"Groups want `Left Behind' video game off Wal-Mart shelves"

Written by RNS and United Church News

Thursday, 14 December 2006

Progressive religious groups, concerned by the violence and theology in the "Left Behind" Christian video games, are asking Wal-Mart not to sell them. The "Left Behind: Eternal Forces" game is a spinoff from the best-selling "Left Behind" apocalyptic book series and carries a rating of T for "teen" because of its violent elements. "What is at issue here is this is an instructional video teaching young Christian children about an ideology of religious violence," said author Fred Clarkson, a member of the advisory board of the Campaign to Defend the Constitution, a liberal group that opposes the religious right, in a teleconference call with reporters on Dec. 12. The Campaign to Defend the Constitution says the game invites players to take the role of born-again Christians who must "convert or kill those who don't adhere to their extreme ideology." "Disturbingly, the game's apparent attempts at religious indoctrination are aimed at children and focus on violent, divisive, and hateful scenarios," according to organization's website. "While the religious right apparently has no problem pushing the product this holiday season, America's number-one video-game seller should know better." Wal-Mart is continuing its plans to stock the game, and the company producing it said critics are mischaracterizing it. "The game is about good vs. evil, not Christian versus non-Christian," said Jeffrey Frichner, president of Left Behind Games. "When people understand that, they love what we're doing because who doesn't want to fight against evil?" Clark Stevens, co-director of the Campaign to Defend the Constitution, said the protest is focusing on "the hypocrisy that exists within the religious right" because some affiliated with it, including Focus on the Family, have supported the game even though they generally speak against violent video games. The protest does not seek the removal of any other violent games. Bob Waliszewski, a media specialist for Colorado-based Focus on the Family, said it views the game as one parents can play with their kids. "Quite frankly, it's a game that has a lot going for it from a game-player's perspective, while highlighting some of life's biggest issues, such as Christ's second coming, salvation and the end times," he said. A Wal-Mart spokeswoman said the product has been selling in select stores and online. "As always, the decision on what merchandise we offer in our stores is based on what we think our customers want the opportunity to buy," said Tara Raddohl of Wal-Mart. UCC-supported "CrossWalk America," led by the Rev. Eric Elnes, a UCC minister in Scottsdale, Ariz., has called upon its supporters to boycott the Left Behind game and to contact Wal-Mart through its website.