D&D General Drow & Orcs Removed from the Monster Manual

[Paul Farquhar]

Argh this is frustrating. I’m not debating pedantic terminology nor what is “really Biblical”. I’m saying that I find works derived from the Bible (whether allegorical, mythological, fantasy etc) more interesting as a basis for mythical devils and angels than what D&D writers have created in the past 50 years.

And it is ALL myth and folklore because I don’t believe in God or the literal Devil and I don’t care what theologists believe is the TRUE story or whatever. It’s fantasy storytelling tied to Judeo-Christian religions.

It’s all make believe, just some is older than others. So I’m not interested in debating theology with you.

So, Narnia then.

I mean, I don't believe it either, but I think it's important to distinguish between actual doctrine that people believe is true, and other theological writing. And treat it with a level of respect.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

That post is the most American-protestant brained thing I've ever read. And it seems others have already pointed out the issue with it, so I won't bother.

"Asmodeus is different just because I say it is." Ok.

I kind of thought it was funny that in The Pope's Exorcist, they went with Asmodeus, and they made a big deal about finding out the name. They could have just picked up any book of common demon/devil names and it would have been top of the list (Aardvarkanus having fallen out of favour).

 

[AnotherGuy]

And it is ALL myth and folklore ...(snip)... It’s fantasy storytelling ...(snip)... It’s all make believe

This is the important take-away, some people struggle with this

 

[AnotherGuy]

And treat it with a level of respect.

You can treat things with respect and still have people offended.
It is not like all posters here who follow Judaism or in my play group over the years have reflected anything negative about the use of phylacteries within D&D.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

You can treat things with respect and still have people offended.

Sure. But if you are going to use someone's real world religion as source material you should try and avoid ignorant mistakes. Christianity is no different to Hinduism in that respect. It doesn't guarantee no one will be offended, that is true. But it's making the effort that matters.

 

[TiQuinn]

Is that what happened here? Were there complaints about the phylactery in D&D from the Jewish community? I hadn't heard anything about it.

Well apparently there was a seven year old response video (thanks @Alzrius!) where someone was upset that people were upset so apparently yes, there were complaints in the Jewish community.

 

[Remathilis]

That post is the most American-protestant brained thing I've ever read. And it seems others have already pointed out the issue with it, so I won't bother.

"Asmodeus is different just because I say it is." Ok.

Cradle Catholic here, but go off...

 

[Alzrius]

Well apparently there was a seven year old response video (thanks @Alzrius!) where someone was upset that people were upset so apparently yes, there were complaints in the Jewish community.

I thought you were kidding before, but that's not what the video was about. He wasn't upset about other people being upset about anything; he was saying that the Jewish community doesn't call teffilin "phylacteries," and was expressing frustration at the insistence that the two are synonyms.

 

[Remathilis]

My point is that most practicing Christians don't know anything about demons other than Satan and a generalized idea of their existence. Most of the demonic names to your average worshipper are foreign and they don't know their Pazuzu from their paparazzi. The people who do know are esoterics, theologians, and "ghost hunters." Believe me, anyone who would have an issue with Asmodeus had a problem with D&D long before you get to the specific names. i get a desire to draw equivalency so that you can show that everything is offensive therefore nothing is, but this is grasping at straws.

But sure, go ahead and complain and get their names changed if you're offended. D&D did it once and the game survived, I can go back to Baator and Baatezu if you want.

 

[TiQuinn]

I thought you were kidding before, but that's not what the video was about. He wasn't upset about other people being upset about anything; he was saying that the Jewish community doesn't call teffilin "phylacteries," and was expressing frustration at the insistence that the two are synonyms.

No, I wasn’t kidding. It was a ridiculous video.

Why was he saying it at all?

Do you really think he woke up one day and just said I think I’ll make a video about how someone confuses phylacteries and tefillin?