I have been running ChristCenteredGamer.com/CCGR.org for over ten years. In that time we have had our fair share of scoffers and trolls who don’t understand the purpose of this site. It is not our place to tell people what to play or not to play, but rather to inform them of what is in a game so they can make an educated purchasing decision. Last night I was having a blast playing the casual RTS game Fate of the Pharaoh. Given the title I was expecting references to the Egyptian culture and gods. Not surprisingly, I did discover references to Ra the sun god and was able to earn achievements for beating his times in each level. No big deal, I don’t mind a bit of a challenge. While I was playing through the levels, I saw some of my villagers worshiping their idols. I had no control over it and wasn’t asked to participate, so I continued to play on. When I reached level fourteen, the tables turned. Instead of gathering materials and gold for my villagers, I had to gather these resources and give them as an offering to the goddess Maat to progress to the next level. This is where I have stopped playing the game. Why? Because I feel it breaks the first and second commandments.
Exd 20:2 I [am] the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me. 4 Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness [of any thing] that [is] in heaven above, or that [is] in the earth beneath, or that [is] in the water under the earth: 5 Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God…
Will every Christian feel the same way? Probably not. However, those that will agree with me will be thankful for saving themselves $7 for this game. For all of the non-Christians that visit this site, here’s a question for you: Would you be equally upset playing a game not labeled as a Christian game but require you to acknowledge and worship Jesus to continue? I bet the developers of that game would get a few complaints. I understand that it’s not real and it’s just pixels and 1’s and 0’s etc, but so is pornography if you want to use that excuse. If you get busted by your spouse for looking at indecent pictures I bet the 1’s and 0’s argument won’t work out too well.
Digital or real, I don’t feel comfortable breaking the commandments of my Lord. I refuse to play any game that forces me to pay homage to a god other than my own. I hope you can better understand what we’re about and where I’m coming from.
In Him,
Cheryl
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