From: joeg@meaddata.com (Joe Gayda)
Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd
Subject: Re: D&D and Christianity
Date: 5 Jan 1993 15:07:42 GMT
Organization: Mead Data Central, Dayton OH
Distribution: na
NNTP-Posting-Host: paladin.meaddata.com

As a protestant christian that plays AD&D and DM's, I can tell you
that these beliefs of roleplaying (David Fisher's) are held by the 
majority of church goers.  I don't want to be long-winded but I'm
going to concisely try to explain how I feel about roleplaying and
christianity.

For me roleplaying is a hobby.  No more or no less.  Like any hobby
a certain amount of time each month is spent enjoying it.  The key
here for the christian (as well as for others), is to avoid an
obsession.  It is important not to lose your spiritual focus.  You've 
seen people obsessed with building model railroads, playing a
certain sport, etc...  Where is the line drawn?  That is a personal 
decision.  Is a future olympic athlete in training obsessed?  Is it
causing him to lose his focus on God?  It is between them and God.
So I have learned to exhibit control over all activities in my life,
so that roleplaying or any other hobby does not distract me from my
spiritual beliefs.  (Side Note: I'm human, and I've struggled, but I'm
trying)

Seeing that I am a christian, I do believe that the occult and it's
practises are wrong.  However, when people say that AD&D is involved
with the occult, I find that to be a very misleading and incorrect
statement.  In response to David's comments:

|> I have had several years of experience with the occult (black magic).
|> It left deep scars on me (including physically) which God has been

I mean this respectfully, This is an example of a reason why AD&D may
be improper for David to be playing.  It reminds him of past
experiences that may effect his spiritual life.

|> Here are a few occult connections in Dungeons and Dragons :
|> 
|> (a) demons, well described and illustrated (including pornography, the
|>     succubus), with names and powers copied directly from occult books

It should be understand that saying the word demon, does not
make something occultish.  A Demon in AD&D, in my mind, is nothing
more than a REALLY bad guy.  The name "Demon" was used for word
asossiation (sp?) purposes only.  (IE The word "Demon" creates the image
of a really bad, nasty guy in you mind.)

|> (b) descriptions of spells which are REAL, including certain spells
|>     with material components (neccesary for the spell to work) such
|>     as human and animal blood and body parts

Imaginary spells.  I rarely pay attention to spell components, again
they are only there for descriptive purposes.

|> (c) descriptions, spells from and worship of REAL pagan gods - which are
|>     demons (1 Corinthians 10:20)

Again, another fantasy situation that should not be confused with
reality.  As a DM, I personally downplay the importance of the "Gods"
Tolkien's Silmarillion makes reference of many fictional deities that
he personally "created".  These references to "Gods" are for story
telling purposes.  That's it!

|> (d) accurate drawings and descriptions of "magic circles" which are
|>     used in REAL LIFE by practicing witches and warlocks to summon up
|>     demons and do sorcery, which is condemned in the Bible (Rev.22:15)

I agree that there is historical reference to these activities in what
little I know about the occult.  To me I just ignore these aspect of
the game because they are irrelevant to enjoying roleplaying.

I enjoy roleplaying for a few reasons.  One, I enjoy the problem
solving and logic challenges presented by the DM.  Two, I enjoy
story telling, both as the DM, and a character.  It's like creating
a living novel. A thirdly, I find it relaxing.

I personally enjoy gaming in general, (box games, war games, etc),
but I find unfortunately roleplaying continues to receive bad
coverage.  Thanks for listening, sorry for breaking my promise and
going a little long...

-- 
Joe Gayda           | The probability of       |          (513) 865-1560   
Mead Data Central   | someone watching you     |     
P.O. Box 933        | is proportional to the   |       joeg@meaddata.com
Dayton, Ohio  45401 | stupidity of your action | ...!uunet!meaddata!joeg

Newsgroups: rec.games.frp.dnd