Christian Pastor Says Men Who Play Video Games Are Losers Possessed by a “Retarded Spirit”

Hemant Mehta

Usually, when we see a pastor complaining about video games, it’s one of those retro clips from the 1980s. This one, courtesy of Faith Christian Center in Texas, is from just a couple of months ago.

Pastor Gene Lingerfelt goes off on men who play Xbox, blaming “that retarded spirit” for why beautiful young women in the church can’t find dates.

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And don’t even get me started on the Xbox. And all of that. If you have callouses on your thumbs, you’re a loser. If you’re more than 18 years old and you’re still jackin’ around with that stuff— [does “L” gesture].

I curse that spirit in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

There are young gals in this church. Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful young gals, and you know why they can’t get a date? ‘Cause that retarded spirit got onto young men.

Amen.

Some of you women, you have my permission — blame me. He come home — I’m talking about your husband come home, and that’s gone. And don’t just throw it in the trash — he’ll go fish it out — you gotta put in the bathtub full of water before you throw it in the trash. Now don’t do that while it’s plugged in—
[Laughter]

Ah, yes— throw away the thing that makes someone happy. Always the key to a great relationship.

Lingerfelt also called video games a “time waster.” Though if he knew anything about modern gaming, he’d know that it’s a way for a lot of people to socialize, talk to their friends, and just relax. (And that it’s not just men who play the games.)

But that would require doing a bit of research, and why bother with that when you know you’re already speaking for Jesus?

[Formatting in the original]