We hope Christian anti-Spore website is a joke

by Justin McElroy { Sep 10th 2008 at 10:20AM }

But, we have a sneaking suspicion that the blog, which aims to let "Electronic Arts know that their biggest attack on Christian values to date will not be tolerated," is horrifyingly real. What's the attack? Well, as near as we can figure it's because Spore's structure would seem to insinuate that evolution is real. There's another thing that does that, what's it called? Oh, yeah ... science.

The bad news is that Will Wright is lambasted as an "evil man," in part because of his membership in "the only church in america [sic] that ordains homosexuals on a regular basis." The bonus is that it's a really great resource for pictures of Spore creatures with giant penises, which we simply can't get enough of.

Tags: ea, maxis, spore, sporn, will-wright

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)

MC Double Def DP @ Sep 10th 2008 10:26AM

Best lulz in a long time.

BrokenMonkey @ Sep 10th 2008 11:26PM

Even bigger lulz: the Scientology banner ads on the site.

Ranus Studios @ Sep 10th 2008 10:29AM

Did anyone read the awesome bit about Jack Thompson in there?

Red Leader @ Sep 10th 2008 1:57PM

Kinda figured someone would beat me to the punch on that bit, but yeah that was great.

j.howlett @ Sep 10th 2008 10:29PM

it was crossed out but yeah

Hyams @ Sep 10th 2008 10:31AM

I've come across far more demented stuff from Creationists before. Ray Comfort in his entirety, for example, or Jack Chick and his tracts.

Poe's law is a bitch, non?

virgilisleading @ Sep 10th 2008 11:33AM

If anything the creationist should be happy with this game. It has far more to do with creationism then evolution. The creatures are created and guided by intelligent beings (intelligence may vary) but the creatures can't make it without an intelligent being controlling them. Naturalistic chances wouldn't work at all in this game. Just thought that was ironic on both the game and the creationists parts

Doug @ Sep 10th 2008 1:19PM

Let's not take the bait here. Sure, it's 'fun' to rip on things, but 99.995% of jerks who call themselves Christian or Muslim or anything else really belong to the Church Of Jerks, not a positive belief system.

Nevermind the fact that how much the human race knows about the universe could fill an ant's thimble.

RavenPaul @ Sep 10th 2008 1:48PM

I'm a creationist (realist) and I am glad to see Spore. I hope it makes people see how rediculious it is to think that God used "evolution" to create instead of what the Bible clearly states. If we all came from apes (rediculious/ unscientific), then why are their still apes? All animals have been producing after their own kind since the beginning. All the so-called "evidence" for evolution has been refuted. It was just a theory and a bad one at that.

Duke @ Sep 10th 2008 3:30PM

"I hope it makes people see how ridiculous it is to think that God used "evolution" to create instead of what the Bible clearly states."

FYI, the bible doesn’t clearly state anything. I have been a catholic my entire life, and I have to call you out on this one. The bible is a collection of writings by people. The literal interpretation of them is nonsense. 7 days of making the earth could easily really mean 7 million years. Creation could have been at the start leading to an evolution. How you can say that evolving man has been refuted is beyond me. Are you saying there were no Neanderthals? Laughable.

Nonhippyhippy @ Sep 10th 2008 3:44PM

RavenPaul you are so deluded....
There is far more evidence foe evolution that creationsim...

Though i suppose stupid churches and beliefs need gullible fools like you to keep the cash flow coming...

WiiFTW @ Sep 10th 2008 3:47PM

Especially since you know, days are sorta based on the Earth's rotation on an axis.

But I agree, many things in scripture are not meant to be taken literally, and it seems people like these miss the meaning of scripture: to love others regardless of what they do to you.

/Hindu

Top Cat @ Sep 10th 2008 3:58PM

RavenPaul, the only thing "rediculious" is the way that you express yourself.

Dudeman08 @ Sep 10th 2008 4:38PM

Hey guys, easy on Ravenpaul, he has different beliefs than you... for you to yell at him for saying what he believes in is basically the pot calling the kettle black (yeah we use that way too much around here).
Duke- be careful what you say about the Bible... The genesis account does clearly state how the earth was created. The Hewbrew word Yom which is used in the Genesis account is literally translated as a 24 hr day period. (Just to cover myself yes I do know that it is used in the Bible at other time, 65 in fact, and refers to an indefinite amount of time, but it is also used 1900 Times and refers to a 24 hour period.)

Yes I agree that there are some things that are not meant to be taken literally in the scriptures, however, our English translations can make it difficult for us to discern which things should be taken literally or are being used in figurative speech. Really to know for sure you should look at the hebrew and greek translations of the Bible as they are the most accurate for determining what is literal and what should not be taken literally.

As far as the notion that evolution has more proof for it than the account of the world that is provided in Genesis. I would like to see your proof, as there are many scientific findings that not only validate many of the things Genesis says, but also many of the prophesies and historical information that has been given in the scriptures.

I understand many of you just don't like religion or religous fanatics, but seriously just state that as your opinion don't say that what you telling us here is a fact.

and to be on topic here... the spore blog, seriously, who cares...

Spartacus @ Sep 10th 2008 4:43PM

Duke,

There is far more implications of the "Day/Age" theory than the interpretation on the word "day" used in the book of Genesis.

If the writer did indeed use the term "day" to mean "an unspecified period of time" then he would've written the story of creation to logically coincide with that premise. As it stands, one of the most important points made in Genesis (and of scripture in general) would completely fall apart with that interpretation- the origin of death.

Genesis states that MAN brought sin into the world and that death was birthed through sin. Therefore, death was not present before sin. Evolution and the Day/Age theory state quite the opposite by proposing that death was present millions if not billions of years before man.

If you accept the clumsy Day/Age theory, you must accept all the implications of it- namely that sin did not bring death into the world and therefore we did not need a savior (Jesus) to deliver us FROM sin and death.

By interpreting the Hebrew word "yom" as "age" rather than a literal "day" (as it is used in Yom Kippur- the Jewish Day of Atonement- a literal 24 hour period), you must logically deny the basic premise of the Christian faith.

Basically, you kinda have to accept all or nothing of the Bible- it's not a pick and choose affair.

heypaul @ Sep 10th 2008 4:50PM

Come on, Raven, you're coming out of the Ray Comfort / Kirk Cameron "I have a complete misunderstanding of evolution, and the ridiculous notions my misunderstanding purports must be false" camp. Evolution doesn't claim that humans evolved from the apes you see at the zoo today. We simply had a common ancestor, that was, well, more ape-like than human-like, so for colloquial simplicity, we say "we evolved from apes," when in actuality it'd be more accurate to say humans and apes both evolved from an ape-like ancestor. And the reason that there are "still" apes (or more accurately, the reason that apes and humans both exist today) is that both branches from that common ancestor are evolutionarily stable today. Neither group has success at the expense of the other, and thus, both groups survive. It's really not much different from how humans and, say, salmon are both "still around" today. Or how black people and white people are both "still around" today. You're misconceiving the ape-human connection as a father-son relationship, when it's much closer to a cousin-cousin relationship.

Hyams @ Sep 10th 2008 5:10PM

I've learnt that it's pointless to debate with Creationists on the internet.

(It is, however, fun.)

Remember, these people put a Bronze Age myth above an incredible wealth of scientific evidence. No matter how hard you argue with them, you're not going to convince anyone.

Spartacus @ Sep 10th 2008 6:40PM

Hyams,

"A Bronze Age Myth"? I find it curious that Genesis 4:22 states that man (Tubal-Cain to be specific) knew how to work both bronze and iron.

How could a book you classify as a "Bronze Age Myth" mention iron working?

The book of Job is actually the oldest we have written records of. Did you know that deep sea vents are mentioned in that text- even though modern science didn't "discover" them until the mid 1900's?

I'm not leading you with these questions, I'm just curious how you account for these facts from your ideological stance- particularly that the Bible was written by a bunch of ignorant "primitive" men.

Misfit Toy @ Sep 11th 2008 9:48AM

When God said He created man in His image I doubt he was thinking of starting with an ape-creature and have it transform into something else.

Tristan @ Sep 10th 2008 10:33AM

"the only church in america [sic] that ordains homosexuals on a regular basis."

This statement is factually incorrect. The Catholic Church also ordains homosexuals on a regular basis. They just don't talk about it.

Neon Jebus @ Sep 10th 2008 11:25AM

Trust me; the type of "Christian" that would post this type of crap would also have serious issues with the Catholic Church.

These types of "Christians" are the types that are a short argument from drinking their Flavor-Aid because the good minister said they had to. True sheep watched over by a terrible shepherd.

I thought it was cool to learn that Will is Episcopalian!

Mark @ Sep 10th 2008 11:56AM

Perfectly right... Catholics are not Christians they're a sect that came from Roman Paganism and their official teachings actually contradict the Bible even though they claim to love it!!! (and their behavior too)

I'm not surprise some Christian Creationist would come up with this website though... it was only a matter of time and I'm expecting more to come.

But as said this game only shows that evolution needs the creator to happen (ie the gamer) it is all a creationist can hope for.

Just for the record, I am a Christian, and having studied microbiology I am fully aware there's increasing SCIENTIFIC evidence AGAINST Darwinism. Yet I have nothing against this game (if it turns out to be fun that is) to the contrary, I wish more developers explored new gameplay territories as Will Right has attempted.

BigD145 @ Sep 10th 2008 1:48PM

Just for the record, Mark, there is no such thing as a "Christian." There's Catholics and Methodists and Protestants and Eastern Orthodox and Jehovah's Witnesses and so on.

Yourself @ Sep 10th 2008 2:14PM

Not to get into a debate about religion (this is neither the time nor place), but I think what Mark said perfectly encapsulates why other Christians are so mistaken in their idea of Catholics.

Catholics do not claim to "love" the Bible. Word of God or not, it is still to them a material object.

You probably shouldn't talk about a religion in vaguely slanderous terms if you really aren't going to be well-informed or rational. It makes you look as much like an idiot as this Anti-Spore guy.

Spartacus @ Sep 10th 2008 2:25PM

BigD,

According to the Bible, there IS such thing as a "Christian".

The Bible gives a perfectly clear definition of the term: One who believes Jesus is the son of God, who came to bear the sin of the world.

Originally those who held this belief were simply called followers of "The Way", but later were mocked with the term "Christian", meaning "little christ". The name stuck as believers actually adopted the term of derision as a statement of purpose.

Methodism, Catholicism, Baptistism (?) etc, are not religions, they are a group of Christians that hold specific doctrinal beliefs ON TOP OF the basic biblical requirement of what it means to be a "Christian".

Duke @ Sep 10th 2008 4:14PM

Mark, there was what I would expect from an angry fundamentalist like you - to attack the Catholics and call us something that only gets credence from ignorant people. There were no Christians until those that came from the break in the Catholic Church and then formed. Calling us a "sect that came from Roman Paganism" is typical junk thrown by insecure back woods religions. There was the Jewish faith and then Jesus, then the apostles leading to Peter forming the Catholic Church. Deal with it. If the Archbishop of Canterbury can, you should be able to muster it. You look ignorant as hell and you should resist the urge to argue things with people when they demonstrate what a nasty little hate monger you are.

Duke @ Sep 10th 2008 4:34PM

Oh, gotta correct myself. I was heavy on Mark, cause I confused him with Paul above. Scrath that stuff about being a fundamentalist. Though I stick with my other points and still believe that was a typical attack on the Catholic faith that has no truth or root in reality.

Nutchos @ Sep 10th 2008 10:33AM

Oh those crazy christians, what will they think of next!

Gavin @ Sep 10th 2008 11:17AM

Probably more ways to get money in the name of a false god.

bak @ Sep 10th 2008 10:34AM

I'm a Christian minister. I hope this is simply a sick joke. If not - I apologize to the world for the morons that continue (and continue, and continue...) to give my faith a bad name. It makes me ill. Please know that there are many of us silent-er types that love God and love games and don't force our beliefs down people's throats and spew judgmental condemnation at everything that moves outside of stained-glass fortresses.

Sorry, Mr. Wright. Spore looks like a great game and I hope to play it as soon as possible.

Hyams @ Sep 10th 2008 10:39AM

Don't worry, we know. It's just that ... y'know, you've gotta be *louder*. These idiots are drowning you out, and they're making your religion look stupid.

KirbyMeister @ Sep 10th 2008 10:49AM

I agree... I hate it when people try to shove their religious beliefs down other people's throats. ... Or lack thereof; there's some group at my university posting a bunch of signs everywhere for a Freethinkers group.... Blah. I'm half willing to try and get a "Anythinkers" group who's only stated mission is to not talk about religion.

*ahem*

At any rate, this blog is either serious or a very good troll because I'm raging pretty hard. I'm edging on "troll" because of the copious amount of sporn direct-linked from the posts. Usually they just hint at "immoral" content without validating it's existence with pictures.

Obie @ Sep 10th 2008 10:53AM

Agreed, the Crazy Christians always seem to make it on prime time.

animeman_59 @ Sep 10th 2008 10:55AM

As a christian, I find that anti-spore website appalling. It's amazing how many "christians" I see spouting off hate and vitriol to anything that they don't agree with. Hate should be the last thing that goes through a christian's mind. If you do have hate, then fess up that you have a human flaw, and don't tarnish the name of christianity.

I hate fundamentalists, and that's my human side saying that. I know Christ wants me to think different but these people just grinds my gears.

Poke4Christ @ Sep 10th 2008 11:47AM

Christian and hate should never go together. God IS love. Christ showed it. We should follow it. At best, stuff like this is fruitless. At worst, is seriously hindering the spread of the Gospel.

JangoGod @ Sep 10th 2008 5:51PM

Being gay and playing spore is bad, but making a website full of sporn is AOK!

When Christians are hypocrites...*sigh* It just makes the rest of us look bad.

Yaktastic @ Sep 10th 2008 10:35AM

seriously though, if anything, Spore is a game more about intelligent design than evolution.
If something is copied, with variation and selection, it MUST evolve.
Spore is based on design and decision making in the variation step (sort of a type of selection, but quite a different variation system).
anyway, i'm just in an existential crisis right now because i have been waiting years for this, and it is out, and i don't have it yet because i am poor :(

Ayrkain @ Sep 10th 2008 10:35AM

The blogger over there seems like he's having a hard time forming proper sentences, much less figuring out moral dilemmas.

BrokenMonkey @ Sep 10th 2008 11:25PM

Apparently it's a she, and she can't spell either.

juju187 @ Sep 10th 2008 10:36AM

cant wait to make the penis monsters rival, the Lorena bobbit

samfish @ Sep 10th 2008 10:38AM

God's away on business (there's a leak in the boiler room), obviously or this would never have been made!

JCollum @ Sep 10th 2008 11:22AM

+1 for the Tom Waits song quote. Great song.

Yaktastic @ Sep 10th 2008 11:28AM

I second the Waits love.

How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves his porchlight on?

:)

Buckshot @ Sep 10th 2008 10:39AM

Gotta be a hoax, that site is too funny to be real. It's probably Will himself.

deaftly @ Sep 10th 2008 11:54AM

Seems like viral marketing for EA more than anything but its still good for a laugh.

FOXHOUND @ Sep 10th 2008 10:41AM

I don't see what's so wrong with a cactus...? ;D

Zertoss @ Sep 10th 2008 10:42AM

The creature pictured above made me laugh way too hard. It was all that hopping around that got me.

I wish I could laugh at that blog, but I know people who have stupid thoughts like that. Nearly all of those same people have told me that I need to "stop living in a fantasy world. Video games aren't real." The irony is completely lost on them.