Many blogs yesterday were talking about the new video game based on the Left Behind series of books. I think I heard the books described as "Ficton for people who hate books" or some such criticism. Apparently the only thing worse than the writing is the bigotry and small-mindedness of the theme of the series (and the movies). The video game sounds just as bad. Here's the quote everyone is taking from talk2action.org.

Imagine: you are a foot soldier in a paramilitary group whose purpose is to remake America as a Christian theocracy, and establish its worldly vision of the dominion of Christ over all aspects of life. You are issued high-tech military weaponry, and instructed to engage the infidel on the streets of New York City. You are on a mission - both a religious mission and a military mission -- to convert or kill Catholics, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, gays, and anyone who advocates the separation of church and state - especially moderate, mainstream Christians. Your mission is "to conduct physical and spiritual warfare"; all who resist must be taken out with extreme prejudice. You have never felt so powerful, so driven by a purpose: you are 13 years old. You are playing a real-time strategy video game whose creators are linked to the empire of mega-church pastor Rick Warren, best selling author of The Purpose Driven Life.

The game, slated for release by October 2006 in advance of the Christmas shopping rush, has been previewed at video game exhibitions, and reviewed by major newspapers and magazines. But until now, no fan or critic has pointed out the controversial game's connection to Mr. Warren or his dominionist agenda.

The good news is the game also lets you play on the side of secularism (aka the devil) using your evil powers to fight for separation of church and state.

Again, I reiterate my request. If you really hate the unifying ideology of this country so much that you refuse to accept the fundamental rights built in by the founders, you're welcome to leave. Please, just leave.