Trend Watch

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Glorifying God, not Violence: Christian Video Games Score with Parents

In today's busy world, it's difficult for parents to screen everything that their children process, from television to music to movies to video games. Unfortunately, many of the video games in today's market are vulgar, violent and generally inappropriate for younger children. However, that doesn't stop even the youngest gamers from finding and playing them.

The seductive pull of the gaming world

Research indicates that children spend more time at the computer or in front of TV gaming consoles than they spend on any other form of entertainment. Studies estimate that kids between the ages of 8 and 18 are spending up to two hours a day playing video games.

Even if the time spent gaming is considerably less in your household, the engrossing nature of video games gets thefull attention of your young player. If the message in the video games they play is violent and vulgar, it's going to quickly erode the values you've worked so hard to instill in your kids' lives.

How to satisfy gamers without sacrificing your family values

So what are the options for parents who want their kids to stay focused on uplifting images and a God-centered life? Many parents have simply turned off video games in their household. This is not a bad choice, but many kids, drawn to the forbidden fruit, will find a way to get their fix elsewhere. A better solution is offering them a Christian alternative.

Really good games with a really good message

At first glance it seems like the video game industry has nothing to offer young Christians, but a few media outlets have heard the frustrated call of parents and gamers alike. Christian entertainment makers are finally catching on to the video game craze and turning the gore- and sex-dominated entertainment genre inside out. Games like "Deliverance: Moses in the Pharaoh's Court" combine Bible-based messages with exciting game play and unparalleled graphics to grab the attention of kids and parents alike.

These new, gripping faith-based games not only uphold the values you strive to teach your kids, but also present Bible lessons in a compelling format. In fact, graphics-intensive, Bible-based video games have been known to impress even non-Christian players.

Where to find Christ-centered games your kids will love

Worthwhile Christian video games are bursting on the scene right now, but you may not find them in the mainstream gaming outlets that sell XBox and PS3 games. If you're looking for got-to-have Christian titles for your kids to enjoy, try searching for Christian-based game review sites online to uncover and purchase the perfect games.

Features to look for when choosing games

In combat games, look for arcade-style fighting, instead of bloody or deadly violence. Also, keep an eye on the game characters' dress and language to weed out sexual overtones and four-letter words. Finally, choose games that offer something educational or inspirational, instead of mindless button-mashing.

Your child will be influenced by the games they play. Make sure those games pull them in a direction you want them to grow. Get the latest family Christian video game for your game-hungry kid by visiting TheDeliveranceGame.com. This article is free for republishing

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