Hi Tommy,
Actually there are several Pastors who fly AH and many evangelical laymen as well. Your question forces me into the realm of theology, which I have been trying to specifically avoid, because I don't think this BBS is designed for it and experience tells me that most players are not interested in reading it (in fact it makes many people very angry). So what I'll do is answer your questions as quickly as possible and then if you wish to discuss any of this further - and I'll extend that invitation to anyone else -you can contact me via email at:
ajwebb@erols.comYou wrote:
Originally posted by X2Lee
Ok preach, give me your rationalazation for a preacher who fantasizes about war games.
Using your logic this seems a horible sin.
Have YOU ever stafed the church for a capture?
Or bombed the city knowing that theres a church there?
Or have you given thought to the innocent women and children in the "Cities?"
If not at the very least you have killed someones son flyin home to see his loved ones.
Or maybe its just a game?
Tommy
Saved by grace.
[WARNING THEOLOGY COMING, STOP READING NOW IF YOU ARE LIKELY TO BECOME HOPPING MAD]
Tommy, I don't know if you are familiar with the Christian concept of "just war theory" but Romans 13 (check out 13:4 in particular) clearly indicates that God has given the sword to the civil magistrate for the punishment of evil doers. This isn't limited to evil doers within the state, but without it as well. The Sword is obviously indicative of Capital and not corporal punishment. Paul is talking here about the death penalty and defensive war. Therefore, war, while it is always regrettable is often necessary. But we should, even in war, never forget fundamental concepts like mercy and even kindness. America displayed that in spades in the way it treated its vanquished enemies after the 2nd World War. So, playing a war games is not inherently sinful or wrong. You would hopefully wage the real thing within biblical parameters, so playing the simulation shouldn't be different. And you should know that the biblical constraints placed on Pastors are no different from any other Christian. True we are supposed to be exemplars in one sense, but so are all Christians (Matt. 5:16)
And yes, while I've "blowed up the town real good" on occasion, like many other players, I'm not happy with the strat and capture system at all. I haven't discussed it in public because I think it would produce just the kind of messages we've seen here "I LOOOOVE to Strafe the church and kill the 'cultists'" (oh yeah, that's not an expression of the thoughts of the heart) but I do plan on contacting HT directly to ask if that can be changed. I think if the church were a synagogue, a mosque, or even a Hospital people might be a tad more outraged about it. And yes, whenever possible I try to avoid having to be the one to take down the church. But unfortunately, until the capture system changed, destroying the town is necessary to win the war in this game. Shooting chutes on the other hand, is not even remotely necessary, and can't be considered a just war sim.
Oh, and before you are so quick to say our actions in a game have no link to our hearts consider my annecdote about Microsoft Flight sim in Egypt.
Ok, thats more than enough online, any further replies, please post them to me via email. I *really* don't want to offend the user community and the BBS administrator by saying anymore online.
Andy
Also saved by Grace Alone
