Gaming as a Religion.

What people believe is not restricted to religion of course, people can believe in ideals, in people, in political views. You can have your own beliefs that have no foundation in reality, like  black cats are (un)lucky, my football team will have a better chance of winning if I wear my lucky strip, or the truly deluded may believe that vaccines cause autism.

But ultimately everything we do and everything we see is shaped by our personal perspectives.
So; on this vein? I thought I would compose a little hypothetical in extreme belief:

What if Gaming was a religion?

Well I suppose it wouldn’t be monotheistic, as there is no real “God” of Gaming (Sorry Gabe Newell), but I suppose it does have an ideology of sorts, and a way of communal worship.
What would Gaming teach as the core tenants of its faith?

The Game, I suppose would be the most fundamental factor.

It’s not about the player, it’s about the game. Your skill, or lack thereof, your play-style, and your personality may be stamped on your experience, but ultimately nobody cares about you, they care about the game. With gaming as a religion, the Game would be your god, but it is not a god with a face, it’s more of a god with a concept, or perhaps just countless manifestations, not all of them good, but all of them will teach you something if you let them.

And thus we come to the patron saints of gaming, those who have risen beyond obscurity and become embodiments of the Game.

Saint-Commander Shepard, Who teaches that the ends may justify the means, but the means themselves are important, and define who you are and shape the lives of those around you.

Saint Mario, who teaches us unyielding patience when faced with repetitive and difficult tasks.

Saint Link, who teaches us that the world we are in is always going to be more important than us, but that doesn’t mean we can’t leave our mark on it.

Saint Sonic, who teaches us that haste may be an asset at times but a liability at others, and you can only be fast as something if you are also willing to be skilled too.

Saint Gordon Freeman, who taught us the folly of not speaking out. But also the virtue of being loyal and dependable.

Saint Samus Aran, who teaches us that skill, determination and selflessness are qualities that are admirable in anyone.

Saint Clemintine, who taught us that being strong is not the same as being capable, or important.

The Saints of Left 4 Dead, who taught us the importance of cooperation.

The Saints of Racoon City, who taught us to be strong in the face of our fears.

It’s truly an inclusive and ever expanding line-up (I am sure you can think of your own).

I guess worshiping at the church of gaming would be simple. Just pick up a controller and join in with your friends, or use it as a chance to make new ones. But I suppose all religion needs a prayer. So allow me to make one up.

Our server, who we are connecting.

Shallow be thy pings.

Our win may come,

Our games be fun.

In fantasy Land as it is in space.

Give us this day our friends and lols.

And forgive our teamkills, as we forgive those who teamkill against us.

For we must all be n00bs is we ever wish to one day be Pr0.

Forever and ever.

End of line.

I guess it has to have its sins too, like yelling at people who are learning and being a general dick to people to try and compensate for your own shortcomings. But I like to dwell on the positive, not the negative sometimes.