Question asked by Yik
Dear Pastors,
If I played wargame computer games which involved killing the other team, does it violate the basic 5 refuge vows? It is not very realistic, just cartoonic character. They will respawn very fast after being killed. Is it not a big deal if I keep playing this with my friends? Cause it does help to bond with my friends, and we had a lot of laughter when playing.
Dear Yik,
Playing violent computer games does not violate the refuge vows which are to refrain from the 10 Non-Virtuous Actions. I think you are referring to the act of killing, in this case, the killing of cartoon characters. However, although this is not the same as killing real people, the feeling of satisfaction one gets from “killing” the virtual enemy is a negative one. The danger from indulging in such violent games is that it might reinforce negative emotions like anger, hatred, and indifference to the suffering of others. These negative feelings, if not controlled and eliminated, might end up controlling the individual and result in real life tragedies like what we witness very often these days. If your reason for playing these games is just to bond with your friends, you may want to think of other, more wholesome, ways. Also, don’t forget to read the refuge vows everyday. They are a wonderful guide for you and will help you make the correct decisions in life.