how to convince people that D&D is not evil

[rgard]

Isn't there a bibilical based D20 game out there somewhere? I was considering picking it up for my boardgame group at church and running them through something. I think it would be rather neat to be Moses, facing down Pharoh with the Lord on your side.

Yeah, here it is, I knew I saw it somewhere:

http://www.greenronin.com/catalog/grr1019

Now, argue that roleplaying games are the work of the devil.

I haven't played in that setting yet, but somebody told me it had some adult themes in it.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Barak]

I haven't played in that setting yet, but somebody told me it had some adult themes in it.

Thanks,
Rich

There's adult themes in every single major religious text, especially the Bible.

 

[Dross]

I like to point out that Monopoly must be evil since you pretend to drive people into bankruptcy and poverty.

That is an argument that I have used, also that "the Game of Life" makes children into "little grubby money seeking capatilists" since to win that game you have to have the most $$$.

.....turned out to be one of the most educational "toys" I ever had growing up.

This is so true for many people.

Given the general lack of specific cases of "D&D made me do it" to the cases "I did it and I play D&D", there is argument that you could call almost anything 'evil' if you wanted to. The pressure to succeed at school (no irony there ) or sports do drive many people to suicide, so maybe we should ban them both? :\

There is quote one or more people on these boards use that states that you cannot reason a man out of their beleifs because their opinion ios not based on reason. Unfortunately this is true.

Just stay calm whenever explaining this game, and keep the faith (all of them)

 

[Corvidae]

I like all the comments,
To quote tolkien

"what is wrong with escapism, if a man is in a prison, of course he thinks of what is outside, if a man is in a dreary life, of course he dreams of something else"

That is just paraphrasing, but you get the point.

Special thanks to the mods for not nuking the thread.

John

p.s. Tombshroud, go to thinkgeek.com and you might be able to mail order it, or at least buy some caffienated soap, not very tasty, but still the caffiene.")

 

[Olaf the Stout]

Ok, I just read through the whole thread and can't believe that no-one has mentioned this.

In my mind D&D is a tool, it can be used for anything. D&D can spell out the world in black and white terms, making it easier to make moral judgements when faced with shades of gray. It can also be used to spread fellowship and creativity. It can also be used (if someone really wanted to) as a gateway to try and use "real" magic. All of these are dependent on how you use it.

(emphasis mine)

Corvidae (and anyone else for that matter), do you actually believe that D&D can be used as a gateway to try and use "real" magic?

I have been playing D&D for almost 10 years and I seriously don't see how it could be used in such a way that you describe. Maybe my personal D&D experience is very different to most people but I seriously doubt it.

Olaf the Stout

Note: I'm not trying to be dismissive of your beliefs Corvidae, you can believe whatever you want. I just find it difficult to believe that someone who has played D&D would actually think this.

 

[Sykopup]

I've been playing D&D since the early 80s (back when it was really evil), and the parents of my group complained that shouldn't be wasting our money on this "devil junk". I countered with "OK, I'll just waste my money on drugs and booze." After being told that was stupid, I brought up the point that when we were playing D&D, they knew where we were and what we were doing. We won the arguement. Since then, I have taught every Sunday School class there is at church, served a couple of terms as Sunday School superintendent, and even sung in a gospel group.

Recently, the topic came up again and I brought up the fact that several ministers play the game. I also mentioned that a group of soldiers currently serving in harm's way play D&D as a way to relieve the stress from their daily job. There were nearly 30 players, as well as several onlookers (including several officers who thought it was a great way for the troops to wind down).

A friend who plays whenever real life doesn't interfere had his wife question our gathering, so he brought up the creativity that comes from our sessions. After explaining (briefly) what the game is about, she agreed to allow him an allowance for new RPG books; she's even sought advice about what books to buy him as gifts.

My advice is to always remain calm when giving your opinion about your hobby, and ask your accusers how you turned out.

That might exceed my two-cents worth.

 

[Rackhir]

Now a case of jolt cola is something I WOULD sacrafice for

For some reason they do not sell it in Ohio.

http://popsoda.com/joltcola.html

http://www.thinkgeek.com/caffeine/drinks/7335/?cpg=froogle

http://www.beveragesdirect.com/products/jolt/

Not inexpensive I'm afraid.

 

[Harmon]

- edited Harmon's earlier post.

Rel- my apologizes, I knew I was getting close and perhaps to close to the line, I suppose I went over that. Again, my apologizes. <humble>

To the rest of you all- my views- I think that I will have to keep them to myself, but not for fear of your wraith, but rather out of respect to this forum to the people here, and to the people that give us this wonderful place.

Thank you for your time, thank you for allowing me to place my thoughts here. I hope that you can see the world with goodness in your hearts and an open mind.

Later dayz

 

[Fat Daddy]

Is Al Pacino the Devil?

Ask them about this: In the movie "The Devil's Advocate" (1997) Al Pacino played Lucifer, the Devil himself. Because he played that role, does that mean he's evil? Nope. In Passion of the Christ, Jim Cavezial (sp?) played Jesus Christ. Is he guilty of blasphemy and therefore evil? Nope. They are just actors.

Therefore if one plays a game where at times it is necessary to play the role of the villain, does that make one evil?

If they say yes, roll your eyes and walk away.

It JMHO

 

[Faraer]

To quote tolkien

"what is wrong with escapism, if a man is in a prison, of course he thinks of what is outside, if a man is in a dreary life, of course he dreams of something else"

That is just paraphrasing, but you get the point.

The exact quote from 'On Fairy-Stories' is

Why should a man be scorned, if, finding himself in prison, he tries to get out and go home? Or if, when he cannot do so, he thinks and talks about other topics than jailers and prison-walls? The world outside has not become less real because the prisoner cannot see it. In using Escape in this way the critics have chosen the wrong word, and, what is more, they are confusing, not always by sincere error, the Escape of the Prisoner with the Flight of the Deserter.

'Escapism' used unqualified is close to meaningless. Where is the escape from and where is it to? Why is it done and when?

The active, fantastic, questioning imagination is perhaps the most important human trait -- it allows empathy with others, transcendence of limits, creation and improvement of reality -- and a supreme moral good. We must all uphold and nurture it with utmost passion and vigilance.