Church of England asks Japanese to join campaign
by Alexander Sliwinski 
{ Jun 14th 2007 at 9:00AM }
The Associated Press reports the Church of England is now asking the people of Japan to join their campaign against Sony and the game Resistance: Fall of Man, which has one scene of fighting aliens in an artistic rendition of Manchester Cathedral during an alternate time line. Ready to watch the AP drop the ball just like CNN? Here we go, the AP reports, "The new PlayStation 3 game, 'Resistance: Fall of Man,' involves a virtual shootout between rival gunmen with hundreds of people killed inside the cathedral. Church officials have described Sony's alleged use of the building as 'sick' and sacrilegious." OK kids, what's wrong with that paragraph? Looks like somebody didn't even bother to Google the game.
The Church of England says they have received a "silent response on the issue" from Sony since contacting them on Monday and deem it "not acceptable behavior." Sony says it's in talks, which the Church denies, and even Prime Minister Tony Blair chimed in yesterday with his thoughts on the issue. The Church of England stands by their claim that "for a global manufacturer to recreate the interior of any religious building such as a mosque, synagogue, or in this case, a cathedral, with photo realistic quality and then encourage people to have gun battles in the building is beyond belief and in our view highly irresponsible." The Church, speaking through the Very Rev. Rogers Govender, said they want an apology ... and a "substantial donation" to the Church's education department. Money makes everything better.
[Via GamePolitics]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Joshua Marketis @ Jun 14th 2007 9:06AM
What a load of holy turd.
ed @ Jun 14th 2007 9:09AM
Yep, now they are just making it look like they saw a successful game and thought "we want a piece of that pie", with the convenient angle of "sick videogames" (nevermind how true it is) as a weapon to use for the purposes of extortion.
dave @ Jun 14th 2007 9:17AM
Clearly Microsoft said to the church. "Look what sony has done to your Church." Then they got pissed off.
sheppy @ Jun 14th 2007 9:19AM
So let me get this straight... in a country where having a christian wedding is a "theme," they're looking for support?
"Dear Japanese people,
Please continue to not buy shooter games. God be praised for all the Pokemans you've raised. Your brain still needs training. And, oh yeah, could someone explain this whole "video gaming" thing to us? We need to know more for our potential lawsuit.
Love...
Murderous King Worshipers"
AirIntake @ Jun 14th 2007 9:21AM
What? A church being retarded? No way!
Steve @ Jun 14th 2007 9:23AM
If the Church of England wants to protect itself it needs to find a connection between the church and the environmentalist movement. In the name of tolerance, bashing religion, especially a Christian religion, is encouraged but anything connected to the environmental movement is different. You can't even question, let alone defame, the environmental movement without feeling their wrath. Since the environmental movement is nothing more than an anti-capitalist movement the church may be able to forge an "unholy alliance" with one of those groups because Sony, a major corporation, would be the target.
Nguyen @ Jun 14th 2007 9:32AM
Because that scene in End of Days when THE DEVIL comes in through the floor of that cathedral is so much more appropriate for Christians...
Seriously, there have been so many scenes in movies involving a church or cathedral getting blasted apart that I can't imagine it hasn't already been done in another game somewhere... (what about when I gut people walking around the churches in Grand Theft Auto...?)
Brandon @ Jun 14th 2007 9:42AM
God, has anyone one involved other than Sony actually played, no LOOKED, at the game?
Jams @ Jun 14th 2007 9:58AM
Hang on a minute...
- The anime Evangelion came from Japan, and thats full of religious references, and its not the only one
- An optional boss in one of the Dragon Quest games was God himself
- Xenosaga and Xenogears are also full of Christian religious references
- Devil May Cry
- In quite a few Japanese RPG's, religion is portrayed as corrupt and generally not very nice (Tales of Symphonia being an example)
Just a few examples, but from those ALONE, it's safe to say that Japan doesn't have any issues about religious stuff being in games, or the media in general. In fact, some of the stuff I've seen in some Japanese games could be considered much more, as the CofE put it, "sacreligious", moreso than a gunfight in a cathedral.
jay @ Jun 14th 2007 9:45AM
"It's pronounced Boo-kay"
Ben @ Jun 14th 2007 9:47AM
Okay, the Church of England is being OTT on this one. But there was one good point made by Fony.. erm Tony Blair. If Sony's properties were used without permission they'd go ballistic. And here, Sony made a very detailed and accurate replica of a distinctive CoE owned building without permission.
Unfortunately we have people on both sides of this escalating the original issue (which was one of seeking permission) way out of control. This does neither side any good. Shouldn't we, as supporters of the games industry, try to rise above the petty squabbling to disprove people's views of gamers?
Finite Toast @ Jun 14th 2007 9:48AM
So, I guess it doesn't matter that during the REAL WWII, the one that ACTUALLY HAPPENED, battles were fought inside churches, churches were bombed and destroyed, and a huge number of WWII movies (Saving Private Ryan comes to mind) have depicted battles inside churches as well?
Way to be dumb, Church Of England. Wars are nasty, they don't go around your cathedral out of respect.
sheppy @ Jun 14th 2007 9:58AM
"Unfortunately we have people on both sides of this escalating the original issue (which was one of seeking permission) way out of control. This does neither side any good. Shouldn't we, as supporters of the games industry, try to rise above the petty squabbling to disprove people's views of gamers?"
Actually, Sony has been trying to negotiate it stating they weren't aware and sought permissions where they thought were necessary.
Meanwhile, the churchs opening volley was launching a preemptive strike, talking to the public before they even talked to Sony. In other words, they said "here's our problems, we urge SONY to get in contact with us on Monday." On the first day, they demanded the game be pulled, even before mentioning a time for Sony to rectify this. They also mentioned a donation. Over the weekend, they embellished their story to "you have to kill hundreds."
Sony's rebuttal is that they did, indeed, model their area after the manchester church and that they would be talking to CoE to reach a settlement of some kind. Meanwhile, church's demands kept going up, kept becoming more and more embellished, and finally, now they are asking for support.
Sony's stance is "we'll work this out and negotiate." Church's stance has been "Give us money, pull this game, or you're the devil."
Wonder who I'm hoping wins this one? The company trying to reach a comprimise or the church using scare tactics and sympathy cards to get what they want?
Pushtrak @ Jun 14th 2007 10:07AM
Greed in religion? Who'd have thunk it.
hvnlysoldr @ Jun 14th 2007 10:06AM
You're forgetting that Fire Emblem on the Japanese VC that has crucifix and other symbols.
sheppy @ Jun 14th 2007 10:08AM
Gunfight in a church....
Cowboy Bebop.... oh god, what a great show.
Victus @ Jun 14th 2007 10:09AM
Facts > Church of England. Some research would do them some good.
Browzilla @ Jun 14th 2007 10:11AM
@Jay
I'm sorry, you're wrong, it's "Bucket."
12 points for knowing the reference.
polly @ Jun 14th 2007 10:11AM
Didn't R6 Vegas get into similar trouble? How'd that all turn out?
Nobody tell Dick Cheney about the final mission in Hitman Blood Money.
shivr @ Jun 14th 2007 10:17AM
yeah... but most references to christian mythology stuff in japanese media is silly buzzword use and/or poor attempts at alluding to the theme "POLTICAL THEOCRACY BAD; CATHOLIC CHURCH, BAD!" over and over and over again....
*cough*
and it doesn't have much to do with the actual religion.
And really, neither does this conflict between church of england and sony. As Ben said this is about property use permissions and MONEY, all that gunfight stuff is to get the uninformed public outraged so Sony will poney up quickly without much of a fight.
Killer @ Jun 14th 2007 10:23AM
"Wars are nasty, they don't go around your cathedral out of respect."
WW2: The city of Koln, Germany was completely bombed out, becuase of several manufactoring plants. No single structure remained completely standing, except the Cathedral. (which wasn't touched)
Pixelantes Anonymous @ Jun 14th 2007 10:23AM
I have a better idea.
Why don't we all just join in a prayer on behalf of Sony and other sinners and then forgive them for this horrible disgression?
Forgiveness is, after all, one of the cornerstones of Christianity.
Coyote @ Jun 14th 2007 10:27AM
In case your just joining us. Sony did receive permission as per their very first response to this. Unfortunately they have yet to show "us" proof of this but thats probably more for legal reasons.
The fact is any church is a public building, it is not a corporate entity and therefore could not sue for defamation. The press is where the problem lies, they blow this out of proportions and the church looks as tho their money grubbing low lifes.
Bones3D @ Jun 14th 2007 10:26AM
Well, let's see...
Historical landmark gets used as a setting in a work of fiction.
Six months pass with absolutely no conflict whatsoever.
Work of fiction suddenly offends the "owners" of said historical landmark.
Everyone who could possibly advance their own agendas by spinning this issue shamelessly does so, including the church itself.
The only ones not trying to make a quick buck off the situation is the game's actual developers.
Sony and the PS3 finally get a much needed fifteen minutes of fame courtesy of every anti-video game blowhard who are only spouting off completely inaccurate hearsay coming from other anti-video game blowhards.
Religion causing every major war in human history... still OK.
Killer @ Jun 14th 2007 10:27AM
^^^ Sure it had nothing to do with it being a church. It was just the largest and easiest to spot structure,so allied bombers sited it as their drop point. It's still ironic though.
Mp3 @ Jun 14th 2007 10:30AM
Umm... and when does humanity get its apology from the Church of England for all the bullshit it has foisted on people throughout history? Seriously, what a bunch of assholes (and don't get me started on the rest of the world's organized religions).
Killer @ Jun 14th 2007 10:30AM
"Religion causing every major war in human history... still OK."
Umm world war 1 was caused by secret alliences and shouldn't have been and the death of a future austrian prince. World War 2 was started by german aggression.
Every other war sure.
Mp3 @ Jun 14th 2007 10:34AM
Killer, I would argue that the nationalistic fervor largely responsible for WWI & WW2 is a kind of religious state. Discuss...
Justin @ Jun 14th 2007 10:36AM
Damn Cults!
*runs out to buy copy of resistance
mccomber @ Jun 14th 2007 11:04AM
Everytime I read this, I just get confused. I mean, what? For real? I must have bougt the wrong version of Resistance, because I don't remember a shootout between rival gunmen in the church... I do remember getting killed by a few dozen scorpion looking aliens though. In a church. They did get that one part right.
Stuff like this is why I don't care for organized religion. Seems like the ones organizing are the often times the last ones who should be leading anyone to anywhere, forget about following them there for all eternity.
Grammar freak @ Jun 14th 2007 11:08AM
Hyacinth, lols
Ocho @ Jun 14th 2007 11:15AM
The whole logic behind these events wasn't quite apparent to me until I read about the demand of a "substantial donation."
jay @ Jun 14th 2007 11:13AM
I vote we ditch games and watch Keeping up Appearances forever instead.
Wes @ Jun 14th 2007 11:23AM
There's so much hate for Christianity these days it's scary. Maybe Armageddon really is on its way... God help us.
krazy @ Jun 16th 2007 2:53AM
Thats just stupid they don't even know about the game, they just want money, when someone puts a Buddhist temple nothing happens (well they never fight in the temples but still" but when they put a cathedral they make all this fuss, they saying killing hundreds of humans and all this rubbish they are asking for support from japan? what a lame joke that is they just trying to make a bigger name for the cathedral no one goes to really, stupid lame asses!
polly @ Jun 14th 2007 11:44AM
Learn those scare tactics in Sunday school Wes?
William @ Jun 14th 2007 11:50AM
instead of wasting our time commenting here on this website about the stupidity of this case i would very strongly urge everyone to send a message of complaint to
manchesterdbf@manchester.anglican.org
i did my research and this seems to be at least one of the email addresses that can contact the Manchester diocese. I strongly urge people to send well written and balanced messages not stupid messages of hate as this will not help only make matters worse. This is not about Sony getting hit its about our right to play video games and being sick of conservative religious organization speaking about things they have no idea about and trying to stir up hatred and alienating people.
meanturtle @ Jun 14th 2007 11:50AM
Ya mrs. bucket what a legend
Justin U @ Jun 14th 2007 12:03PM
Send them the money. They are obviously desperate for it.
Crono @ Jun 14th 2007 2:32PM
How is that a scare tactic, polly?
Learn that condescending attitude in school, did you?
polly @ Jun 14th 2007 3:05PM
You really need it spelled out? Oh he must have meant the happy version of Armageddon is upon us. My bad.
Crono @ Jun 14th 2007 3:20PM
Yeah, but if you don't believe in Christianity, which you clearly don't, it doesn't even matter does it. And if you do and/or are thinking about it, all it means is the same thing Christians have been saying since the ressurrection: The end is nigh, time is short, repent and prepare for the coming of the Lord.
He was making a comment based on Biblical prophesy. Its not a "scare tactic" if it actually happens.
Uchendu Nwachukwu @ Jun 14th 2007 3:22PM
"Richard, do be a dear and put out the fine china, the Vicar is coming over for tea."
vgxtremist @ Jun 14th 2007 3:36PM
It would seem with Sony's bad press lately, the church is going to go with this until somebody halfway sane will stop this...imagine if they had played Final Fantasy Tactics...
polly @ Jun 14th 2007 3:42PM
@41, Well I'm glad Christians only preach to the converted.
polly @ Jun 14th 2007 3:54PM
"Its not a "scare tactic" if it actually happens."
-possibly the dumbest thing I've heard all day.
sheppy @ Jun 14th 2007 4:12PM
" Maybe Armageddon really is on its way... God help us."
I don't fear Armageddon. It's a lie. But the Fimbulwinter. That's true. And when that happens, you best believe I'm running my ass of to the Yggdrasil.
Christian @ Jun 14th 2007 4:47PM
It always makes me sad when "churches" claiming to be Christian don't really follow what Christ taught. It would seem that the "church" of England is simply trying to make money by nearly demanding tribute to their "church." (NOTE: I use quotes when referring to these buildings where many people worship because Jesus Christ teaches that the real Church is actually those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior to be the one who makes up for all of their wrong doings in life because Jesus lived a perfect life (without doing wrong) and was raised from the dead by God after dying on the cross (Matthew 16:18 & Romans 10:9)).
The problem with this is that it is the job of Christians to tithe (basically donating money to the cause of Christ). This is not the job of those who are not Christians (tithing should not involve businesses in the way that the "church" of England is trying to do).
Also, Christians are not to judge non-Christians, which is why I don't understand why in the world the "church" of England is seemingly trying to judge some videogame developers. The Bible specifically addresses this issue in 1 Corinthians 5:12-13 where it states that judging those outside the Church (non-Christians) is not the responsibility of Christians, but that job is for God Himself. (Note that the Bible states it is the job of Christians to judge other Christians of the Church-- not in a condemning way but in order to correct others) I don't know about anyone else, but if God says that is His job and His alone, then I have no problems leaving it to Him.
After this whole incident that the "church" of England has made, now I know why so many people have the wrong impression of Christians: it is because those that claim to be Christians do not represent Christ as we should (myself included). Instead they often go finger pointing at non-Christians as to what they have done wrong instead of teaching the message of becoming saved in Jesus Christ.
I know that this message might be foreign to many out there, but I thought I'd give a little insight to what true Christianity is all about: following Christ. What everyone often sees are either those who claim to be Christians or Christians who are still young in knowing God. As a result, they often do things that go contrary to what the God they follow teaches: loving God with all that they are and loving others.
===============================
"God loved the world so much that He sent His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life." Believing this is how to become a Christian.
Rip @ Jun 14th 2007 5:30PM
What cracks me up about this whole situation is that the Church of England is complaining about a "silent response." It took the Church of England almost 200 years to apologize for participating and profiting from the slave trade.
It's a little hypocritical for them to complain about a slow response. They ought to give Sony at least a decade or two. :-)
ssuk @ Jun 14th 2007 5:47PM
Hell yeah, ask Japanese people, which is probably the only country in the world which doesn't have a mainstream religion in it AT ALL, which is the birthplace of such things as Guro, drawn porn games and huge megabig-ass robots which fight each other to death... To back a move by them to get a game off UNITED KINGDOM store shelves over a trivial matter. Talk about scrapeing the bottom of the barrel.