http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/us/07halo.html?ei=5088&en=7ec896ee5b886911&ex=1349409600&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print
The article, in short calls attention to a growing trend to strive to appeal to younger audiences
using a variety of tactics, in this case the ultra-violent game 'Halo.'
From the article:
Playing Halo is “no different than going on a camping trip,” said Kedrick Kenerly, founder of Christian Gamers Online, an Internet site whose central themes are video games and religion. “It’s a way to fellowship.”
...
Mr. Barbour, the youth pastor at the church, said the game had led to a number of internal discussions prompted by elders who complained about its violent content. Mr. Barbour recently met for several hours with the church’s pastor and successfully made his case that the game was a crucial recruiting tool.
In one letter to parents, Mr. Barbour wrote that God calls ministers to be “fishers of men.”
“Teens are our ‘fish,” he wrote. “So we’ve become creative in baiting our hooks.”
Now, I will fully admit that Halo II is fun. However, I would contend that such content is inappropriate for a church-sponsored event. It would seem to me that church fellowship should
focus on the angels of our better nature. Playing Halo is 'not the same as camping,' most
notably in the type of fellowship that it encourages; the former consists of competetive jeering,
hooting and crying (as per the commercial) where as the latter encourages dialogue, and
coöperation.
I don't believe that video games encourage people to be violent; this isn't an element of my
objection. It's just it seems that such churches are willing to do anything to get people in
their doors, and I'm not sure that appealing to the most common denominator is really what
Jesus had in mind.
Why not show pornography? Like video games to violence, pornography has no reasonable
correlation with sexual deviancy like stalking or rape. And, if we are going to construe 'Thou
shalt not kill' narrowly as to embrace virtual killing, then why not construe 'Thou shalt not
commit adultery' equally narrowly and embrace virtual sex? I assure you that the lines for young adult men would be out the door if a church showed pornography.
I think that church should always and only strive to embrace the highest of virtue and Halo
hardly teaches a good Biblical lesson. Instead churches are just trying to 'bait' members with
that which is popular even if its essential message is something contrary to Christian doctrine.
Any thoughts?
Nemesio
Originally posted by NemesioI have Linux and no Playstation or Xbox. I would go to church to try out the game. I hope believer's charity was put to good use to buy a decent graphics card.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/us/07halo.html?ei=5088&en=7ec896ee5b886911&ex=1349409600&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print
The article, in short calls attention to a growing trend to strive to appeal to younger audiences
using a variety of tactics, in this case the ultra-violent game 'Halo.'
From the article:
[i]Playing Halo is “no differen ...[text shortened]... l message is something contrary to Christian doctrine.
Any thoughts?
Nemesio
Originally posted by NemesioIs it ok for religious parents and kids to play Halo at home together?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/us/07halo.html?ei=5088&en=7ec896ee5b886911&ex=1349409600&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print
The article, in short calls attention to a growing trend to strive to appeal to younger audiences
using a variety of tactics, in this case the ultra-violent game 'Halo.'
From the article:
Playing Halo is “no differen l message is something contrary to Christian doctrine.
Any thoughts?
Nemesio
Originally posted by NemesioContrarily, God's evangelizing tool is the Holy Spirit (i.e., the operation of the Holy Spirit through believers, convicting the hearts of unbelievers; and the attractiveness of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). When Christians stop (or fail to even begin) trusting the Holy Spirit to bring people into the kingdom, then these contrived "recruiting tools" are the result. People generally have a tough time with the idea that God can handle things Himself just fine.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/us/07halo.html?ei=5088&en=7ec896ee5b886911&ex=1349409600&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print
The article, in short calls attention to a growing trend to strive to appeal to younger audiences
using a variety of tactics, in this case the ultra-violent game 'Halo.'
From the article:
Playing Halo is “no differen l message is something contrary to Christian doctrine.
Any thoughts?
Nemesio
Originally posted by NemesioSo long as these beautiful children are sparred unending torment at the hands of an angry god, I say no big deal.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/us/07halo.html?ei=5088&en=7ec896ee5b886911&ex=1349409600&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print
The article, in short calls attention to a growing trend to strive to appeal to younger audiences
using a variety of tactics, in this case the ultra-violent game 'Halo.'
From the article:
Playing Halo is “no differen l message is something contrary to Christian doctrine.
Any thoughts?
Nemesio
Originally posted by epiphinehasWhat do you think of a recruiting tool that involves socialising and drinking alcohol with sinners & common people incl prostitutes ?
Contrarily, God's evangelizing tool is the Holy Spirit (i.e., the operation of the Holy Spirit through believers, convicting the hearts of unbelievers; and the attractiveness of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in believers' lives: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). When Ch ...[text shortened]... le generally have a tough time with the idea that God can handle things Himself just fine.
Luke 7 : 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
Originally posted by Rajk999Yes, but Jesus wasn't plying people with alcohol in order to make the kingdom of God seem more appealing.
What do you think of a recruiting tool that involves socialising and drinking alcohol with sinners & common people incl prostitutes ?
Luke 7 : 33 For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
34 The Son of man is come eating and drinking; and ye say, Behold a gluttonous man, and a winebibber, a friend of publicans and sinners!
That's the point I think Nemesio is making.
Originally posted by NemesioI think Mr. Barbour sounds like a real butthole. I think it's too bad that the church would empower a youth pastor who doesn't respect the personhood of youth. I think I'd kick him square in the nuts if he ever called me his fish and tried to reel me in.
Any thoughts?
Originally posted by epiphinehasYes, but even more so. Jesus spent time with sinners, even practicing sinners, but like you said,
Yes, but Jesus wasn't plying people with alcohol in order to make the kingdom of God seem more appealing.
That's the point I think Nemesio is making.
He never used their sin as a means of enticing them to follow Him. But this is even worse; not
only are they condoning it, they are glorifying it. They are saying that Christian fellowship includes
the gratuitous violence that is parcel to Halo and games like it.
Again, I am not chastising Halo of itself -- I myself fancy myself a player. However, I'm of the
opinion that religion should distinguish itself from secular society -- that is, if they claim to a
supernatural connection with the Divine and Perfect. One should be able to tell the difference
between activities that take place at a church and those that take place in a bar or in the
'game room' of a teenager's house.
Nemesio
Originally posted by NemesioWhy not Halo?
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/07/us/07halo.html?ei=5088&en=7ec896ee5b886911&ex=1349409600&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss&pagewanted=print
The article, in short calls attention to a growing trend to strive to appeal to younger audiences
using a variety of tactics, in this case the ultra-violent game \\\'Halo.\\\'
From the article:
Playing Halo is “no differ omething contrary to Christian doctrine.
Any thoughts?
Nemesio
Think of it like the Old Testament, except the good guys actually have valid justification for slaughtering their enemies.
Originally posted by NemesioAlong the same lines, I have often noticed parents / teachers / pastors deliberately lying to children in the hope of encouraging them to be more Christian, especially threats about going to hell etc. I know they are lying because if I ask them whether they really believe what they are saying they respond that they do not but feel that it is OK if the result is positive (ie the child becomes more Christian).
It's just it seems that such churches are willing to do anything to get people in their doors,...
Many creationists also readily lie to support their cause.
So - is it OK to lie as a Christian in order to convert people? What other sins are permissible? Can you steal? Murder?
Originally posted by NemesioI understand your point, so here is my 2 cents. Certain religious groups tend to be too far removed from the reality of peoples lives, the very same people they are trying to convert. There is no loss of dignity to come down a notch or two so that the church as a body will appear less daunting and appear to have more of a human character. Changing with the times (when no sacrifice to morality has to be made) is one way to do this.
Yes, but even more so. Jesus spent time with sinners, even practicing sinners, but like you said,
He never used their sin as a means of enticing them to follow Him. But this is even worse; not
only are they condoning it, they are glorifying it. They are saying that Christian fellowship includes
the gratuitous violence that is parcel to Halo and and those that take place in a bar or in the
'game room' of a teenager's house.
Nemesio
Edit - Maybe Christ thought that the religious leaders of His time were too arrogant and pompous to reach the people spiritually, hence the reason why he spent so much time with the grassrooks folks and none with the higher ranks. I am not at all suggesting that your church is that way, but I know some are.
Originally posted by SwissGambitActually you are not even killing humans in Halo ... its aliens you kill, who are trying to take over the planet, so its self-defense. I think God will be on the side of the Earthlings.
Why not Halo?
Think of it like the Old Testament, except the good guys actually have valid justification for slaughtering their enemies.
Originally posted by Rajk999Maybe aliens can be evangelized. God would approve that. He approved it for muslims.
Actually you are not even killing humans in Halo ... its aliens you kill, who are trying to take over the planet, so its self-defense. I think God will be on the side of the Earthlings.