Gaming Widows

We are living in a weird age. Thousands of husbands and wives have been virtually abandoned for make-believe games played in cyberspace. An article on MSNBC.com was titled “Game Widows Grieve Lost Spouses.” Consider an excerpt: “Though their spouses and partners haven’t gone to the great beyond, these particular widows and widowers say their loved ones have gone someplace that’s almost as distant and unreachable. Some have left this world for the World of Warcraft, others have forsaken this life for Second Life and still others have been taken away by EverQuest, Final Fantasy XI, and Dark Age of Camelot. ... As the ranks of those playing video games in general--and massively multiplayer online games in particular--continue to grow, so grow the ranks of those who refer to themselves as ‘game widows.’ They are the husbands, wives, girlfriends and boyfriends of gamers whose playing habits have consumed their lives. The bereaved say their mates have suffered a kind of digital death that has left only the shell of the person they loved behind. And like a real death, it has left the people who remain heartbroken, scared and angry.” The article listed the five most addictive games as World of Warcraft, EverQuest, Peggle, Doom, and Tetris. Three of these are multiplayer online role-playing games. World of Warcraft, which boasts millions of subscribers, allows players to be “mythical characters with incredible powers,” and players band together to go on raids in large scale battles. Because of EverQuest’s addictive power it is known by its fans as “EverCrack” and “NeverRest.” I wouldn’t be surprised if some people are becoming demon possessed through these dark games. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Eph. 5:11).

(Friday Church News Notes, August 14, 2015, www.wayoflife.org, fbns@wayoflife.org, 866-295-4143)

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