Christian WoWers?

N

Nuggen

New Member
Hi guys,

I'm new to this site and I don't mean to be intrusive. I trust that we all know how addictive WoW is, and although we may laugh at the stories of death and suicide by this addiction, I feel that deep within, this game dominates the mind. At the start of the day my mind is already calculating stats for items and such. How then, with the smothering, addictive nature of the game, can I have The LORD on my mind and "pray without ceasing"?
I mean you no disdain, yet such a problem truly haunts me.


Please reply,
Nuggen
 
One: God has made us to obsess after the things we like, like a relationship with Him, however, we also use this with our hobbies, which I do not see anything wrong with...

Two: In all we do we need to do it for the glory of God, in ALL we do...even playing MMOs...there is nothing wrong putting a lot of time in effort into an MMO, especially if you are doing it for the glory of God... Have you ever used the game to help out someone, that is for the glory of God... Ever praised the Lord for beating a raid or other accomplishment? Ever asked God for help to beat something in the game? See you can include God in your game, for He wants to be in all aspects of our lives...
 
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Nuggen said:
How then, with the smothering, addictive nature of the game, can I have The LORD on my mind and "pray without ceasing"?
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It's a valid question and one I'm surprised we don't see it raised more often in a Christian gaming community comprised mainly of MMO players.

To be honest, there is no simple answer. I'll start by saying that if WoW is an idol--that is, something that ranks above God in your personal list of priorities--then it's very likely that you need to scale back your play time significantly or quit the game altogether. If you pray and sincerely feel convicted to quit playing a game, then quit.

But don't mistake social acceptability for piety. There are plenty of Christians who have a full life outside of WoW and great relationships in-game as well. WoW and other MMOs also present a wonderful opportunity to witness to other Christians and share the good news of the Gospel to others in an environment often saturated by people who wouldn't step foot inside a church.

For better or worse, the Internet aids communication between people who wouldn't normally seek each other out in real life. MMOs have been jokingly called "chat rooms with a better user interface" and there's some truth behind the claim. Many people have an easier time sharing their true self in a virtual environment than the real.

I have a unique perspective on any debate on the benefits and risks of MMO games: I retired from MMOs after quitting WoW last year due to lack of time and interest and a gradual shift from PC to console gaming--but I'm also President of a gaming group with three very successful chapters based on MMO games. I played Dark Age of Camelot from beta to six months after retail, beta tested World of Warcraft and later leveled a character to 48, and would have played WAR if my schedule and finances allowed.

If you pray and consistently hear a "still, small voice" prompting you to quit the game or scale back your time online, then listen and do it. But don't assume quitting the game is the answer. Think it over, seek input from mature Christians in your life, and pray that the Lord would help you make Him your first priority in your life--no matter the cost.
 
Yeah, I think this may be an idol issue. I suggest giving the game a break for awhile and take the time to just read and study God's Word. I had the same problem with Guild Wars and a few other games.
 
Keero said:
Yeah, I think this may be an idol issue. I suggest giving the game a break for awhile and take the time to just read and study God's Word. I had the same problem with Guild Wars and a few other games.
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Keero raises a good point.

Rather than scaling back your play time on a long-term basis or quitting the game entirely, you could take a short (one or two weeks?) break from the game.
 
Nuggen said:
Hi guys,

I'm new to this site and I don't mean to be intrusive. I trust that we all know how addictive WoW is, and although we may laugh at the stories of death and suicide by this addiction, I feel that deep within, this game dominates the mind. At the start of the day my mind is already calculating stats for items and such. How then, with the smothering, addictive nature of the game, can I have The LORD on my mind and "pray without ceasing"?
I mean you no disdain, yet such a problem truly haunts me.


Please reply,
Nuggen
Click to expand...

I have issues with this for tons of things. Shoot, I even daydream models and designs for programming a lot. It is the brains natural way of innovating and inventing. The game presents a problem, and since you have tried to solve it will continue to do so when it has spare time.

If you think you are spending too much time on the game then try and get another hobby, like doing web/graphic design or another item that will be useful to you later on. You could even manage to start up a side business that makes passive revenue (where you aren't working your rear end off). Of course that is basically replacing one addiction with another, but IMO it is better then playing a game nonstop and can help you choose a career path if you find what you enjoy doing.

As for being in communication with God, you could change perspectives slightly. As you pray ask God to help you and thank him when you are blessed. For instance you may be waiting to get in a group for a long time, you can use that waiting period to pray for help or whatever else is on your mind. It doesn't have to be destructive to your existing playing.
 
I think the bottom line is to pray and find out what God is telling you. If you need to see if the game is taking you away from God, take a week off. We all should do it regularly, just to get "some fresh air." Take a week off and use that time to LISTEN to what God is saying. Talk with Him and He will tell you whether or not this game, or any game, is being used for His Glory and if it is His will that you take part in it. If you feel that God is saying ok, then by all means play the game! (just remember to have God in focus) and if He says not to play, then you better stop playing.
 
Thanks for the feedback. I really appreciate that so many care about the needs of others in the flock. Maybe I will take a break. However, I am not really a hardcore gamer, I don't play for more than 2 hours a day, yet it still consumes my mind. Ive also tried breaks, Ive quit before for two months.

Thanks,
Nuggen
 
Before, when I have taken breaks from MMOs, I have found myself doing the same thing with other things, as VK said...When I get big in programming or web design I wake up thinking about ideas, I dream about ideas, and I daydream at work about ideas... I agree that breaks are good, but remember, God made us to obsess after the things we like, and to glorify Him in them, instead of a break, why not try to but God more into your gameplay...?
 
I'm probably going to end up echoing what's been said before in this post, but that's not a bad thing...

I am also a highly stats-oriented, obsessive-ish, in-my-head planner, who really likes WoW. WotLK is coming out, so I'm spending a lot of my time thinking about tanking specs, class mechanics, professions, and class changes.

I do not, however, think that I am ignoring my Lord when I do so. God does not have to take a back seat just because I like a video game. I happen to believe that God loves the things that we do, because he loves us -- and that includes video games. I believe he gave me this kind of intellect for a reason, and even though I'm a bit obsessive, he's not afraid to get in there with me.

That being said, I'm not perfect, and WoW is a lot of fun. I often have to discipline myself so that it won't take over...

* Sometimes I am tempted to skip church or other fellowship-events so that I can play WoW. Those are the days that I make absolutely certain that I show up at church. WoW should not trump fellowshipping in contact with each other.
* When I said fellowshipping in contact with each other, I mean that I have taken steps to make WoW into a form of fellowship -- I am in a Christian guild and I have good relationships with people in my guild, and that means that I have fellowship with other believers in WoW. But that doesn't mean that WoW replaces contact fellowship. I don't eat with these people, we don't touch... it's not entirely the same. Contact fellowship is a huge thing.
* I make it a policy that if someone asks me to do something with them outside of WoW, I make that a higher priority than anything in WoW. Of course, prior commitments are prior commitments, and if the person in WoW happened to be my girlfriend (she just so happens to enjoy WoW as well,) then WoW might trump... but I try to keep it as a lower priority than contact with other people.
* I'm trying to remember to pray about WoW. We have this stupid notion that video-games are a no-God zone. I'm not good at this one, but perhaps it might be valid to pray for success and patience with others as you're getting ready for your third Aran attempt of the night.
* Remember that people in WoW are real people. Those real people need ministering to on a day-to-day basis. Try to be available to God to be his minister to those people.

I hope this helped and was not too overly rambley.
 
Neirai the Forgiven said:
I'm probably going to end up echoing what's been said before in this post, but that's not a bad thing...

I am also a highly stats-oriented, obsessive-ish, in-my-head planner, who really likes WoW. WotLK is coming out, so I'm spending a lot of my time thinking about tanking specs, class mechanics, professions, and class changes.

I do not, however, think that I am ignoring my Lord when I do so. God does not have to take a back seat just because I like a video game. I happen to believe that God loves the things that we do, because he loves us -- and that includes video games. I believe he gave me this kind of intellect for a reason, and even though I'm a bit obsessive, he's not afraid to get in there with me.

That being said, I'm not perfect, and WoW is a lot of fun. I often have to discipline myself so that it won't take over...

* Sometimes I am tempted to skip church or other fellowship-events so that I can play WoW. Those are the days that I make absolutely certain that I show up at church. WoW should not trump fellowshipping in contact with each other.
* When I said fellowshipping in contact with each other, I mean that I have taken steps to make WoW into a form of fellowship -- I am in a Christian guild and I have good relationships with people in my guild, and that means that I have fellowship with other believers in WoW. But that doesn't mean that WoW replaces contact fellowship. I don't eat with these people, we don't touch... it's not entirely the same. Contact fellowship is a huge thing.
* I make it a policy that if someone asks me to do something with them outside of WoW, I make that a higher priority than anything in WoW. Of course, prior commitments are prior commitments, and if the person in WoW happened to be my girlfriend (she just so happens to enjoy WoW as well,) then WoW might trump... but I try to keep it as a lower priority than contact with other people.
* I'm trying to remember to pray about WoW. We have this stupid notion that video-games are a no-God zone. I'm not good at this one, but perhaps it might be valid to pray for success and patience with others as you're getting ready for your third Aran attempt of the night.
* Remember that people in WoW are real people. Those real people need ministering to on a day-to-day basis. Try to be available to God to be his minister to those people.

I hope this helped and was not too overly rambley.
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Very well said :)
 
Yes Neirai said that very well.

I just wanna couple this with his last bullet
* Remember that people in WoW are real people. Those real people need ministering to on a day-to-day basis. Try to be available to God to be his minister to those people.
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1 Corinthians 10:31 (NIV)
"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."
 
Again, I thank you all for your input. I have but one more matter to clear up, however. In the Bible, it is stated that all magic, occult and conjuring is forbidden. Is not playing as any class other than a rogue, warrior or hunter detrimental to faith and opening ourselves up to demons?

Thanks,
Nuggen
 
Stickier point, and nothing to back it up... but in a game, it's all imaginary, none of it's real... as long as you understand that you're not actually performing these actions (i.e., performing rituals IRL) then it probably doesn't matter.

Now, if you sit behind your keyboard and chant things while your toon summons an imp, there could be a problem :)

However, I do know people that refuse to play warlocks because of the demonic implications. That's a matter of choice and I fully respect that, as well.
 
Nuggen said:
Again, I thank you all for your input. I have but one more matter to clear up, however. In the Bible, it is stated that all magic, occult and conjuring is forbidden. Is not playing as any class other than a rogue, warrior or hunter detrimental to faith and opening ourselves up to demons?

Thanks,
Nuggen
Click to expand...

Durruck said:
Stickier point, and nothing to back it up... but in a game, it's all imaginary, none of it's real... as long as you understand that you're not actually performing these actions (i.e., performing rituals IRL) then it probably doesn't matter.

Now, if you sit behind your keyboard and chant things while your toon summons an imp, there could be a problem :)

However, I do know people that refuse to play warlocks because of the demonic implications. That's a matter of choice and I fully respect that, as well.
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Durruck sums it up pretty well. I liken what happens in WoW to playing a game of Monopoly. Do I really own Park Place or Madisson Avenue? Exposing a weak mind to ideas that are present in a game can have devistating consequences. The summoning that takes place on screen is a digital representation, carried on by the varying intensity of electrons across the pixels of your monitor as instructed by the video card as instructed by a bunch of code. It is no more a real event then when you land on Park Place on a monopoly board and excercise your option to buy it.
 
I really appreciate all the input that has been given. I am going to make a death knight come Wotlk. His name will be Tsuriel(God is my rock), and I will play to further glorify God.

Thanks,
Nuggen
 
That sounds like something God would be happy about Nuggen. I'm glad that we could help out.
 
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