Should christians play Dungeons and Dragons?

[CyberPaladin]

Unfortunately, I do not know the history of the anti-D&D stuff very well, but here is it to the best of my knowledge. I believe it was in the 70's or 80's that a college student who played D&D committed suicide. Of course, with the way the american culture works, a scapegoat was needed for this loss. They chose D&D. The fact that the person was depressed beforehand, and I believe had family problems or something like that too was ignored. Mothers, of course, got very anxious for their kid's safety. D&D, which had been just a game beforehand started getting attributed with the mentally unstable, the occult, etc, and it has been in a bad light ever since. Heck, when my mom found out I was going to start playing, she went berserk because all she knew about the game was the scapegoating it had taken with suicides, murders, etc. As soon as she found out what it was really like, she had no more problem with it than she did any other games. (My mom doesn't like video games or anything like that) Like many things in America, all people here about some things are the negative stuff. You never hear about the groups of kids who play D&D on Saturday, go to church sunday morning, and volunteer at the local homeless shelters every wednesday afternoon. All you hear about is the kids who play D&D and end up dieing in an accident or who end up in asylums because they think they can really do magic, etc. My best suggestion would be to google the subject and see what you can find out.

I have done some informal research on the subject back in college talking with some guys that I knew who were into roleplaying 6 of them used to be into D &D they were not what you would call normal guys very nerdy and also knew 2 guys who used to be into roleplaying games including D&D they stopped in college they told they had just lost interest in it and my bother in law's youth group used to regularly play it when he was in high school. When I asked them about people committing suicide or worshipping satan because of the game none of these people had knew anyone or met anyone who knew anyone that had done those things. I'm not even completely sure if the game was even factor if I were to take an educated guess I would say it's just a nice scape goat.

 

[Lignoba]

i say, do what you want because its a GAME!

 

[WhirlwindMonk]

6 of them used to be into D &D they were not what you would call normal guys very nerdy

That's kind of rude. When describing people, normal is almost NEVER a good word to use. Just because someone is "nerdy" doesn't mean there is something wrong with them or that they are inferior. As Bill Gates said, "Don't make fun of nerds. One day, you'll be working for them."

 

[CyberPaladin]

That's kind of rude. When describing people, normal is almost NEVER a good word to use. Just because someone is "nerdy" doesn't mean there is something wrong with them or that they are inferior. As Bill Gates said, "Don't make fun of nerds. One day, you'll be working for them."

You know for someone who seems to like lecture people I not making judgements your pretty quick to assume you know anything about me or my level of intellegence the fact is I'm what most people would consider to be a nerd .I don't have a problem with the term I did back when I was a teenager like you, I guess when you grow up and have real world problems you stop worrying about labels like nerd and jock . Also it was an honors dorm so pretty much everyone was what most people would consider to be a nerd.

 

[WhirlwindMonk]

You know for someone who seems to like lecture people I not making judgements your pretty quick to assume you know anything about me or my level of intellegence the fact is I'm what most people would consider to be a nerd .I don't have a problem with the term I did back when I was a teenager like you, I guess when you grow up and have real world problems you stop worrying about labels like nerd and jock . Also it was an honors dorm so pretty much everyone was what most people would consider to be a nerd.

It isn't so much the word "nerd" that gets me, it's the word "normal". The thing is, I've been called a nerd before, and I don't care. I'll accept the label. It's more a compliment than anything since most people who called me that couldn't touch me academically, which is why they called me that. What I despise is when one group is called "normal" and another "isn't normal". Now, I'm sorry if I'm getting angry and you didn't mean it that way, but, I couldn't see that and leave it out there. While I may be able to deal with it, there are some who can't, and about the only thing I hate more than the US's obsession with sports is to see people picked on and insulted because they are different. Especially when they don't have the confidence necessary to stand up for themselves, which just means they get hit even harder.

 

[Lithium Hobo]

Anyone who actually worships the devil will tell you that D&D is not a venue they use for their worship. That'd be like a Christian playing..umm...Christian Monopoly (can't think of a Christian based game) in order to worship Jesus instead of going to church.

The thing about D&D is, is that you can shape it to whatever you want. I'm sure there are plenty of Christian based D&D scenarios/campaigns you can find, or even make some up for yourself. If it's all the same though, if you don't believe in dragons and magic and such (which no D&D player I know does), then it shouldn't bother you to play the game.

Of course, dont' compromise your beliefs for a game.

It isn't so much the word "nerd" that gets me, it's the word "normal". The thing is, I've been called a nerd before, and I don't care. I'll accept the label. It's more a compliment than anything since most people who called me that couldn't touch me academically, which is why they called me that. What I despise is when one group is called "normal" and another "isn't normal". Now, I'm sorry if I'm getting angry and you didn't mean it that way, but, I couldn't see that and leave it out there. While I may be able to deal with it, there are some who can't, and about the only thing I hate more than the US's obsession with sports is to see people picked on and insulted because they are different. Especially when they don't have the confidence necessary to stand up for themselves, which just means they get hit even harder.

I love being called a nerd. I'm proud of my dorkiness, my geekiness, my nerdieness. It's all that makes me me. So whenever some jock or pretty pink princess tells you that you're not normal, just smile, pat them on the head, give them a doggy treat, and walk on. The nerd shall inherit the earth, afterall.

 

[Kelly]

If I had a dime for every time this was asked...

It's just like any other biblically unspecified activity, go ahead, if you think it will cause a brother to stumble, don't do it around him.

 

[CyberPaladin]

I love being called a nerd. I'm proud of my dorkiness, my geekiness, my nerdieness. It's all that makes me me. So whenever some jock or pretty pink princess tells you that you're not normal, just smile, pat them on the head, give them a doggy treat, and walk on. The nerd shall inherit the earth, afterall.

Yeah well I tend to confuse people due to my diverse interest I love pro wrestling and I'm die hard Bengals fan but also love sci fi. I'm manga fanatic but usually read it listening to Confedrate Railroad, Alabama or Terri Clarke. My point is the nerdy people think I'm redneck and the good ol'e boys think I'm super dork some that's why I'm not really concerned about labels like normal, nerd, jock, red neck or any other for that matter..

 

[Tucan]

Ahhhh, D&D, good times. I see in no way how this is demonic or evil. Once when I was playing as a Dwarven Barbarian, I was told to make my eyes pink just because my friend choose that for his diety. Pink. It's fun if you just choose to make it fun, and not a lifestyle.

 

[ReBjorn]

ACK! Don't play DnD. You may end up like these guys!

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=7521044027821122670

(Hilarious BTW)

"Mercy?! You wanted mercy?! I'm Chaotic Neutral!!!"

"..I think a lot of young-ish people have an experimental time, where they go through a pagan phase. It's just a part of growing older."

Ghahhhaha!!

 

[IWantToBelieve]

I have a VERY Christian, VERY good-willed friend who plays Dungeons and Dragons Online. It has made no effect on his life as a christian and as an excellent human being. I say, if you can play a game without succumbing to evil (that shouldnt be that hard, just dont get on your knees and start worshiping the game itself!! That's just dumb), then you should be allowed to play it.

 

[CyberPaladin]

ah

Ahhhh, D&D, good times. I see in no way how this is demonic or evil. Once when I was playing as a Dwarven Barbarian, I was told to make my eyes pink just because my friend choose that for his diety. Pink. It's fun if you just choose to make it fun, and not a lifestyle.

Yeah the only concern I have with playing any role playing game is that many of the people are obesesed freaks. Let me explain what happened my freshmen year in college my roommate was really into role playing games long story short his best friend and girl friend are sleeping together all three are involved in this roleplaying he finds out on monday afteernoon that Tuesday I find a message on our anwsering machine from one of the other guys from there game it says that they don't care what happened they expect him to be at usual tuesday game. He end ups quitting playing with them all togther because over the period of the next 2 weeks they left him 8 messages demanding that he showed up. I realize that it's necassary for everyone to be there to play but considering what all was going I still think they could have found another way to entertain themselves for a few weeks then see if the game could continue.

 

[edwardsfreak1]

NO!!!! it is one of worst games out there.

 

[WhirlwindMonk]

NO!!!! it is one of worst games out there.

And what basis do you have for this claim?

 

[sister_maynard]

Seconded to the above post. I'd really like to know your reasons for thinking that D&D is so horrible. I can't find a gaming group that will accept a teenage girl, but I've spent a good bit of time playing Baldur's Gate and other D&D-based PC games. It's not a problem until it affects your faith or disrupts your life. If it does, you need to take a break and look at your priorities. If not, play to your heart's content.

I like the MST3K treatment.

*howls with laughter* That's the best Chick parody I've ever had the pleasure of seeing, and it even had great Monty Python references. Given that Holy Grail is one of my favorite movies, the quotes rounded the whole thing off nicely. Thanks for sharing! Ditto for the "Fear of Girls" video.

 

[Asra]

I have played plenty of D&D and so far I've never done anything that I could blame D&D for. So I don't see the harm since it has never threatened my faith.

 

[CyberPaladin]

I have played plenty of D&D and so far I've never done anything that I could blame D&D for. So I don't see the harm since it has never threatened my faith.

I would say there could be harm from any role playing game it just depends what kind of group your getting involved with by which I'm mean how seriously do the other players take the game you know do they view as something fun you do or are they very serious freaks about it. I'm not getting down on role player I'm just saying that before someone starts playing in a game on a regular basis there going to want to get to know the entire group to find out how hard core into the game they all are.

 

[Kelly]

I want to use a d20 (D&D's rules 'engine') game called "Testament: Biblical Era Roleplaying" as a small group at my church. I just need to find the time to commit to it between work and family.

The game master (DM) is the ultimate authority as to what goes on in his or her campaign. He can set clear guidelines as to what is acceptable in terms of both the players' behavior (i.e. no swearing, etc) and character types and actions. If he clearly sets these groundrules up front, his players can decide if they are a fit for the group and know what is OK to begin with.

If a player is out of line, talk to them. If they keep it up, ask them to leave the group.

 

[WhirlwindMonk]

The game master (DM) is the ultimate authority as to what goes on in his or her campaign. He can set clear guidelines as to what is acceptable in terms of both the players' behavior (i.e. no swearing, etc) and character types and actions. If he clearly sets these groundrules up front, his players can decide if they are a fit for the group and know what is OK to begin with.

Exactly. One of the games I'm in called "Mage" has a rule set down by the guy who runs it that there isn't any swearing. Every once in a while, one slips in, but they get a stern look and we move on. In the game I run, I set down some rules, though most are just common sense to people here.

 

[Kelly]

I run my games from my home, dining room table, my kids are always milling about. They guys just know not to curse (and they're not the types to do it, anyway).

For a short while, one of the guys in my group who was a real munchkin player, would respond to any roll or ruling I made against his character with the BS word. I took him aside and told him to cut it out or I'd ask him to leave. He eventually left because the power level of my game wasn't big enough for him.