BADD

{{satanism}}{{Conspiracy}}{{cquote|The ever-popular [[Dungeons and Dragons|Dungeons & Dragons]] [[fantasy]] [[role-playing game]] is ever-present in toy stores and department stores. This game is nothing more than an introduction to the [[occult]]. Fantasies the players involve and indulge themselves in include [[murder]], [[rape]], arson, pillage,{{sic}} [[terrorism]], brutal [[torture]], etc. Kids also take on the names of actual [[demon]]s.|||from a pamphlet authored in part by Patricia Pulling<ref>[http://www.theescapist.com/BADDbook01.htm As BADD As It Gets]. The Escapist.</ref>}}
'''"Bothered about Dungeons and Dragons" (BADD)''' were an organization founded by '''Patricia Pulling''' {{lived|1948|1997}}. The organization was founded after Pulling's son Irving "Bink" Pulling committed [[suicide]] in 1982. It continued until she died in 1997.

Pulling blamed her son's [[suicide]] on Dungeons and Dragons, saying her son was "cursed" in the game shortly before his death. She filed a lawsuit against her son's high school principal and a wrongful death lawsuit against the publishers of the game shortly thereafter.<ref name = "BBC">[http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26328105 The great 1980s Dungeons & Dragons panic]. [[BBC]], 11 April 2014.</ref> Both of the lawsuits were dismissed.

In 1984, BADD was formed. Its targets were:

{{quotebox|...violent-[[occult]] related [[rock music]], role-playing games that utilize occult [[mythology]] and the worship of occult gods in role-playing situations like Dungeons & Dragons, teen [[satanism]] involving murder and suicide, and [[pornography]] as it is affecting adolescent behavior and reshaping attitudes and values in a negative manner.<ref>[https://archive.ph/fcBo B.A.D.D. stands for Bothered About D & D and other harmful influences on children.] Archived from holysmoke.org, 4 August 2012.</ref>}}

In its heyday, BADD spread to [[Canada]], [[England]], and [[Australia]], as well as giving lectures across the [[United States]]. It presented itself as a referral system for anyone concerned about violent entertainment. 

Although BADD obtained some success and support from the church, even serving as legal counsel and eyewitness testimony in gaming-related lawsuits, it has largely been debunked. Based on Pulling's estimates, around 500 gamers would commit suicide a year. The actual number BADD documented is around 7 gaming-related suicides a year.<ref>Charney Cale, [https://archive.ph/91lRB The Real Truth About Dungeons & Dragons.] Archived from cale.com, 7 July 2013.</ref> The U.S. Centers for Disease Control later declared no causal link between fantasy gaming and suicide.<ref name= "BBC"/>

Most of Pulling's points and ideas (not to mention [[credentials]]) were well and truly ripped to pieces by [[sci-fi]] writer Michael Stackpole:

{{quotebox|In her pursuit of a grand Satanic conspiracy – the same one she ultimately holds responsible for the suicide death of her son – she has engaged in unethical and illegal practices. Her methods and tactics, at their very best, taint any evidence she might offer and, at their worst, construct [[moral panic|a monster where none exists]].<ref>Michael A. Stackpole, [https://archive.ph/nynWP The Pulling Report]. Archived from rpgstudies.net; originally dated 1990.</ref>}}

In 1989, Pulling authored a screed entitled ''The Devil's Web: Who Is Stalking Your Children For Satan?''<ref>Pat Pulling and Kathy Cawthon, ''The Devil's Web: Who Is Stalking Your Children For Satan?'' Vital Issues. 1 August 1989, ISBN 0910311595</ref> The book describes how children and young adults are supposedly stalked and recruited by [[Satanism|satanic]] [[cult]]s, and includes descriptions of all kinds of vicious crimes attributed to the worship of [[Satan]]. The book implies that [[heavy metal]] and black metal music, fantasy role playing games, and horror media contribute to the exploitation of children by "criminal cults."<ref>[https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/devils-web-who-stalking-your-children-satan Devil's Web: Who Is Stalking Your Children for Satan?] United States Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs.</ref>

In 1997, Pulling died of [[cancer]] and BADD faded from memory.

==See also==
*[[Moral panic]]

==External links==
* The Escapist: [http://www.theescapist.com/BADDbook.htm As BADD As It Gets].
* Austin Wilson, [https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/bitstream/handle/1808/29349/Wilson_2019_SeniorThesis.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y Demons & Devils: The Moral Panic Surrounding Dungeons & Dragons, 1979-1991] University of Kansas, Senior Thesis, 2019
* Right-Wing Watch: [https://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/robertson-demonic-dungeons-dragons-literally-destroyed-peoples-lives/ Robertson: ‘Demonic’ Dungeons & Dragons ‘Literally Destroyed People’s Lives’]

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Moral panics]]
[[Category:Purity culture]]
[[Category:Conspiracy theorists]]

Categories: Moral panics, Purity culture, Conspiracy theorists