Video games are interactive digital media that involve users in virtual environments where they can experience simulated experiences through visual and auditory stimulation. Video games come in different genres including adventure, action, strategy, role-playing, racing, puzzle, sports, and simulation. Many gamers spend hours playing games every day because they enjoy them and feel a sense of achievement when completing levels or accomplishing missions. In recent years, video games with religious sexual content have become popular among youth and young adults. This paper explores how such games influence ethical reasoning, sexual cognition, and moral development in this demographic group.
Ethical Reasoning refers to an individual's ability to make decisions based on moral principles while considering the consequences of their actions. Video games with religious sexual content introduce characters who engage in premarital sex or other immoral behavior. The player may be asked to choose between making moral or immoral choices which affect the character's outcomes.
The game may require the user to decide whether to continue having intimate relations with the same partner without getting married. Such scenarios challenge the player's moral compass and test their ability to prioritize morality over lust. Playing these games helps individuals develop decision-making skills and understand the importance of moral conduct.
Some players may interpret the situations as normalized behavior and justify their own actions based on what they see in the game.
Sexual Cognition is the understanding of sexual concepts and behaviors. Religious video games present complex relationships between characters that involve physical intimacy and sexual attraction. Users may encounter romantic or erotic scenes that showcase various forms of intercourse, including vaginal, anal, oral, and mutual masturbation. These images can change how users perceive sex and influence their sexual preferences and practices. Players who are exposed to explicit content may struggle to distinguish between reality and fantasy, leading to confusion about appropriate sexual behavior.
Gamers may become desensitized to sex and objectify women, viewing them as sex objects rather than people. This can lead to misogyny and harassment in real life.
Moral Development involves learning right from wrong through social interactions and experiences. Video games with religious sexual content expose users to various perspectives on sexuality and intimacy.
Some games emphasize monogamy and fidelity while others promote promiscuity and polyamory. The game's setting and characters also impact moral development by showing different views on gender roles, sexual orientation, and reproductive choices. Players who encounter diverse perspectives learn to appreciate other points of view, expanding their worldview beyond traditional values.
Immorality and excessive violence can make individuals less sensitive to ethical dilemmas, reducing their ability to empathize with others.
Religious video games with sexual content can positively impact ethical reasoning, cognitive understanding, and moral development among youth and young adults. By challenging players to make moral decisions and exposing them to diverse perspectives, these games help individuals develop decision-making skills, understand complex relationships, and gain a broader perspective on sexuality. Nevertheless, they may normalize non-traditional behaviors and reduce sensitivity to others, requiring parents and educators to monitor usage closely.
How do video games with religious sexual content influence ethical reasoning, sexual cognition, and moral development in youth?
Video games that contain religious sexual content can have an impact on ethical reasoning, sexual cognition, and moral development in young people. Research has shown that exposure to such games may lead to increased interest in religion, changes in attitudes towards sex, and alterations in morality (Campbell et al. , 2019).