Curious

The only mentions of religion in the OLGA materials are in connection with a 12-step program as one proposal as a useful way for those who want to change their behaviour. And if you read those materials carefully, just like other 12-step programs including AA, there is no preference for one religion over another.

Thus, I do not know who you are addressing, or which religion, when you refer to "your religion." Did you mean Paganism?

But there are many other ways to change one's behaviour if one wants to, all decidedly irrelevant to one's belief, or not, in a higher authority.

I disagree with the "I can stop playing when I want; it's the friends I'd miss." Yes, many will say that publicly. One other example, "I've been thinking about quitting for a long time, but I hate to think about throwing away all the time I've invested in my character." I've heard that one a lot. It's a lot like the gambler's fallacy in that this thought spurs people to keep playing and losing more time, when, once they decided that they should quit, they'd be best off cutting their losses and quitting sooner rather than later.

Quote:Im really curious...Your way of "curing this addiction" is religion?Not really.

And besides, you contradict yourself. You essentially say that Everquest doesn't cause people to kill themselves, which I agree with by the way. But then you say that people kill other people because of religion. Religion doesn't kill people. People kill people. You can't have it both ways.

But to address your point - religion and spirituality are just tools, of which many exist to help cope with and overcome challenges that RL throws at you. You have to find what works comfortably for you and take action. And none of those will work unless you first decide if you have a problem, then decide that you want to fix it, and then decide to take action. Once you've passed those hurdles, the rest is downhill.

Ron

Ron Jaffe AKA Diggo McDiggity
Discussion Board Administrator
On-Line Gamers Anonymous

It is not only in the 12 step program.

I don't remember where I was reading it...but it one of these topics (I'll find it if I need to) Liz was telling someone to find God. If you don't believe in something...and don't want to believe in something...how are you going to find it?

That's something I don't understand.

I am a christian, why wouldn't I suggest someone to seek out God? It was not mean to be offensive, it was a suggested of something that has worked for me.

One thing I would like to see is - of all of the suicides in the past 3 years - how many of the people were gamers?

Believe you me, my son is not the ONLY one! (I am just the only who said anything!)

Liz's "find God" comment should not be taken as reflective of OLGA's philosophy (to the extent that a virtual community can have one).

liz,

Whether or not they were gamers would have little to do with their commiting suicide. The problems in one's life don't originate from games like you seem to think. Also, games don't have hidden soundbytes repeating over and over subliminally saying, "kill yourself." The problems are there to begin with...some people happen to hide from them within games though. On that note, I wonder how many of those people who killed themselves were internet forum junkies?

Edited by: Erumaron Everbright at: 6/12/03 7:38 pm

Jaeydee asked,Quote:If you don't believe in something...and don't want to believe in something...how are you going to find it?
Step Two of OLGA's program of recovery states:

Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves would restore us to sanity.

"Came to believe" implies that the belief didn't happen immediately, but that the belief was something that evolved, a place to where one eventually arrived. Don't give up, Jaeydee, and keep an open mind.

Edited by: Aryianna at: 6/12/03 8:33 pm

Belril,

You are so far off!

We are not trying to convince anyone of anything or to change anything!

On-Line Gamers Anonymous is a fellowship of people sharing their experience, strengths and hope to help each other recover and heal from the problems resulting from compulsive game playing.

It is the person's choice to be here. We are not forcing anyone to come here.

I know on-line gaming is going to be big in the future, that is why we are here!

I am not trying to stop on-line gaming. But there is always the flip side. For the good it brings, if abused, it can bring bad. A support system needs to be offered, for the gamer and their family and friends, when it is overdone.

I have been watching shows on MTV, where they show these nice young men, and all they do is play games. They don't get the sleep to do their regular job right or to properly function. They live to play.

I know there are gaming tournaments being held now, and people will be providing for themselves, by playing games.

That is the person's choice.

I never said your way of escaping reality was wrong. I said keep what you do in your life in balance - in moderation - don't do anything so much, that you become unbalanced. It is not healthy for you.

If you need help because of your reality, remember, "Compulsive game playing can be a symptom of serious underlying mental/emotional problems. This board is not intended as a crusade against any particular game, but to alert people that excessive playing should be evaluated in context with any other symptoms a person may be displaying. Then, if there is still concern about the individual's state of mind, we recommend that he or she seek a professional evaluation." (Used by permission from Leucol)

Sincerely,
Liz

Edited by: lizwool at: 6/13/03 11:14 am

Liz, thank you for boldly expressing your personal faith while allowing others the grace to seek. I for one appreciate knowing that there are other Christians involved with Olganon.

Hi bgh,

Nice to hear from you, again.

We have all sorts of people here.

A denomination is not a requirement.

We're just a fellowship of people sharing our experience, strength and hope to help each other recover and heal from the problems resulting from compulsive game playing.

Welcome back.

Liz