Theism and Video Games - Contrast and Compare
Posted on: November 2, 2009 - 7:51pm
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Theism and Video Games - Contrast and Compare
Something to ponder and discuss: How are a video game "universe" and the universe according to theism similar? How are they different?
Comparisons:
*There is some intelligent being that created the universe.
*There is some final arbiter of said universe.
*Rewards are granted based on the will of that final arbiter.
Contrasts:
*ONE instruction manual comes with the video game, rather than dozens of possibly false ones.
*The rules of the final arbiter are generally more straightforward with a video game.
*One can check one's score within a video game before one reaches the end of the game, providing a solid metric as to one's performance within the universe.
Any others?
-Triften
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I would say that reality is closer to a video game, over theism.
The real world is reward-based. You are compensated for grinding.
Theism is why we can't have nice things.
Another similarity...
Both can be fun at a young age, but typically most people grow out of them/it.
And yeah I know it might seem like a stretch for religion to be fun at a young age, but church social gatherings for kids, and praying for all kinds of creative stuff in bed come to mind as fun things. Oh... having an imaginary friend is fun as a kid, as an adult of course it's serious business.
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I never had fun at church at a young age. I was beaten up once by the other kids for asking too many questions in sunday school.
I never thought of praying as a "fun thing" either. Just fearful that I would die before asking forgiveness for something and going to hell as a result.
I also would fear that the rapture happened, when the house was too quiet. That I was left behind because I wasn't faithful enough.
I have no good memories related to religion. Sorry. I never felt it was a social gathering. That was school.
Theism is why we can't have nice things.
I'm sorry clockcat. I certainly found the overwhelming majority of my religious training, boring. I was stretching on that example for sure.
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You can't just unplug theism and go outside.
Grounding/Disciplining my children from theism wouldn't work. "No god(s) for you this week!" would be met with incredulity or applause. One of my smartasses would laugh and say, "Which god(s)?"
Typically, there is a point to a video game.
On the older games, you ran out of lives at some point receiving the message "GAME OVER". Most religions have an unlimited continue aka respawn.
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If there is a bug in the program, you can always cal support.
Good creators would change the program and release an update.
Bad creators say wait to the next version.
So are gods like Microsoft?
“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”
"Both can be fun at a young age, but typically most people grow out of them/it."
To hit this from the other side, typically people do not grow out of gaming. The vast majority of the industry is adult gamers.
Now back in the 80's and early 90's this was a kids industry. But those kids have grown up, and still play, often with their own kids. It's a beautiful thing.
Enlightened Atheist, Gaming God.
“Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”
I grew up with video games and will never stop playing them.
The same goes for all my friends.
Theism is why we can't have nice things.
If you run over a preacher after services, you don't always get your money back.
Often, the plot line sucks, but the cinematics rock.
Light speed really is too slow after all.
No lightsabers in theism. SUXORS!
Atheist Books, purchases on Amazon support the Rational Response Squad server, which houses Celebrity Atheists.
You'll never stop playing your friends?
-Triften
If most people grow out of it, why are so many adults religious?
ciarin.com
Never ever ever.
Theism is why we can't have nice things.
Religion, like the gaming industry, tries to keep their 'followers' interested by creating new and exciting activities!
SEE BELOW....Is this a "mind, body, and soul" prayer event or a new virtual reality add-on for wii?
Slowly building a blog at ~
http://obsidianwords.wordpress.com/
lol.
I plan to die with a controller in hand (or whatever serves as one when the time comes).
Enlightened Atheist, Gaming God.