'Convert or die' game divides Christians; Some ask Wal-Mart to drop Left Behind

[Apokalupsis]

So play the game and find out if you are truly curious.

[Lullaby Chainer]

Quote by: Apokalupsis So play the game and find out if you are truly curious.

Are you serious?

Have you played it? If so, just tell us what's happening in the picture. I'm not going to go get in my car, drive to Walmart, buy some crappy game, play it long enough to make sense of the picture, then come here and tell you. There's a ton of people here that might know and if YOU know, say it.

[ByaKya]

Quote by: Lullaby Chainer Gamespot review Pictures I don't know what pictures like the following are supposed to mean.

Its pretty clear to me, the Bakers of the eucharist of jesus have been summoned to fight the raptured marines of the anti-christ to further the cause of god here on earth, duh

[Lullaby Chainer]

Quote by: Apokalupsis So play the game and find out if you are truly curious.

Regardless, you could at least defend your own words. You say the game isn't even about violence. All the pictures I've seen of the game say otherwise.

[ByaKya]

Quote by: Lullaby Chainer Regardless, you could at least defend your own words. You say the game isn't even about violence. All the pictures I've seen of the game say otherwise.

its not like that, the violence in the game when you are on jesus' side is called "democratic love" and it punctures the hearts of the evil raptured non-christians and saves them from the lake of fire that they would otherwise be doomed to aka collateral damage.

[RickSp]

At least one Christian group is also upset.

Christian groups assail video game

Shoppers should reject the Left Behind: Eternal Forces video game and the false theology behind the best-selling books that inspired it, a coalition of liberal Christian groups, including one in Jacksonville, said Tuesday. The Christian Alliance for Progress and three other organizations held a news conference in Phoenix blasting Chicago-based Tyndale House, publisher of the popular Left Behind series, for its support of the video game released just in time for the Christmas shopping season. The Rev. Tim Simpson, a Jacksonville Presbyterian minister and president of the Christian Alliance for Progress, said the newly released game mangles biblical prophecy and promotes religious intolerance and violence.

What I find to be funny is that the whole idea of the Rapture, as espoused by the series of "Left Behind Books" and this foolish game, has a highly questionable Biblical foundation. It didn't appear in Christian parlence until the 19th century and isn't accepted by most mainstream churches and theologians.

Brief History and Speculation About the Rapture

The term "Rapture" first became popular in the United States toward the end of the 19th century through the teachings on premillennialism and dipensationalism by John Nelson Darby, an Irish evangelist. The rapture theory continued to grow in popularity among evangelicals largely due to a preacher named William Eugene Blackstone (1841-1935). His book, Jesus is Coming, sold more than one million copies.

[PatrickHenry]

It's a FUCKIN GAME, you bozos!

[Epistemologist]

Quote by: Zhavric So, you're okay with it being very overt propaganda?

I'm sure if the game is actually fun as a game per se, I'd be okay with it. It glorifies a certain group, just like the game "America's Army," which the U.S. government admitted is a recruiting tool.

I play AA occasionally, and it's riddled with more than subtle propaganda. But it's still a pretty fun multiplayer game, and that's the only reason I play it. My opinions about the American Army didn't stop me; in fact, because of my opinions, I knew I wasn't going to be "brainwashed" (if that's the term) by the game.

I think that although the subject is more religious in nature, the "Left Behind" game simply reflects feelings that are already around. Everyone knows that non-pluralist Christians dislike beliefs other than their own. The same goes for non-pluralist believers of any other religious belief, even atheism (n.b. I said religious belief, not religion).

As long as the game doesn't specifically target a certain group e.g. Muslims, etc. as the zombie enemies while glorifying Christians as the heroes, then it's not particularly abusive. In the same manner, AA doesn't explicitly target an enemy of the U.S. (although there are some suspicious things I noticed) while glorifying the U.S. army as heroes, it's not too abusive either.

And keep in mind that if the game is bad per se, then no one will play it. Even Christians who agree with the message may not play it unless the game is has acceptable playability qualities e.g. good graphics, good story, good style. Because remember, it's just a game at heart with propagandist gilding.

Nonetheless, I completely understand the reasons for offense. I guess I just wanted to make the comparison to AA.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: Epistemologist I'm sure if the game is actually fun as a game per se, I'd be okay with it. It glorifies a certain group, just like the game "America's Army," which the U.S. government admitted is a recruiting tool. I play AA occasionally, and it's riddled with more than subtle propaganda. But it's still a pretty fun multiplayer game, and that's the only reason I play it. My opinions about the American Army didn't stop me; in fact, because of my opinions, I knew I wasn't going to be "brainwashed" (if that's the term) by the game. I think that although the subject is more religious in nature, the "Left Behind" game simply reflects feelings that are already around. Everyone knows that non-pluralist Christians dislike beliefs other than their own. The same goes for non-pluralist believers of any other religious belief, even atheism (n.b. I said religious belief, not religion). As long as the game doesn't specifically target a certain group e.g. Muslims, etc. as the zombie enemies while glorifying Christians as the heroes, then it's not particularly abusive. In the same manner, AA doesn't explicitly target an enemy of the U.S. (although there are some suspicious things I noticed) while glorifying the U.S. army as heroes, it's not too abusive either. And keep in mind that if the game is bad per se, then no one will play it. Even Christians who agree with the message may not play it unless the game is has acceptable playability qualities e.g. good graphics, good story, good style. Because remember, it's just a game at heart with propagandist gilding. Nonetheless, I completely understand the reasons for offense. I guess I just wanted to make the comparison to AA.

There is no basis for being offended by this game any more than there was for being offended by Leisure Suit Larry. If someone doesn't like the game, that person doesn't have to play it! Having one's offenses assauged is not a right.

[Epistemologist]

Quote by: Chancellor There is no basis for being offended by this game any more than there was for being offended by Leisure Suit Larry. If someone doesn't like the game, that person doesn't have to play it! Having one's offenses assauged [sic] is not a right.

Well, if the game is a really corruptive device in a society, then I suppose it serves the greater good and maximizes aesthetic benefit for it to removed. But I don't think any of these games mentioned qualify for that in at least the society that we're talking about.

[Chancellor]

Quote by: Epistemologist Well, if the game is a really corruptive device in a society, then I suppose it serves the greater good and maximizes aesthetic benefit for it to removed. But I don't think any of these games mentioned qualify for that in at least the society that we're talking about.

Games, in and of themselves, are fairly innocuous. It's what people choose to do with the games or react to the games that has the potential for harm.

[Epistemologist]

Quote by: Chancellor Games, in and of themselves, are fairly innocuous. It's what people choose to do with the games or react to the games that has the potential for harm.

Yes, that's true. They're just for fun. I guess a source of conflict here might be when people question what other people play for fun.

[Fonceai]

I still haven't had a chance to install and play. I plan on it, though!

[PatrickHenry]

Quote by: Epistemologist Yes, that's true. They're just for fun. I guess a source of conflict here might be when people question what other people play for fun.

That's it...

Anybody here like GTA? Does that mean you're gonna go out and do drivebys and waste the hoes in your town? Didn't think so.

It's a GAME.