Stephen Altrogge nailed it.
It’s true.
He totally leveled-up and hit a home run in a recent post titled, “Dear Pastors, Please Quit Picking On Video Games.”
I’ve seen the concept floating around the web via YouTube sermon clips and blog posts. Pastors and ministers bashing video games.
Sure.
It feels good.
Especially to those that don’t play video games.
Here’s the bottom-line from Altrogge:
“See, here’s the thing: video games aren’t really the problem. I know you know this, but I feel like I should mention it again. Playing a marathon session of Call of Duty is a symptom of the deeper problem, which is laziness and an abdication of responsibility. The problem is a heart problem, not a screen problem. This isn’t a new problem. Men of every generation have given more attention to their hobbies than the things that truly matter. If it’s not video games it’s hunting, or cars, or sports, or fantasy football, or the newspaper, or the bar. If you’re going to call out the video gamers, I would also suggest that you call out the older guys who devote their time to watching sports or tinkering in their garage, rather than engaging with their families.”
Ska-DOOSH!
We’re not talking about video game content–like the rating system or half-dressed women. We’re talking about time, no matter what the activity is. You can argue all you want about hunting and fishing having a greater payoff, since you bring home some food, but unless things have really changed in the United States since I lived there, I’m pretty sure it’s faster to run to Walmart.
No matter your viewpoint on men and video games, I highly recommend and encourage you to read Stephen’s post.
It’s relevant and well written.
Do you agree with Altrogge?
(Be sure to show him some comment love, too!)
[via The Blazing Center | Image via DeclanTM]
StuartB says
Agree completely with his article, but the comments section makes me want to go punch a wall.
Ouch, violence, need to repent.
Eric Dye says
😉
ThatGuyKC says
I’ve tagged the article for later, but I heartily agree with the excerpt you share.
I think men/boys like video games because we’re not allowed to play with clubs, swords and guns like they used to. I don’t know if you’ve ever read Wild At Heart, but it talks about how men need battle, adventure and a cause.
Eric Dye says
Good cite. Very true.
Greg says
How dare you call out the cherry picking from the pulpit! 🙂 It’s a whole lot easier to pick on the symptom of the problem instead of addressing the problem. It’s use of time and focus guys (and ladies) – not necessarily WHAT you do.
Eric Dye says
Agreed.
Jonathan Ober says
As an avid gamer – product of the NES, SNES, Gameboy, …anything Nintendo really, and now an Xbox fan as well, it’s easy to pick on the time we put into these games, but for me it has always been an outlet of fun, relaxing and enjoying a good story. I was however brought back to some reality when I looked at my hours logged on Battlefield 3…over 280 hours logged on my gamertag since last October or so when the game launched. I work for myself and I multiplied that by my hourly rate…if I would have spent that time working it was shocking $14,000!!!!!! I know it’s not all at once, but there are spurts on the weekends when the family is away and I’m stuck at home or whatever may not be happening, but it was a shocker. Even if I only clock 2 hours a week, it adds up over time and not just in what could have been billable hours. It racks up as time not spending talking to my wife, hanging with my kids, fixing things around the house, cleaning, etc…now my wife and I try and set a few hours on the weekend as my man cave game time, so far it’s been a few days since I have played and that’s ok. I usually now only get on if one of my teens (Im a small group leader) wants to play xbox and talk to me at the same time. If anyone else wants to join in on a squad sometime look up jayober on XBL.
Eric Dye says
You’ve come to this conclusion on your own and sounds like you’re making some really positive strides to become more awesome. Great thoughts, Jonathan, thanks for sharing!