Video game asks for child sponsorship
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Nov 11th 2006 at 3:45PM }
Tugging at the heart strings of gamers, Left Behind: Eternal Forces comes with the note above. The CEO of Left Behind Games Inc. asks gamers to please sponsor an Eastern European child for $27 a month. The game was developed in Eastern Europe using "talented artists and engineers" and Left Behind games wants to give back to the community -- through your money. In case you're wondering, Eastern European Outreach is a "missionary organization committed to sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the people of Eastern Europe."
Left Behind: Eternal Forces, based on the novel Left Behind about events following Christianity's concept of the Rapture, comes with a lot of things we hardly receive when purchasing a game. It comes with the sponsorship note above, along with the novel Left Behind and a little bright orange sheet that explains how to install the game or call for assistance. The orange sheet was clearly designed for someone who has never installed a game before.
We'll be playing Left Behind: Eternal Forces this weekend to give some impressions on this controversial game. Many games have had concepts like religion and salvation built into them, but this time it's actual Christianity and not some made up deity. Well, not a made up deity to a significant portion of the population anyway.
See also:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pikachelsea @ Nov 11th 2006 4:11PM
Just to be picky:
This isn't really "actual Christianity" so much as a videogame based on a book based on speculation based on vague references to possible future events in the Bible. Most people already knew that (I hope), but just making that abundantly clear. The authors of the Left Behind series are merely taking creative artistic license and using their imagination.
Jon @ Nov 11th 2006 4:43PM
They do a good job at it though. Those are good books. Hopefully the games cool.
Lex @ Nov 11th 2006 4:46PM
The demo is on Fileplanet.
I played it a while back the gameplay is pretty out of date for a RTS.
It's a classic example of nice idea poor execution. But maybe the retail version is better.
Jose @ Nov 11th 2006 5:14PM
Oh rubbish! I read that flier in the picture above and I was touched by the message. I thought, it was something like Child's Play (http://www.childsplaycharity.org/), who reach out to us as, not only gamers, but also as humans with some disposable income that could go to doing something positive for the less fortunate. I know missionaries do much good work but the history of the missionary leaves a bad taste in many mouths, especially being of Hispanic descent, and knowing that for the most part if you need help from them, you'd better be ready to disown your native culture, religion, and beliefs before you ask for anything. This is just sad, but if you've already bought the game, then you've already given them some money, and you probably already know what they're about, so you may have no problem giving them a little more.
Exeter @ Nov 11th 2006 5:04PM
#1:
I agree. I'm a Christian and find the "Left Behind" books silly, somewhat dull-witted, and completely vacant of entertainment. This game doesn't particularly interest me: it seems sort of contrary to my beliefs, and the tenets of Christianity in general, to play a game about winning and losing souls outside of a fantasy environment (as seen in practically any RPG). I can't imagine this game serving the ends purported by its makers. Instead, it will likely be another tedious exercise in judgment of those that ought not be judged by self-appointed judges. How embarrassing.
mattharvest @ Nov 12th 2006 9:36AM
I'm sorry, could you explain to me how this is different from a made-up deity?
The game, btw, is awful. Moreover, it's essentially nonsensical, because the rules for 'beating' the other side have no real connection with either reality or the conceit of the video game.
WedgeTalon @ Nov 11th 2006 5:46PM
Careful, Alex! Don't make me SAVE you RIGHT BETWEEN THE F*#$ING EYES!
Kat @ Nov 11th 2006 8:20PM
What about the children in our own country who are starving?
Austin @ Nov 11th 2006 6:57PM
Don't support the indoctrination of starving children, seriously. Even if they are giving them food, they are molesting their minds with whatever religious thoughts they're pushing on them. Come on guys, there are secular charities out there who will just give them food and support, let's get those guys some more money.
"but this time it's actual Christianity and not some made up deity. Well, not a made up deity to a significant portion of the population anyway."
You came very close to losing me at that last line, but you saved it at the end. But still, what does it matter that they pick Christianity to base their story off of instead of say, Norse mythology, like every DnD based game ever? (And for the sake of sanity in the discussion, I'm temporarily ignoring the fact that the people who made this actually, literally think an event like this will happen someday.)
Judd @ Nov 11th 2006 7:44PM
Austin my problem is, I can never find any of these secular charities. Every time I see a commercial on TV about some poor kid I feel bad, but it's always gotta be something like the Christian Children's Fund. Why can't I just donate to somebody for the sake of helping them out, not because Jesus will like me more. If God really cared so much why isn't he/she helping the poor?
P.S. I wouldn't be surprised if this board gets ugly. The 5 discussions that can always get people angry:
1. Politics
2. Race
3. Sexuality
4. Religion
5. Video Game Systems
Austin @ Nov 11th 2006 8:02PM
Lol, I love that you added video game systems to the list. ;p
But I agree, there aren't that many secular charities out there, especially in the US. But a good example of a very large one is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. ( http://www.gatesfoundation.org/default.htm ) At least, from what I know of Bill and what I've gleaned from their site, it seems pretty secular to me.
The other topic you hit on is Theodicy, and that conversation can get very lengthy, so I'll just say it's a big problem that religious people have (the problem of evil) and tend to explain in terrible, no good very bad ways. Such as: "God works in mysterious ways" (an obvious cop-out answer) or "But humans have free will!" (and who's free will causes hurricanes, and other natural evils?)
flyguy @ Nov 11th 2006 9:53PM
10. What about the children in our own country who are starving?
I know what you are thinking, but we have many programs out there that can/will help...problem is, sometimes parents don't want handouts, and the kids suffer. Many european countries have a thing, "If you don't work, you don't eat." Sucks, but that's the way it is.
Jose, that's too bad about the whole missionary thing, but that was the past for the most part and I hope you won't look upon missionaries too badly.
lyra @ Nov 12th 2006 12:22AM
that child has new clean clothes on, and chocolate all over it's face.
totally worth my $27 a month.
Tyler @ Nov 12th 2006 3:36AM
Does anyone else find it curious that Christians have all but cornered the market on child-benefitting charity? As a Christian myself, I think that's just delightful, but to those who are reticent to give to a charity because of religious underpinnings, does it worry you that few atheists think about the welfare of others enough to actually establish a charitable foundation to help them? I use atheists only because there are a number of wonderful charities founded in religions other than christianity, but very few non-government programs that don't carry some deeper message. Doctors without Borders, maybe, but being French is almost religion enough.
Tangent @ Nov 13th 2006 10:08AM
Something to remember: In many states, it's not illegal to fire someone for being an athiest.
Many of these religious charities are US based, and it's still very dangerous to admit to not beleiving.
(To answer why there's not specific athiest charity)
There are, however, MANY charities that aren't tied to any specific religion.
found this quote from http://www.infidels.org/
"Most atheists seem to feel that atheism isn't worth shouting about in connection with charity. To them, atheism is just a simple, obvious everyday matter, and so is charity. Many feel that it's somewhat cheap, not to say self-righteous, to use simple charity as an excuse to plug a particular set of religious beliefs"
and
"Atheism is rarely evangelistic."
Sarge @ Nov 13th 2006 11:38AM
Interesting discussion. I actually think that this could be a good thing, I don't mind them helping people out. Neither should anyone else, regardless of religion or lack thereof.
The game doesn't really interest me, even though I've read all the Left Behind books. Immensely entertaining, in my opinion, despite the fact that they are fictional interpretations of what MIGHT happen. But the game... well, it's an RTS, and they don't do it for me. Make a Left Behind RPG, and I'm onboard.
Remember, folks, religion can be used for great positives, and Christianity is one of the best examples of it. Some of you will bring up Catholicism in the Dark Ages, but if you read the Bible, none of what took place there was in the Bible, it was just typical human nature controlling a populace that couldn't read.
Heck, even Islam has some positive elements, if we could get rid of the whole "convert or die" thing.
Sarge out.