Religious faith versus Non-conformist faith and the Sims 2
cuddles:
I am an Atheist however I have always been the type to have a very open mind. I have studied Buddhism, Paganism and was (kinda) raised Christian. I have had several different friends with different beliefs and always took the time to listen. I believe most religions have something good to preach. However I am strongly opposed to any organized religion as I believe much like Berilac Burrows who posted above me that such institutions turn good principles into tools of manipulation, control and sometimes violence.
The Sims witches are such a staple of modern folklore in the way they were represented in AL I can’t understand how anyone can be offended. Like come on, green skin, cauldrons, flying brooms, cats, pointy hats, wands… This has nothing to do with real Wiccan religion, Sims witches are a joke! Those who got the impression that there was something similar with these witches and Wiccans simply do not know enough about Wiccans to know the difference (or to know that Wiccan beliefs are nothing close to “evil”).
To me magic is the representation of imagination and wonder. To be able to do magic is something I always wished for as a child. This world of ghosts, magic, witches and vampires etc. I knew none these things were real but I always was the type to daydream about worlds far far away. When we are young and our imagination has yet to be crushed by adults and TV, to me having magic in the game reminds me of those days where everything was still possible. It sends such a message of simplicity and innocence that I simply cannot wrap my head around all this controversy…
abaris:
Problem is, that there will always be people being offended by one thing or another. The only question is if their opinion matters, cause when it comes down to religion and games and/or books (Harry Potter anyone?) their stance is ridiculous and mostly shared by fanatics. Any game company or publisher aiming for major sales will do their utmost to keep their products clean.
The solution is rarther simple. If someone is offended by the contents of a game or a book, they shouldn't buy it. But they shouldn't try to shove their opinion down other's throats. Everyone is entitled to make their own decisions.
brad2006:
I think religions was like mankind, they can be corrupted(they were ruled by humans afterall), as long as it teaches people to live life on the good side its ok
I myself am an agnostic(I'm open about the concept of religion but don't really believed them), I prefer to think that there were no afterlife, when I die I just vanished into nothingness, I think its better that way(makes you treasure your current life, and not too uptight in doing things in this life so you can go to heaven one day)
as for sims game, I'm their god(heheheh...), afterall, I do control ther lives, and the concept of witchcraft in AL is pure imagination(even the spells are named like the spells from Harry Potter books)
and screw those who were offended, its just a game, no more no less, they're just some petty, closed-minded, uptight people that has nothing better to do but to try and stir some troubles
stygia2002:
Fascinating thread. I read alot of info about Wicca and the Craft, so either we have some Wiccan/Pagan posters, or y'all have done your "homework". Berilac Burrows, while a little extreme (IMHO) in anti-religion views, is correct that Satan is a Christian entity, and Witches don't even believe in Satan, so how could we worship something we don't believe in? I'm not Wiccan, but I'm a Witch. I'm a hereditary, traditional Witch...while Wiccans are Witches, not all Witches are Wiccan. ;) I do, however, follow the Rede "An' it harm none, do what thou will". And like any Pagan, I believe in any excuse for a party (a little like Sims heheh).
As far as this controversy over the addition of the Witch in AL, my opinion is that there are just people out there who aren't happy if they aren't outraged by something. Why didn't these same people freak out about vampires and werewolves? Because something else had their undivided attention at the time, most likely. I've become accustomed to such absurd alarmist ranting and raving...I've played Dungeons and Dragons since I was 14 (that's 28 years) and I've heard it all. However, I have never seen anything but a bunch of nerds sitting around a table arguing over how to resolve a battle equation...nope, never sacrificed a chicken ever. Like RPGs, the Sims is a game based on blatant, shameless escapism (at least that's what it is for me). And quite frankly, I find the portrayal of the Witch to be stereotypical caricature that is utterly delightful and just plain fun (although the green skin on the bad Witch is hideous...thank you Spookymuffin for the replacement default). I don't really make religion a big deal in my game, but I do incorporate it a little bit with the holidays. I have Jewish, Christian and Pagan Sims and they celebrate their holidays, but that's about as detailed as religion gets in my neighborhood. I just think that if something offends someone, they can opt to not have it in their game. Adult content is a perfect example. It's available, but you don't have to put it in your game if you don't want it. If someone doesn't want supernatural characters, they can cure them.
And Angel2365, there is alot of info on Wicca and Paganism on the internet and alot of fantastic books available. Raymond Buckland, Scott Cunningham and Silver Ravenwolf are good authors to start with.
Blessings,
--Stygia
papa_di:
At first I wasn't going to post, but after spending time reading all the post I wanted to say WOW!! I never seen so much info in one spot. Some I agree with, Some I don't. Being a christian myself and being around a little while I've seen people use religions of all sorts to accommidate their world. I know a women who claims to be a wiccan, so she can cheat on her husband. I know an atheist who choose not to believe in God only because He doesn't want the rules or the belief that his actions are a sin (according to the bible and some religions). But there are a lot of people who decide as they get up in years that now is the time I better start believing. I probably won't be around when most of you grow old ,But I would be interested on how many of you change your opinion when death nears. But like I've said to him if he's right we all die, nothing happens but eternal nothingness, But if he's wrong OUCH. If I follow his belief theres a chance I could burn or nothing. I would rather be safe then sorry and yes that maybe a wrong way to put it. But if your talking to a nonbeliever you have to put it in a way they can see. By the way that atheist had his daughter baptised. I guess when it comes to somethings it is better to be safe then sorry. I guess, Always be true to yourself and don't be a hypocrite. World has way too many all ready. just my opinion
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