From: water@david.wheaton.edu (Paul Waterman)
Subject: Re: D&D and Christianity
Organization: Wheaton College
Date: Wed, 6 Jan 1993 15:16:54 GMT

In article <lkjesbINNqbo@kara-kum.cs.utexas.edu> brinkley@cs.utexas.edu (Paul Brinkley) writes:
>In article <1993Jan5.080357.17150@wheaton.wheaton.edu> kroth@david.wheaton.edu (Ken Roth) writes:
>
>  Bravo.  BRAVO.  And might I add, point out some of the stuff your opponent
>is saying that you AGREE with.  You'll find something you have in common, and
>I'll guarantee it's a good way to get'em listening.  :)

Absolutely.  One way to go about convincing people to take a second look at
role playing systems is to actually voice the concerns that they have before
they voice them (after all, many of the people who are vehemently anti-role
playing don't have a sound basis to work from, and this will really throw
them off).  When discussing it, come right out and say, "Yes, there are some
problems with role playing games.  Many role playing games have taken things
from occultic and druidic, and other 'satanic' sources.  They include demons,
multiple deities, magic, undead creatures, the ability to play evil characters
whose sole purpose in life is to rape, pillage, and kill.  Yes, the Bible
says that we should avoid the appearance of evil.  Now then, let's examine
this together as rational (perhaps God-fearing, if you're a Christian, too?)
human beings, and try to decide objectively whether role playing is evil."

I think that after objective study, most people will conclude that, yes, there
is stuff in role playing that is objectionable to them.  HEAR ME OUT, I'M NOT
DONE!  However, one of the basic tenets that is expounded in virtually every
role playing game that I've ever played is that these "rules" are merely
guidelines.  If you don't like something, CHANGE IT!  Throw it out!  Don't
like multiple deities?  Get rid of them!  Don't care for the undead?  Nuke
'em.  Don't like raping, pillaging, and killing (most of us don't)?  If your
characters try it, fry 'em with a lightning bolt! 

>>PS, the others I have played with include a Pastor's kid, a Missionary's kid,
>>a member of ROTC, a wrestler, two art majors, an ex-youth pastor and his wife,
>>two people (and their wives) who work for a large Christian mission.  And some
>>others...Just to show the cross-section of folks who play here at Wheaton.
>
>  (Hello, Hi, How do you do, Whoa!  Good handshake!, Nice to meet you,...)
>Once again, be careful there.  Don't use yours as a typical example of role-
>players, unless you've got a BIG group on your side.  (You almost do, as a
>matter of fact; couple more wrestlers and you'll be doing swell.  :) )

Actually, here's a key point:  When dealing with people who are anti-role 
playing, you really don't need to prove that you're the absolute stereotypical
role player.  You just need to show them that role playing isn't necessarily
bad.  Those people who will judge role playing on the merits of one or two
bad cases as being totally evil will not be swayed in any case.  The majority
of people, however, will follow the "reasonable doubt" method of trying the
case.  If you can show them that role playing can be good, and is not
necessarily bad, they will be more accepting of it.  Note, that should be all
we strive for - making people accept it.  We don't need to convert them into
dice rolling frp'ers!

Incidentally, I'm the missionary kid who now works for a large mission
organization that Ken mentioned above.  I've also thought about writing a
book about role playing, just candidly addressing all the issues from a
Christian perspective, and didn't realize that Ken had, too.  We'll have to
get together and make it a jointly authored book or something!

	  - Paul
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