Jesus is in my videogame!

[stray]

I think I hit all the important parts.  What's the fact that they are occupying land they rightfully conquered got to do with anything?  The Palestinians don't get it just because the former owners lost a war to Israel.

Bruce

Hmm....Yeah, that's usually how it works out.

[SirBruce]

I think I hit all the important parts.  What's the fact that they are occupying land they rightfully conquered got to do with anything?  The Palestinians don't get it just because the former owners lost a war to Israel.

Bruce

Hmm....Yeah, that's usually how it works out.

Really?  After the Mexican-American war, we gave California, Nevada, Utah, etc. their own countries?

Bruce

[TheWalrus]

I think you two actually agree, and Stray just didn't interpret your jive properly.  Might have to separate the Palestinian sentence from the Jewish one. If that isn't a metaphor, I don't know what is.

[stray]

I think you two actually agree, and Stray just didn't interpret your jive properly.

Probably. I don't even know anymore. I'm starting to get confused. Or maybe just lazy.

Let's not refer to this subject in analogies, shall we? It's not like this is any more touchy than most things discussed around here. 

[AOFanboi]

Anti-semitism is (or should be, given the etymology of the word) the idea that Jews don't deserve Israel.

That would be anti-zionism if I understand the terms right. Anti-semitism is the theory that Jews don't deserve anything, no matter where they are, i.e. ideas that predate even the first suggestions about reestablishing that long-gone country.

[Shockeye]

Christian Video Games Offer Wholesome Action

Game Makers Hope Non-Violent Alternatives Will Catch On

Aug. 17, 2005 --  With all the raunchiness and violence in mainstream video games, a group of Christian businessmen hears a call to provide a more wholesome alternative.

The Christian Game Developers Foundation held a conference in Portland, Ore., last month to create games with a different mission.

"I think the majority of gamers out there just want to play a great game," said the group's leader, Ralph Bagley. "They don't really necessarily need intestines hanging on a doorknob."

Bagley said wealthy Christian investors are planning to bankroll a slew of new Christian games to compete with their raunchier rivals.

In one game, "Catechumen," players use a sword to convert Roman soldiers to Christianity to the cries of "Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" In "The Bible Game," players race across the parted Red Sea to battle Goliath with a slingshot.

In "Rebel Planet," users explore the world before the great flood. And coming soon is a "Left Behind" video game based on the popular Christian book series and film.

Will Kids Like Them?

Mainstream game makers say their Christian counterparts may be on to something. "The current state of Christian games is very similar to what we see in Christian rock," said Ian Bogost of Persuasive Games, noting that there were a lot of attempts to get the movement going and now it is very active and lucrative.

But to succeed, Christian video game makers will have to convert skeptical retailers — and kids. An informal focus group gave the Christian games mixed results.

"There's not as much violence and stuff — it's not as gruesome," said Chris Lynn, 12, adding that he likes that in a game.

Tony Atkinson, 12, said, "I'm just running through converting everyone, and there's not much of a detailed plot."

The ABC News reviewers far preferred the racier "Grand Theft Auto: Vice City."

Regardless of their mainstream success, many Christian leaders support the effort to channel the word of God through a video game console. They say, "Blessed are the game makers."

ABC News' Jake Tapper reported this story for "World News Tonight."

[voodoolily]

Christian Video Games Offer Wholesome Action
In one game, "Catechumen," players use a sword to convert Roman soldiers to Christianity to the cries of "Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"

Yep, that pretty much sums it up.