Church of Resistance update: Sony gets a verbal trashing in Parliament

The last time we heard from the people up in Parliament, we heard about Sony not being socially responsible about its effects on the youth in general, but not much else about the other claims the Church of England has made against the company – namely displaying the church in a bad light, copyright issues, what-have-you. Now, we have more quotable quotes about this fallout between Sony and the Church of England, and they’re still from Parliament.

Presenting Keith Vaz, Labour MP and frequent critic of videogame violence. Do note that he made this statement in the House of Commons in an attempt to raise the issue.

My right honourable Friend will know that I have raised the issue of violent video games on a number of occasions. Will he join me in condemning Sony for the publication of a new video game that depicts scenes of Manchester cathedral, without the permission of the Church authorities, in a game that is very violent and bloody?

Will he join the Prime Minister in stating clearly that there is a responsibility beyond profit on those who produce such games? Can we ask Sony at least to withdraw the game and pay compensation to a Church charity, and may we have a debate on that important matter?

This quote won’t be complete without the reply of his right honourable Friend, Jack Straw, Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons. His response, verbatim:

My right honourable Friend is right about the issue, and there has been totally unacceptable practice on SonyÂ’s part. It has a moral duty to withdraw the game and make reparation to a Church charity, but it ought also to have some enlightened self-interest about the damage that it is doing to what was a reputable brand.

Withdraw the game and make a reparation to a Church charity. Very tall demands, considering Resistance: Fall of Man has been out for quite a while. It’s also quite disconcerting that an incident regarding a location digitally-replicated in a fictional videogame is getting this much political attention – which asks the question: just how far will this go?

In any case, there you have it. Their take on what’s happening right now, as far as the battle between Sony and the Church of the England is concerned. What say you, readers? Let us know by your comments.

The last time we heard from the people up in Parliament, we heard about Sony not being socially responsible about its effects on the youth in general, but not much else about the other claims the Church of England has made against the company – namely displaying the church in a bad light, copyright issues, what-have-you. Now, we have more quotable quotes about this fallout between Sony and the Church of England, and they’re still from Parliament.

Presenting Keith Vaz, Labour MP and frequent critic of videogame violence. Do note that he made this statement in the House of Commons in an attempt to raise the issue.

My right honourable Friend will know that I have raised the issue of violent video games on a number of occasions. Will he join me in condemning Sony for the publication of a new video game that depicts scenes of Manchester cathedral, without the permission of the Church authorities, in a game that is very violent and bloody?

Will he join the Prime Minister in stating clearly that there is a responsibility beyond profit on those who produce such games? Can we ask Sony at least to withdraw the game and pay compensation to a Church charity, and may we have a debate on that important matter?

This quote won’t be complete without the reply of his right honourable Friend, Jack Straw, Lord Privy Seal and Leader of the House of Commons. His response, verbatim:

My right honourable Friend is right about the issue, and there has been totally unacceptable practice on SonyÂ’s part. It has a moral duty to withdraw the game and make reparation to a Church charity, but it ought also to have some enlightened self-interest about the damage that it is doing to what was a reputable brand.

Withdraw the game and make a reparation to a Church charity. Very tall demands, considering Resistance: Fall of Man has been out for quite a while. It’s also quite disconcerting that an incident regarding a location digitally-replicated in a fictional videogame is getting this much political attention – which asks the question: just how far will this go?

In any case, there you have it. Their take on what’s happening right now, as far as the battle between Sony and the Church of the England is concerned. What say you, readers? Let us know by your comments.