quote:

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Liberal and progressive Christian groups say a new computer game in which players must either convert or kill non-Christians is the wrong gift to give this holiday season and that Wal-Mart, a major video game retailer, should yank it off its shelves.

The Campaign to Defend the Constitution and the Christian Alliance for Progress, two online political groups, plan to demand today that Wal-Mart dump Left Behind: Eternal Forces, a PC game inspired by a series of Christian novels that are hugely popular, especially with teens.

...

A Wal-Mart spokeswoman said the retailer has no plans to pull Left Behind: Eternal Forces from any of the 200 of Wal-Mart's 3,800 stores that offer the game, including just seven in California. The nearest are in Chico and Redding.

"We look at the community to see where it will sell," said Tara Raddohl. "We have customers who are buying it and really haven't received a lot of complaints about it from our customers at this time."

Clark Stevens, co-director of the Campaign to Defend the Constitution, said the game is not peaceful or diplomatic.

"It's an incredibly violent video game," said Stevens. "Sure, there is no blood. (The dead just fade off the screen.) But you are mowing down your enemy with a gun. It pushes a message of religious intolerance. You can either play for the 'good side' by trying to convert nonbelievers to your side or join the Antichrist."

The Rev. Tim Simpson, a Jacksonville, Fla., Presbyterian minister and president of the Christian Alliance for Progress, added: "So, under the Christmas tree this year for little Johnny is this allegedly Christian video game teaching Johnny to hate and kill?"

Both groups formed in 2005 to protest what their 130,000 or so members feel is the growing political influence and hypocrisy of the religious right.

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There's lots more, and it's a good read. Basically, there are two Christian-labeled groups that are ticked off at Walmart, and want them to boycott the censor the game, but Walmart isn't giving any indication of budging, and there are several Christian-labeled groups that are supportive of the game.

It seemed like a surprisingly balanced article for being from a secular source -- they seemed to present the argument from all sides and largely allowed the reader to come to his own conclusions -- I liked it. It's rare to find an article like that nowadays.

--clint

[This message has been edited by HanClinto (edited December 14, 2006).]

The only real problem I have with the game is the bugs.

I mean - it's not like this game will convince teens to start another Crusade into Saudi Arabia or something.

"It's an incredibly violent video game," said Stevens. "Sure, there is no blood. (The dead just fade off the screen.) But you are mowing down your enemy with a gun."
yeah...Stevens, welcome to just about every mildly violent game out there. whoop-dee-do. Atleast be clever when trying to spin the facts.

honestly, they're just over the top. it's a stupid game, but calling for censorship just shows how bigoted they are.

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Yes, I'm still better than you
Soterion Studios

Ironically, those groups were created because: "Both groups formed in 2005 to protest what their 130,000 or so members feel is the growing political influence and hypocrisy of the religious right."

Is that ludicrous or what?

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[This message has been edited by LAVA (edited December 14, 2006).]

Christian video game draws anger

"A new Christian video game has sparked calls for a boycott from groups who say it is "training for religious warfare"."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/6178055.stm

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Brian

"OOP programmers have a lot of class"

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