noname2200 said:
So are you a self-controlled superhero, or are you unable to read? The people want to know! |
I don't get it. 
I'm able to read, but I am not very super. I read the title and bits of it, but didn't want to read everything in case I'd spoil something. :-/
| JayWood2010 said:
If you haven't already played BioShock: Infinite and have managed to avoid spoilers, you're either some kind of self-controlled super hero, or you don't know how to read. Either way, it's probably safe to assume that you're aware of the game's religious underpinnings. In the world of BioShock, religion and politics have been unmistakably intertwined, and the game's Christian symbolism often becomes downright disturbing. Baptism, in particular, is utilized throughout the campaign to underline the weight of Booker's decisions. Just after Dewitt is transported to the floating city of Columbia, there's a creepy sequence where players are forced to accept a preacher's offer of baptism in order to enter the city. This scene is probably less than 20 minutes into the campaign, and has compelled several devout Christians to ask for a refund. In a recent interview with Kotaku, Breen Malmberg, a gamer and a Christian, explained his convictions:
Far be it from me to quibble with Malmberg's conscience, but it seems a little strange to draw the line at baptism. Video games are chock-full of actions that are specifically forbid in most religious texts and, for some reason, are easily ignored. Murder is probably the most salient example, but premarital sex, taking the lord's name in vain, and wizardry are also on the docket. Let's not forget one thing: video games are fictional. Just because we're asked to make a decision that might compete with our ethical standards doesn't mean that we’re responsible for that action. If this were true, we would responsible for every sinful action in every piece of fiction we've ever read simply because we didn't put book down. Luckily, Malmberg purchased his copy of BioShock on Steam and the good people at Valve were willing to offer a refund. However, I kind of doubt that Wal-Mart or Best Buy would have a similarly forgiving policy. Most retailers aren't concerned about your ethical convictions, which probably makes them evil.
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Guy is a serious candidate for retroactive birth control.
| ToraTiger said: Before we all jump onto the "killing is in all Video games, even mario" Biz, lets first remember that baptism is a very important part of Christianity and is something that really shouldn't be mentioned in a game like this. If I were playing a game, and I had to shoot someone while they were praying, Muslim or not, I'd lose all respect for the game and likely never play it again. It's not about how it violates the religion's beliefs, it's more of how it violates what you think shouldn't be defiled within the context of Religion. |
If anyone thinks that Columbia doesn't represent anything but an errant view of Christiantiy, I don't think they know what Christianity is.
And this is the quote of the person who objected to the game:
"As baptism of the Holy spirit is at the center of Christianity - of which I am a devout believer - I am basically being forced to make a choice between committing extreme blasphemy by my actions in choosing to accept this 'choice' or forced to quit playing the game before it even really starts.
Of course I cannot hold true to my beliefs and also commit this act, so I am therefor[e] forced to not play the game."
The game shows a water baptism, apparently don't annually in the game (at least part) and it is an immense perversion of Christianity by Columbia. But, anyhow, if someone is offended, so be it.
outlawauron said:
I don't get it. I'm able to read, but I am not very super. I read the title and bits of it, but didn't want to read everything in case I'd spoil something. :-/ |
the article claims that if you managed to avoid spoilers until now, then you are either a self-controlled superhero or unable to read
“It appeared that there had even been demonstrations to thank Big Brother for raising the chocolate ration to twenty grams a week. And only yesterday, he reflected, it had been announced that the ration was to be reduced to twenty grams a week. Was it possible that they could swallow that, after only twenty-four hours? Yes, they swallowed it.”
- George Orwell, ‘1984’
| ToraTiger said: Before we all jump onto the "killing is in all Video games, even mario" Biz, lets first remember that baptism is a very important part of Christianity and is something that really shouldn't be mentioned in a game like this. If I were playing a game, and I had to shoot someone while they were praying, Muslim or not, I'd lose all respect for the game and likely never play it again. It's not about how it violates the religion's beliefs, it's more of how it violates what you think shouldn't be defiled within the context of Religion. |
And that is a bad thing...exactly how?
| ToraTiger said: Before we all jump onto the "killing is in all Video games, even mario" Biz, lets first remember that baptism is a very important part of Christianity and is something that really shouldn't be mentioned in a game like this. If I were playing a game, and I had to shoot someone while they were praying, Muslim or not, I'd lose all respect for the game and likely never play it again. It's not about how it violates the religion's beliefs, it's more of how it violates what you think shouldn't be defiled within the context of Religion. |
There's plenty of movies addressing religion, why shouldn't it be addressed in games? Also, the baptism at the beginning of Infinite is far from blasfamous, it serves as a way to set the tone for what the city of Columbia is. It doesn't mock the sacrement or religion, it only gives you an idea of the sort of people that inhabit the strange city you've just stepped in.
Signature goes here!
Porcupine_I said:
the article claims that if you managed to avoid spoilers until now, then you are either a self-controlled superhero or unable to read |
Oh. 
Well then. I'm a superhero then.
So he bought a game where you kill people, but returns it because of the baptism. Am I the only one that sees the hypocrisy?
I am the Playstation Avenger.
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| adriane23 said: So he bought a game where you kill people, but returns it because of the baptism. Am I the only one that sees the hypocrisy? |
It is only hypocrisy if one's Christianity also forbids killing. You have religious people for whom their own symbolism being violated is a greater offense than them killing people. That is not hypocrisy, just problematic morals on some other grounds, such as your own moral sensibilities.
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