized as murder simulators and they are found in the homes of anyone in the news blamed with violent crimes. The jury is still out on this one but there is a thing as "violence porn".
Like any film or book, a person is meant to use their reason and conscience to determine if this is a good title to play or own.
Violence
The usual culprit is "too much violence" in modern games when criticism is looking for easy prey. However, I would consider all sports violent: football, hockey, rugby and soccer. Competition and finding outlets for aggression is healthy for a human being. Personally I deal with competitiveness and aggression through various outlets. I take a kung fu class or if I'm very upset I have to DO something so I go out and take a walk. Some people play drums or loud guitar. And I have some beat 'em up video games and a few "violent" video games. (Which are really not more violent than your average fantasy adventure movie.)
As a culture, we have grown rather numb to depictions of violence. We deal with many issues and violent crimes in our country. And some people may pervert this into pleasure.
But the real question is: Is it a sin to "kill" in a video game?
Murder is defined by the actual taking of human life. It is a grave matter.
Personally, I really think that something that is gratuitously violent, weakens one's will and can further the numbness toward human suffering. But like any violent sport, it can be therapeutic and a healthy social gathering. It can also be re-purposed for discussions on morality. Killing in a game is not taking a real human life and we do not have "virtual souls".
Sex
As mentioned before, viewing pornography is sinful.
However, sex a very human, yet divine act. It deserves respect in depiction. High Art, Literature and music all have elevated sexuality in a way that showcases its beauty and goodness. Holy Scripture is especially saucy if you care to read Song of Songs or Tobit and much of the Old Testament. Video Games have yet to make it but there are titles that come somewhat close.
In games that follow a heavy storyline, it is more likely to have respect to sexuality. Mostly because these will delve into relationships in general. Games without plots can have positive impacts as well.
Similar to violence, gratuitous nudity or near nudity weakens the will. The same could be said of "soft porn" or the weird dry humping scenes in some games. Playing a story that includes sex is not wrong, but explicit video is pretty much pornographic and should be avoided...or skipped if that option is available.
Addiction
Some of the real problems from gaming is how it affects your daily life. Like all entertainment, moderation is necessary. Taking time from family, friends or work are the obvious problems that can arise from spending too much time on one activity. At the same time, immersing yourself and spending several hours playing is not necessarily a bad thing. Just as staying up late reading a good book is fun or talking late into the night, is all right from time to time.
Sins of Thought
Going back to some definitions here, sin can be anything that you say, do and sometimes THINK. This is tough area for a concerned Catholic because of societal pressures. It is often thought that only things you say or do to harm others is sinful. But there are sins of thought or Internal Sins. Usually there are 3 distinguished types. (Latin ahoy!)
- delectatio morosa, i.e. the pleasure taken in a sinful thought or imagination even without desiring it;
- gaudium, i.e. dwelling with complacency on sins already committed; and
- desiderium, i.e. the desire for what is sinful.
(from Catholic Encyclopedia).
Also, author intent is taken in consideration. For example, it is not wrong to watch a movie with implied sex scenes or to view nudity in art if the content was for characterization, social commentary, or plot. However, a piece of art displaying nudity for the purpose of titillating the viewer is more dangerous. The famous line in Matthew 5:28: "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Conclusion
If a person is struggling with "is this a sin?" type doubts, that doubt should be listened to! It may be your conscience which is your God-given help. It would be best to take such doubts to the confessional or ask a priest. (I would suggest asking a priest who knows you and you trust.)
But as for games, they are like other forms of media whose content should be filtered by an individual. If you have an unhealthy appetite for a particular vice AND you want to preserve your soul, then it's best not to feed the bears.
Update: http://www.aliveandyoung.net/2009/05/music-and-passions.html
For a similar discussion as it relates to music. I feel it has very similar bearing to the discussion of a visual medium like games.
