Some very disrespectful ppl calling themselves "Christian"

[88Devin07]

I was just playing one of my video games today, BF2... And played with a guy that was constantly cursing, calling other ppl extremely bad names... Insulting ppl whenever they killed him (in the game)... etc...

He seemed to have a real ego problem and a real language/intelligence problem...

I finally asked him to please stop his language, he said something like "does your mommy not let you see that? or are you 10 years old?"... I told him, "No, I'm a Christian and I find it offensive"
One of his buddies then said "a christian playing a war game?"... then he said "I am too, and your point?"

I'm sick and tired of these kinds of ppl calling themselves Christians when they are closer to signing their own destruction. Why do ppl act like this and then say they are Christian?

How should I deal with ppl like this? These games have no ignore button, and we tried kicking him but only 3 ppl voted against him... And it's hard for me to ignore them when I want them kicked and when they are constantly bashing me and my teammates...

I even encounter these types of ppl in other games and in other places online... Who call themselves Christians but are closer to being a part of the "synagogue of Satan"...

What should I do when I encounter these types of ppl and how should I treat them and what should I say?

I was about to tell him he wasn't a Christian unless he actually lived according to Christ and his teachings... Of course I knew they'd smart off about me playing a war/killing game... So I decided no to, and by that time, the game ended...

[choirfiend]

I'd stop playing the war game.

[88Devin07]

Also i've been having this problem... I for some reason hate ppl that don't let me win in games... I just hate it when ppl win who are on another team than me... I sometimes (more than not) wish that I could win every game except a couple and beat everyone...
I just get mad when I start losing and there is nothing I hate worse than losing. And it is always my teammates fault for our loss (literally, i'm not just blaming them)... I makes me mad and I'm beginning to hate the ppl that cause us to lose or hate the ppl on the other team who win...

[88Devin07]

My problem with stopping is the fact that I just spent 220$ on a new video card just to play it better...

[choirfiend]

Money, or spiritual health?....money, or spiritual health?....It is a hard decision.

[88Devin07]

lol... so I should quit playing BF2?

I wonder... Could I play WWIIOL since the opposing sides can't talk to each other?

[88Devin07]

I've just been playing war games since even before Goldeneye 007 came out in 1996... It seems like they're just too much fun to let go of :(

They didn't used to have so many disrespectful ppl... Not even when I used to play Rainbow 6...

I mean I play video games 8-12 hours a day because there isn't anything else to do at home in the summer... I need something to do and I can't go outside and shoot hoops all day... And I can't read for hours b/c I get tired, or bored, or get a headache :(

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Devin,

You have come to this board before with a similar question regarding the benefit of video games, so I’m going to venture out on a limb and say that they are bothering your conscience. Before you continue to spend time and money on these games, ask yourself the following questions:


1) Do these games bring me in closer fellowship with God?

2) Do these games bring me in closer fellowship with Christian brethren?

3) Have I grown as a person (emotionally, spiritually) as a result of playing these games?

4) Are these games taking away from time I could be spending with God? Family? Friends?

5) Do these games encourage a spirit of love or a spirit of hate in my being?



If you answered in the negative to 1-4, I would seriously reconsider the amount of time spent playing these violent games. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8 (New King James Version, Emphasis added.)

God doesn’t want us to spend our time dwelling on war and hate – He wants us to spend our time meditating on His love for us, our love for Him, and loving our fellow man. War-themed video games do not encourage such thoughts.

You said you recently spent a lot of money on a video card. Sell it on E-bay. While you may not recover all of your money, you will recover some. (You may even want to consider giving the profits to charity.)

You said that you play the video games because you have nothing to do. Here are some suggestions in how to occupy your time:

a) Help your mother around the house. I’m sure she would appreciate it.

b) Get a job!

c) Volunteer at a hospital/Boys Club/senior citizen center/etc.

d) Read. Read the Bible, read a novel, read anything within the bounds of Philippians 4:8. You don’t have to read for 8-12 hrs at a shot. Read for an hour, put down the book, do something else, and come back to it.

e) You said your grandmother is ill. Go visit her! Help her around the house. Get to know her. Do you know what her favorite dessert was as a child? Did she enjoy helping her mother in the kitchen? What were the holidays like when she was growing up? Ask her these things. Grandmothers love talking about their past! She will appreciate you taking the time to do so, and you will value the relationship you develop with her as a result.



Eight to twelve hours a day playing video games is not healthy for you spiritually, physically, emotionally, or mentally.

Please get out of the house and do something!

Get creative – you’re a smart guy – I’m sure you can think of something to do. ;)

In XC,

Maureen

[gord96]

take a break from the game if things about it are getting to you.....don't be offended by other people's action......just ignore it and move on

[_Petros_]

I was once told thier are two doors that Satan can enter, the front door which is counsiously bad sins like rape, even foul language and disrespect but than thier is the back door which is such things as being complacent with yourself and saying "I am better than he..." such as the scribes and pharisees acted in the Bible. I can relate for I also played online games for quite sometime. Just remember, no one knows when thier time is and if you die right after reading this and God asks you to take account for all you did, I wonder how the pursuit of self satisfaction (via video games) and sitting on a chair for hours on end will swing. And how is it that you don't know this person who curses isn't living in an abusive family and cursing is all he knows, yet he still gives some of his packed lunch to the poor vietnam vet who wonders the streets and shovels his nieghbors driveway (for free) when it snows because they are old...

[Shubunkin]

It it comes to the outdoors, I cannot imagine nothing to do! There are so many activities, especially with your friends. I agree with the suggestions from ML52779, and others. Go visiting! Help your mother with chores. Sit and contemplate God through nature, and enjoy the Creation. There is nothing more relaxing and spiritually uplifting. Pick flowers for your mother, and even better, learn the names of the flowers! Go for a nice walk and observe your neighbors. If you have a dog, take it for a walk. There are much better things to do than video games.

[kamikat]

I mean I play video games 8-12 hours a day because there isn't anything else to do at home in the summer... I need something to do and I can't go outside and shoot hoops all day... And I can't read for hours b/c I get tired, or bored, or get a headache :(

I don't remember how old you are, but maybe you could get a job. I had my first job at age 14. As for other things, ride your bike, take a tennis class and meet people your own age to meet up with for a match, join a soccer (football everywhere else beside the US) or baseball team, go to public pool. If you're sitting on your rear end for 8-12 hours per day, not only are you going to gain weight and get flabby, you're gonna wreck your eyes.
When I met my husband, he was playing those games all weekend long. He eventually grew out of those games and finds them boring. Ask yourself is having fun by pretending to shoot people is an activity that Jesus would participate in. If he came down and sat right next to you, would you want him to look at that screen?

kamikat

[88Devin07]

I have a job, but it's depressing/stressful... Working with my mom for 8 hours a day can be stressful just because I normally can't stand several things she does at work... She is in a lot of pain right now and can be very stubborn and hard to get along with. And I don't like spending 8 hours back in files, it has no windows, isn't lit well and all you do is look at files, and pick out names and pull them...

My grandmother is in much better health now than she was earlier, now it's my mother who is in bad shape. She isn't sick as in having the flu, but she broke her ribs and part of her spine and so she is in a lot of pain.

[88Devin07]

How about other games like those which have war in them, but are also building games... Like SimCity4, or Empire Earth II?

I like playing WWIIOL just because I like WWII history, and i've never been to Europe and it's almost a replica of Europe and the areas around Europe. I also like it because it's a simulation and so it's more realistic than anything else, like the bullets drop realistically, etc...

And the thing I love is that you can't read what the other side says because it goes through a language filter and if your German and type in area chat, what you say appears like German (but not in German) to the other side... And it doesn't have blood :)

I've already unsubscribed to my SW game, Star Wars Galaxies, and uninstalled Battlefield 2...

[gord96]

I enjoy video games myself.....I play for about 1-2 hours every couple of days at most.....it is honestly unhealthy to play vids for 8-12 hours a day, spiritually, mentally and physically.....

i see nothing wrong with the games you play....Battlefield games are good stuff....but you should try and get some excersise as well.....go for a run, lift weights or something.....

the key Devin is moderation.....normally healthy things can be bad if overdone.....video games are fun but too much vids are not.....working out is good but getting obsessed with it is not, etc.

[88Devin07]

I go out and play basketball in our driveway, but that gets boring after a while...

I went riding my bike to our downtown last summer and passed a guy with a 6in kitchen knife in his pocket... Haven't rode much since lol...

[HandmaidenOfGod]

I don’t think you’re getting what we are trying to say Devin. You need to vary your activities.

To be honest, it sounds like you have an unhealthy dependence on the computer for entertainment. If I remember correctly, you’re 16-17 yrs old – go outside and hang out with your friends!

Get some human interaction into your day.

No one is saying you have to clean/work/read/do anything for 8-12 hrs.




Read for an hour.
Help your Mom around the house for an hour. In the amount of pain she is in, I’m sure someone running a vacuum would mean the world to her!
Call your grandmother and chat with her for twenty minutes.
Hang out here for an hour.
Go outside for a walk for 20 min.
Pray/read the Bible/meditate for a half hour or more.


Do you see what I’m saying? You need to vary your activities.

With the exception of prayer, too much of anything is not good.

You said that you like History. Go to the Library, go to the museum, and seek out local historical sites in your town. School starts soon – maybe you could tutor a student younger than you in History.

What you might want to do is get yourself a cheap egg timer and set it for 30 minutes to an hour. Do one activity for that period of time. When the time is up, time to find something new to do.

In regards to the whole War-video-game question, I would avoid anything that promotes/contains violence/hatred/anger/murder, even if they don’t show the “gore.” There are a lot of really good video games out there that are fun to play, that are not violent, and that encourage intellectual stimulation. Sim City is one that comes to mind. (I would avoid the Sims, as lately they have been increasing the amount of sexual content that is in the game.)

Hope this helps! :)

In XC,

Maureen

[InnerPhyre]

Sometimes we have to stop doing the things that we love if these things take us away from God. I played counterstrike for years but I eventually stopped because I'd get too angry over losing. And finally I thought to myself "this is idiotic. I'm yelling at a person I've never met over a video game. Enough is enough." BF2 is overrated anyway :) Play Guild Wars.

[Dust and Ashes]

Ok, Devin, what you do is get with SUNSTONE and have him take you under his wing and teach you all the drills and stuff that he does to be the game god that he is then you can just go in and when someone cheeses you off, you just smoke them repeatedly until they get frustrated and quit the game.


:D ^_^ ;)

Hehe, ok, J/K there.

I'd say play something that isn't competitive or at least doesn't make emotions run so high in people. That's why I don't play competitive games. Finding someone who is both a humble winner and gracious loser is a very rare thing.

[88Devin07]

I've been thinking about Guild Wars... But for one, I don't really like Medieval Fantasy and two, the women aren't properly dressed lol...

[88Devin07]

I just had an idea... I could go into WWIIOL, spawn as a Mobile Spawn Point, then travel to a town/battle, then deploy... Then go outside and play basketball for a while... hehe
When I come back, i'll have a lot of points in the game and will finally be able to actually at least be better because I could spawn something else other thana rifle :P

I like that game just because of how it accurately portrays everything even Europe... I also like it b/c you can't talk to the other side so there won't be any flaming... Oh and I also like it because you never see any cheaters or exploiters :) (maybe just 1 or 2 every year)

[Dust and Ashes]

I've been thinking about Guild Wars... But for one, I don't really like Medieval Fantasy and two, the women aren't properly dressed lol...

Seriously, I know what you mean. I've caught myself zoning into a town and you land before all the armor skins are loaded and there's some female warrior in her skivvies and you go, "Hmmm..." then catch yourself. Graphics in games are becoming so realistic that I wonder how long before they start making seriously X rated games. Looking at DoA Extreme Beach Volleyball on a current generation console makes me wonder if the next generation will be the one where we have interactive porn.

[Theophorus]

I was just playing one of my video games today, BF2... And played with a guy that was constantly cursing, calling other ppl extremely bad names... Insulting ppl whenever they killed him (in the game)... etc...

He seemed to have a real ego problem and a real language/intelligence problem...

I finally asked him to please stop his language, he said something like "does your mommy not let you see that? or are you 10 years old?"... I told him, "No, I'm a Christian and I find it offensive"
One of his buddies then said "a christian playing a war game?"... then he said "I am too, and your point?"

I'm sick and tired of these kinds of ppl calling themselves Christians when they are closer to signing their own destruction. Why do ppl act like this and then say they are Christian?

How should I deal with ppl like this? These games have no ignore button, and we tried kicking him but only 3 ppl voted against him... And it's hard for me to ignore them when I want them kicked and when they are constantly bashing me and my teammates...

I even encounter these types of ppl in other games and in other places online... Who call themselves Christians but are closer to being a part of the "synagogue of Satan"...

What should I do when I encounter these types of ppl and how should I treat them and what should I say?

I was about to tell him he wasn't a Christian unless he actually lived according to Christ and his teachings... Of course I knew they'd smart off about me playing a war/killing game... So I decided no to, and by that time, the game ended...

Devin,
You have got to limit your time on these games. A while back I was playing Quake 3 arena. And I was good too. I built my own PC's, spent big bucks on CPU's, vid cards, and a dsl connection, swiching several times in pursuit of the lowest ping. Plus to be good and not loose, you have to practice, and you have to practice with good people, so that means you have to be online at certain times, when the other good players are, and all the time keeping up with technology, always upgrading your vid card and CPU. It's a big commitment, time and resource wise, to be good.

And after I had spent this time and money, for entertainment myself and others would show up on public servers, reak devesation, be accused of cheating, or just be verbally abused, or asked what was my secret.

It's not worth it. Sometimes I would play for 2-3hrs in the evening to get warmed up, then take a little break and play another 2-3 hrs with the big boys. Plus constant driver updates and general rig tweaks, and in game console tweaks and settings, experimenting with various connection settings to be able to make the "bridge to rail jump". All of this did not include forum time, where you sought out tweaks and info, and arranged games etc. And I still got beat, even though I was good, there was always somebody better. As I improved the competition did also, and hence my time and money comitments did also, to take it to the next level. It became a viscious cycle.

[88Devin07]

I only get good though if I join a clan, and the problem with that is the fact they want you at the guild matches and such... And it demands such time that I don't want to spend...

[Theophorus]

I only get good though if I join a clan, and the problem with that is the fact they want you at the guild matches and such... And it demands such time that I don't want to spend...

Exactly, clan practice time, forum time, scheduled matches, web page work, graphics works, skins, maybe even map or mod development.....

[Michael the Iconographer]

Devin, why not find a more constructive use of your time that will be more rewarding to you than sitting arround playing video games all day long?

[88Devin07]

I dunno what to do though... Yard work at this time of the year is hot and our yard doesn't need much more work...
And I can only do physical work/play like basketball for so long...

I also forgot to mention something... The hanging out with friends is out... I have only one best friend and he is mainly at football practice each day of the week. And the rest of my friends, well, I don't know them that well and we only hang out at school, plus thye are the same way as me, only doing things around the house like video games, etc... And non of them are really devout Christians.

[choirfiend]

One of my best friends is Jewish. Another is newage-y reincarnation-y agnostic. You don't have to share a religion to share friendship.

[HandmaidenOfGod]

I dunno what to do though... Yard work at this time of the year is hot and our yard doesn't need much more work...

And I can only do physical work/play like basketball for so long...

I also forgot to mention something... The hanging out with friends is out... I have only one best friend and he is mainly at football practice each day of the week. And the rest of my friends, well, I don't know them that well and we only hang out at school, plus thye are the same way as me, only doing things around the house like video games, etc... And non of them are really devout Christians.

I don’t know what to tell you Devin.

Multiple suggestions have been made to you on this board by numerous posters, but you choose to overlook them. A wise person once said that ‘people will change only when they want to change’, and by the sound of your posts, you don’t want to change, you just want to complain.

You are too young to have such a myopic view on life.

Expand your horizons! Do things you’ve never done! Dare to explore! Mind you, this does not require a passport, bullwhip, and safari hat. No, I’m talking about following through on the suggestions that have been given to you, and stepping away from the video game console.

In regards to having friends who do not share the same religious beliefs as you, this is perfectly acceptable. I have friends that are Protestant, Catholic, Hindu, followers of Jainism, Sikh, Jehovah’s Witness, and heck; I even went to see “The Passion of the Christ” with a woman who is a devout Muslim. For after all, we can’t be a light unto the world if we hide the lantern under a basket. (Matthew 5:15-17 (http://biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=5&verse=15&end_verse=17&version=50&context=context), Matthew 28:18-20 (http://biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=28&verse=18&end_verse=20&version=50&context=context))

So go ahead and call those friends that you don’t know so well, and that are “doing things around the house.” Get to know them! You’ll be glad you did! :thumbsup:

In XC,

Maureen

[gzt]

For the past two years, I lived with [gasp] atheists. By choice. Most of my friends are atheists.

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Nooooo! Not atheists! Aaaaaagh!



Somebody! Quick! Get the Holy Water! :P :P

[Annabel Lee]

Also i've been having this problem... I for some reason hate ppl that don't let me win in games...

But why do you hate them for winning?
I just hate it when ppl win who are on another team than me... I sometimes (more than not) wish that I could win every game except a couple and beat everyone...
I just get mad when I start losing and there is nothing I hate worse than losing. And it is always my teammates fault for our loss (literally, i'm not just blaming them)... I makes me mad and I'm beginning to hate the ppl that cause us to lose or hate the ppl on the other team who win...

If this game (and it is just a game) is causing you to hate others, it's time to stop.

[gord96]

99% of my friends are athiest or just don't really care about God.....I hope I can help them see God one day.....right now I am failing miserbly at it though.....still Devin you should try to make friends with people regardless of their faith......

[88Devin07]

Well the thing is, I can't stand athiests or ppl of other religions... I don't like them telling others about their faith or what they believe. I could never support someone of another religion telling me or anyone else about their false religion.

What is Guild Wars like compared to other games like SWG?

[choirfiend]

You don't have to discuss religion all the time...and the beautiful thing is, that when you are friends with someone and you respect them, you CAN discuss your beliefs without anger or debate. When you know how to speak about your faith honestly and with respect, others might actually hear what you say.

[Dust and Ashes]

Well the thing is, I can't stand athiests or ppl of other religions... I don't like them telling others about their faith or what they believe. I could never support someone of another religion telling me or anyone else about their false religion.

What is Guild Wars like compared to other games like SWG?

GW is zone based like EQ. The towns and outposts are persistent so that is where you hook up with other players. The actual play zones are instanced so you don't have to worry about competition with regards to quest monsters, items, etc. The storyline part of the game is pretty deep and there is a lot to do before you top out and are left with only guild battles. The character development is not as sopistocated as in true MMORPGs because the game is ultimately geared toward PvP but it's not pay to play so if you don't play it much, you're not out anything but the cost of the game itself.

[88Devin07]

ok cool... that is one of my main issues with some games, they are pay to play...

And I didn't mention it before, but my "friends" are actually more like acquaintances...

[88Devin07]

Oh and also, regarding Guild Wars...

Does the CF community have their own guild? and would my cpu be suitable to play the game?
I have:
Geforce 6600 GT AGP 128mb
512MB of RAM
AMD Athlon

[Annabel Lee]

You don't have to discuss religion all the time...and the beautiful thing is, that when you are friends with someone and you respect them, you CAN discuss your beliefs without anger or debate. When you know how to speak about your faith honestly and with respect, others might actually hear what you say.

Truer words were never spoken


1Corinthians 13
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.
And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give away all I have, and if I deliver my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.

[Llauralin]

ok cool... that is one of my main issues with some games, they are pay to play...

And I didn't mention it before, but my "friends" are actually more like acquaintances...
Which is the point of hanging out with them more often - they will actually become better friends... I didn't used to have very many firiends at all, but then one of them just started having her house open for 7 hours a week to play games, cards, talk, eat or whatever, and I met so many people! Can you drive? Set up random things to do, and invite people (doesn't have to be fancy).

Anyway, RE the not being able to think up anything to do: work on it! The computer is eating too much time just now (3 hrs a day), but I've found that those I know who have no tv, vidio game system, or computer, actually tend to be LESS bored than those who are watching or playing all the time (most of jr. high a bunch of other homeschoolers and I were involved in raising and showing rabbits, gunea pigs, chickens, and pigeons, made quilts, clothing, leatherwork, volenteered for a vairiety of things, etc). Not to say you should toss all your stuff, but really you're just teaching yourself to crave continual entertainment, which is very bad. there are a lot of good suggestions here for what you could be doing with your time. Give them a try!

[Dust and Ashes]

Oh and also, regarding Guild Wars...

Does the CF community have their own guild? and would my cpu be suitable to play the game?
I have:
Geforce 6600 GT AGP 128mb
512MB of RAM
AMD Athlon

My system is:
AMD Athlon 1GHz
576MB RAM
Radeon 9000 64MB

and it runs great on my system so you should have no problem. But if you have a problem with competition, you might want to think twice. GW has a nice storyline but it is essentially just there to help you learn your characters' strengths/weaknesses and prepare you for the PVP. The only reason I got it is because it gives the is MMORPG-ish enough to pass the time and is not pay to play.

If you like coop play, I'd recommend EQ or DAoC. One feature of DAoC that I particularly like is it has the best PvP of any game I've ever played. There are 3 realms to choose from and each has large areas where you can group with others and level your characters. Then there are zones where you go to fight the people from other realms which includes siege warfare. You fight over keeps and you have to build siege weapons to break down the doors, have rogues climb inside and assassinate people or just meet out in the open and rumble. You can send out patrols to watch for enemy players and ambush them or if you are an archer, you can set up on the wall and snipe people. Have to watch out or you'll find yourself in the middle of a fireball, though. And there is no communication with opponents so RvR (realm vs realm) is a lot of fun.

[HandmaidenOfGod]

Well the thing is, I can't stand athiests or ppl of other religions... I don't like them telling others about their faith or what they believe. I could never support someone of another religion telling me or anyone else about their false religion.

What is Guild Wars like compared to other games like SWG?

For your consideration:

John 13:34-35
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 15:11-13
“These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full. This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends."

John 15:16-18
"You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another."

Romans 12:9-21
"Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.

Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”says the Lord. Therefore

“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

Romans 13:8
"Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law."

Ephesians 4:1-3
"I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace."

1 Peter 4:7-9
"But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers. And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling."

1 John 3:11
"For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another"

1 John 4:7-8
"Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love."

1 John 4:11-13
"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit."

[NPH]

I only get good though if I join a clan, and the problem with that is the fact they want you at the guild matches and such... And it demands such time that I don't want to spend...

Hey Devin, if you enjoy WW2 themed games have you tried Call of Duty? If you have it (or get it, it has lower reqs than BF2) then go to www.fkmod.com (http://www.fkmod.com) and try out our servers! FKmod is a mod for the game but we do have a clan called FKR (FK Regulars). There are absolutely no requirements to join the clan other than make a monthly donation to cover the cost of the servers (I give $10/month), but even if you don't join the clan you can play on the servers and talk with us in ventrillo all you like :)

We have a really good time and it's a great bunch of people. We don't talk religion (other than an occasional mention like "i gotta sleep, got mass tomorrow") and we have very strict rules regarding language and attitude both ingame and on our ventrillo. Anyone using any foul language will get warned, kicked or even banned for the worst cases.

Just so you know though, a bundle of us there are Catholic but like I said, we don't get into religious talk. So don't worry that you'll hear any religious talk at all, but you'll be in a place where people try to keep a good sense of morals in how we play.

Also, what some have said here is good advice. If you really start feeling angry when you're not doing well at the game (any game), then it's time to step back from it for awhile and rearrange your priorities. Games are fun and can be a great outlet when life is annoying, but you should never let them be the determiner of how you are going to feel.

[Latreia]

http://news.com.com/2060-10797_3-0.html (http://news.com.com/2060-10797_3-0.html)

August 9, 2005 4:53 PM PDT
Man dies after 50 hour videogame binge

Playing video games shouldn't be a way to qualify for the Darwin Awards, but thanks to a South Korean man, that seems to no longer be true.

According to Reuters, the man, identified only by his family name, Lee, died after a 50-hour binge in which he played online battle simulation games almost nonstop. Police in the southeastern city of Taegu said the 28-year-old man died of heart failure nearly three days after sitting down for the first time at a cybercafe there.
The only times he got up, apparently, was to visit the bathroom, eat or take a quick nap.

"We presume the cause of death was heart failure stemming from exhaustion," a Taegu provincial police official told Reuters.
According to one South Korean news agency, Lee had recently quit his job to devote more time to playing video games. That, of course, is an entirely new twist on the usual, "I'm quitting to spend more time with my family" reason for bailing on a paying gig.

And, sadly, Lee had apparently just told his mother--who had been looking for him after he didn't return home--that he was about to leave the cafe when he keeled over.

Posted by Daniel Terdiman

[Vasya Davidovich]

Devin,

You have come to this board before with a similar question regarding the benefit of video games, so I’m going to venture out on a limb and say that they are bothering your conscience. Before you continue to spend time and money on these games, ask yourself the following questions:


1) Do these games bring me in closer fellowship with God?

2) Do these games bring me in closer fellowship with Christian brethren?

3) Have I grown as a person (emotionally, spiritually) as a result of playing these games?

4) Are these games taking away from time I could be spending with God? Family? Friends?

5) Do these games encourage a spirit of love or a spirit of hate in my being?



If you answered in the negative to 1-4, I would seriously reconsider the amount of time spent playing these violent games. Remember the words of the Apostle Paul in his letter to the Philippians:

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." Philippians 4:8 (New King James Version, Emphasis added.)

God doesn’t want us to spend our time dwelling on war and hate – He wants us to spend our time meditating on His love for us, our love for Him, and loving our fellow man. War-themed video games do not encourage such thoughts.

You said you recently spent a lot of money on a video card. Sell it on E-bay. While you may not recover all of your money, you will recover some. (You may even want to consider giving the profits to charity.)

You said that you play the video games because you have nothing to do. Here are some suggestions in how to occupy your time:

a) Help your mother around the house. I’m sure she would appreciate it.

b) Get a job!

c) Volunteer at a hospital/Boys Club/senior citizen center/etc.

d) Read. Read the Bible, read a novel, read anything within the bounds of Philippians 4:8. You don’t have to read for 8-12 hrs at a shot. Read for an hour, put down the book, do something else, and come back to it.

e) You said your grandmother is ill. Go visit her! Help her around the house. Get to know her. Do you know what her favorite dessert was as a child? Did she enjoy helping her mother in the kitchen? What were the holidays like when she was growing up? Ask her these things. Grandmothers love talking about their past! She will appreciate you taking the time to do so, and you will value the relationship you develop with her as a result.



Eight to twelve hours a day playing video games is not healthy for you spiritually, physically, emotionally, or mentally.

Please get out of the house and do something!

Get creative – you’re a smart guy – I’m sure you can think of something to do. ;)

In XC,

Maureen
Maureen,

This is an amazing post.

Regrettably, "You must spread reputation around, etc. etc. ad nauseum ad infinitum."

Drat.

-Vasya.

[Vasya Davidovich]

Llauralin and Maureen, fantastic posts.

I remember some years back playing Quake on-line. I had watched my roommate playing it for some hours, and then he let me take over the computer and his character. It was my first time, and was I excited!

I had been playing it for about 4 hours when he left for work - nightshift. When he got home 9 hours later, I was still playing it.

After I had recovered from my sleep deprivation, I realized that for the sake of my sanity and my soul I had better abstain from such games - I had lost 13 irreplaceable hours to do what? Nothing of any lasting meaning whatsoever. And I was at 13 hours of play already borderline addicted... a scary thought.

My feeling is that if we find that we are addicted to some form of entertainment (which plays upon our native selfishness and desire for self-gratification), we had better get out while the going is good.

Devin, if your conscience is waking to the fact that your life is being consumed by soul-destroying activities, then do not suppress it! Get up, make the sign of the Cross, and walk away.

[Monica, child of God]

Maureen,

This is an amazing post.

Regrettably, "You must spread reputation around, etc. etc. ad nauseum ad infinitum."

Drat.

I got you covered. It was a really good post.

M.

[Monica, child of God]

I remember some years back playing Quake on-line. I had watched my roommate playing it for some hours, and then he let me take over the computer and his character. It was my first time, and was I excited!

I had been playing it for about 4 hours when he left for work - nightshift. When he got home 9 hours later, I was still playing it.

After I had recovered from my sleep deprivation, I realized that for the sake of my sanity and my soul I had better abstain from such games - I had lost 13 irreplaceable hours to do what? Nothing of any lasting meaning whatsoever. And I was at 13 hours of play already borderline addicted... a scary thought.

You'd only have to replace a few words in that post and it would be a perfect description of a first crack binge. Seriously. :o

M.

[Dust and Ashes]

You'd only have to replace a few words in that post and it would be a perfect description of a first crack binge. Seriously. :o

M.

Yikes, you are absolutely right. My first rock, as the first hit spread through my body, it literally felt like all my problems were melting away. I never really tied the 2 together like that but you are frighteningly accurate on that. :eek:

[Theophorus]

Llauralin and Maureen, fantastic posts.

I remember some years back playing Quake on-line. I had watched my roommate playing it for some hours, and then he let me take over the computer and his character. It was my first time, and was I excited!

I had been playing it for about 4 hours when he left for work - nightshift. When he got home 9 hours later, I was still playing it.



(Theophorus prays he will not succumb to the temptation to purchase quake 4)