Christian Conservative Essay on Videogames Fumbles and Falls Flat
Jesus takes time to teach a child about the PS3 rumble feature
Jesus wept.
The Christian Examiner Online has weighed in with a lengthy dissertation on videogames in general and – gasp! – Grand Theft Auto in particular, outlining the evils involved in the medium and their contribution to the social decay afflicting the United States, not the world.
“The game delivers the kinds of thrills teenage boys love, with plenty of high-speed chase scenes, noisy shoot-’em-ups and risqué sexuality,” writes Steve Rabey. “But questions about the game’s violence and the ability of some gamers to unlock explicit sex scenes in an earlier version of the game have led to complaints and a class action lawsuit against “GT4’s” manufacturer, Rockstar Games.”
Posted through the “Christian Newswire,” the article is being touted as an “in-depth report on the impact of video games on families and the culture.” However, there are no quotes or statements from any learned scholars on the topic of videogame violence, nor scientific data regarding their claims to addiction, violent behavior, or anti-social tendencies.
The article also includes the usual tempered rhetoric of the Christian right that goes on to play their greatest hits: financial irresponsibility for buying virtual goods, a deluded work ethic for playing more hours of World of Warcraft than your nine – to – five job, and an honest to God Columbine reference.
The mind recoils in horror. This is quite possibly the most nugatory story regarding the ills of gaming that I have ever read, replete with assertions so banal that even Jack Thompson would blanche.
Source: christianexaminer.com
