The End of Days?

Alright so this needs a small preface...

I have finally decided to start a blog, mostly in response to Josh and Mandi's postings about the various workings of our society. I've read pretty much all of Josh's blogs, and most of Luke's Blogerella, and I know upfront my writings will probably never have the poise and clarity of thought of those two fine gentlemen, who are my dear brothers. Another small disclaimer- the following may seem bitter, and I do promise to strive against that; but in my defense...to each their own.

Another of my brothers, Matt, sent me an email today describing a new video game (sweet!) based on the "Left Behind" novels. I actually read the first three (of fourteen) of these novels, and enjoyed them until they became entrenched in a soap opera-like plot that was already eleven books long. However, after reading up on the video game, I was absolutely shocked and disgusted. Apparently the goal is to control an army of Christian soldiers in a post-apocalyptic America, and convert the nation while installing a Theocratic government. Killing anti-Christians won't give you points, but forcefully converting them will!!!! And oh yes, killing them may be necessary too...the following is a quote from the game's website http://www.eternalforces.com/features.aspx, "Conduct warfare using the power of PRAYER and WORSHIP as more powerful weapons than guns." Ok, this upsets me so much maybe I should take it apart a piece at a time.

First of all, let's get this straight. This is a Christian video game about taking over the world. No ifs ands or buts, that is what it is, plain and simple. "But Chris!! It happens after the rapture when the world is in disarray and the Pure will need to lead the others out of darkness before the End!!!" Ok, believe it or not, I respect that many wonderful people believe this. However, maybe the developers of this game do not understand that many wonderful people also do NOT believe this. And I think anyone would be hard pressed to support the claim that Americans would willingly elect a Theocracy- not because it is wrong, but because it is so outrageously opposite the Constitution. But that doesn't matter, because this Christian army of soldiers would use their powers of prayer to recruit (or kill) everyone, and thus save humanity.

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Ok, next-- I don't know whats worse--the fact that killing non-Christians makes you lose a point or that converting them gives you two. Am I the only one who noticed that these were the only two options available? In my (possibly warped and definitely biased) mind, a game like Grand Theft Auto (which is just pure violence) is not even as bad as this, because it is pure indiscriminate violence. In the Left behind game, it is very blatant that the Christians will live while the others will die.

This leads me to my conclusion. If anyone has journeyed with me in this emotional and bitter ride of mine, I hope you will at least concede this conclusion makes sense. The developers of this game, and those who consider it moral do not only believe in Christianity, they believe in forcing it down the collective throats of the rest of the world. How dare these people call anyone else a terrorist. Believing anything is a choice. Many people would say it is deeper than that; it is a feeling that emanates from a person's very soul. I'm OK with that too, but the fact is it that a belief is something that others could percieve as non-permanent. That is to say, some people will always try to change the minds of others because they feel that a) it is possible, and b) it is their duty. What this game says to the often inaccurate yet slightly overactive mind of Chris Casler is this: We Will Change Your Belief, Or You Will Die. Dramatics aside, I still want to look out for a pixelated version of myself to some degree.

Yes, I did start with "To each their own," and I stand by that statement. However, there is only one way to answer violence, and that is with more violence. So if a catastrophic religious army of any sorts ever tries to change my belief, well then my "own" will change drastically. I would share a beer with any person of any faith any day, but if anyone tries to take mine away...then as Patrick Henry said, "Give me Liberty or give me death."