[timeshifter]

Ok, if I may point a few things out... and let me start with this. I was born on Fort Hood, to Christian parents. Moved to Virginia shortly thereafter (as in, before I was two), and from there on, I was a part of the church. My dad went to Bible school, and challenged many a pastor (and usually won). I know the scripture fairly well, and I feel that I understand what God had in mind when He tells us He wants us to follow Him. With that said....

You're a lunatic. Why? Let's start:

1) "It is a "Role-Playing Game" for the computer, very similar to the well-known Satanic Dungeons & Dragons."

"Computer", being a digital medium that provides easy access to *all* content, not just what you want. Bear that in mind. There are a multitude of Christian games available for the computer, as well. And D&D? Please tell me you're joking. This is a bunch of nerds with pencils, paper, and dice, and you're going to tag them as "satanic"?? This is role-playing, not Ouija. That's like me saying what you do for recreation is an abomination to God's will. Ridiculous, right?

2) "You can pick various "races" for your character, including several demonic looking characters called "elves". With their pointed ears and eerie non-human appearances, it allows children to pretend they are a demon themselves."
So Legolas was also a demon? If I recall correctly, Lord of the Rings was a story of great peril and tribulation against the evil of the world, a story of friendship, fellowship (you guys should be intimately familiar with that one), and the battle between right and wrong. You guys should love that story! I know I do, as does everybody I know. Also, wasn't it Jesus who said Jews and Gentiles alike were welcome into His kingdom? Also, "Man looks at the outside, but the Lord looks at the heart"? That ring a bell? Not judging a book by its cover? Any of this ringing a bell?

3) "The game is chockful of blasphemous magic and witchcraft."
Name one fantasy game that isn't. That's the point. It's intentionally set in a very different reality from our own. If you draw parallels, that's your problem, not mine.

"The player is able to perform a variety of spells such as hurling fire from one's hands, turning oneself invisible, forcing others' against their will to obey and listen to the character, and conjuring up demons from Hell to fight for the player."

Call me crazy, but I think the idea of hurling fire from my hands is pretty freaking sweet. "Forcing" others? Speechcraft, or in reality, would be known as "Are you a nice person?" Even in the game, Conjuration is considered a "black art", so why are you making a fuss? The game allows it, but by no means encourages it.

" In fact, magic and witchcraft are a major part of the game and it's difficult to play the game without resorting to these Satanic means."

Yeah, well, my character is an assassin (meaning I kill bad people that the officials are too scared to deal with), so my array of magic is fairly limited... mostly my magic is used to heal myself in the event my sneaking fails me. Doesn't seem so demonic, does it?

4) "The game makes no mention of God or Jesus Christ, instead it pushes a mythology of "Nine gods". You can go to heretical chapels and actually pray to these gods in this game and they heal you!"

Greek mythos has a dozen gods, and you're getting riled up over a game? Give it a few minutes, let the absurdity sink in.

5) "There is a realm called "Oblivion" which is definitely just Hell with a different name. You are required to go through this Hell environment during the game."
.....and destroy, because they're the portals of Evil into the world. Seriously. Do your research next time. Didn't Jesus descend into Hell to battle Satan for the keys to eternal life?

6) "Thieving and stealing are promoted in the game. You are allowed to pickpocket other people and steal possessions. One questline of the game actually REWARDS the player for this sinful behavior!"

Yeah, it's called the "Thieves' Guild" for a reason. Oh, and if you aren't careful, the guards will catch you and throw you in jail. Action, reaction. You do bad, you get punished. Again, sound familiar?

7) "You can do quests for these demons called "Daedra". By doing these quests, these demons reward you. This tells our children that by serving demons they will get rewarded."

What was your motivation to become a pastor? Based on your knowledge of your subject matter, it clearly wasn't the proclaiming of the truth of the Bible. Go to work. You do what your boss asks you to, you get rewarded. It's life, get used to it.

8) "Alcohol in the form of beer, wine, and brandy is available to the player and can be drunk."

I'm tempted to not even say anything, but I have to. Jesus turned water into wine. Alcoholic drinks were the only safe drink in olden days, because it was sterile. Don't drink to excess. HUGE difference from "don't drink". Communion: bread and wine. Don't even start with alcohol. You have less of a case there than any other point you've provided.

9) "This game promotes astrology. Upon creating a character, you are forced to choose a "birthsign". More occult ideas pushed upon the impressionable player."

Once again, you're making a big deal over something happening in a game, yet ignoring the fact that it happens even more in reality. Open your eyes.

10) "There are vampires in the game and a few of them are portrayed as "good guys"."

Once again, you're judging a book by its cover. You should know better.


In summary: Oblivion is an incredible game. If you knew anything about the work required to create such a masterpiece, you'd know that. I'm a professional programmer by trade, and I can tell you, I am absolutely astonished at what that game pulls off. And I completely realize that: it's a game. You people go crazy about my virtual realms, but don't even bother to fix your real ones? You are among the biggest hypocrites I have ever seen. Lucky for you, it isn't my place to judge.

Two more things:
a) "BANNED from Landover -- Aeternal Damnation Assured"
*facepalm x2*

b) You can download The Elder Scrolls 2: Daggerfall for free! Legally! The series was so good, they're giving the older games away for free. Hmm...