Video game: Convert Muslims and Jews, or kill them

Left Behind Games (named after the mega-successfult series of books) came up with a game called Left Behind: Eternal Forces where the players can play on the side of Christianity, or join the antichrist. If they are playing on behalf of christianity, they can convert non-christians, or kill them. Sure, there is no blood, but the player is shooting with a gun, and his victims are dying. So in the land of "life, liberty pursuit of happiness" it's OK to kill people because they are of a different religion?

BTW, Wal-Mart is selling this game (they refuse to carry some video and music because of language). If the following disturbs you, you might want to call Wal-Mart and politely explain why they should not carry this violent game that teaches xenophobia.

Tara Raddhol
1-479-277-7589
Tara.Raddhol@wal-mart.com


The SF Chronicle reports:

"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?"

...

In Left Behind, set in perfectly apocalyptic New York City, the Antichrist is personified by fictional Romanian Nicolae Carpathia, secretary-general of the United Nations and a People magazine "Sexiest Man Alive."

Players can choose to join the Antichrist's team, but of course they can never win on Carpathia's side. The enemy team includes fictional rock stars and folks with Muslim-sounding names, while the righteous include gospel singers, missionaries, healers and medics. Every character comes with a life story.

When asked about the Arab and Muslim-sounding names, Frichner said the game does not endorse prejudice. But "Muslims are not believers in Jesus Christ" -- and thus can't be on Christ's side in the game.

"That is so obvious," he said.