I gotta get this!
The cover of the game 'Playing Gods' reads "Vengeance is yours!" and shows deities and prophets, including Buddha firing a machine gun.
Wholesale slaughter of innocents is nothing new in games — board or online — where players adopt godlike figures to whack others along their way to victory.
But a new board game replaces ancient gods or invented goddesses with game characters from major religions of the modern world.
Playing Gods: The Board Game of Divine Domination bills itself as "the world's first satirical board game of religious warfare."
FAITH & REASON: What gamers are saying about 'Playing Gods'
Three-inch plastic figurines include Jesus bashing people with a cross, Moses slugging away with the tablets of the Ten Commandments, the Buddha with a machine gun, and a turbaned fellow with a bomb and a dagger vaguely hinting at Mohammed, all to be set loose to "force the people of the world to worship you."
The game was introduced in September at DragonCon, the annual pop culture, fantasy and science fiction convention in Atlanta, where it caught on with "religious folks with a sense of humor" as well as skeptics, says its creator, Ben Radford, 38, of Rio Rancho, N.M., managing editor of Skeptical Inquirer magazine.
Radford says "much of the world's violence is rooted in religion," so he thought directly mocking various images of God and religious followers would "make more social commentary" and "pierce the pretensions of extremist religious zealotry with humor."
Players can choose among the five figurines or make one for themselves with stickers for a "god" who resembles Oprah, a stein of beer or Satan or add a word label such as Islam, technology, even "the Almighty Dollar."
Says Radford, "I didn't want to leave out a Muslim figure just because it might be offensive. The game is satire. But I went out of my way to be innocuous. The figure is not named. It could be any Muslim leader.
The figurines move across a global game board drawing cards that promise wrath with natural disasters or woo converts with kindness or cleverness. Colored chips represent each god's sects or followers.
A typical steely grey wrath card would "Bring down the Darkness: Kill two sects," while a sunny yellow conversion card recalls Elijah's showdown with a priest of Baal in the Bible (1 Kings 18:38). "Another god's follower challenges you to prove you exist; you fry him with lightening in front of a crowd. Gain one sect."
But just like sexy magazines on a family news stand, the most potentially offensive cards come in a separate wrapper.
"Overemphasis on guilt drives millions to depression and suicide. Kill three Christian sects," it says under the image of the wrathful Jesus.
"Endless 'War on Terror' provides terrorist job stability. Gain three Muslim sects," says a card with the Middle Eastern bomb thrower image.
Still, Radford argues, Playing Gods is a statement of peace, "not anti-religion. It's anti-zealot, anti- people who kill for their beliefs, whatever those are."
The way to win the game, however, is by a combination of killing and conversion.
"I have to be honest with you: Killing is very popular. When people become Gods, they like laying down the locusts and the other Old Testament plagues," says Radford.
In that respect, Playing Gods resembles the video game tradition it emulates — fantasy violence for entertainment, says Carl Raschke, professor of religious studies at University of Denver.
The game's perspective "has no basis in historical reality and doesn't actually represent any religion. It just appeals to people who hate religion to begin with — the hip subculture of militant popular atheists," says Raschke.
"These people are fanatics, for the most part, themselves. Their thinking is rigid and hostile and not much different from jihadists who don't use their minds or study what they are dealing with. They start from their own dogmatic perspective."
Offensive? Says Raschke, "Of course it is. But it sounds too stupid to go far."
The $39.99 game is available online and in independent game stores but, Radford acknowledges, "the big chain stores aren't going to touch a game like this."
(Shamelessly Re-posted from another blog! ;) )
Pagan parents have a unique task-that of teaching pagan values to their children in a world hostile to alternative religions. The following pagan child-raising ideas and values will be helpful when considering your children's pagan learning experiences, no matter what tradition you practice.
A is for Actions. Your own actions and deeds speak loudest of all. If you want them to learn your chosen path, teach them about it with actions, not just words.
B is for Beauty. Show your children the beauty in nature and the other life on this planet. Teach them to preserve that beauty for the future.
C is for Consistency. Hold to the same principles and practices. Keep your actions consistent with your words.
D is for Doing. Teach your children the old ways by doing pagan projects and crafts with them. Projects such as recycling show them that doing what they can to help the Earth is essential.
E is for Enthusiasm. Let your children see your enthusiasm for the old ways, and they will develop it, too. Take them on nature walks, and other places where they can learn to understand the Goddess and Her creations first hand.
F is for Faith. Faith in themselves and their abilities helps children to handle any situation they may find themselves in. Give them suitable tasks to perform. Their completion will boost self-esteem.
G is for Goddess and God. Teach your children the deities of your tradition. Explain who they are and what function they have in your life and rituals. Instruct them in simple chants they can use on their own.
H is for Holidays. Celebrate your tradition's holidays with rituals and appropriate decorations. Sabbats and Esbats both show children what it means to be Pagan. They should be allowed to participate as much as possible.
I is for Imagination. Always foster imagination in your child. Your child's imagination may illuminate part of the path you never noticed before.
J is for Joy. Always approach the teaching of your children with a joyful spirit. Show your child the joy of honoring the Goddess and God, and following the ancient paths.
K is for Knowledge. Knowledge is power. If your children are properly prepared, they will be able to answer questions about their beliefs, and defend themselves in an educated manner against those hostile to their beliefs.
L is for Listening. Listen to your children, and they will learn to listen to others. Their thoughts will give you insights into how they see the world.
M is for Myths. The myths of your traditions will delight and entertain as well as teach. Stories are a great way of telling the child about your deities.
N is for Never. Never forget to tell your children about the past. Tell them about the burning times, and other dark times for Pagans. We must never forget these things, lest they be repeated.
O is for Outdoors. Share with your children the splendor of the great outdoors. Perform rituals outside whenever possible. Help them understand that all things are connected (and sacred) to each other.
P is for Power. Teach them to recognize the power inherent in all things. Introduce them to personal power and divine power. Carefully instruct them in the use of power and the responsibility that goes with it.
Q is for Questions. Your children will have many questions along the way. Always answer them truthfully and to the best of your ability. Never discourage questions from children.
R is for Ritual. Rituals are an important part of all traditions. Let your children participate as much as their age will allow. A young child may only be able to help set up the altar. Older ones can join in the chants, drumming, or dancing.
S is for Sharing. Sharing is an important lesson. Here is where you must set a prime example for your child. By sharing the old ways, you are giving them an honorable path they can follow all their lives.
T is for Tolerance. Teach your child tolerance for all the others who share this planet. Remember that there is no one right path. Tolerance, however, should have its limits. Explain that they should never tolerate abuse for their beliefs.
U is for Understanding. Be understanding when your child is slow to grasp something new. Their understanding of the old ways takes time and patience.
V is for Vision Quest. Vision questing is something most older children will enjoy, especially when seeking their personal power animals. Power animals usually become very important to children, as something they can call on when they are alone.
W is for Wisdom. There is no substitute for wisdom. It is something your children will gain from your instruction and their experiences. Teach them wisely and you will be rewarded.
X is for Examine. eXamine your principles and practices constantly to be sure that you are not sending mixed messages. Confusion and inconsistency, helps no one.
Y Is for You. Don't spend so much time worrying about your children that you forget about your own spiritual and physical needs. The way you treat yourself sets an example, good or bad.
Z is for Zeal. Always share your zeal for life, nature, and the old ways. You will be rewarded with your child's eagerness to learn all about them. Don't forget to praise children for a job well done. You will be glad you did.
by Kirin Lee, from Llewellyn's 1998 Magical Almanac
Gettin' over the mango rolls... Although I am seriously craving them BADLY. Can't stop thinking about the damn things... So freaking yummy....
I am sick. I think I have a sinus infection. Fever, green slime oozing from orifices, sneezing, coughing. You getting the picture here? lol. I am getting an antibiotic tonight, so I will be getting better soon! It sucks working when you feel like horsehit. and horseshit too. I can't type today and am just too lazy to go back and fix the typo! Ha!
Chad is working a crap load of hours this week. I am getting caught up on bills and housework... Fucking yay. Tonight, I am going to start a few special projects and then we will see. Maybe I will read. Maybe I will write something brilliant. Perhaps, I will make more cookies. I have been baking like a fiend, or maybe I will call a new friend and chat. (probably about my obsession with mango rolls... ) Seriously.
My Mango Roll Haiku
Dreaming of Sushi
Mouth waters crispy mango
Sticky rice delight...
Well, that did it. Now that I have already written something brilliant for the day, I guess I can go home and lay on my ass and watch CSI re-runs.
So, left work early to meet with this Crisis behavioral team. On the way home, I called Colin's psychiatrist who has been less than helpful lately. I think he feels as if he has failed in some way too... Anyway, he said to bring him right in. We made some progress, he validated my feelings and thoughts on Colin's meds and finally decided to let me trial him on Risperdal. It was recently approved for use in children with ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder). Here is a link to a website about it!
http://www.risperdal.com/risperdal/faqs_autisticdisorder.html
I am excited. Hopefully, his mood will become better. After that appt, I raced home to meet the behavioralist. They had some good insight and referred me to some new resources as well... Hopefully, this is a turning point! I was so sad and frustrated today. Felt like my world just crumbled. But I definitely think we are heading the right way.
It has been a sad day today. Colin is having more issues with his behavior. I had to call a crisis team today... I am so embarassed, but he really jacked up my shoulder and sprained my wrist last night. All over a video game... Yikes. It is so sad. He was really remorseful today, but how do we keep him from getting to that point? We are working on it everyday. Chad was great with him today and had a good talk with him and I think that helped, but I am so sad about it. It is so hard to have your own son hurt you like that! Ugh... Okay. Just venting.
What do you see?
"What do you, nurses, what do you see?
What are you thinking when looking at me?
A crabby old woman, not very wise?
Uncertain of habit with faraway eyes.
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply
when you say in a loud voice, 'I do wish you'd try;'
who seems not to notice the things that you do,
and forever is losing a stocking or shoe.
Is that what you're thinking?
Is that what you see?
Then, open your eyes . . .
you're not looking at me.
I'll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still,
as I do your bidding, as I eat (at) your will.
I'm a small child of 10 with a father and mother,
brothers and sisters who love one another.
A young girl of 16 with wings on her feet,
dreaming that soon now a lover she'll meet.
A bird soon at 20, my heart gives a leap,
remembering the vows (that) I promised to keep.
At 25 now, I have young of my own,
who need me to build a secure, happy home.
A woman of 30, my young . . . grows fast,
bound to each other with ties that should last.
At 40, my young sons have grown and are gone,
but my man's beside me to see I don't mourn.
At 50, more babies’ play round my knee;
again, we know children, my loved one and me.
Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead.
I look to the future, I shudder with dread.
For my young are all rearing (the) young of their own,
and I think of the years and the love I have known.
I'm an old woman now, and nature is cruel.
'Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.
The body, it crumbles; grace and vigor depart.
There (now is) a stone where I once had a heart.
But inside this old carcass, a young girl still dwells,
and now and again, my heart (truly) swells.
I remember the joy, I remember the pain,
and I'm loving and living life over again.
I think of the years, all too few, gone too fast,
and accept the stark fact that nothing can last.
So, open your eyes, nurses, and see . . .
Not a crabby old woman, look closer, see me."
-Author Unknown-or-Is She-