Ask a Question - or - Return to the Spiritual Warfare Forum Index

Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
science fiction religion	MaryGrace	Thursday, September 10, 2009
Question: My husband and I play an online game centered around the movie Star Wars. We play the roles of 'jedi knights,' which are characters based on the Japanese tradition of warrior monks. My husband and I are practicing Catholics and of course do not believe or even remotely take seriously this make-believe 'religion' called the force, though aspects of it are utilized in our game play. For example, we will make our computer characters do things like meditate, run faster than is humanly possible, throw lightening from their fingertips, become invisible, etc. Is there any danger in this? I worry that this is 'dabbling' in the occult, or giving evil an opening. My husband says it's just playing a game and there is nothing to worry about. Thanks for your advice.
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear MaryGrace: Role Play subtely affect the spirit and the mind. It is essentially conditioning the mind. That is why role play is used in counseling or in training of military or police. Because role play has this effect on the psychology and spirit it matters what we role play. St. Paul says to think upon things that are excellent. St. Ignatius Loyola, picking up on St. Paul, advises us to guard our senses. It is in our imaginations that the devil can have his way with us. He can sift our imaginations like wheat. Thus, it matters what images, music, thoughts, and idea we allow into our minds. The idea that it is "justa" game, movie, book, etc. is what the devil wants us to believe. If the devil can convince us to dismiss things by say it is "justa whatever" then he has us. There is no such thing as a "justa". That language is the language of rationalization because someone does not want to do the prudent thing and keep on with their dangerous activity. The questions you need to ask about this game are: 1) does the game glorify God, or is at least neutral? 2) does the game lift our minds to God, or is at least neutral? 3) does the game include a philosophy or theology that is contrary to Christianity? 4) if the game includes role play, what does the role play involve? does the role play have the players acting out with actions or attitudes that are not Christian? 5) do we make excuses to keep playing the game? (a sign that deep down we know that the game is not really prudent for a Christian to play) Star Wars has a theology that is part and parcel of the New Age. New Age philosophies and theologies are hostile to Christianity. I would not want to be training my mind to think according to those ideas (and role play is training the mind, whether one knows it or not). God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

science fiction religion

MaryGrace

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Question:

My husband and I play an online game centered around the movie Star Wars. We play the roles of 'jedi knights,' which are characters based on the Japanese tradition of warrior monks.

My husband and I are practicing Catholics and of course do not believe or even remotely take seriously this make-believe 'religion' called the force, though aspects of it are utilized in our game play. For example, we will make our computer characters do things like meditate, run faster than is humanly possible, throw lightening from their fingertips, become invisible, etc.

Is there any danger in this? I worry that this is 'dabbling' in the occult, or giving evil an opening. My husband says it's just playing a game and there is nothing to worry about.

Thanks for your advice.

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear MaryGrace:

Role Play subtely affect the spirit and the mind. It is essentially conditioning the mind. That is why role play is used in counseling or in training of military or police. Because role play has this effect on the psychology and spirit it matters what we role play.

St. Paul says to think upon things that are excellent. St. Ignatius Loyola, picking up on St. Paul, advises us to guard our senses. It is in our imaginations that the devil can have his way with us. He can sift our imaginations like wheat.

Thus, it matters what images, music, thoughts, and idea we allow into our minds.

The idea that it is "justa" game, movie, book, etc. is what the devil wants us to believe. If the devil can convince us to dismiss things by say it is "justa whatever" then he has us.

There is no such thing as a "justa". That language is the language of rationalization because someone does not want to do the prudent thing and keep on with their dangerous activity.

The questions you need to ask about this game are:

1) does the game glorify God, or is at least neutral?

2) does the game lift our minds to God, or is at least neutral?

3) does the game include a philosophy or theology that is contrary to Christianity?

4) if the game includes role play, what does the role play involve? does the role play have the players acting out with actions or attitudes that are not Christian?

5) do we make excuses to keep playing the game? (a sign that deep down we know that the game is not really prudent for a Christian to play)

Star Wars has a theology that is part and parcel of the New Age. New Age philosophies and theologies are hostile to Christianity. I would not want to be training my mind to think according to those ideas (and role play is training the mind, whether one knows it or not).

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

For information on how to receive help see our Help page. We suggest that before contacting us directly for help you try the Seven Steps to Self-Deliverance. These self-help steps will often resolve the problem. Also our Spiritual Warfare Prayer Catalog contains many prayers that may be helpful. If needed you can ask for a Personal Consultation.