I was shocked while reading an article by Matt Richtel in the New York Times entitled, Thou Shalt Not Kill, Except in a Game at Church. The article goes on to explain how many churches are attracting youth to church by making the Microsoft game Halo available to them.

This game is so violent that it cannot be bought by anyone under the age of 17. Yet churches are making it available to kids as young as 11 years old. They are holding Halo nights with dozens of youth battling it out on large screen TV's. The claim is that they must provide what the kids want to get them there. Then they will be able to follow it up with the gospel message.

What have we become? How can we promote violent video games in church and then turn around and blame Hollywood for having too much sex and violence on TV and in movies? Why not provide the kids with beer and pornographic movies? That will bring them in. Have these people never heard of caring and love? Isn't that the message that Jesus left for us? I am appalled.

The article goes on to say that Focus on the Family is still deciding whether this is appropriate or not. Here is an organization that claims to be family friendly and upholds the right to life, thinking of using violent video games to promote the gospel. Some youth pastors and pastors say that the video games can be used to teach religious principles such as the difference between good and evil. How can this be done with games that promote evil to give young people thrills and get them turned on by killing?

Now, for adults we have the violence of the Left Behind series, and for kids we have Halo. Where does this leave Jesus?

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. To the one who conquers I will give a place with me on my throne, just as I myself conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne. Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches." - Rev 3:20-22