Why D&D Doesn’t Offend Me as a Christian September 12, 2007
Posted by mitchfrizzell in Christian Discussion, Random Info.trackback
A few years back there was a huge uproar in the Christian community concerning the pen and paper RPG, Dungeons & Dragons. Many Christians were, and are against it, due to a number of reasons, and if I’m not mistaken, one of those was simply because many others were against it. In my opinion, there is few to be offended by, but in this post I will outline my reasons for not being offended by D&D.
1. Most of the complaints tend to circle around Magic and Evil. This I can understand. People don’t want their kids pretending to be someone who is simply evil or uses “witchcraft”. However, I find that in the D&D game and universe, Magic and Evil don’t necessarily go hand in hand. Magic users who use their skills for Evil and almost always considered “bad guys” and go against the ideals of the main characters.
However, if we were so against Evil, why would people let their kids play “cops and robbers”? Isn’t that, in essence, what D&D is? Playing cops (the white mages, fighters, knights) against the robbers (thiefs, black mages, goblins, etc.)? Isn’t that, in fact, a good lesson to learn?
2. The other complaints have to do with losing your religion/life to D&D. I have to say, however, that Religion in D&D is presented as a good thing, and sticking to your ideals is better than following the newest “trend”. For example, the Dragonlance Chronicles trilogy revolves around the party’s search for the “true” gods. These gods are presented as something positive, and the new “false” gods are presented negatively.
The reason for the search for the gods is not that the gods have left men, but that men have left the gods. Am I wrong, or is this the same predicament that out world and specifically our country is facing? In fact, it seems that the values instilled by D&D are more positive than the values instilled in most television shows, video games, and internet blogs.
I know my arguments might be shallow and one-sided, but I’ve never been the best debater. I do know, however, that there are many more offensive things that we could be against. I haven’t yet been harmed by D&D, and I don’t personally know anyone who has. Feel free to post your opinions, either with or against me. I’d be glad to hear them.
Good stuff Mitch, I agree completely. There were plenty of stories of kids becoming satan worshipers because of D&D, but I highly doubt most of them. Most of this comes from the “rock n roll played backwards is satanic” group, so they have no credibility to begin with.
Thanks. I guess I should note that I’m not an avid D&D player, and I never have been. I played a few 2e games back in the day (a few months ago), and I have a few D&D-related stuff, but that’s about it.
Hello
Was browsing under D&D and ran across your blog. Excellent post I must say. It’s sad that so many Christians today simply follow the current “trend” in the larger Christian community. As a gamer and a believer I’ve run into this all too often. I think a lot of it comes from people relying on other people’s opinions and trusting that those people have done their own research.
You make an excellent point about the magic and good vs evil factor. I also think that one thing people don’t realise is the versatility of D&D as a game. The rules are meant to be modified as are the campaigns. Can you turn it into something evil? Yes. But that can be said of almost anything. Anyhow good post
Take Care!
I think a lot of it comes from people relying on other people’s opinions and trusting that those people have done their own research.
That’s exactly right. And, the problem is that many people haven’t done their research, and are against D&D based solely on bias or principle. But, actually, those biases aren’t their own, but others’, as you have said. So, it’s a vicious cycle that repeats itself, doing more harm to the kids that want to play D&D than anything else.
But, once again the question arises: Is D&D really the number one thing we need to worry about? Or have we put other things like abortion, missions, and lost souls lower in our agenda?
Anyway, thanks for the comment.