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

[catsclaw227]

For varying values of 'sure bet', perhaps. Of the five or so pagan gamers I've met, exactly none of them had any love for heavy metal. The only friend of mine who liked heavy metal was gay, but not a pagan. Everyone one of us were children of the 80s.

I agree that paganism and music preferences aren't as (loosely) linked together as paganism and fantasy/magic interests.

As for the sentiment that it would be odd that a store might carry Pagan materials and Christian materials at the same time; one of my favorite comic/game/book shops, Between the Books, has been odd for over 20 years, now.

I've been to a fair number of new age book stores with both Pagan and Christian materials.

 

[alleynbard]

For varying values of 'sure bet', perhaps. Of the five or so pagan gamers I've met, exactly none of them had any love for heavy metal. The only friend of mine who liked heavy metal was gay, but not a pagan. Everyone one of us were children of the 80s.

I agree, I don't think there is a express connection with that triumvirate. Liking one doesn't mean you like the others. Of all the pagans I know, only one of them is remotely interested in metal. I am not a huge fan but I also don't turn it off as soon as it comes on. I prefer groups like Rush, Led Zepplin, et al. when it comes to rock. I once associated myself with paganism but it wasn't quite right for me. Now I am a deist. I am also a child of the 80s.

I thought the supposition he put forth (they look at the same thing only at different angles) was an interesting idea. What are these three genres looking at? Is it the interpretation of myth through different lenses, whether that myth be modern or ancient?

I know I am likely reading more into that than I need to, but the idea intrigues me for some reason.

 

[alleynbard]

As for the sentiment that it would be odd that a store might carry Pagan materials and Christian materials at the same time; one of my favorite comic/game/book shops, Between the Books, has been odd for over 20 years, now.

Looks like a great store, by the way.

 

[gizmo33]

I imagine that an RPG publisher trying to reach out to new gamers, especially 12-16 year old gamers, will find it frustrating if their product is being sold in a store that might be anathema to many concerned parents. Letting kids try out fantasy role-playing maybe nudging up to the edge of their comfort zones, but if the kid goes into a store with real-life witchcraft, paganism and (potentially) satanism would be too much.

Many "concerned" parents (and I would use another word) don't want their kids exposed to science, country music, or brown people either. Frankly, I think RPG publishers should recognize that their product ITSELF is an anathema to some "concerned" parents. Plus, where did this whole "satanism" thing come from? I thought we were talking about neo-pagans? Why not throw in Buddhism while we're at it? If people don't want their kids running into leprechauns or devils or the bogeyman or whatever IMO they need to keep the kid on a short leash until he can go to college and invent his own kind of problems.

In that sense, I don't think they should mix. I would rather have clean, comfortable and PG-13 location to sell my wares so that parents would trust that their kids are safe.

Other people's religions can sometimes be clean and comfortable and even PG-13.

Honestly, if my girl came into a store with me to buy a gaming book I don't want her to be scared or to come out of it asking if I am a devil-worshiper because I buy books at that store.

I guess you missed those "talk to your kids about how you're not a devil-worshipper" public service announcements.

 

[Dyson Logos]

But I am not sure I would want my little girl going into a store like that... Letting kids try out fantasy role-playing maybe nudging up to the edge of their comfort zones, but if the kid goes into a store with real-life witchcraft, paganism and (potentially) satanism would be too much... I would rather have clean, comfortable and PG-13 location to sell my wares so that parents would trust that their kids are safe.

Any response to these points would blatantly violate the no religion rule here.

 

[Qualidar]

One of my main FLGS back in the 80's was Voyager Bookstore. They were a Christian bookstore that had by far the biggest display of games and (especially) minis I've ever seen.

(In before the lock!!!!! )

 

[Piratecat]

Yup. When we allow a thread to stay open on a subject that's normally banned, we pretty much have a no-tolerance rule on.. well.. on no-tolerance. It was nice that it stayed open for three pages, though.

Thread closed.