Understanding God through Spore

Video games and religion have always had a tenuous relationship. But with the long awaited Spore on the way, there’s bound to be some resentment from the pulpit for its promotion of evolution. While the nature of the game–spanning from single-cell amoebas to complex civilizations–inherently employs the theory of evolution, it also has aspects similar to the belief of intelligent design. With its emphasis on creating life, Spore could actually be more about proving God than disproving God.

While the Vatican may have become more open to the possibility of the existence of alien life, it doesn’t necessarily mean the religious community as a whole is going to greet Spore with open arms. Religious zealots have gone to the extent of keeping evolution out of public school curriculum; something like this probably won’t slip under their radar. Even months before release, debate hit the Internet. But such resentment may be unwarranted for Spore.

In Spore, the active influence players have on the creation and development of creatures seems closer to the concept of intelligent design than evolution. Intelligent design is the belief that the development of the universe and living things is due to an intelligent cause or will (usually associated with the Judeo-Christian God) instead of random, undirected processes like natural selection. Basically, God is the programmer for the video game that is our universe. And Spore lets you take on that role (be careful how you make your universe though, since some creatures seem more like cases of copyright infringement than divine creativity).

Unlike Black & White and other god-games in which prayers, miracles, and god-tosses were a part of game play, Spore’s god-like control is replaced by a role more inclined to a silent nurturer of alien creatures. Religion doesn’t even seem to be a part of Spore’s equation–the game is all about having some good, clean fun, not about seriously addressing the mysteries of the universe.

With Spore’s game play rooted in the very essence of life, it may even offer a means of understanding God (or whatever you might believe in). As you guide and care for your creations, you may actually develop an almost parental sense of pride in watching them grow, kind of like children or sea monkeys. Unlike so many other “gotta catch`em all” games, you start at the most primordial level and really mold these creatures into your own visions. Seeing them thrive in a role similar to a real animal may make you think about life on Earth, its grand design, and how it all came to exist. Not to mention grateful we don’t all resemble sporn creatures.

While Spore may not be as spiritual as, say, prayer, meditation, or snake-handling, if it makes you look at life with a little more appreciation for its wonderful complexities, then I doubt you’d be damned for playing it.