Pokémon Go is taking the world by storm, with about four million downloads of the new virtual reality game downloaded a day.
In common with most inventions, there are positive and negatives about the location-based augmented reality mobile game.
When asked by CathNews for his opinion on the game, Auckland’s Bishop Patrick Dunn said “Like most people I see the phenomenon around public spaces of people gathering looking for Pokémon Go characters.
“Clearly there is a positive aspect to getting people gathering and perhaps meeting others through their shared gaming interests.
“There are clear benefits also in getting people moving around outside in the fresh air, and enjoying public spaces together.
“However, I think we would all be concerned if people in this activity unwittingly end up playing the game at in sacred or inappropriate places.
“I fully appreciate why the Auschwitz Memorial has requested it be excluded, which was the site of such suffering during the Second World War and similarly the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC.
“I do understand how easy it is to get absorbed in such games but it is always important to keep a sense of perspective with our enjoyment and leisure activities so that we do respect sacred places of special significance.”
Following lures set by others to find and “capture” the virtual characters at “PokéStops” can lead gamers to educational sites.
A lot of walking seems necessary and amusement is high. However, gamers need to use their discernment and common sense.
As an example, players this week discovered someone had set up a Whanganui Hells Angels’ pad as a PokéStop.
On the international scene the game has drawn concerned comment from religious leaders, as lures have been set up at sacred sites, such as the Auschwitz Memorial.
When asked by CathNews for his opinion on the game, Auckland’s Bishop Patrick Dunn said “Like most people I see the phenomenon around public spaces of people gathering looking for Pokémon Go characters.
“Clearly there is a positive aspect to getting people gathering and perhaps meeting others through their shared gaming interests.
“There are clear benefits also in getting people moving around outside in the fresh air, and enjoying public spaces together.
“However, I think we would all be concerned if people in this activity unwittingly end up playing the game at in sacred or inappropriate places.
“I fully appreciate why the Auschwitz Memorial has requested it be excluded, which was the site of such suffering during the Second World War and similarly the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC.
“I do understand how easy it is to get absorbed in such games but it is always important to keep a sense of perspective with our enjoyment and leisure activities so that we do respect sacred places of special significance.”
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Image: Pixabay