Games and God
Sun-Sentinel.com ran a feature today on Dr. Butch Rosser and whom will take part a panel on the use of video games and faith at the 10-day Otronicon festival in Orlando, starting Jan. 20. Nicknamed the “Xbox Doc,” Rosser works as surgeon in Beth Israel Medical in New York City, but hosted several seminars for the festival. Here are some highlights from him in his interview with the Sun-Sentinel:
“Used so often by so many kids, video games are a logical way to teach young people about faith and morals, Rosser said. ‘We want something that’s fun,’ he said, ‘that goes to the masses.’
Still, he said, there is a line to be drawn.
Rosser mentioned ‘Catechumen,’ in which players use ’spiritual weapons’ such as a lightning sword, a drill sword and an explosive staff to defeat the forces of evil. The game has gotten positive reviews, but Rosser questioned its premise.
‘Now it’s OK for angels to be armed,’ Rosser said. ‘That is labeled under a Christian game, and it is not. . . . This is not where I think we should be going.’ Instead, cited Digital Praise, a company with products focusing on tamer fare such as the Max Lucado Hermie & Friends bugs.
Panelist Waymon Armstrong said his company, Engineering & Computer Simulations, has focused on high-tech weapons, but he hopes to delve into games touting faith and education. Just as The Simpsons has religious themes, he said, ‘we have to convey this as subtly.’
