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Is The Bible less suitable for kids than gaming? photo

While videogames are demonized as a moral cesspool of sex and violence, The Bible is considered to be "the good book," that must be read by everyone. it is especially popular among the right wing Christian extremists who just hate those filthy, corrupt videogames, but one has to wonder -- can a book that references sex and violence more than your average first person shooter really claim to hold a morally higher ground?

Industry vet Bruce Everiss believes not, and has expressed concern that parents would "expose" their children to this "wholesome" publication. He said that the truth about videogames is that most are bland and banal, and would benefit from being more adult. So far, so awesome. In fact, Everiss' thoughts on the matter are nothing but sound. The long serving marketing exec used the Bible Gateway to search for questionable themes in the book and came to some shocking conclusions:

The King James version has “harlot” in it 48 times, “sodomite” 5 times, “fornicator” 5 times, “smite” 133 times, “kill” 208 times and “maim” 7 times. This is shocking, you have to wonder what any right minded parent is doing exposing their children to this stuff.

So, when can we expect a news report on how pornographic and dangerous the good book is, hm? At least videogames never tell you to live by their teachings. This is a book upon which millions place their entire belief systems and it has more shagging and death in it than Jack the Ripper's resume'. While I have no problem with people enjoying their Bibles, I think it's beyond hypocritical for any Christian to vilify games while making their kids read that stuff. I've read the Bible, and it's adult stuff through-and-through. If no child should play GTA, then no child should read The Bible.

But of course, the idea of eradicating either one is just stupid. I really wish certain "good" Christians would realize that, and would stop to consider how offended they'd be if someone tried to pass a "Bible Law" through congress.


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144 comments | showing # 51 to 100

LeonSK's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 11:44
LeonSK
Hm...is that a flame war on the horizon? Maybe...

But yeah, a good article nonetheless. I personally don't have any faith in anything aside from karma, and having never read a single line out of the bible, I was kinda shocked. But hey, as BigPopa said, all history is full of violence, sodomy, etc.

The hypocrisy will always be there, it always has been, but it's something to shoot back with when religious nutters go off on games.

Thanks again! Good article!
BigPopaGamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 11:45
BigPopaGamer
Thanks Blehman. Don't worry, I got another bag in my pocket. Want this extra beer I brought?

*passes beer to Blehman*

Mxy said there is going to be some Veggie Tales: The Real Bible Stories played tonight. Can't wait to watch Bob the Tomato get it on with Larry the Cucumber. Hot veggie on veggie action!
slapme7times's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 11:49
slapme7times
@FuriousUppercut

wow... talk about hitting the nail on the head.

Furious... could you consider the possibility that as a Christian you must accept the bible as god's word, and that in order to escape the fires of hell you must obey the bible?

I mean... you do realize that the bible commands people to murder each other, that god commands racism and sexism in the bible?

If the bible justifies racism, and yet Christians believe racism is wrong... isn't that... disobedience to the bible?
Justin Villasenor's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 11:50
Justin Villasenor
Whew, good thing Niero put that contest up. Maybe the chance to win a shiny PS3 will distract the angry people that seem to have missed the point of this.
CaffeinePowered's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 11:50
CaffeinePowered
oooo..pop corn sounds good right about not
CaffeinePowered's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 11:50
CaffeinePowered
*now :(
BigPopaGamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 11:53
BigPopaGamer
*passes popcorn to Caffeine*
blehman's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 11:55
blehman
Watch out Caffiene! He's trying the popcorn trick on you!
Necros's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 11:57
Necros
I personally prefer cheese popcorn.

*munches down*

Yay over-protective Christians!
Dov's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 11:57
Dov
"it is especially popular among the right wing Christian extremists who just hate those filthy, corrupt videogames"

I must've missed that point in time when Hillary Clinton, Joe Lieberman, and other left-wing thought police politicians and pundits made a sudden and unexpected jump to the right. Oh, that's right: Sterling just likes to use any opportunity to veer way off topic and take shots at those evil people who dare to disagree with his ideology. Seriously, dude, this is beyond transparent: you're still pissed off at Fox News over the Mass Effect story, so anything that comes down the pipe that can even be remotely used to knock the right is going right up on the page. Get over it.
Excremento's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:09
Excremento
Hey, I'm mad at the bible for making no foreskins the normal! Genital mutilation FTL!
FuriousUppercut's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:09
FuriousUppercut
@slapme7times

The term "Christian" means a follower of Christ...which means the teaching of love and forgiveness...

Getting into the meaning behind all the violence, sex and racism in the Old Testament is far too complicated and boring to discuss here...

That being said, some of those old testament stories could be the basis of some great "mature" rated video games!
Projectexodus's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:11
Projectexodus
Isnt it funny? Religious nut-jobs reacting the same way gamers do when there's some anti-gaming stuff going on.
All Jim said (correction, QUOTED!) is that the bible isnt any better than videogames. This was probably meant as an attack against Jack Thompson, who is Christian.
Trevor McGee's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:13
Trevor McGee
I'm not a fan of religion, so I choose to have my own personal "religion" of sorts. I believe in a God, but "my" God isn't as big of a dick as most bibles make him/her out to be.

Anyway, personal opinion aside I like the teachings of Chris Rock's character, Rufus, in Dogma.

"I think it's better to have ideas. You can change an idea. Changing a belief is trickier. Life should be malleable and progressive; working from idea to idea permits that. Beliefs anchor you to certain points and limit growth; new ideas can't generate. Life becomes stagnant."

That's a good way of looking at it and great rule to live by.
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:16
Sharpless
Just try to remember that, to most Christians, the Bible is a historical book. It's not fiction. Sex and violence taken as history (and also, history that is believed to've been included in that book by God's choosing) is a much, much different thing from sex and violence included just for shits and giggles.

That said, I certainly wouldn't read particular portions of the Bible to my kids. I think I'd wait a few years before I get to the part about Amnon raping his sister.
Zen Albatross's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:18
Zen Albatross
Fuck yes, I've been telling people this for *years*. Thanks for posting this, Jim
Phyraks's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:21
Phyraks
Not that I have anything against violent video games, but you're quite incorrect about the bible. I lol'd when you posted that quote: The King James version has “harlot” in it 48 times, “sodomite” 5 times, “fornicator” 5 times, “smite” 133 times, “kill” 208 times and “maim” 7 times. This is shocking, you have to wonder what any right minded parent is doing exposing their children to this stuff. The whole reason those topics are in the bible is to condemn them. Any time a harlot comes up in the bible she is pronounced a sinner, fornicator=sinner, murderer=sinner, theif=sinner. Half of these people that posted saying they've read the bible have obviously not because none of those topics you mentioned are ever praised in the bible. In all those stories God condemns the sinners. Which brings me to that point about God killing and being praised for it; He's killing the sinners for doing wrong and not changing their ways when the prophets continually commanded them to. Now I love me some violent videogames as much as the next guy, but you guys are twisting things for your own good just as much as those morons at Fox, and you need to think about what you're posting before you paste up some half-assed defacing of a good book. One last thing, don't think I'm one of those brainwashed religious fanatics because I'm probably the last person that should be called that; I'm merely stating what I see wrong with this post.
CypherVR's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:30
CypherVR
<object width="425" height="355"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jz6SUfANkrg&rel=1"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Jz6SUfANkrg&rel=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="355"></embed></object>

Kill Frenzy!
Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:30
Justice
This is a Christian country, the Bible is for all ages and IMO it's about reality. Do you want your kids to be assf*ckers Jim? Literally. Parents choose whether or not to bring their kids up with the Bible and when peopl are old enough they decide for themselves, so yes we should hold violence in videogames and violence in the Bible with two different standards because they are two vastly different things. One was written many many many years ago, whereas developers have control over what they put into their games.

Anyway all in all, it's the parent who should pay more attention to what their kids are playing, the government is acting dumb enough in terms of videogames as it is.
michiyoyoshiku's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:31
michiyoyoshiku
You're all going to hell
Murder64's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:33
Murder64
I don't have time for gods and other fairy tales.
blehman's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:34
blehman
*chews on popcorn, loves how off-topic the comments have gotten*
MaxVest's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:35
MaxVest
WHAT ABOUT THE DICTIONARY??? WHEN WILL SOMEONE BAN THIS SICK FILTH?!?!
BlackDove's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:36
BlackDove
Indeed, the dictionary contains all the evils of our society.

It must burn in the fires of hell from which it came from.
Drunken Haze's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:43
Drunken Haze
"The whole reason those topics are in the bible is to condemn them"

Go read Deuteronomy. Or as I call it, the little book of genocide.
BigPopaGamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:50
BigPopaGamer
*sips on his third beer and cracks up at Max*
ceark's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:53
ceark
HA! I lol'd. that's awesome.
LeonSK's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:55
LeonSK
*Grabs a brew secretly from BigPopa's stash*
AlucardX24's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 12:56
AlucardX24
GO JIM! GO JIM! GO JIM!
F Whipple's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:02
F Whipple
Song of Songs is basically a porno. Granted it's more hilarious than erotic when you read it.
Knives's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:04
Knives
Hey guys! What have I missed?

***Sits down and passes around chips and peanuts***
DaedHead8's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:08
DaedHead8
You know, having read the Bible at a young age, I can testify to how it can certainly fuck with you. I had nightmares about hell and Satan for months after I read the book of revelation with my dad. It's because of this that my parents bought a "childrens bible" for my brother. lol.

Anyways, great write up as usual Jim. I'm really enjoying how you've been touching on controversial issues lately. It's great.
Debeo Laurus's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:10
Debeo Laurus
Weee! I love watching over-zealous opinions presented in comment columns! So much fun to watch!
Angry Munky's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:12
Angry Munky
Ah. . .I love the interwebs. . .
First off. . .the Bible is a collection of interpretations and prose. This was a time period far removed from our own, where people had a completely different system of values. Now, couple this with translation, and you can have the 'gist' of what someones interpretation was. There are those that like to quote the bible as literal fact from the atheist to religious sides. I find it discouraging in my opinion.

One thing that quite a few of you are forgetting is that there is no blame to place on either the bible, or videogames, but EXTREMELY lazy and IGNORANT parenting. I'm a parent, and I take responsibility for my kids behavior. I find it absolutely ridiculous to blame a childs behavior on anything but the parent or parents raising them. Children aren't inherently evil, they are a blank slate (to a degree) and become and absorb their environment. I find it increasingly disgusting that a large majority of parents will not accept responsibility for their offsprings behavior. "Oh. . .I'm a good parent! I love my son, and spoil him with candy, and all the M rated videogames he wants!. . .what? He's in jail for beating up another kid?! Must have been the video games, cause I'm a good parent!"
First off. . .if your kid ends up in jail/maims/kills/beats/hurts/endangers someone, you failed as a parent. You can say all you want and try to blame the media, videogames, religion. . .but the fact remains that YOU failed as a parent.

On another note. . .for those religion haters out there. I am a Catholic, and I love my religion. I'm not saying that my religion is right. . .but it IS right for me. Do I throw my platitudes and beliefs out there, and tell others they need to repent? No. I try to respect and learn about all different views, thus growing as a person, and being a part of this world, instead of being apart from it.
MechaMonkey's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:21
MechaMonkey
As a good Catholic boy, I fully support pillars of fire and other displays of heavenly might. If you think the Bible isn't cool, read the Old Testament. That was back when God was less forgiving.
necrozen's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:26
necrozen
As a longtime pagan, I can say from experience that, unless you view the bible from an outside source (as I do), it's difficult to see the negative in it. You'll talk until you're blue in the face and still not convince a Christian their bible has violence in it.

For the sake of argument, how about the violence it causes transitively, through negative ideas like not accepting homosexuals or scientific data like evolution. I think that is much more crippling to society than anything GTA can throw at it.

But, like most things with Christianity, it gets special treatment from society because it is the majority. You'll no more see this get fair coverage than say a serious "Wiccan Today" News Cast or a "So You Want To Be A Pagan" prime time special.

Good report though, nonetheless. It raised many good questions.
Syn's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:26
Syn
Damn Jim, you got some brass throwing the bible out there hahahaha, I dig it.
ArrestedDeveloper's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:36
ArrestedDeveloper
No, it's not. Next question.
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:44
Sharpless
Phyraks also makes a good point. (Even if you think this is all ludicrous, just bear with me for the sake of argument.) Unlike most mature video games, the Bible condemns the sex and violence that we're talking about, except of course when God is the one delivering the violence. And God's violence is justified with the belief that he is the one righteous judge and his punishments are always just. (PROTIP: That's why Jesus did his thing, so that God wouldn't need to kick our asses like that anymore.)

So, take it or leave it, but that's the other side's perspective. Both sides have valid points, IMO.
Jeku's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:48
Jeku
"This piece isn't intended to upset Christians, it's aimed at the religious nutjobs."

Your attitude in the podcasts when you trash Christians is the reason people get upset at your so-called "journalism". If you're aiming this at all religious "nutjobs", why is it that I can't find any of your posts on the Muslim, Jewish, or Scientologist nutjobs?

Hello, I had a Scientologist hook me up to a stress meter in Seattle last weekend. That was pretty nutty!
itemforty's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 13:54
itemforty
talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk talk hurumph hurumph hurumph hurumph hurumph hurumph
Syn's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 14:27
Syn
Sweet sweet blasphemy
fyre's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 14:37
fyre
@Einhander

You win.
Ritalin Twitch's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 14:45
Ritalin Twitch
Jesus is a way cool guy.

He has all this godly power, and his first display of it is what is probably the greatest beer run ever known to man. Thats something I can respect. He hung out with hookers and drunks, pissed off the status quo, would probably roll you a joint if you were out. Hell of a rabbi.
PrinceofCannedPeaches's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 14:47
PrinceofCannedPeaches
Old Testament, man, that's Yahweh. He's a different animal, a very round character. The whole book's about his wrath and anger.

I'm not a Christian myself, but it would be pretty sweet if the New Testament God existed. Sounds like a nice guy.
AKK's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 14:59
AKK
Christians who believe in the inerrant word of the bible make me simultaneously laugh and cry.

I laugh at their stupidity.

And cry that they will not use contraception and thus reproduce, creating more idiots.

As far as I'm concerned, the fact that Christians [in general] gloss over the parts where God is slaughtering thousands of people for no reason whatsoever (My personal favorite is when god kills a hundred thousand men or so because David had a census. Apparently he doesn't want anyone to know how many people he's created.) is hypocrisy. They say the bible teaches tolerance, when it teaches the farthest thing from it.

Christians are hypocrites on the most fundamental level, because the Old Testament and the New Testament do not coincide in their morals. The New Testament is about love [in general], the Old Testament is about death.

And anyone who takes that thing as a historical document is just retarded anyways.

Good post.
Zen Albatross's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 15:04
Zen Albatross
The notion that life's mysteries are explained by a single, old book of questionable origin which gives multiple accounts of semi-historically based events is not only dysfunctional and illogical, but extremely dangerous. The greatest mistakes in history have been when people decide to guide their actions based on a past history which is no longer relevant due to drastically different context.
The Bible is a prime example of something which was written in a drastically different era of human existence. Therefore, even if we were to assume that everything written within its pages is false, it's violence is still justified due to the massive differentiation between the context of that era and that of the modern era. However, the danger begins when you consider the interpretation of this ancient context by religious zealots incorporated into modern-day religious philosophy. THAT is dangerous.
What Jim wrote is entirely justified and what he's trying to prove is not that Christianity is wrong, but rather "isn't it funny that the same religious nutjobs who proclaim video games to promote violence, live by a book that in itself is a history of supposedly "theologically justified" violence. Anyone who interprets the bible literally is considered a walking contradiction on this issue, but only if they honestly believe that all of the divine judgement presented in the bible was justified by its context.
kielejocain's Avatar - Comment posted on 02/11/2008 15:22
kielejocain
You're all wrong. Only I have my moral compass correctly tuned, from all the vast years of life experience I've gained in my dorm room. I electronically spit on all the rest of you for being so stupid as to not think exactly like me. Exaggerated generalization of Christians. Exaggerated generalization of atheists and agnostics, which are the same thing. My comments end here, as there are no other opinions that have enough support for me to try to understand anything about them.

An interesting point, Jim, though I wouldn't have taken it as far as you did.
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