The relationship between God and war varies depending on religious or cultural contexts; in the Bible’s Old Testament, God is depicted as commanding or participating in wars to punish wickedness or establish his chosen people, while also later ordering war to be avoided or providing peace. In contrast, Islam permits war only in self-defense against those who fight. In Hinduism, war can be seen as a necessary, divinely ordained element in the world, and in some interpretations, deities like Shiva have used divine weapons. The phrase “God of War” also refers to the popular video game franchise centered on the mythological warrior Kratos.