I take it back.

Many months ago, I poked my gnarled finger in the chest of the hyper-Christian right for the development of the Left Behind: Eternal Forces video game.

Now, let me be clear, I'm not talking about all Christians -- just those who would condemn Grand Theft Auto and Halo but be perfectly okay with Left Behind because it's "Christian" violence.

Anyway, a few months ago I took a lot of heat for pointing out that accusing Take Two for irresponsible game development and supporting Left Behind Games is hypocrasy.

Today I got a breath of fresh air and a renewed faith -- as it were -- in the clear thinking of at least a few Christian-based advocasy groups.

CrossWalk America, the Beatitudes Society, Christian Alliance for Progress and the Center for Progressive Christianity issued a joint statement asking consumers to boycott Left Behind: Eternal Forces because of the hate-based violence it portrays, like killing Jews, athiests, non-believers and those who believe in the separation of church and state.

They didn't say it should be taken off shelves. They didn't say that Left Behind Games should be picketed or put out of business. They said that good Christians who believe in practicing acceptance, love and peace should choose not to purchase this game. They said it is not a good Christmas gift idea for your kids.

Huzzah, I say, and halleluja to those who see that wanton violence can come in any flavor, even Jesus-flavored. Praise be for those who say, "This is an option for you if you dig this stuff, and we won't stand in your way, but it's not a good idea to buy it for your kids."

They said that killing "others" is not a Christian value. They said that hate in any form should be condemned.

Hack Humpsom should take a cue from these four groups. If you don't like something on store shelves, don't buy it.

And thank you, CrossWalk America, the Beatitudes Society, Christian Alliance for Progress and the Center for Progressive Christianity, for proving me wrong.

[From Political Cortex]