Unholy row about computer game erupts

A COMPUTER GAME for Christian kiddies which encourages them to kill or convert non-Christians is coming in for a bit of stick across the pond.

Left Behind: Eternal Forces is based on a series of novels, by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. These books make use of a fairly creative interpretation of the book of Revelation mixed with a mish-mash of New Testament prophecy.

The plot is that Jesus has come back and taken most of his followers in a first sweep, but carelessly leaves behind a few Christians who have to face the armies of the devil.

In the game you have to kill or convert these forces of the anti-Christ. While players lose "spirit points" every time they gun down nonbelievers rather than convert them, they can earn these back by having their character pray. So praying with your finger on the trigger seems to be a perfectly good strategy.

Ironically, not unlike Doom, you do not get spirit points for turning the other cheek, which was the way of most Christian saints. Nor do you earn points by sitting down and holding a Church fete which is the way of the Anglican Church.

The main issue is that the game is getting mainstream distribution and is on sale in Walmart stores but opponents say it encourages religious intolerance. It also teaches kids to think that the secretary-general of the United Nations is the anti-Christ. Other bad guys include rock stars and people with Muslim-sounding names.

Much of the opposition to the game comes from some liberal Christian groups who feel that mowing people down with guns is a not good way to get on the right side of God. One church has plans to picket Wal-Mart for flogging the game.

However, it may take a spot of divine intervention to get any kid, Christian or otherwise to want to buy it. The game is reportedly full of bugs and reviews have averaged about three out of ten. The Maker of the game probably thinks the media is owned by the anti-Christ rather than conclude the game is pants.

A spokesman for Left Behind Games said that the company's ultimate goal in offering the game was to bring parents and kids together to talk about the Bible. Odd really, last time we looked the New Testament was a bit short on turning guns on unbelievers. But, then again, it has been a while. µ

L'INQ
San Francisco Chronicle