So a while ago the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 came out. I get a bit uneasy when it comes to videogames that promote violence. Let me be clear. I’m not perfect saint in this area. Back in the day I’d love nothing better than a good ol’ shoot ’em up. There was one called Virtua Cop 3 and my brother and I would often chuckle at the ‘quality’ of graphics and the tasks of ensuring you shoot the bad guys but not the innocent dudes. So I’m not talking as one who would never consider such an unholy occupation.
What continues to bug me is what we’re saying by this game and it’s popularity. What concerns me is the image of that impressionable child seeing a teen playing the game and you know full well for all the disclaimer about who should play the game that as long as it’s deemed as a computer game and not real that those far younger than the rated age will get their hands on it. So just like the Cowboys and Indians for a generation, then the Cops and Robbers for another generation, so we have the modern equivalen of exposing young people to the normalcy of violence and violence for things done on a whim. Let alone the promotion of a dangerous competitive spirit that may very well bring out the best in some, but in so doing only promotes pride of our own achievements and little to nothing in the way of anything that Jesus would recognise as being of Him.
So what am I saying, good Christians don’t play CoD? Ban games that promote violence? Eradicate armed forces? Well that would be short-sighted and impractical in the state we live in today. Neither am I saying it is for Christians to get software developers to put together a Peacemaker’s edition as some sort of novelty value alternative.
What I am saying is that the response to what is at least a bit disturbing is the challenge to live out Christ in our society. What is it to be a peacemaker? What is it to respond to aggression with quiet assurance? What does it mean to prefer to turn the other cheek than to engage in full blown self-justifying revenge? What does it mean to demonstrate a capacity to engage with those who hate, despise, mock and abuse us?
I’m fairly certain that won’t sell millions of games in the video game store. I’m fairly sure it wouldn’t earn millions and be highly rated by reviewers. I’m sure it would be considered silly and somewhat baffling in a day and age when violent coups and overthrows appear to be the norm now more than ever and the need to be well stocked and well defended is highlighted more than ever.
Be that as it may it is a quest still worth embarking and journeying further on to follow the ways of peace, just as our Saviour did even to the point of the Cross. How can that call of duty to be peacemakers influence a world set on anything but the peace that God endorsed?
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
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