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Anonymous Alex wrote:

Hello Team,

I have a question about the horror video game, "Phasmophobia."

I am not sure if it is morally permissible to play this game. (I am mainly talking about the use of "cursed items" in the game, such as Ouija boards, voodoo dolls, etc.).

Thank you,

Alex
  { Is it morally permissible to play the video game, "Phasmophobia" since it uses "cursed items" like Ouija boards, voodoo dolls, etc? }

Mike replied:

Dear Alex,

First, let me say up front that I know nothing about the game play of Phasmophobia.

That said, in general, this is a common question; it's even in our searchable knowledge base:

There are a lot of quick answers there, so give it a try.

I've also grouped the type of questions many questioners have sent us into similar faith categories here:

and we have one titled:

That said, no Catholic Christian or non-Catholic Christian with an un-informed Catholic Christian consciousness should be playing games dealing with the occult, e.g., such as Ouija boards, voodoo dolls, etc.  The Catechism implies as much here:

III. "You Shall Have No Other Gods Before Me"

Divination and magic

2115 God can reveal the future to his prophets or to other saints. Still, a sound Christian attitude consists in putting oneself confidently into the hands of Providence for whatever concerns the future, and giving up all unhealthy curiosity about it. Improvidence, however, can constitute a lack of responsibility.

2116 All forms of divination are to be rejected: recourse to Satan or demons, conjuring up the dead or other practices falsely supposed to unveil the future. (cf. Deuteronomy 18:10; Jeremiah 29:8) Consulting horoscopes, astrology, palm reading, interpretation of omens and lots, the phenomena of clairvoyance, and recourse to mediums all conceal a desire for power over time, history, and, in the last analysis, other human beings, as well as a wish to conciliate hidden powers. They contradict the honor, respect, and loving fear that we owe to God alone.

2117 All practices of magic or sorcery, by which one attempts to tame occult powers, so as to place them at one's service and have a supernatural power over others - even if this were for the sake of restoring their health - are gravely contrary to the virtue of religion. These practices are even more to be condemned when accompanied by the intention of harming someone, or when they have recourse to the intervention of demons. Wearing charms is also reprehensible. Spiritism often implies divination or magical practices; the Church for her part warns the faithful against it. Recourse to so-called traditional cures does not justify either the invocation of evil powers or the exploitation of another's credulity.

As I said in one of my answers:

It's a question of whether it damages or desensitizes you and your Christian morals or values on a short- or long-term basis.

  • Does it draw you away from the Teachings of Jesus or His Church?

If it does, don't play the game!

I strongly recommend you read all the postings below. Some answers in a posting will bring out good points that are not mentioned in our other web postings.  I searched the knowledge base for you and found these web postings that should answer, if not, "help to answer", your question:

Finally, according to my colleague Bob, Fr. Chad Ripperger has a very good reputation. Check out his Wikipedia page and, more importantly, his YouTube channel.

Check out Bob's recommended YouTube video:

I hope this helps,

Mike

Alex replied:


Thank you team!

Alex

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
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