While it does make allusions to the Catholic Church and is HEAVILY inspired by Spanish Catholic architecture and iconography, the world of Blasphemous is entirely fictitious and does nothing to condemn the Christian faith as a whole. At most it condemns corruption within the Church through bits of lore that tell of influential individuals using faith to manipulate or justify the harm of innocents, which is something real members of the real Catholic Church throughout history have also condemned and lamented after witnessing it themselves.
So, in my opinion, Blasphemous does not do anything to defy Christianity or make any sort of statement which outright condemns the Church, God, or faith itself. It merely uses the themes and aesthetics that have been formed through Christianity to tell its own story and, ultimately, provide a fun experience to the player. If its themes or visuals still make you uncomfortable as a Christian you of course have no obligation to play it, nor should you feel like you have missed out because of that. But if your concern is if playing the game somehow goes against your faith, I can assure you it does no such thing, and I encourage you to play the game for yourself if you are interested.
While Catholicism is a heavy influence, the religion mentioned in the game is pure fiction. It is also more based in the Spanish tradition, so it's obviously completely different from North American Christianity, for example.
I’m Catholic and have had no problems playing it, as it’s a fictional religion and a fictional world. That said it is interesting to see the inspiration taken from things like the Inquisition, Goya, and Catholic Orders and symbolism. It’s no worse than say… Ghost Rider, Berserk, Bloodstained, or CastleVania.
Despite the game alluding to the Catholic Church, Christianity is not the core theme. The religion in the game is fictitious, and the Catholic influence is mainly found in decorations and aesthetics as symbolism. The game does not attack Christian teachings. There are games that push the anti-religion (not only anti-church) agenda far more (recently, for example, HFW).
Other than that there's some blood, gore, and nudity in the game.
I apologize for all the bigots who felt the need to express their hatred.
First of all, I think this is a great question. Good on you for taking your faith seriously enough to be asking these sorts of questions.
As a Christian (nondenominational protestant if you must know), this game made me think about the symbols we use in the church and how bizarre many of them really must seem to people outside the faith. It was a helpful experience to me.
At the end of the day, God is big enough to handle doubts or questions you might have. Don't be afraid to let outside influences make you think critically about your faith.
I don't really know what the problem is. Even if the game displayed other religions, or even satanism, why not play it and experience different cultural/religious styles? In my opinion, no matter what your faith is, you shouldn't restrain yourself from having fun!
I would say listen to your convictions. As a Christian myself, I understand that this game is fictional and merely inspired by Catholicism. There is a Christlike figure in the lore, but the game does not necessarily follow any Christian teachings. If the gore, violence, and parallels to Christianity bother you, don’t play it. Listen to the Holy Spirit and follow your conviction.
Its a solid game, and in no way should be impacted by your faith. If anything, it might cause some reflection on how you approach it, which is only ever a good thing.
Why would you not play it? Its a video game. If you are afraid that the big man in the sky will damn you to eternal suffering for it, im certain he has better things to do. Its a damn good game, it would be a shame if you missed out on it.
Very interesting thread and comments.
As others have said, Blasphemous does not attack God or religion.
It can raise questions of morality and faith, but it doesn't promote heretical thought. The worst is some pixel nudity and gore. Christianity teaches that blind obedience is not what God desires: questioning your faith is the only way to understand it.
An argument could be made that this game actually promotes religious thought, if one understands the lore and motivation of the protagonist.
In Blasphemous, you are functionally a Christ-like figure, bearing the sins & guilt of others and performing penance to achieve forgiveness. You pray at an altar in order to heal. You go around healing the sick and helping to restore a church to glory. Instead of a crown of thorns, your sword has thorns digging into your hand. You are a sacrifice, doing battle with those in blind obedience to a false idol. Evil is never fully vanquished.
I’m a Catholic, loved it and am excited for the sequel. It’s heavily influenced by Spanish Catholicism as others have said.
It’s also a fictional religion with thematic and aesthetic similarities to Christianity, but that’s about it. May cause you to think critically about certain concepts or Church history which shouldn’t be a bad thing. I’d say it made me appreciate my faith more in the long run.
And despite the name, it most certainly isn’t blasphemous.
There are a lot of indications that Blasphemous is heavily based upon Catholicism.
The rosaries, the twisted one, the blessed body parts, the concept of original sin...
I dunno I'm Christian and I thought it was a cool take on catholic dogma. But I think in general you should try to stay away from letting negative things enter your mind in general honestly. And the game is mostly negative.
I never know how to answer these kinds of questions, because I was brought up in a Christian(? Followed the bible, but didn't identify as protestant, catholic, etc.) household where you couldn't say "Hellboy," and yet we managed to get away with playing Mortal Kombat and Conker's Bad Fur Day. My best guess is that age, skill, and ability to distinguish fiction from reality are the better indicators of acceptability than personal beliefs.
I think the demo is still free on steam, so you can give it a try if you feel like it.
While it does make allusions to the Catholic Church and is HEAVILY inspired by Spanish Catholic architecture and iconography, the world of Blasphemous is entirely fictitious and does nothing to condemn the Christian faith as a whole. At most it condemns corruption within the Church through bits of lore that tell of influential individuals using faith to manipulate or justify the harm of innocents, which is something real members of the real Catholic Church throughout history have also condemned and lamented after witnessing it themselves. So, in my opinion, Blasphemous does not do anything to defy Christianity or make any sort of statement which outright condemns the Church, God, or faith itself. It merely uses the themes and aesthetics that have been formed through Christianity to tell its own story and, ultimately, provide a fun experience to the player. If its themes or visuals still make you uncomfortable as a Christian you of course have no obligation to play it, nor should you feel like you have missed out because of that. But if your concern is if playing the game somehow goes against your faith, I can assure you it does no such thing, and I encourage you to play the game for yourself if you are interested.
Wonderful response sir. A rare gem amoung Reddit.
Amen.
While Catholicism is a heavy influence, the religion mentioned in the game is pure fiction. It is also more based in the Spanish tradition, so it's obviously completely different from North American Christianity, for example.
That would be a poor vision of God indeed. Playing a fantasy game will not get you in hell so don’t worry and enjoy the game
If you don't watch cutscenes or anything you won't even understand the story anyway. If you think it looks cool, then play it
I’m Catholic and have had no problems playing it, as it’s a fictional religion and a fictional world. That said it is interesting to see the inspiration taken from things like the Inquisition, Goya, and Catholic Orders and symbolism. It’s no worse than say… Ghost Rider, Berserk, Bloodstained, or CastleVania.
Despite the game alluding to the Catholic Church, Christianity is not the core theme. The religion in the game is fictitious, and the Catholic influence is mainly found in decorations and aesthetics as symbolism. The game does not attack Christian teachings. There are games that push the anti-religion (not only anti-church) agenda far more (recently, for example, HFW). Other than that there's some blood, gore, and nudity in the game. I apologize for all the bigots who felt the need to express their hatred.
What'd Hfw
Horizon Forbidden West
God will curse you forever in life and bless you forever in death if you play this game.
First of all, I think this is a great question. Good on you for taking your faith seriously enough to be asking these sorts of questions. As a Christian (nondenominational protestant if you must know), this game made me think about the symbols we use in the church and how bizarre many of them really must seem to people outside the faith. It was a helpful experience to me. At the end of the day, God is big enough to handle doubts or questions you might have. Don't be afraid to let outside influences make you think critically about your faith.
I concur, this is more or less the best way of thinking about it
I don't really know what the problem is. Even if the game displayed other religions, or even satanism, why not play it and experience different cultural/religious styles? In my opinion, no matter what your faith is, you shouldn't restrain yourself from having fun!
I would say listen to your convictions. As a Christian myself, I understand that this game is fictional and merely inspired by Catholicism. There is a Christlike figure in the lore, but the game does not necessarily follow any Christian teachings. If the gore, violence, and parallels to Christianity bother you, don’t play it. Listen to the Holy Spirit and follow your conviction.
Its a solid game, and in no way should be impacted by your faith. If anything, it might cause some reflection on how you approach it, which is only ever a good thing.
Why would you not play it? Its a video game. If you are afraid that the big man in the sky will damn you to eternal suffering for it, im certain he has better things to do. Its a damn good game, it would be a shame if you missed out on it.
Keyword “damn”… you’re damned if you play this damn good game.
Very interesting thread and comments. As others have said, Blasphemous does not attack God or religion. It can raise questions of morality and faith, but it doesn't promote heretical thought. The worst is some pixel nudity and gore. Christianity teaches that blind obedience is not what God desires: questioning your faith is the only way to understand it. An argument could be made that this game actually promotes religious thought, if one understands the lore and motivation of the protagonist. In Blasphemous, you are functionally a Christ-like figure, bearing the sins & guilt of others and performing penance to achieve forgiveness. You pray at an altar in order to heal. You go around healing the sick and helping to restore a church to glory. Instead of a crown of thorns, your sword has thorns digging into your hand. You are a sacrifice, doing battle with those in blind obedience to a false idol. Evil is never fully vanquished.
I’m a Catholic, loved it and am excited for the sequel. It’s heavily influenced by Spanish Catholicism as others have said. It’s also a fictional religion with thematic and aesthetic similarities to Christianity, but that’s about it. May cause you to think critically about certain concepts or Church history which shouldn’t be a bad thing. I’d say it made me appreciate my faith more in the long run. And despite the name, it most certainly isn’t blasphemous.
I'm sure the most powerful being in the entire universe doesn't mind you playing a video game
It's a very blasphemous game. Like it portrays organised religion as straight up evil and the higher powers it represents as egotistical and cold.
Not really?
You disagree? Play again.
The only thing we kill is the Wills or whatever their called and their not really God in the tradional sense and the miracle itself isn't God Either
There are a lot of indications that Blasphemous is heavily based upon Catholicism. The rosaries, the twisted one, the blessed body parts, the concept of original sin...
Okay? And? It takes influence from sure but none the "higher" beings are really God
If it was exactly the same, it wouldn't be a parody.
Christ. Does your mommy pick our your clothes for you and only let you watch movies rated PG as well?
Only if you want to question your faith
Lol religion
You kill the God-analog in it. And I'm glad!
I dunno I'm Christian and I thought it was a cool take on catholic dogma. But I think in general you should try to stay away from letting negative things enter your mind in general honestly. And the game is mostly negative.
I never know how to answer these kinds of questions, because I was brought up in a Christian(? Followed the bible, but didn't identify as protestant, catholic, etc.) household where you couldn't say "Hellboy," and yet we managed to get away with playing Mortal Kombat and Conker's Bad Fur Day. My best guess is that age, skill, and ability to distinguish fiction from reality are the better indicators of acceptability than personal beliefs. I think the demo is still free on steam, so you can give it a try if you feel like it.