News
Turning the Other Cheek While Gaming
Cordova, TN; August 30, in the year of our Lord 2013
-- Family Friendly Gaming, the industry leader in
covering the family friendly video games is exploring Turning
the Other Cheek While Gaming. How many video games out there
encourage players to turn the other cheek? How many video games
teach an eye for an eye? How many video games teach us to get
revenge? How many video games teach us to get them before they
get us? How many video games allow us the choice of turning the
other cheek? How many other people are asking these questions?
Some of ya'll may be wondering where are these questions coming
from. Why am I bringing up the topic? I was reading the Holy
Bible and applied a passage to our favorite little industry.
Matthew 5:38-48 “You have heard that it was
said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do
not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right
cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. 40 And if anyone wants
to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. 41
If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. 42
Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one
who wants to borrow from you. 43 “You have heard that it was
said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell
you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45
that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his
sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the
righteous and the unrighteous. 46 If you love those who love
you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors
doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are
you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be
perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
From there I exercised my brain, and applied this passage to my
life. I turn the other cheek in person all the time. I pray for
those who cut me off in traffic. I hold doors open for others,
and let them enter first. I spend countless hours helping a wide
array of different people in a prayerful manner. But what about
video games? Too often I go along with the system provided
within the games. I do not try and complete games in a turning
the other cheek manner. Most games do not even allow that as an
option. Especially when dealing with a boss. Its not like the
developers include an exhaustion point where after avoiding the
bosses attacks for so many minutes – you win by default.
Kindness and consideration do not go far in the world of video
games. Which is a real shame.
It is all hopeless? No sir or ma'am. There are actually games
that avoid violence altogether. There are simulation and
educational games. There are building games. Most puzzle games
have us gamers exercise our brains without causing damage to
anyone or anything. There are modes in certain games where we
can create and design to our hearts content in a non-violent
manner. Certain sports games leave violence on the design floor.
There are probably more I am not thinking about as well. I want
to see more of these kinds of games. An industry focus on them.
For the violent games I would love to see a choice of rewarding
those who turn the other cheek. A reinforcement of what Jesus
Christ taught.
God bless,
Paul Bury
Family Friendly Gaming