Sure, you’d expect to see critics bashing a new video game that contains sex and violence, but what about a video game that supposedly promotes prayer? Take a look at this news story: “Christian video game stokes controversy in U.S.“

According to the story, “Left Behind: Eternal Forces is a teen-rated PC strategy game based on the wildly popular Left Behind Christian book series created by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins. The game is set in New York City after millions of Christians have been transported to heaven. Players are charged with recruiting, and converting, an army that will engage in physical and spiritual warfare with the antichrist and his evil followers.”

Critics claim that this game carries a message of violent religious intolerance – it’s “a violent video game in which born-again Christians aim to convert or kill those who don’t adhere to their extreme ideology.” According to one critic, “After you kill somebody you need to recharge your soul points and to do that you need to bend down in prayer…I think the message is extremely clear.”

Not having played this game, it’s hard for me to make a judgment call. However, I question whether this “Christian” game is any better than any of the other violent killing games currently on the market. What happened to “love thy neighbor” and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you”? Oh wait, that game wouldn’t sell. After all, no guts = no glory.