People have been modding their consoles for a while now. There are some pretty cool ones. There are also some not so cool ones. This one falls somewhere in the middle.
This “Christ 360 with 3 Rings of Life” brings up the subject of Christian gamers. I have my beliefs. I will not discuss the specifics as this isn’t the time and place. I will simply say I lead my life in the best way I can. I am not perfect, nor do I pretend to be.
Some people do present themselves as perfect though. Some Christian gaming groups sell themselves as having the highest morals and see themselves as better than everybody else. They seem to feel that their “fighting in the name of the Lord” puts them higher than everybody else.
Made up of mainly Christians, we are respectful and mature gamers that always strive to make everyone’s gaming experience as fun as possible. From us you can expect fair play, strict adherence to our no cheating policy, and clean mouths. Everyone slips once in a while, but we always make our best attempt to keep our game sessions clean, with as little trash talking as possible.
We are a community/clan based and founded on not only morals and respect but also Christianity; which, through these beliefs, sets us apart in the world of online gaming.
These quotes are from a Christian Halo 2 Clan. I am fascinated with this group for the reason that they say these things through text, however don’t reflect those rules in their actions. I spent an evening playing with this group, thinking they would be a good fit for my playing style as I am against trash talking and cheating in any way, shape or form. Imagine my surprise when this group, whose “morals and respect but also Christianity sets them apart in the world of online gaming” spent the evening superbouncing, button glitching, and spawnkilling. Not exactly the highest of gaming standards by any definition.
The kicker though? In a corner of their forum tucked away among Devotionals, Prayer Requests, Bible Study, and Scriptures is a nice little thread where they discuss their favorite episodes of rape. For any nongamers reading this, the term “rape” is sometimes used by not respectful members of the community in the context of winning. “You just got raped” is unfortunately heard more times than I care to recount and is highly offensive as it is completely out of context and not appropriate. Did you beat me? Yes. Did you rape me? No. This Christian clan uses this term freely. In a single thread, I counted that word being used 5+ times. They claim to “fight in the name of the Lord”. Does Jesus care if we play video games? I think he probably doesn’t mind one bit. Does Jesus want you using the term “rape” when you are playing? I think not.
If you are going to sell yourself by the highest standards, I suggest you live up to them. Otherwise, don’t act perfect because I have news for you. Nobody is perfect. Not even you when you are hiding behind your Christianity, telling me you raped me.
Posted by tortacular on May 20, 2007 at 11:58 am
Gosh I wonder who you’re talking about…
I couldn’t agree more. They fall far short of their supposed standards in terms of conduct. I’m not really surprised. There are always people out there who will put themselves forward as examples for one idea, belief or interest and then later it’s revealed that their claims were simply window dressing. From my point of view that’s all it is with this group. They might as well claim they’re the only group to wear all purple, because it’s purely cosmetic.
Posted by Stuicide on May 20, 2007 at 5:52 pm
It’s a shame when something as horrible a word as “rape” becomes commonplace, and people are desensitized to the real meaning and all of the horrible associations behind the word.
I’ve observed on a number of occasions, that a person or group that is a strong advocate of religion or proving that they are right, are usually the first ones that are wrong. Blinded by faith? Sometimes.
Posted by Burritoh on May 21, 2007 at 2:41 am
As one of the Protestant persuasion, I find the behavior you talk about to be shameful. It’s an obvious case of old-fashioned hypocrisy, and one that makes it a lot harder for those of us who take our beliefs seriously to save face and maintain respectability. I have known plenty of people who act as though they are superior. It’s not just Christians, but Christians happen to publicize certain virtues so loudly that when they fail it makes a much louder noise.
So now I’m not sure if I ought to defend the rest of us “Christians,” or rather comment on the general lack of moral principles I see all around me, and all over XBL, and if that’s an indicator of anything in particular.
…
Now where was I going with that? Hold on, I need to go upgrade my Deuterium Factory…
Posted by bsangel on May 21, 2007 at 9:22 am
There is no need to defend Christians in general because my thoughts were not addressed to the group as a whole. It simply pertains to one particular group that presents themselves as being better than everybody else but in reality is no different than the rest of the timmies infesting Live.
Oh, and one more thing.
NO OGAME TALK ON MY BLOG! Lol …
Posted by Jim on May 21, 2007 at 10:27 am
People like this always trouble me – when they advertise one way of behavior and then so quickly show their double-standards and hypocrisy. Sad thing is they don’t even realize they’re doing it. I’ll party up with any Gunslinger long before I will most of these other folks who claim to hold higher standards. The Gunslingers are tried and true, say thankya. These others? Not so much.
Posted by L askan on May 21, 2007 at 1:07 pm
Anyone who’s ever met a rape victim knows that the use of this word is shameful. Good on ya for calling that one.
Posted by Quantifier on May 25, 2007 at 2:44 pm
as a Christian, it angers and saddens me when other “Christians” are so blatantly hypocritical. As you noted angel, none of us are perfect, and all fall short. I strive to be the best I can be but admittedly have my sins/hypocrisies as well. However, its very hard not to judge such blatant hypocrisy though. I can only hope they will see theirs in this case, cry pardon, and remember the face of their father.
Posted by Excardon on May 26, 2007 at 6:26 am
I personally haven’t had a chance to actually play with them for quite sometime, however I do check the forums every so often and I now am curious in where to find some of this “rape talk”. I guess I’ll do some exploring this weekend.
Have you brought this up to the leaders of this community? If this is how you and others feel they display themselves I would suggest sending a polite complaint to them explaining their actions and how it effects them.
If they know that the reputation of their community is on the rocks, then they should be open to ideas on how to improve or gain back the respect they had.
One other community comes to mind that you girls had a similiar experience with back in January. (I forgot if you played in that match or not so you may not know who I am talking about)
I recently saw that they adopted a no trash-taking policy for their clan as well as for the games the other teams play that particpate on their website. Whether or not this is just on electronic paper to look good or whether it is enforced I can not say. However, it is a step in the right direction.
Posted by bsangel on May 26, 2007 at 10:09 am
One of my overlords actually called them on their flagrant use of the word “rape” so openly on their public forums. That word was even displayed in the title of the thread. After his comment, they went and edited all of them to either “pwn” or “own”, I can’t remember which one. I hesitate giving them props on that as I don’t know if they continue to use the term in their private areas or on Live.
As far as a clan that used to trash talk adopting a no trash talking rule, that is commendable. Anything that makes Live a more positive place is definitely a step in the right direction, I agree.
Posted by Wook on May 30, 2007 at 8:15 am
I remember thinking “Isn’t this supposed to be a ‘Christian’ group” when they were dropping f-bombs, whining like children and verbally abusing anyone they could, including the raping comments. AND they felt the need to warn us about watching our language before the games.
Good call on an all-too-common attitude in gaming and, unfortunately, religion.
Posted by Suicide Samurai on June 8, 2007 at 1:44 am
Several close females in my life have been victims of rape, and the use of that word is probably the only thing that will make me break out of the “Good Game,” spirit.
Thankfully, our party leaders seldom stick around after a game, except to pass on good vibes.
As for religious hipocrisy… it’s a damn shame. I think I might even know what group ‘yer talking about.
Posted by Waffle Deluxe on February 21, 2009 at 2:01 pm
rape is a bad word, but it is not as bad as…
Posted by Deadlock on February 21, 2009 at 10:24 pm
Omg, this is where you keep teh nooby articles, on page 202!! *wink*
I’m gonna have a good time sifting through these!