Hindus Criticize Smite For "Trivializing" Their Religion

[Stripes]

All these gaming studious being hip and gritty to make a controversy by insulting a group that won't hit back becomes somewhat tiresome. I would praise them if them made Mohamed a player character but of course that means they might have to risk their life. Like all playground bullies they can dish it out, but run away from anything that they stand a real risk with.

Why would you praise someone for maing a muhhamed character?

Currently they offending other peoples religions deliberately to create controversy to get themselves free advertising. They are doing that at no risk to themselves, but if they use Mohamed they would be putting their lives in danger. They could then make a legitimate case that its about freedom of expression, but as it they are just making a cheap buck out of insulting someone who won't punch back.

Dont you think your being a bit extreme here? Muslims dont kill people for drawing muhhamed, on the whole at least, no more than christians kill homosexuals. Considering he has no image and is purely a religious character I cant see a reaosn to draw him other than to piss off muslims, you can defend it with free speech but it wouldnt make you less of a scumbag for deliberatively being shocking and offensive which is also pretty cowardly and childish.

Tell that to Salman Rushdie who spent years of his life under police guard after writing the satanic verses. The Iranian government has passed a death sentence on him and is still offering a bounty on his death, for the crime of writing a book with Mohamed in it. When did the last Christian suicide bomber blow themselves up on the London tube killing 57 people or when did the last Hindu crash a plane into buildings killing 4000. If you wont talk about homosexuals, how about Lutfur Rahman in Mayor of Tower Hamlets in London. His supporters put posters declaring that Tower Hamlets was a gay free zone and created an intimidatory atmosphere to such an extent that a gay couple, that I work with, moved half way across London to feel safe. Militant Islam is real and they do kill people.

Why is it ok to piss off Hindus, Buddhists and Christians but not Muslims? Hi Res are using images from their religions without fear of reprisal. Hi Res are playground bullies picking on reglions that wont fight back but running away from any risk to themselves. If they used Mohamed as well as the other religions they would be taking a brave stand for freedom of expression but as it they are just taking cheap shots at those that wont fight back.

You seriously think the terrorist attacks you listed had anything to do with religion? Notice how both attacks were on countries heavily involved in areas they do not want them, they unite under allah because thats how that part of the world functions, it was a retaliation to past and present involvement, note how the UK was attacked following personal involvement in those same countries in alliance with the US. The middle east has a long and complex history of tribal hatred and division which has nothing to do with islam (divisions within the ismlamic faith are a direct result of these past divisions), they hate involvement such as the US supporting Israel, which they believe was their land (it kind of was, they were removed from that land to make the Jewish state). Their violence is not justified but religion was not the motivator, it is politics and hatred that caused these, do not give them the ease of being victims of fanaticism as to do so paints them as something other than the villains these people are.

If you want to talk about homosexuals then im happy to have that discussion. Gays are hated by factions of every group, by race or faith or creed. Many Christians have killed homosexuals for being so. So have many Athiests, blacks, jews, whites, hindus and jedis. To single out one group and say they are the ones anti homosexual is to ignore than hommophobia is a universal problem no matter who perpetuates it. Its a shame what happened to that gay couple but it is not evidence that muslims are somehow any worse than anyone else. Ever heard of the IRA? Would you say their actions were religious or would you say that it was more a case of racial/tribal hatred and politics which caused it? They are rather similar in circumstance but somehow people dont hold them up as evidence that christians (as it was a catholic group, motivated by hatred of the irish protestants who were pro union and of the British who they believed took their land without claim to it, which we kind of did) are terrorists and inherently violent. Is it perhaps because many westerners are of those religions and know that those people are not representative, therefore the media didnt demonize them like they did with muslims? Militant anything kills people, it not something solely muslim.

Its not cowardly to use existing images of deities for a game, lazy perhaps and disrespectful in context, but not cowardly. Cowardess is not doing things which wont endanger yourself it is refusing to do something because you lack the bravery/conviction to do it. There are no existing images of Muhhamed, not in representation or physical evidence, thereofore to use his image is intentionally insulting because thats the only reason you would, it holds no other merit than shock value. Its not alright to insult anyones religion, no one ever said that. If you are going to use the actions of a minority to represent the majority then you should do that with every group, being consistent with your illogic.

 

[Pandabearparade]

Oh boo fucking hoo. Get over it, your religion isn't special.

'

I bet the Christians would throw a much larger shitfit if Jesus was on the roster.

And the Muslims.. they can't take a joke at all.

 

[CentralScrtnzr]

I guess Hindus are going to have to deal with it. Misplaced religious symbolism is simply a fact of life in all different realms of media. But, more important than any of these concerns, people do not have a right to avoid being offended; there are no blasphemy laws on the books in most modernized nations.

I think Hindus ought to see this example in a somewhat different light. This means that their religions have achieved international exposure. And, as people understand the difference between real world and fiction, the inclusion of these characters in a video game could only lead interested gamers to read about their real religious mythos. After all, how many people ended up learning about the Sephiroth because of Final Fantasy?

 

[Clearing the Eye]

Oh boo fucking hoo. Get over it, your religion isn't special.

I now have more respect for them than I do for you. Nice work.

 

[CentralScrtnzr]

Oh boo fucking hoo. Get over it, your religion isn't special.

'

I bet the Christians would throw a much larger shitfit if Jesus was on the roster.

And the Muslims.. they can't take a joke at all.

All this is evidence that Hindus are more comfortable and confident with their religions. The rest is evidence that Muslims and Christians know, in their heart of hearts, the falseness of their religious beliefs. Thus they cannot tolerate criticism.

 

[CentralScrtnzr]

Oh boo fucking hoo. Get over it, your religion isn't special.

'

I bet the Christians would throw a much larger shitfit if Jesus was on the roster.

And the Muslims.. they can't take a joke at all.

All this is evidence that Hindus are more comfortable and confident with their religions. The rest is evidence that Muslims and Christians know, in their heart of hearts, the falseness of their religious beliefs. Thus they cannot tolerate criticism.

Actually, I should qualify this somewhat, so bear with me.

The inclusion of a religious figure in a video game probably has something to do with that figure's appeal. Truthfully, Jesus is boring. Jesus isn't a warrior or some dark magician akin to Odin; Jesus is just a hippy frequently depicted with long hair and gentile appearance. The appearance of Mohammed is even more nebulous, with depictions of him being strictly taboo. But, again, he was no warrior; and not being a warrior means not being a compelling character for a video game. By contrast, the whole Nordic Pantheon is extremely colorful and interesting, an easy set of themes to include in some form of media.

And even many Christians balk at the idea of a Jesus in video-games, not because they find the illustrations of their religious figure offensive, but actually because they see it as religious pandering, and thus below their pride.

 

[Clearing the Eye]

When did the last Christian suicide bomber blow themselves up on the London tube killing 57 people.

Number of incidents per week involving US-led coalition forces in which 1 or more civilians were killed, 2005-2007.

http://www.iraqbodycount.org/

 

[Albino Boo]

All these gaming studious being hip and gritty to make a controversy by insulting a group that won't hit back becomes somewhat tiresome. I would praise them if them made Mohamed a player character but of course that means they might have to risk their life. Like all playground bullies they can dish it out, but run away from anything that they stand a real risk with.

Why would you praise someone for maing a muhhamed character?

Currently they offending other peoples religions deliberately to create controversy to get themselves free advertising. They are doing that at no risk to themselves, but if they use Mohamed they would be putting their lives in danger. They could then make a legitimate case that its about freedom of expression, but as it they are just making a cheap buck out of insulting someone who won't punch back.

Dont you think your being a bit extreme here? Muslims dont kill people for drawing muhhamed, on the whole at least, no more than christians kill homosexuals. Considering he has no image and is purely a religious character I cant see a reaosn to draw him other than to piss off muslims, you can defend it with free speech but it wouldnt make you less of a scumbag for deliberatively being shocking and offensive which is also pretty cowardly and childish.

Tell that to Salman Rushdie who spent years of his life under police guard after writing the satanic verses. The Iranian government has passed a death sentence on him and is still offering a bounty on his death, for the crime of writing a book with Mohamed in it. When did the last Christian suicide bomber blow themselves up on the London tube killing 57 people or when did the last Hindu crash a plane into buildings killing 4000. If you wont talk about homosexuals, how about Lutfur Rahman in Mayor of Tower Hamlets in London. His supporters put posters declaring that Tower Hamlets was a gay free zone and created an intimidatory atmosphere to such an extent that a gay couple, that I work with, moved half way across London to feel safe. Militant Islam is real and they do kill people.

Why is it ok to piss off Hindus, Buddhists and Christians but not Muslims? Hi Res are using images from their religions without fear of reprisal. Hi Res are playground bullies picking on reglions that wont fight back but running away from any risk to themselves. If they used Mohamed as well as the other religions they would be taking a brave stand for freedom of expression but as it they are just taking cheap shots at those that wont fight back.

You seriously think the terrorist attacks you listed had anything to do with religion? Notice how both attacks were on countries heavily involved in areas they do not want them, they unite under allah because thats how that part of the world functions, it was a retaliation to past and present involvement, note how the UK was attacked following personal involvement in those same countries in alliance with the US. The middle east has a long and complex history of tribal hatred and division which has nothing to do with islam (divisions within the ismlamic faith are a direct result of these past divisions), they hate involvement such as the US supporting Israel, which they believe was their land (it kind of was, they were removed from that land to make the Jewish state). Their violence is not justified but religion was not the motivator, it is politics and hatred that caused these, do not give them the ease of being victims of fanaticism as to do so paints them as something other than the villains these people are.

If you want to talk about homosexuals then im happy to have that discussion. Gays are hated by factions of every group, by race or faith or creed. Many Christians have killed homosexuals for being so. So have many Athiests, blacks, jews, whites, hindus and jedis. To single out one group and say they are the ones anti homosexual is to ignore than hommophobia is a universal problem no matter who perpetuates it. Its a shame what happened to that gay couple but it is not evidence that muslims are somehow any worse than anyone else. Ever heard of the IRA? Would you say their actions were religious or would you say that it was more a case of racial/tribal hatred and politics which caused it? They are rather similar in circumstance but somehow people dont hold them up as evidence that christians (as it was a catholic group, motivated by hatred of the irish protestants who were pro union and of the British who they believed took their land without claim to it, which we kind of did) are terrorists and inherently violent. Is it perhaps because many westerners are of those religions and know that those people are not representative, therefore the media didnt demonize them like they did with muslims? Militant anything kills people, it not something solely muslim.

Its not cowardly to use existing images of deities for a game, lazy perhaps and disrespectful in context, but not cowardly. Cowardess is not doing things which wont endanger yourself it is refusing to do something because you lack the bravery/conviction to do it. There are no existing images of Muhhamed, not in representation or physical evidence, thereofore to use his image is intentionally insulting because thats the only reason you would, it holds no other merit than shock value. Its not alright to insult anyones religion, no one ever said that. If you are going to use the actions of a minority to represent the majority then you should do that with every group, being consistent with your illogic.

Yawn. I'd see a doctor about that bleeding heart, it will kill you in the end. You didn't answer my question when did the last Hindu crash a plane into building killing 4000, because the answer is they never have. There isn't a continent on this planet that hasn't see a muslim terrorist attack in the last 5 years. Or that just some scale local tribal thing?


Its cowardly to only offend those that wont punch back, while ignoring those that will. When was the last time Richard Dawkins said Mohammed isn't prophet but hes just fine attacking Christians. Might that be something to do with the Vatican isnt going to put a $1 million dollar bounty on his head and send out members of the papal guard with instructions to murder him.


Last point, people like you are the reason why Rupert Murdoch is so rich. The things that he owns are the own place where that don't get lectured by smart arse bleeding heart liberals, with you double standards. Its fine to spit in face of Christians, Hindus and Jews but no you have leave the Muslims alone because its not ok to offend them. You still haven't said why it ok insult the belief of one group but not another. Typical intellectually vapid thinking of the knee jerk Guardian reader.

 

[Clearing the Eye]

There isn't a continent on this planet that hasn't see a muslim terrorist attack in the last 5 years.

Um, there are about 7 continents (depending on how you count them) and the only one to have played host to a confirmed attack by an individual or group of the Muslim faith in the last five years is South-East Asia.

 

[Albino Boo]

There isn't a continent on this planet that hasn't see a muslim terrorist attack in the last 5 years.

Um, there are about 7 continents (depending on how you count them) and the only one to have played host to a confirmed attack by an individual or group of the Muslim faith in the last five years is South-East Asia.

So the self confessed member of Al Qaeda didn't shoot a 5 year old Jewish school girl and 2 off duty soldiers 2 months ago in France. It was clearly gay rights activists that tried to assassinate the British Ambassador to Libya last month. It was obviously animal rights groups that tried blow up the the Israeli embassy in Argentina 3 years ago. The guy that planted a bomb in time square last year was of course an anti abortion activist. The 27 poeple killed in Mumbai last year and the 209 killed in 2008 again were clearly killed by the pig liberation front. It was the CIA that planted the bomb in Moscow airport that killed 36 poeple last year. Not one those attack were perpetrated by Muslims. I don't know how I could have been so blind, takeing those announcements by Muslim terrorist groups saying the were responsible for those deaths at face value. BTW those are the ones I can think off the top my head, if I could be bothered to do some googling I could find even more.

 

[Clearing the Eye]

There isn't a continent on this planet that hasn't see a muslim terrorist attack in the last 5 years.

Um, there are about 7 continents (depending on how you count them) and the only one to have played host to a confirmed attack by an individual or group of the Muslim faith in the last five years is South-East Asia.

So the self confessed member of Al Qaeda didn't shoot a 5 year old Jewish school girl and 2 off duty soldiers 2 months ago in France. It was clearly gay rights activists that tried to assassinate the British Ambassador to Libya last month. It was obviously animal rights groups that tried blow up the the Israeli embassy in Argentina 3 years ago. The guy that planted a bomb in time square last year was of course an anti abortion activist. The 27 poeple killed in Mumbai last year and the 209 killed in 2008 again were clearly killed by the pig liberation front. It was the CIA that planted the bomb in Moscow airport that killed 36 poeple last year. Not one those attack were perpetrated by Muslims. I don't know how I could have been so blind, takeing those announcements by Muslim terrorist groups saying the were responsible for those deaths at face value. BTW those are the ones I can think off the top my head, if I could be bothered to do some googling I could find even more.

First of all, half the examples you just gave (made up or not) took place on the continent I described. Nice work there, lol.

Now, I know English probably isn't your first language, but there is a term called burden of proof that you should look up. At the moment, your comment is pretty much of zero value. Fulfill burden of proof--at least half a dozen sources would do--and we can talk.

 

[Caliostro]

Now lets see if the devs have the balls to make Jesus a playable character.

I was wondering this. They seem to be trying to avoid the giant elephant in the room.

Let's be honest, Judeo-Christian mythology is one of the most poorly written and boring of them all. They have 2 "big" characters and they both kinda suck for this kind of stuff. God would have to be overpowered, so, no fun, and Jesus? What would his power be? "Being nailed to wood"? "Revives after 3 days"? "Turns water to wine"?

"Watch out guys, Jesus on the bot lane! don't push too hard or he might CC himself to a cross!".

The characters are just... boring and bland. They were written to be "perfect", not to be interesting. They don't lend themselves to this kind of stuff like, say, Thor, or Shiva, or Fenrir.

 

[chadachada123]

Oh boo fucking hoo. Get over it, your religion isn't special.

'

I bet the Christians would throw a much larger shitfit if Jesus was on the roster.

And the Muslims.. they can't take a joke at all.

All this is evidence that Hindus are more comfortable and confident with their religions. The rest is evidence that Muslims and Christians know, in their heart of hearts, the falseness of their religious beliefs. Thus they cannot tolerate criticism.

Actually, I should qualify this somewhat, so bear with me.

The inclusion of a religious figure in a video game probably has something to do with that figure's appeal. Truthfully, Jesus is boring. Jesus isn't a warrior or some dark magician akin to Odin; Jesus is just a hippy frequently depicted with long hair and gentile appearance. The appearance of Mohammed is even more nebulous, with depictions of him being strictly taboo. But, again, he was no warrior; and not being a warrior means not being a compelling character for a video game. By contrast, the whole Nordic Pantheon is extremely colorful and interesting, an easy set of themes to include in some form of media.

And even many Christians balk at the idea of a Jesus in video-games, not because they find the illustrations of their religious figure offensive, but actually because they see it as religious pandering, and thus below their pride.

Not entirely true, as I've posted before earlier in this thread (though not to you). Muhammad's depiction is only strictly taboo in one sect of Islam. It's like how making fun of the Pope is only taboo in Catholicism, even if Catholicism is the largest(?) sect of Christianity.

Muhammad was also a conqueror, taking over his part of the world and (sometimes forcibly) spreading his new religion from there. He'd still be boring as a character unless. Jesus, though, just look at the pic of him on the first page. Certified bad-ass, if he wields a giant cross (mostly joking, I think he'd make for a boring character too).

 

[Gabanuka]

Religious arguments aside the game is actually looking pretty good....

Just bringing the GAMING website back onto the topic of GAMES.

 

[Ashannon Blackthorn]

Zed's just another fanatic. Most Hindu's probably don't give two shits about whether or not Kali's in a video game. Love the fact he wants video games to include Hinduism, just his type of Hinduism.

 

[aattss]

Why is Wukong a character? I thought he was a character from one of the 4 epic novels? Since when was he part of the mythology? Meh... whatever.

 

[BoogieManFL]

It's just a game. Deal with it. I'm glad it doesn't sound like they're going to knuckle under and bend for a few whiners. I'd say at least there is a positive side in that people will be exposed to entities in their beliefs and may inspire some people to learn about them, even just out of curiosity.

Apparently they don't seem to know how many, and for how long, God entities have been part of games. It's not going to change now just because you don't like it. Toughen up and practice some tolerance.

Game sounds interesting. Might look into it if there is a demo. From what I watched in a gameplay demo somehow the movement caught my eye as looking too "slippy" or "floaty" and I found it distracting.

 

[Albino Boo]

There isn't a continent on this planet that hasn't see a muslim terrorist attack in the last 5 years.

Um, there are about 7 continents (depending on how you count them) and the only one to have played host to a confirmed attack by an individual or group of the Muslim faith in the last five years is South-East Asia.

So the self confessed member of Al Qaeda didn't shoot a 5 year old Jewish school girl and 2 off duty soldiers 2 months ago in France. It was clearly gay rights activists that tried to assassinate the British Ambassador to Libya last month. It was obviously animal rights groups that tried blow up the the Israeli embassy in Argentina 3 years ago. The guy that planted a bomb in time square last year was of course an anti abortion activist. The 27 poeple killed in Mumbai last year and the 209 killed in 2008 again were clearly killed by the pig liberation front. It was the CIA that planted the bomb in Moscow airport that killed 36 poeple last year. Not one those attack were perpetrated by Muslims. I don't know how I could have been so blind, takeing those announcements by Muslim terrorist groups saying the were responsible for those deaths at face value. BTW those are the ones I can think off the top my head, if I could be bothered to do some googling I could find even more.

First of all, half the examples you just gave (made up or not) took place on the continent I described. Nice work there, lol.

Now, I know English probably isn't your first language, but there is a term called burden of proof that you should look up. At the moment, your comment is pretty much of zero value. Fulfill burden of proof--at least half a dozen sources would do--and we can talk.

OK small point India isn't part of south east Asia and is normally refereed to as either the Indian sub continent or part of the Asian continent. I assumed that by SE Asia you meant the Australasia continent which includes parts of includes parts of Indonesia which have seen Muslim terrorist attacks. But I give the Australian education system to much credit. A further indictment of Australian education system is that apparently 2 out of 7 = half. Moscow is Europe, Asia doesn't start until the Urals mountains. Similarly France is also in Europe, Argentina is in South America. The time square I was referring too in New York which is North America and finally Libya is Africa. The only reason I'm typing this is because you appear to have difficulty with geography.

As too burden off proof, hmm lets see

https://www.google.com/search?q=moscow+airport+bomb+chechen

https://www.google.com/search?q=mumbai+bomb+2011

https://www.google.com/search?q=mumbai+bomb+2008


Do I have put the google links for all the them or are you just going do it yourself.


Last point I'm born and bread in England so oddly enough I speak English. There is an Idiomatic English term I'd advise you too look up, the word is tosser.

 

[Souleks]

all should be up for inclusion or none.

the Abrahamic traditions are somewhat notable in their apparent absence -.-

tbh this smacks of ignorance on the developers part given the rest of the playable characters are basically from historical pantheons whereas Hinduism is the worlds 3rd largest religion after Christianity and Islam with well over a billion practitioners.

but you go right ahead doing what you want...f2p gaming, globalization, Asian subcontinent, worlds largest democracy, largest emerging market after China...one sided cultural insensitivity totally won't come back to bite people in the economic ass...

I think that is more because how the hell would you make a character out of Jesus? The guy wasn't exactly running around with a thunder hammer smiting people it would be hard to make a prophet into a playable character.

however if they did this is how they should do it...

Spoiler: Playable Jesus

 

[Woodsey]

When was the last time Richard Dawkins said Mohammed isn't prophet but hes just fine attacking Christians.

You might want to hit up YouTube some time. Fascinating website.