[Cerek the Barbaric]

Originally posted by wellard: Mmmmmmm Do I pick up a bible and repent so i can become as *fun* as these guys or spend my life in hell .... I'll just go and play some more BG2 while i decide [img]graemlins/hehe.gif[/img]

Now, now, Wellard...I happen to be one of "those guys" too (Born-Again Christian, that is). I faced a lot of the same un-informed criticisms back in my PnP days. My mom was never really happy with me taking up AD&D, but she allowed me to do it anyway.

When I first started going to the church I'm now a member of, the first night there, one of the deacon's wives got up and gave a talk about the "Evils of Dungeons & Dragons". After the service, I went up to her and said "Exactly where do you get your information about the game?"
"Oh, I don't really know that much about it myself. My husband is the one that did the research on the game."
"Really? Where is your husband? I would like to talk to him also."

Turns out, he knew about the same amount as she did - which was not much.


As a Christian, I will concede there are certain aspects of the game that I dislike or disagree with. While it does not arbitrarily lead to practicing the occult, witchcraft, etc. it does at least introduce the players to the basic terminology and concepts, which might foster an increased curiosity in those concepts and practices. However, it is always up to the individual to make that decision for themselves...and if they are inclined to explore the occult, chances are they would do it anyway - whether they played the game or not.

Still, that is a very small concern overall. My various gaming groups always had a good mixture of personalities and none of them ever decided to become a witch or warlock simply because they played one in the game.

The only thing one can do when confronted with ignorance on a scale exhibited byt the Christian Life Ministries in this instance is shake your head and try to give them a more informed POV.

We once invited the mom of a boy that gamed with us to come watch the game because she had these very same concerns. After sitting and watching us roll dice for 3 hours, she said "That's IT?? That's all you do in this game?" After that, she didn't have any more problem with the game.