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You know, I have to agree with you two. Those are the best arguments I've seen against opening the forum, so I'll have to stand with you in the vote to keep it CO. Open threads are acceptable though, right?
Hey, I’m not around here much anymore, but I just noticed all these changing times and such, and I decided to throw in my own old timer thoughts.
I would very strongly argue for the RPG forum to be for Christians only. As many of you have mentioned, there are tons of sites where anyone can play, and this is one of the few places where Christians can play without having to worry about religious disagreement. I think it’s really good and even important to have a place like this for several reasons.
For one, if “debates” came up in an RPG, they could potentially be far more fierce and out of control. For example, let’s suppose I’m playing some weak new religious convert. Then there’s an atheist playing an all-powerful sorcerer who is also atheistic who is going to come and squish my little character. If I were writing a good story, I’d probably let my character falter and perhaps even fall. But knowing I’m not just battling an imaginary unbeliever, but a real one, my character’s failing might be seen as Christian failing. So what do I do? Break out of character to make my point? Does that even work in this setting? If nothing else, this added incompatibility of believes just makes for bad stories.
On a more serious note, and I’m sorry if I offend anyone, but this is the forum that probably attracts the youngest members. Even being older and a very experienced Christian, I can foresee that some of the situations I could be put in would be very tricky if not nearly impossible to get out of. I’ve always said that stories are very powerful things, and if someone wanted to come in and subtlety introduce some squirrelly ideology, I think it would be far too easy and far too risky considering the age of most of our participants.
Another thing is, we have more freedom in what we post since we know everyone shares the same worldview. For example, I’ve seen fantasies with entirely made up religions or sci-fi adventures consisting entirely of renegades and criminals (ha, that was a fun game), but ultimately we all know what the truth is. I might play a good sorcerer, but we all know that magic isn’t real, and anything that is too close to it is probably evil.
The Christian RPG section is a place where people can relax. If some kid is playing a weak Christian warrior and they’re up against me playing an evil atheistic sorcerer, at least they know that the real person behind the evil is on their side. In fact, it can even be seen as a sort of training without any of the pressure of dealing with real sin or evil. I once played an evil demon that possessed people’s minds and made them think murderous thoughts. I hoped that through this character I would make people think “How would I react under temptation and evil thoughts if I couldn’t get them out of my head?”
I know our stories are hardly ever realistic, but there is always a semblance of realism behind every story, and every story says something whether it intends to or not. I’m sure most of us are familiar with the horrible state most RPG sites like this are in. I like knowing that whatever I do here, it won’t be twisted into something genuinely perverted and immoral. Not to sound harsh, but if unbelievers want to RPG, there are more than enough sites that cater to their needs. There are few places that Christians aren’t excluded by the corrupt content, so let’s not let Christian Forums become another place like that.
Just a note. I've redirected the discussion link to this thread. I wasn't aware it existed when I made my discussion thread.
Personally, I think that it should remain a Christians only section.
My reasoning is less spiritual and more practical than others. You see, we all understand what it is to be a sinner and an unbeliever. We are all the first and we were all the second at one point in life. So we can write from that point of view.
However, an unbeliever has no understanding what it is to be a believer. (And, I feel the Bible supports this idea.) They cannot successfully write from the point of view of a believer. And I think some could be rather offended at their attempts.
Since all our threads have a Christian theology behind them (even if it is somewhere far, far behind), I think it would be difficult for an unbeliever to be able to interact in such a playing environment. They simply do not have the understanding given only by the Holy Spirit to do it.
Also, RPing isn't exactly a good way to evangelize unbelievers. The best purpose I think it could hope to serve is to demonstrate the way Christians interact with one another. And, considering some of the arguments I've read (and, sadly, been involved in), I don't necessarily know how well we demonstrate Christ-like interaction.
I would vote "aye" for the formation of a Christia Committee if I can be sure the people on the committee know what they're doing. No, that's too harsh. I'm for a Christia Committee, but it better do it's job right.And since Drama has brought up the subject, how would everyone feel about a Christia committee that could handle the disagreements and gaps in the actual rules and backgrounds? A few of us have been thinking about it, but I guess the everyone should have some input about it.
So... Christia committee; what does everyone think?
I know I'm for it because then I could get some definitive answers to questions that otherwise must be taken before moderators that probably have little actual knowledge about the Cristia subforum. And it would give the players a more hands-on feel for developing the world.
So that's my think. Yeah Cheatolians, that sentence was for you. Stew on that one a while, neener.
I really don't want to start a debate with you Cheatacula, so I'm just going to say I disagree and leave it at that.
The only reason I can see to open the RP forum is to evangelize unbelievers. Now, maybe it's just me, but I really can't see the practical aspect of it. Build friendships and introduce them to the gospel that way, maybe, but all the same I don't know how many would stick around to make friends. I mean, the rollover rate of new Christian recruits is pretty high.
I just don't see it practically working. I guess if one person comes to Christ it is worth it, you know, but I just see it doing more harm than good, personally.
Off the record, don't forget to pray for Mega.
And since Drama has brought up the subject, how would everyone feel about a Christia committee that could handle the disagreements and gaps in the actual rules and backgrounds? A few of us have been thinking about it, but I guess the everyone should have some input about it.
So... Christia committee; what does everyone think?
I know I'm for it because then I could get some definitive answers to questions that otherwise must be taken before moderators that probably have little actual knowledge about the Cristia subforum. And it would give the players a more hands-on feel for developing the world.
So that's my think. Yeah Cheatolians, that sentence was for you. Stew on that one a while, neener.
I would vote "aye" for the formation of a Christia Committee if I can be sure the people on the committee know what they're doing. No, that's too harsh. I'm for a Christia Committee, but it better do it's job right.
Oh, and I'm willing to be on it.
By the way Shadow, Vader called. He wants his blueprints back.Well, since no one is making an official decision, I will. As dictator of the galaxy, I feel I have the authority to do so. Sometime this week, if I get time to do it, I will write up a section detailing the criteria of the Christia committee.
Once I've written it up, we can iron out the details.
And maybe I'll find better phraseology for rule #deuce.
It's nice to be dictator. By the way, Sampson, I might have a position that needs filling. I can't remember what it is at the moment, but if I remember it, you'll be the one to get it. It was you that asked, right?
Yes, it was me. I would very much like to be on the Committee. I can't wait to see what you've come up with.Well, since no one is making an official decision, I will. As dictator of the galaxy, I feel I have the authority to do so. Sometime this week, if I get time to do it, I will write up a section detailing the criteria of the Christia committee.
Once I've written it up, we can iron out the details.
And maybe I'll find better phraseology for rule #deuce.
It's nice to be dictator. By the way, Sampson, I might have a position that needs filling. I can't remember what it is at the moment, but if I remember it, you'll be the one to get it. It was you that asked, right?
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