Religious groups are calling for a ban on an online game where holy figures such as Jesus and the prophet Muhammad fight to the death.

Critics say the free Faith Fighter game is 'deeply provocative' and 'disrespectful' towards all world religions.

Muslims are particularly outraged because Islamic tradition prohibits drawings of Allah.

Hindus and Buddhists are also upset as the god Ganesha and Buddha are two of the six 'players'.

'This game is going out of its way to upset people and I think it should be taken off the internet,' said Douglas Miller, pastor of the Link Church in Birmingham.

'Playing violent video games will ultimately affect your behaviour and this game is deeply offensive and provocative.'

A spokesman for the Federation of Muslim Organisations said: 'In the current climate, this game can only create fear about religion. 'Having images depicting Muhammad in this way is also very offensive to our faith.'

Brian Appleyard, former chairman of the Buddhist Society, called the game an 'offensive futile project'.

The makers of the game, where a loincloth-clad Jesus battles against a fireball-shooting Muhammad, have shrugged off criticism.

A spokesman for Italian-based molleindustria said the purpose of the game was 'to push gamers to reflect on how sacred representations are often used to fuel or justify conflicts between people'.

Source: Metro

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