Do fantasy and paganism go together, or should they stay separate?

[alleynbard]

Edit: I am having trouble editing this post. I just deleted most of it and saved it by accident. I don't have the energy to re-type it right now. My point wasn't horribly insightful in any case.

 

[Asmor]

In my fairly limited experience, there does seem to be some correlation between gamers and a proclivity for "alternative" religions (alternative here being loosely defined as those which aren't considered an Abrahamic or Eastern religion).

Of course, my general circle of acquaintances is pretty heavily skewed that way in the first place, so take that with a grain of salt.

 

[alleynbard]

I suspect there is some correlation between those "interested in religion" and those "interested in fantasy". G. K. Chesterton thought there was, about a century ago. And "interested in religion" can range from all kinds of believers to various academic or other interest. You don't need a dog in the fight of "True Myth" or "mere myth" to like fantasy, but it is fairly rare, I think, to like fantasy and be bored by the mythic.

This is a very accurate correlation I think.

 

[Dire Bare]

I think there is most definitely a correlation between fantasy gaming, pagan religion, the occult, and 70s/80s heavy metal music. They all deal with the same subject (at least in part), but from different angles and purposes.

Doesn't mean that if you are a gamer, you are "naturally" inclined towards pagan religion and/or heavy metal music. Likewise if you are a heavy metal fan.

But if you are a pagan, it's almost a sure bet you are into the fantasy genre and heavy metal music . . . at least for those of us who are children of the 80s!

I'd bet dollars to donuts that the store owner from the OP is pagan, a metalhead, and a gamer, and that he sees his combination of products in his store quite logical.

When I was younger, I found plenty of "fantasy/pagan" bookstores that offered pagan and occult literature, what I call "fantasy kitch", and RPG books (mostly D&D and WoD). Straight up "game stores" or "comic stores" rarely carried the pagan/occult stuff. And I don't see as many "fantasy/pagan" stores around as I used to . . . but I live in small-town America now, so . . .

 

[alleynbard]

I think there is most definitely a correlation between fantasy gaming, pagan religion, the occult, and 70s/80s heavy metal music. They all deal with the same subject (at least in part), but from different angles and purposes.

Doesn't mean that if you are a gamer, you are "naturally" inclined towards pagan religion and/or heavy metal music. Likewise if you are a heavy metal fan.

But if you are a pagan, it's almost a sure bet you are into the fantasy genre and heavy metal music . . . at least for those of us who are children of the 80s!

You make an interesting point. The concept that they deal with the same subject is an interesting idea that I need to address in my mind some more. At least before I comment further. I think there is some truth in what you are saying.

(As an off-topic, side note, I am having a heck of a time with the boards right now. I think that is a sign to go take a walk outside or something. )

 

[Ariosto]

Do fantasy games and wine and fair-trade chocolate go together?

Soda and crisps, people!

 

[Mallus]

Do fantasy games and wine and fair-trade chocolate go together?

They should. That sounds delightful!

 

[gizmo33]

I am primarily curious if and how paganism (in any form, in any way) affects your gaming experience, and if there are any relations between them.

I know a few neo-pagans that game. Nothing in the neo-pagan literature that I've read has been particularly useful to my game - most of the information on folklore is available in other places. I personally get more milage out of fantasy books (and especially short stories) for gaming ideas. It doesn't bother me if a gaming store wants to sell bibles or chocolate or whatever as well as games.

 

[alleynbard]

They should. That sounds delightful!

Then you should come to one of my games. Not only do we have wine and fair trade chocolate but we also have microbrewery beers, home cooked meals made with organic ingredients (locally grown when we can get it), and an assortment of organic coffees and teas. Our soda, though, is mass produced but our chips are likely going to be sweet potato or root veggies as opposed to plain old potato.

I know how this sounds...and ummmm....you would likely be right. That's all I am saying. But I stand by my vaguely snotty gaming food.

Otherwise we are just like any other gaming group. Really we are.

 

[lin_fusan]

The gaming stores in my area have very little occult books or materials. However, they usually have historical books on war (usually WWII) to complement their wargaming sections.

I have always wondered if a game store could or should sell books on the mythology that feeds our D&D hobby. For example, I wanted to find a book on runes to flavor up a Norse campaign and had to hunt around the "New Age" section of a local Barnes & Noble (which was strangely embarassing).

My college friends and I tend toward the agnostic. Some of my high school friends are Christian and still game, but I do remember them spending time defending their hobby. I wonder if the 80s soured some Christians from trying RPGs while more non-Christians embraced it out of a sense of mild rebellion. If so, that might color the current decade of gaming.