Does David Barton, Evangelical Host, Think 'Bioshock Infinite' Has Anti-Christian, Anti-Conservative

[DonCoquixote]

Last edited Sun Apr 28, 2013, 02:47 AM - Edit history (1)

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/26/david-barton-bioshock-infinite_n_3164724.html

OK, gamer here. I have posted about this game before, but now that even Huffpo has gotten into the act, I will offer some information.

Are the bad guys White and Christian: many are, though not all. American, well, the badguys are former Confederate who secede from the Union, so there is always that bit of detachments. They call their "nation" Columbia, but it might as well be "new Dixie" as they will eventually attack the "union." But yes, villiany is spread about: indeed, one of the tragedies of the game is someone who should have been a left-wing hero give in to violent tendencies (no spoiler.)

It is a honest study of power; how people with great intention get so full of themselves they wind up destroying everything they care about. Yes, the images are raw and nasty, but I could go into a history book and pull out images that were just as raw, because the reality of racism in the early 1900's (where the game takes place) WAS Nasty. People may call it shock value, but when you have the Rand Pauls (who could easily be a bioshock villain) whitewash the Confederacy (no pun meant) you have to remind people that no, the masters were not kind to the slaves.

If any gripe is to be had, it is that you can tell that Ken Levine (the writer) he had to water the badguys down a lot, that is because some Christians staged a coup and threatened to leave. Overall, religion, racism, even America itself winds up being part of a greater plot whole, about how people make choices, and how much or little they matter. If you were the sort that liked reading existential literature, you will very likely not be griping at the ending, while many people might go "but but but..."

In short, it is not a "game to kill white people" as some racist sites said.

[Initech]

1. Evangelical radio hosts are insane.

I'd rather listen to one million Rush Limbaughs than one David Barton or Bryan Fischer. These people are convinced that anyone who doesn't agree with them 100% is out to persecut them and everything that doesn't have a 100% Christian bent is ungodly. Really they're snake oil salesmen. I'd take this with a grain of salt.

[Mike Daniels]

2. The rebel leader isn't a prize either

Given that she was prepared to kill a child and referred to the child as a weed that needed to be removed.

[DonCoquixote]

4. well I hinted at that

but I was trying to avoid a spoiler. To be honest, I think the way they handled her was one of the few flaws, not that the Vox Populi were not good symbols for the way movements spun out of control, but the games could have used her better IMHO, even though the heroines encounter with her is what strips off that Disney Princess innocence she had.

[dballance]

3. Well Then David Barton, Don't Buy the Game & Get Over It.

Barton, Glenn Beck and the Brietbart acolytes are free to not buy the game if they don't like its content. Just as they are free to change the channel on TV or radio if they don't like the content. Otherwise, get over it.