Christian Crusade Message Approved by GOPentagon

Earthside Comments: Very distrubing revelation from Max Blumenthal in this article.

Radical, extreme 'Christianity' is still being advocated by the Bushites.

Link: Kill Or Convert, Brought To You By the Pentagon | Max Blumenthal/The Nation

... Operation Straight Up (OSU), an evangelical entertainment troupe that actively proselytizes among active-duty members of the US military. As an official arm of the Defense Department's America Supports You program, OSU plans to mail copies of the controversial apocalyptic video game, Left Behind: Eternal Forces to soldiers serving in Iraq. OSU is also scheduled to embark on a "Military Crusade in Iraq" in the near future.

"We feel the forces of heaven have encouraged us to perform multiple crusades that will sweep through this war torn region," OSU declares on its website about its planned trip to Iraq. "We'll hold the only religious crusade of its size in the dangerous land of Iraq."

The Defense Department's Chaplain's Office, which oversees OSU's activities, has not responded to calls seeking comment. ...

... On the surface, OSU appears as a traditional entertainment troupe that brings cheer to American troops around the globe. Founded by champion kickboxer Jonathan Spinks, OSU performs comedy, acrobatic stunts and strongman displays. Its roster of entertainers includes a former WNBA star, the Flying Wallendas, a ventriloquist, and former boxing champ Evander Holyfield. "We make no bones about the fact that we are speaking directly to the soldiers of the greatest fighting force of in the world," OSU proclaims. "No ‘mamsie pamsie' stuff here!"

But behind OSU's anodyne promises of wholesome fun for military families, the organization promotes an apocalyptic brand of evangelical Christianity to active duty US soldiers serving in Muslim-dominated regions of the Middle East. Displayed prominently on the "What We Believe" section of OSU's website is a passage from the Book of Revelations (Revelation 19:20; 20:10-15) that has become the bedrock of the Christian right's End Times theology: "The devil and his angels, the beast and the false prophet, and whosoever is not found written in the Book of Life, shall be consigned to everlasting punishment in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."

With the endorsement of the Defense Department, OSU is mailing "Freedom Packages" to soldiers serving in Iraq. These are not your grandfather's care packages, however. Besides pairs of white socks and boxes of baby wipes (included at the apparent suggestion of Iran-Contra felon Oliver North, according to OSU) OSU's care packages contain the controversial Left Behind: Eternal Forces video game. ...

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From Earthside's Publisher: The next following few paragraphs of this article have been removed because of a legal threat sent to Earthside by a lawyer representing 'Left Behind Games'. Here is the text of the letter:

The Law Offices of Gordon D. Katz
452 Brookhurst Ave.
Narberth, PA 19144

September 20, 2007

I represent Left Behind Games Inc., the developer and publisher of the LEFT BEHIND series of video games. your organization hosts a website that has information posted about this game. Unfortunately, there are many statements on your website which appear to be false and misleading. This type of misinformation may cause significant and irreparable harm to Left Behind Games Inc. and must be removed.

Left Behind Games Inc. generally supports free speech in the media and understands how important it is to have various opinions presented for public consumption. It will not, however, tolerate the publication of information regarding its products that is false or misleading.

Left Behind Games Inc. is demanding that you immediately remove any and all information contained on your site about the above stated game that is false and/or misleading, including any such statements or commentary and the responses thereto. This includes posted comments made by others in the context of reading the incorrect or misleading statements.

If you do not comply immediately, the company will be forced to pursue additional legal action which will include claims for damages, costs of suit and attorney's fee. This may subject you and your organization to significant legal and financial damages. ...

Very truly yours,
Gordon Katz

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... OSU has cultivated support from the Department of Defense for years. After a private October, 2005 meeting between OSU's Spinks and Defense Department officials, OSU was invited to perform inside the Pentagon. This week, Pentagon employees and active duty service members are expected to enjoy a breakfast with Spinks and Baldwin, followed by an OSU performance in which they will receive "spiritual encouragement via a Biblical message." The events will be held respectively in the Pentagon Executive Dining Room and the Pentagon Auditorium. ...

Link: OSUTour.org
(Some of the links at the OSU site cannot be found ... interstingly, even rather important links to pages like "What We Believe". What do they now not want you to know about their organization?)

Comments

[mike]

I have been hired by LEFT BEHIND GAMES for the purpose of STATING THE TRUTH about the game. Contrary to what people are saying who want to bash Christianity or Religion, the LEFT BEHIND games are the first games in history whereby the use of PRAYER and WORSHIP is more powerful than the use of GUNS. Isn’t this a good thing? There is NO convert or die! You lose the game for focusing on killing! But unfortunately, the fact that we do not ban guns in the game is a wrongful interpretation that we encourage them. After all, what teenage gamers these days want a game without a gun? Isn’t it better to show them how their use is not effective, is destructive and will eventually cause you to lose? So, please, be a RESPONSIBLE BLOGGER and find out the truth about this GREAT GAME FOR OUR YOUTH before saying another word about it. SEE IT FOR YOURSELF. Then, we welcome any CONSTRUCTIVE criticism so we can improve the game further every year. Thank you.

[Datesoossejef]

Never tell people how to do things. Tell them WHAT to do and they will
surprise you with their ingenuity.
-- Gen. George S. Patton, Jr.

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http://ebloggy.com/jonathanhartmanil