Pope condemns violence and sex in games, worries kids too exposed
by James Ransom-Wiley 
{ Jan 24th 2007 at 8:25PM }
In a message to mark the Roman Catholic Church's World Communications Day, Pope Benedict XVI focused on "Children and the Media," criticizing, among other things, certain forms of exploitative video games. Pope Benedict XVI called violent and sexually explicit games a "perversion," adding that they were "all the more repulsive when ... directed at children and adolescents." The Pope called upon entertainment industry leaders to rethink strategies and products that could be endangering wholesome family life, and encouraged parents to turn their kids onto "children's classics in literature."Pope Benedict XVI did not specify which literary works had been Church-approved, but surely the collection of fairly tales published by the Brothers Grimm (who hailed from Benedict's homeland of Germany) ought to be considered "children's classics." Even in their edited forms, many of these tales retain some horrific themes; like Hansel and Gretel, where a witch attempts to bake two children alive, but is instead cooked herself.
Children's stories and adolescent novels seem to be less scrutinized than games (at least, in contemporary times), but no one's been able to prove which, if either, has a greater affect on the human condition. While we agree that children should be protected from adult-themed games (enforcement of the ratings system and active parenting does a good job of this), we would have liked to have heard His Holiness add that there are many industry efforts to produce games that are suitable and stimulating for children and young people.
[Thanks, Andrew]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
JPNR @ Jan 24th 2007 8:37PM
Finally a site that kind off really say what the pope really tried to say... And i dont like a lot joystiq because of some stupid news but thanks
Chuma @ Jan 24th 2007 8:34PM
Pope also fails to promote use of condoms for safe sex reducing pregnency and spread of HIV. However, he is only thinking of the kids...
LuckyCharm2007 @ Jan 24th 2007 8:38PM
Shut the fuck up , you fucking NAZI!
tonybonjovi @ Jan 24th 2007 8:35PM
What? The kids rather play video games then get banged by they're local priest?
LuckyCharm2007 @ Jan 24th 2007 8:38PM
"he is only thinking of the kids..."
That NAZI surelly is a Pedo
Rob @ Jan 24th 2007 8:37PM
he's one of the most evil looking religous figures ever.
TianXia @ Jan 24th 2007 8:40PM
The fact that he was (is?) a Nazi doesn't do a whole lot for the Pope's public image.
Windmill @ Jan 24th 2007 8:40PM
I find it rather funny, interesting and hypocritical that he does not condemn occultish games. If you ask me, for the christian, they're even worse.
I mean, here he goes and condemns GTA yet doesn't even touch on Zelda, Wind Waker in which you pray to the Gods T_T
JPNR @ Jan 24th 2007 8:42PM
But it seems that some people cant understand. if tony is trying to say what i think. Which is that some catholic priests, and popes did something. then all the religion did that and they shall all pay.
If thats kind of what your trying to say, then let me say something. Lets say your Great great great great granpa killed 100 people and raped more than 50 kids and killed them not including the other 100 murders. Then if what you are saying is true You and all his descendents including everyone in your family should be in jail and pay for your great great great granpa errors. And that includes your childrens and their childrens etc....
cARLTON @ Jan 24th 2007 8:42PM
"he's one of the most evil looking religous figures ever."
sO true, The man looks like a vampire!
Don't play video games get AIDS
F the pope and the donkey he rode in on.
Taltos @ Jan 24th 2007 8:43PM
Wow. The first site to accurately portray the Pope's message happens to be Joystiq.
The result?
Probably about the same levels of religion-bashing and misreading.
I'm still impressed though...
Shadow Hog @ Jan 24th 2007 8:58PM
"That NAZI surelly is a Pedo"
Godwin's Law kicked in a little faster than usual, I see.
JPNR @ Jan 24th 2007 8:54PM
Yeah lol... i actually though the same thing taltus.
C00kie @ Jan 24th 2007 8:55PM
Now who wants a cookie?
Phil @ Jan 24th 2007 8:55PM
Wii sports anyone? ^_^ Fuck Me....... Oh noes teh pope is Donkeying fucking games.
Pfffht Fuck that. and fuck regilion
And fuck the horse you rode in on
Manuel Labour @ Jan 24th 2007 9:06PM
He can take his catholic christian bull shit and shove it up his ass.
maverick_saturn_626 @ Jan 24th 2007 9:06PM
As I am a christian I refuse to say insulting things towards the pope, however, I am really annoyed with the amount of people telling us what we should and shouldn't play, GO AWAY, LEAVE US BE, WHAT THE HECK DO YOU WANT US TO PLAY? POKEMON? Oh no, that also has waaaay too much violence, guess we'll have to stick with tetris and pong.
Human-Cannonball @ Jan 24th 2007 9:09PM
*Listens to Bar-B-Q Pope by the Butthole Surfers
Dustin @ Jan 24th 2007 9:10PM
i once baked a women in an oven. I totally blame the brothers grimm.
Ninegauger @ Jan 24th 2007 9:13PM
I think occultish games can easily be relegated to fantasy and probably harmless... I should hope that an occultish game wouldn't inspire someone to occultish interests... but it could happen, something to be wary of I guess.
The Pope's probably right about violence and sex in game from a biblical perspective... I mean Jesus said that you're guilty of adultery merely by lusting in your heart and I assume the same goes for other sins... murder and such.
Is it different than lusting for or murdering real people lusting for and murdering fake people. Maybe , maybe not.
The Catholic Church's views on sex are painfully archaic and unbiblical to boot, but this isn't the place.
I also have to say... he's no Pope John Paul in terms of looking benevolent.
GhaleonQ @ Jan 24th 2007 9:14PM
To restate the obvious:
Anyone without proper theological and historical training needs to avoid commenting. This planet hardly needs further examples of twits using what little they've picked up from their surroundings to banter for or against religion.
Ryan @ Jan 24th 2007 9:24PM
Damnit!
We have this baffoon as the world's Pope, and another baffoon as the U.S. President.
It's not fair, I say!
Phil said it best: Fuck religion.
Dux @ Jan 24th 2007 10:03PM
"We have this baffoon as the world's Pope"
Why is he a "baffoon"?
jaysins @ Jan 24th 2007 9:31PM
When does someone start blaming the parents. That's all I want. Take responsibility for your actions. If you care about your kids enough to piss and moan on their behalf than why can't parents take a little time to educate themselves about their children's media consumption. It says right on the box, rater M for mature. Violence and Sexual situations. I cannot see how much more blunt the ESRB can be. It's a mad world I tell you, mad.
Windmill @ Jan 24th 2007 9:35PM
@ 20
Although occultish games may not inspire kids to go out there and take up occultish arts, that is not the point. The point is that as the bible says, we are to focus on good, pure things.
Philippians 4:8-9
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Now, when we are playing games in which we are getting our character to pray to the Gods- is this good, pure etc? If you are condemning video games violence and sexual stuff from a christian perspective, it makes sense to also condemn the occultism stuff in them too.
Now, as Jesus did say, if we lust its like comitting adultery. Well, why is that so? Well, because lusting means that you're enjoying and willingly entertaining the idea of you doing something that is wrong/evil. Now, then, if you are enjoying/willing entertaining the idea of your character doing something evil on the screen- how does this make it any different?
Sure, you might now actually go out and start to call on Satan to gain supernatural powers (ie, magic) like the characters do in the games- yet, would you go out there and commit the sexual acts that you lust about? No. What makes them any different...?
I may be a Christian, but I find it hard to praise any Pope's. They support unbiblical doctrine, the very idea of the pope is unbiblical in itself- and they're leading millions away from the bible truths.
GhaleonQ @ Jan 24th 2007 9:37PM
"We have this baffoon as the world's Pope"
I'm a Missouri Synod Lutheran, but even I must laugh at this. The man's a theological prodigy and could easily make you look like a fool. He's hardly a buffoon.
Windmill @ Jan 24th 2007 9:42PM
@ 25
Oh yeah?
HA! If he's supposed to be the top of excellence in theology the world is screwed.
Just look at his stance on hell (the bible never, EVER states or even imples that people will be tortured for a never ending time period) and the sabbath. He says that the church is ABOVE God and can decide to change the sabbath day if they like from the biblical Saturday sabbath to Sunday and change the time period of it (from sunset to sunset to midnight to midnight). WTF? (What the fudge) Thats not good theology. You don't have to know much to make him look like a fool, thats for sure.
NintendoFanbot @ Jan 24th 2007 9:48PM
Why do some of you commentors take it so personally?
He's talking to DEVELOPERS and to the industry, NOT you. He's addressing the idea of making sure the content the videogame industry develops is marketed to the proper audience, rather than focusing so much on a demographic much more impressionable than yourselves; KIDS.
He doesn't intend FUCKING CENSORSHIP but reminding the companies to be responsible and aware of who they market to.
See: Rockstar lying about Hot Coffee
Dux @ Jan 24th 2007 9:52PM
There is hardly no respect from some of you for a man that is the leader of the oldest and largest institution the world has ever seen. THAT is a position of much honor. And even if you disagree with him all I ask is for you to atleast show some respect. He has not done anything to you.
tonybonjovi @ Jan 24th 2007 9:59PM
Not done anything to us?
Read a fucking book or look at a news paper.
Religon..and namely the catholis church..has been, and always will be, the number once cause of violence the world over.
As long as there is religon..there will always be war.
The catholic church has a lot of nerve commenting on video game violence when they have caused more damage to more lives then video games, rock music, or comic books ever could.
Ignoring the nazi's and the holocust anyone?
Chris @ Jan 24th 2007 9:58PM
If the Pope can criticize/condemn games based on what they present to children…
We sure as hall can criticize/condemn them for MOLESTING children.
Thanks.
TrippleD @ Jan 24th 2007 10:01PM
Wow, a man that heads the greatest child brainwashing orginzation the world has ever seen and he cares about kids? Fuck the Pope.
Dux @ Jan 24th 2007 10:06PM
"tonybonjovi"
Your very ignorant.
Taltos @ Jan 24th 2007 10:03PM
Windmill, chill. No one's fighting you. GhaleonQ's comments have been mostly directed at other posts, not at you. There hasn't been much theological debate involving the Catholic Church here, and I'm not finding too much sense in how you are being offended by simple statements.
In short, Catholic Church? Has problems.
Joystiq? Not a theological debate. =P
Jon @ Jan 24th 2007 10:04PM
Wow, I suppose most of you didn't even bother to read the article, but just glanced at the title. If you did read the article and still didn't get the jist of it, then I have a feeling you were probably one of those kids in English class who studdered or had the other kids laugh at them when the teacher choose you to read, if that's the case, then the Pope is talking directly to you. Go read a book.
Ray P @ Jan 24th 2007 10:28PM
Wow, I love how all the guys screaming their brains out and calling the Pope a Nazi, brainer washer, child molestor, etc are only proving his point. Nice.
Ryan @ Jan 24th 2007 10:10PM
28. There is hardly no respect from some of you for a man that is the leader of the oldest and largest institution the world has ever seen. THAT is a position of much honor. And even if you disagree with him all I ask is for you to atleast show some respect. He has not done anything to you.
Oh really?
http://www.hyscience.com/archives/2006/09/pope_slams_viol.php
Do you NOT remember the backlash and outrage against his negative comments about Islam and saying that Jihad is violent? And you're telling me this man deserves respect when he himself does not show it to members of other religions, yet he expects everyone else to treat his beloved Christianity as gold? Please. Don't even.
Another thing: go learn the history of your religion. Christianity is definitely NOT the oldest institution in the world. That title goes to the nature loving people of the early civilizations, whom later became known as Pagans. Christianity is only 2000 years old, Mr. Know-It-All. It's relatively new compared to Judaism, Hinduism, and Zoroastrianism, just to name a few.
Blazur @ Jan 24th 2007 10:11PM
Fuck him. Seriously, doesn't he have better thing to do?!?
Nathan M @ Jan 24th 2007 10:12PM
"As long as there is something to fight over..there will always be war." Fixed.
Allen @ Jan 24th 2007 10:12PM
"including animated movies...violence and portray anti-social behaviour or the trivilization of human sexuality"
Is the Pope watching Hentai in his spare time?
StevO @ Jan 24th 2007 10:11PM
surprised no one's brought up that he looks like Darth Sidious/Palpatine in that pic. with his arms raised and that grim smile, looking miiighty evil.
Evan @ Jan 24th 2007 10:14PM
James:
The context makes the difference.
Brothers Grimm fairy tales depict the dire consequences of violence. They teach lessons like: don't trust strangers because they might be bad people who will do bad things to you.
Most video games depict violence as a casual affair, and teach us that violence is a means to achieve success.
Andrew Hsieh @ Jan 24th 2007 10:15PM
I'd just like to clarify that although the Pope was certainly *technically* a Nazi in that particular time period, so were a whole lot of other people. They were forced to. The Hitler Youth? Luftwaffenhelfer? Yeah.
That being said, I'm not going to delve any more into this topic than I already have.
Zegim @ Jan 24th 2007 10:16PM
Videogamers + Religion = Flamewar.
If people around here verbally abuses someone that doesn't prefer the same console as him, adding religion, a very "problematic" issue, just guarantees flaming.
Oh, well.
GhaleonQ @ Jan 24th 2007 10:16PM
This isn't Vacation Bible School, so I'll avoid a lecture. However, the fact that you're raising points addressed in 8th grade religion training means that you should probably pick up a few theology texts or, in this instance, papal encyclicals before espousing nonsense and being the premier example of gamer-as-twit (2nd, of course, being the Xbox Live community).
"the bible never, EVER states or even imples that people will be tortured for a never ending time period"
While, admittedly, the specifics are open to debate depending on one's interpretation of Greek and Aramaic phrasing, the idea that no implication exists of anguished souls is silly. Lazarus, anyone (from Jesus, by the way)? The apocalyptic ending of Revelations? Daniel's prophecies in the 12th chapter? The expelled wedding guests? Granted, punishment by actors is not confirmed, but displeasure surely is.
"and the sabbath. He says that the church is ABOVE God and can decide to change the sabbath day if they like from the biblical Saturday sabbath to Sunday and change the time period of it (from sunset to sunset to midnight to midnight). WTF? (What the fudge)"
A beginner's guide to Christianity would start with the Old and New Covenants. The Sabbath (and the other 631 commandments) were in the Old Covenant, so we have no obligation to follow those (the Israelites') directions. Thus, the Sabbath is simply an arbitrary observance. So, yes, we could switch it to whenever we want, change what "rest" means, or eliminate it completely.
"You don't have to know much to make him look like a fool, thats for sure."
I'm a graduate student who STILL flounders in the most complex texts. He writes texts. I think that you're in over your head. Now, get off the Internet, pick up a book, and stop perpetuating ignorance.
GhaleonQ @ Jan 24th 2007 10:19PM
"Do you NOT remember the backlash and outrage against his negative comments about Islam and saying that Jihad is violent?"
I take it that you didn't even read the official speech (done in a university's setting, by the way), since you clearly failed in interpreting it. You may try again, if you wish, but I'd discourage it, as I'd rather not add theological debate if it can be helped.
Joseph @ Jan 24th 2007 10:21PM
GOD, he looks like emperor palpatine....SO HE IS THE ANTI CHRIST!!
Exeter @ Jan 24th 2007 10:36PM
I share #44's frustration, being a student of theology and literature, but it's hard to get angry about being maligned by those who aren't born knowing the complexities of my religion. Similarly, it's difficult, in this setting, to do much to educate others about it without being a knee-jerk comment board preacher, so I try not to let it bother me.
Anyway, back to the topic of this post, it always cracks me up when a religious figure sends children back to fairy tales to save them from the violence found in modern literature. Remember that one about the little girl in a red hood whose grandmother was swallowed whole by an enormous, cross-dressing wolf? And then later a bored hunter cuts him open with an ax and pulls out the half-digested grandmother?
Yeah. For the families.
TianXia @ Jan 24th 2007 10:40PM
While we're on the topic of religion, let's not forget that the work of Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels (which, in my opinion, trumps the Bible in that they are based on scientific observation and research as opposed to what basically amounts to tradition and folklore) states that religion in its present form can be summed up as being "the opiate of the masses". Certainly, the head of one of the largest and most structured religions in the world deserves the title of "oppressor of the people."
Not actually being in control of the means of production, does that make the Pope one of the petty bourgeoisie?
Steven @ Jan 24th 2007 10:40PM
These comments were blowing my mind, then I realized the probable age of the writers. The Pope has a point. I'm not against violence in video games; however, I truly think that an industry shouldn't target people who are technically too young to even purchase the game in the first place. It's kind of like camel and many of the other cigarette companies. You try to get the money the easiest way possible while planning for the future all in one swing.