Oh boy, here it comes... Dungeons & Dragons?

SaintJaques · #1 15th July 2008, 03:06 AM

I don't understand why so many Christians say it's such an evil thing! I've been playing the hardcore rules (I've bought the rule books, I play on pen & paper), for almost nine years, and my relationship with God has only strengthened. Several of my friends all play D&D too (many of which have been playing longer than I have), and they're some of the most logical, sensible people I know. If a person is said to have become "possessed" or "gone crazy" over the game, it doesn't have anything to do with Satan. It means that person was an unstable human being and no one payed enough attention to that individual to make sure their hobby didn't turn into an obsession.

Vehementi Dominus · #2 15th July 2008, 05:57 PM

D&D is creative. It's imaginative, requires you to think up and visualise fantasies that aren't written in the bible. Christians don't like that, the bible is the only fantasy that they want you to believe. D&D can lead people away from Christianity because the more creative they are, the more they think for themselves, and the Church doesn't like people thinking for themselves, they'd rather just dictate to people what they want them to think every Sunday at Church.

SaintJaques · #3 16th July 2008, 04:12 AM

Originally Posted by Vehementi Dominus

D&D is creative. It's imaginative, requires you to think up and visualise fantasies that aren't written in the bible. Christians don't like that, the bible is the only fantasy that they want you to believe. D&D can lead people away from Christianity because the more creative they are, the more they think for themselves, and the Church doesn't like people thinking for themselves, they'd rather just dictate to people what they want them to think every Sunday at Church.

The church doesn't like people thinking for themselves? That's quite a pessimistic take on Christianity, in my eyes. As an experimental artist (focusing in graphic art and multi-medium collages), I thrive on creativity, free thinking, and total individuality. Heh, quite frankly, I'm done for in the eyes of the church!

Anyway, what you say makes alot of sense. Thanks!

Vehementi Dominus · #4 16th July 2008, 04:23 AM

Free thought is the way forward!

Izdaari · #5 27th July 2008, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Vehementi Dominus

D&D is creative. It's imaginative, requires you to think up and visualise fantasies that aren't written in the bible. Christians don't like that, the bible is the only fantasy that they want you to believe. D&D can lead people away from Christianity because the more creative they are, the more they think for themselves, and the Church doesn't like people thinking for themselves, they'd rather just dictate to people what they want them to think every Sunday at Church.

If you said there are some Christians who don't like that, I'd agree. But this Christian loves fantasy, science-fiction and roleplaying games, and I think for myself. My church doesn't dictate to me what to think. Certainly we get teaching: Our pastor is an outstanding teacher -- but it comes from his scholarship and wisdom, not from his authority. He wants us to think it through for ourselves and draw our own conclusions, as all the best teachers would.

You make it sound like Medieval Europe, when all of Christendom was just one "The Church" that had a worldly hierarchical structure, and could demand conformity to official dogmas. We Christians are agreed on some central points, possibly best summarized in the Nicene Creed, but we have many different opinions on other matters.

Celtic Heart · #6 31st July 2008, 05:10 PM

I was an avid RPer for many years. I still dabble in it now and then when the fancy hits me. And I'm a lifelong Christian

I think there are many, many more Christian fantasy/sci-fi/RPG fans than we give credit for.

I've been screamed at plenty of times over my love of fantasy stuff. I really don't care.

faith guardian · #7 6th August 2008, 12:54 PM

Originally Posted by SaintJaques

I don't understand why so many Christians say it's such an evil thing! I've been playing the hardcore rules (I've bought the rule books, I play on pen & paper), for almost nine years, and my relationship with God has only strengthened. Several of my friends all play D&D too (many of which have been playing longer than I have), and they're some of the most logical, sensible people I know. If a person is said to have become "possessed" or "gone crazy" over the game, it doesn't have anything to do with Satan. It means that person was an unstable human being and no one payed enough attention to that individual to make sure their hobby didn't turn into an obsession.

Any hobby can turn into an obsession, which is then unhealthy.
What you speak of I know well too. Thankfully, Norwegians are generally well enough balanced and informed to know a game when they see it. So we (my friends and I, all Christians) have not faced much trouble due to our playing D&D for close to eight years now.
And personally, I would say it has improved me as a person in many ways. In ways, I think it has also helped me improve my relationship with God. Not to mention that in stressful times it has been a great place to escape and rest my mind and heart. Like a book can be. Or a long walk, too.

No, D&D is a great game. And they would not consider it evil if they knew what it was. Nor would they consider it evil had WoC used different words. Avoided the word "magic" or "demon" and "devil" for example, yet kept the game the same in every way. It's rather stupid.

Keep enjoying the game, I say. And if some people are afraid of it, you could always find some way of arguing vehemently for their repentance from the evil ways of the TV which undoubtedly leads to devil-possessions and suicidal tendencies. Heh... Thing is, I think you'd be closer to the truth with such an argument than they are with their paranoid ramblings.
Hmph.

coolkrl · #8 6th August 2008, 08:12 PM

Currently, I am playing D&D on Myth Weavers (PbP); in fact, it is through them, that I heard about this site. I don't see a problem with a Christian playing D&D (I'm a Christian.)

To try to bring something of Christianity to a secular game/site, I have done the following:

1. I have told my players that I would pray for any concerns they may have.
2. I sometimes say "God bless" at the end of a message.
3. My signature is always Christian related (either a Bible verse, or some other Christian related statement.)
4. I have posted a link to this site in my OOC game thread.

I enjoy the fantasy aspect of D&D, and realize that other deities; magic, etc., that are a part of the game, are only fictional; I have no worries about getting into occult practices, due to playing D&D.

Axioma · #9 11th August 2008, 02:44 PM

Have you SEEN the movie? Only Satan Himself could have made something so relentlessly awful.

faith guardian · #10 11th August 2008, 03:12 PM

Originally Posted by Axioma

Have you SEEN the movie? Only Satan Himself could have made something so relentlessly awful.

Alas, yes I have. If feels like one f the first D&D games I played, back when I was 18. Not in that that was a particularly good game, rather in the sense that in the movie it feels like the characters are played by inexperienced players who aren't into their roles at all. Terrible movie for a great game. Oh well...