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Rabbi Says WWII Video Game Helped Him Shake Fear of Nazis
First, reporters start clamoring for more nudity and sex in video games, and now a member of the clergy applauds the benefits of violence in games? Has the world gone completely mad?
In a weekend op-ed piece, Brooklyn, New York rabbi Micah Kelber told The Forward how the game 'Call of Duty: World at War' has helped him confront longstanding fears of Nazis and resulting feelings of victimization. Suffering from life-long nightmares, Kelber explains how the game allows him to confront his fears in a comfortable environment without repercussions.
Kelber says the game "allows you to experience the closest thing possible to killing the sense of victimhood created by the holocaust. And you do it without actually hurting any real people." And with unlimited lives, "you will always have another chance to kill your demons."
If you, too, are scared of Nazis, or just looking to justify countless hours spent gaming, you can read his comments in their entirety here. [From: The Business Insider]
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Comments
9
Subscribe to commentsWallyMar 9th 2009 1:57PM
Kind of weird but i get it. How do you get over your fear of people who murder millions of your people? You kill them in video games!
MARKMar 9th 2009 2:06PM
STUPID , STUPID. MOST OF MY PARENTS' RELATIVES WERE KILLED BY THE NAZIS. MY DAD WAS AN ORPHAN BY AGE 13 WHEN HIS MOM AND BROTHER WERE GASSED . THEN HE SPENT 4 YEARS AS A SLAVE IN A CONCENTRATION CAMP . AM I BORING YOU YET ? THE ONLY THING THIS GAME WOULD GIVE ME IS A BLISTER ON MY FINGER. IT WOULDN'T HAVE ANY EFFECT ON MY ANGER OR HOMICIDAL FEELINGS .
LiqwidZeroMar 9th 2009 2:16PM
Just a little tip:
Caps Lock is NOT cruise control for awesome.
Also, if you're able to use your imagination, a video game can be so very real and immersive. Don't believe me? Try playing Condemned in the dark. It'll freak you out.
matyMar 9th 2009 4:16PM
Homicidal feelings?
You need to go see a therapist. Restitution wont come about by doing exactly to them what made you so angry. It sinks you to their level and makes you no better than they are.
You can't do anything about what happened any more than I can other than spread the message and make sure it never happens again. Your feelings are misguided, stop being so bitter amd angry, the rest of the world has moved on and has learned, you should too.
And don't try and be clever back; I've been to Nuremberg, Prague, Warsaw, Berlin and to Auschwitz. I've seen the piles of shoes and hair and its no less choking to me than anyone else; but I don't leave wanting to come out and kill something. Defies the point if you do.
blongMar 9th 2009 2:49PM
If it helps him GREAT, don't be passin judgement.
AngiebabyMar 9th 2009 4:52PM
Micah Kelber is not old enough to have experienced the Holocaust firsthand. He was taught the "victimness" in which he claims to wallow by fellow Jews, about 25 or so YEARS after the Holocaust ended. I guess I'm mistaken about what a Rabbi is. I thought a Rabbi was a Jewish man who was to instruct and lead his synagogue members, friends and relatives in the ways of God, by both the Torah, and observance of their oral laws. Never once did I suspect they encourage Jews to indulge in the "virtual" brutality of smiting others unto death and enjoying the bloody victory.
I mean, is this mind set unacceptable by any group towards Nazis, but wholly appropriate for Jews towards others? A video game which allows people, Nazis and non-Nazis alike, to kill Jews would be called Anti-Semitic, hateful and would not be tolerated for an instant. But a video game which allows Jews to brutally kill Nazis is therapeutic, empowering and encouraged by Jewish Rabbis? I don't think so.
Gory, death-ravaging video games are detrimental to the healthy psyche of anyone who plays them. There is no special enlightenment, or therapeutic reward, from pretending murder and death will ease your worries. If Micah Kelber cannot use his mind in a positive way to conquer his demons and night terrors, he sure as hell shouldn't be living out his fantasies by playing the gruesome role of avenging angel. Now that is scary.
obabystarMar 9th 2009 6:16PM
Hmmm.. And that other game helped me get over my fear of zombies too. duh
MeMar 9th 2009 8:57PM
if it helps him who is anyone to judge? AND MARK ... WOW! Prayers for your father but the Nazi's are gone (minus the wannabe idiots) Check the world news there are plenty of current atrocities for you to constructively use that anger...
AngiebabyMar 10th 2009 5:59PM
I've given this a little more thought, but along the lines of wayward sons who still need more guidance. And I hope Micah Kelber's mother reads about this and gets a hold of her son. It sounds like his mama needs to snatch a knot in his young ass. And no, he isn't too big for that.