Is D&D a sin?

[Doublehex]

First off, hello evryone. As you can see, I am teh newsest protestant to join this forum (hope we protestants aren't overwhelmed by the other sects) and I ave a question to ask.

If D&D is a sin, why? I mean, I have heard stories of those who went over the deep end (most were non-christian or were of little faith BTW) and started practicing (or tried to, at least) magic and witchcraft. Now, I love fantasy, love to write it, and love to roleplay fantasy characters in the MMO World of Warcraft (if you don't know what I am talking about, I will post a link later) but my parents are dead set that D&D is a sin. Now, i have heard a mixed bag on this topic (some christians say it is, some say no) so I want your opinions on it.

 

[Brennin]

First off, hello evryone. As you can see, I am teh newsest protestant to join this forum (hope we protestants aren't overwhelmed by the other sects) and I ave a question to ask.

If D&D is a sin, why? I mean, I have heard stories of those who went over the deep end (most were non-christian or were of little faith BTW) and started practicing (or tried to, at least) magic and witchcraft. Now, I love fantasy, love to write it, and love to roleplay fantasy characters in the MMO World of Warcraft (if you don't know what I am talking about, I will post a link later) but my parents are dead set that D&D is a sin. Now, i have heard a mixed bag on this topic (some christians say it is, some say no) so I want your opinions on it.

No, it is not a sin. Take a look at this; it may be of help to you.

 

[Joykins]

If it keeps you from God in some way, causes you to lie to or dishonor your parents, or becomes an unhealthy obsession, then it may be a sin for you. I don't think rpgs/D&D/fantasy literature are sins in and of themselves.

 

[Doublehex]

If it keeps you from God in some way, causes you to lie to or dishonor your parents, or becomes an unhealthy obsession, then it may be a sin for you. I don't think rpgs/D&D/fantasy literature are sins in and of themselves.

And if videogames haven't in themselves made me do that, I very seriously doubt D&D will.

 

[GreenPartyVoter]

no, of course not. Joykins is right on the money.

Signed, a Christian D&Der

 

[Spherical Time]

First off, hello evryone. As you can see, I am teh newsest protestant to join this forum (hope we protestants aren't overwhelmed by the other sects) and I ave a question to ask.

If D&D is a sin, why? I mean, I have heard stories of those who went over the deep end (most were non-christian or were of little faith BTW) and started practicing (or tried to, at least) magic and witchcraft. Now, I love fantasy, love to write it, and love to roleplay fantasy characters in the MMO World of Warcraft (if you don't know what I am talking about, I will post a link later) but my parents are dead set that D&D is a sin. Now, i have heard a mixed bag on this topic (some christians say it is, some say no) so I want your opinions on it.

Well, I'm not a Christian, but I would have to say that Dungeons and Dragons is a sin. You see, after a while, finding enough animals to torture and sacrifice to your demonic gods is tough, and you have to start with the babies, and then with the orgies, etc. Then there's the magic, hour after hour casting evil spells on people you know. And I definately think that those things are sins.

/sarcasm

I'm inclined to believe that the reason people say playing dungeons and dragons is a sin is because they don't understand it.

 

[Arikereba]

I say no. "I'm going to cast a fireball" is so distant from any kind of real magic that it's not an issue in the slightest.

My parents aren't religious, but they were a little worried about my roleplaying habit, so I had them sit in on a game to show them how utterly harmless it was. That might help. You also might want them to clarify what it is, exactly, that they think is wrong with D&D, because fears about it usually do come from misunderstandings.

I do know that some people object to playing in a polytheistic world, but it's equally possible to make the setting a monotheistic one.

 

[flicka]

Is D&D a sin?

Short answer: No. Of course not.

Longer answer: If your parents are dead set against it and you have other things you like to do don't force the issue. If it's something you really want to play refer to the above link and plead your best case. Worst case scenario is you will have to wait 2 years until you are out on your own then start playing (if your still interested at that point).

 

[Nightson]

I'm inclined to believe that the reason people say playing dungeons and dragons is a sin is because they don't understand it.

It's all the people who wern't dorky enough to figure out the rules. This is how they get back at us.

 

[GreenPartyVoter]

It's all the people who wern't dorky enough to figure out the rules. This is how they get back at us.

 

[Joykins]

It's all the people who wern't dorky enough to figure out the rules. This is how they get back at us.

...not a D&D gamer, but a fantasy fan, here...I did some padded weapon battling, now that is dorky.

 

[Chrysalis Kat]

Noooooooo...you're parents are confused, it's Harry Potter that sends kids to hell.

 

[Abbadon]

Noooooooo...you're parents are confused, it's Harry Potter that sends kids to hell.

LOL!

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Chrysalis Kat again.

----

It's too bad there isn't any really arguing against D&D here, I like to have fun with them, and all of them are focusing on HP and not good ol' D&D.

Well, Doublehex, here's something to give to your parents:

It's written by a Presbyterian minister that uses D&D as a tool to minister. The title's really clever too: "Confessions of a Dungeons and Dragons Addict". Which makes it seem like it's something your parents would agree with. Print it out, and tell them, "I did some research on the internet about D&D and Christianity. This is written by a minister, and I think you should read it."

The essay is here: http://www.mjyoung.net/dungeon/confess.html

As for the stories about people that went over the deep end, they probably are:

A) Inaccurate, if not an outright lie
B) A bizarre minority; it's just as easy to find such problems related to "acceptable" past times such as sports, capitalism, popularity, and religion.
C) Someone that were pushed off the deep end by concerned relatives and fellow church members that kept telling them "It's satanic" instead of listening, and treating them as an outcast instead of obeying the commandment "Love thy neighbor".
D) any combination of A, B, and/or C, usually starting with C.

Though, don't use option C as an arguement, unless there's absolutly nothing else to get fellow church members off your back.

D&D is a sin is if:
-It leads to sinful thoughts or actions. Which is really just the sinner using the game as an excuse.
-It gets between you and God. But this can happen with anything, and D&D is not anymore likely.

Actually, my friends and I study religion and philosophy more than if we didn't play D&D.

 

[Rae]

Is D&D a sin?

No. It's a game, like many other games.

 

[spinningtutu]

Whether or not it is sin depends on whether or not it causes you to channel hatred and evil.

Things/games/shows/cds/movies are themselves amoral... it is what a person chooses to do with them that counts. I can't say D&D itself is either a sin or not

What some people do with it may be sinful... what others do with it may not be

 

[Im_A]

First off, hello evryone. As you can see, I am teh newsest protestant to join this forum (hope we protestants aren't overwhelmed by the other sects) and I ave a question to ask.

If D&D is a sin, why? I mean, I have heard stories of those who went over the deep end (most were non-christian or were of little faith BTW) and started practicing (or tried to, at least) magic and witchcraft. Now, I love fantasy, love to write it, and love to roleplay fantasy characters in the MMO World of Warcraft (if you don't know what I am talking about, I will post a link later) but my parents are dead set that D&D is a sin. Now, i have heard a mixed bag on this topic (some christians say it is, some say no) so I want your opinions on it.

the ministry i try to attend to, our sunday church was basically an all day long of fellowship. so here's what the outline was:

get to the pastor's house at 11 for those who wanted to/could make it, and get D&D all set up. break after a few hours to have pizza together and just talk. then go back to playing till about 5. the pastor's wife would cook dinner for us and those who wanted to stay and eat could. then around 6 or so, we'd leave for the study, which was held in a building downtown Toledo, next to the one of the big gay bars in the city. we'd have study, and the doors would open for anyone who would want to come in. studies would last, depending on how the dialogue went. then whenever the study ended, we'd have more fellowship. either play more games, or just hang around and be lazy and talk. then normally around 11pm, church would be over.

the church now is on a different outline. it was more of a home based church and the church is still going more into that direction as a home based church. the pastor is getting his apprentiship into tattooing, and still doing studies and such. they play D&D once in awhile with friends or whatever i'm sure. studies are being done at the parlor that him and another artist opened up together.

 

[seebs]

http://www.rpg.net/sites/252/quellen/stackpole/pulling_report.html

Here's where it came from.

Long story short: No, not a sin. In fact, an excellent witnessing tool if you use it that way.

If you'd like an experienced gamer to talk to your parents about D&D and whether or not it's a sin, feel free to point 'em at me.

 

[Nymphalidae]

I <3 WoW

 

[DaveS]

Nope, it is not a sin in itself at all, like all the other fantasy stuff out there. I agree with joykins.

I think it may be bad for certain people however who start to actually think it is real or if it fuels bad feelings or whatever.

 

[Doublehex]

I tied to get my mom to read the article 'Confessions of a Dunegons & Dragons Addict'.

She refused absolutley.

She said the following, which I belive showed my parents stubborness:

*You do not know if these people are telling the truth

*It is used as an oppurtunity by Satan

*That Bob Davidson and Bob Ling (friends of my parents) played this game, and almsot became satanists.

I think the last, beyond anything else, has kept me from enjoying the game. Maybe when I leave High School, I'll be able to by D&D. Until then, I'll have no hard feelings against my parents, or anyone else for that matter. They are are only trying to protect me (altough it is from a false enemy).

Thanks for evreything guys. Until I can convince my parents to read that article, I think I am stuck being D&D less.