Sony use Manc cathedral in violent game, ChurchofEngland not happy bunnies.

I've decided to post this in two sub forums, with different titles. I hope the mods will allow that as I feel it's relevant to both religion AND the gaming industry. It's technically a current events post, but the discussion surrounding this is very relevant here(there), and here. I wont push it by also posting it "(there)", but perhaps someone will anyway. I HOPE this leads to a bit of a current events frenzy, because I am getting a bit fed of hearing about other trivialities in the news that are currently being talk to death about, and getting rather boring, such as the racism/BB row, or the travelling G8 circus and pantomime show. I think we need to have a serious think, as the human race in this unique and troubled time we live in, about the consequences of violence in the media, in this instance in particular, violence in computer games.

Sony use Manchester cathedral in violent computer game, Church of England not happy bunnies.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/m...er/6736809.stm

"But the Church said Sony did not ask for permission to use the cathedral and has demanded an apology and the removal of the game from shop shelves - otherwise it would consider legal action."

"The Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Revd Nigel McCulloch, described the decision to feature the city's cathedral as "highly irresponsible" - especially in the light of Manchester's history of gun crime."

Just imagine if your local church suddenly became a tourist attraction for local gameboys, they'd all be running around playing shoot the alien during the sunday service, or someones funeral.

Despite the CEO currently suffering, as it always has, from slight delusions of grandieur (no offense meant to any Christians BTW) I agree with them 100% on this. If someone portrayed my temple of worship in a violent computer game without my consent, which they would not get anyway, I would do exactly the same. Who are biggest asses, sony or CEO? It's a close call, but still, the CEO are right on this one.

A stance like that requires actions, such as... get your X rated games off the shelf now or we'll crucify you. Saying that though, a true pacifist religion would forgive sony.

Perhaps they are feeling guilty about their own violent past.

X

It's based in a place of religious sanctity, in a city plagued by gun crime, gang violence. Children get killed occassionally in the street as they get caught in the cross fire of some gangland warfare. Don't you think maybe it's a little bit irresponsible, and disrespectful to release a game depicting violence in a church that is regularly attended by religious people?

Is this link any better?

BBC NEWS | England | Manchester | Cathedral row over video war game

Maybe its because I posted in 2 subforums.

I've played this game, and I think sony describes it perfectly.

Quote:

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Sony described the game as being set "in an alternate and mythical version of Europe in the 1950s, in which the enemy are strange-looking alien invaders seeking to destroy humanity".

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You're killing aliens to save humanity. You know why it's featured? Because it's a field hospital and gathering point for military personnel. Exactly as it would be during that time in real life. I'm not a very religious person, so perhaps that's why I'm not offened by this. If the church had been used in a sacraligious way - cults operating out of it and what not, then it might be a bit more understandable. Now what I want to know is, do they care more since it's a specific church?

And I'm with BF on this, if there's a bigger problem to deal with they should focus on that. Not an average videogame.

I'd need to assess the details before acquiessing with you on that, how closely does it resemble the church in question, did they come and inspect the interior with a view to designing the game iround it, is the setting also in Manchester?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by RamblerGambler

if there's a bigger problem to deal with they should focus on that. Not an average videogame.

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They COULD deal with the situation in Iraq, but unfortunately they have no say in military operations. They are just asking that their religious shrine be treated with some respect, that's all, and sony owe them an explanation.