Introducing fantasy RPGs to religious players

[Stormborn]

I am utterly amazed this thread has gone on so long.
Jurgen, I wish you the best in your attempt. I agree that when introducine new players to the game every effort should be made to accomidate them, and that as long as those accomidations do not conflict with the desires of other players or the rules of the system you have chosen then go for it.

Now, I too am a Christian Minister, and not only play RPGs but write them. So obvioulsy I understand the strains of RPGs and Roleplaying. While I would never hide the fact, I'm not going to advertize it in the first meeting with the Pastoral Search Committee of a new church either. Let them get to know me w/o preconceptions, then I can bring up gaming.

Your last post indicated that you were going to emphasize the "in character" nature of the game. Good, that will help some.

In my experiance there are two ways to approach the issue:

a) cleave as close to possible to the individual's real world persepectives
or
b) go as far from the real world faith as possible.

As a Muslim your friend is, as another person has put it, unlikely to be comfortable with anything like polytheism. This is a foundational belief. Therefore I do not know if he will ever be, or ever should be from his perspective, comfortable with the idea of playing in a world where the default understanding is polytheistic or even non-Muslim.

My only suggestion is to talk to him about how he feels about roleplaying within the cotext of his own culture and faith. Arabian Nights is an intersting and rich genre that is perfectly suited to play, and IIRC there is a GURPS book that could provide you with any "fluff" you would need to constuct a one shot game w/ whatever system you want.

Let him play a one shot, or limited duration (2-3 sessions), in a genre of gaming he will feel comfortable with. From there talk to him about how it went and how he felt. He will likely have a new perspective on gaming at that point and might be willing to consider other possibilities, or if not and he still wants to game you can continue on in the Arabian Nights style setting.

EDIT: Let me add that my knowledge of Islamic literature is limited to religious texts and the Arabaian Nights, so the above was just intended as a readilly availabe example. If you are more familiar with other Islamic Lit that might be appropriate, or he is, then use that.

EDIT 2: Avoid Testament with this player. The differences between Jewish, Christian, and Muslim interpretations of the material are sometimes subtle but significant. This would create too many potential traps for you.

 

[Campbell]

No, it happened in the 16th century (post Reformation) and was due to Henry VIII wanting to remarry.

My bad about the chronological misconception. I understood the bit about King Henry.

 

[spider_minion]

There are countless fun RPG universes out there. Picking one where religion isn't an issue won't compromise the game at all.

Maybe go with Mechamorphosis. Can't get safer than that

http://www.fantasyflightgames.com/hr05.html

 

[John Q. Mayhem]

I find it strange that people would find it strange that a chap might not want to pretend to do something he thinks is evil. Very, very strange.

Good luck, Jurgen. I really don't have anything to add that hasn't already been said

 

[I'm A Banana]

Let me add that my knowledge of Islamic literature is limited to religious texts and the Arabaian Nights, so the above was just intended as a readilly availabe example. If you are more familiar with other Islamic Lit that might be appropriate, or he is, then use that.

I'll just say that if you decide to do a little bit of research in this area, it can be IMMENSELY rewarding. The Arabic language is built like song, and the good translations read with a beat and a force that is quite compelling. Just avoid the Orientalist stuff, the things that call Muslims "Mohammadeans" or the like.

 

[Brennin Magalus]

Strange, I went to Anglican church every week for 2 years and I don't recall ever venerating a saint. Maybe Church of Ireland is different from other Anglican churches?

Henry VIII expressly forbad saint veneration, as I recall. I do not know if that is still the policy of the Anglican Church or not (perhaps it is an element of some "high" churches).

 

[S'mon]

Henry VIII expressly forbad saint veneration, as I recall.

Sounds right.

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

In the states Episcopalian churches are still named after saints and they revere/recognize any saint recognized before the schism.

I don't know how much that comes out in main stream practice. Locally the Episcopalians were as into St. Christopher medals as anyone else (who might be into St. Christopher medals) but it's certainly not been a feature of any of the Episcopal services I've been to and Episcopalians tend to have less Saint based lore at their disposal.

Course the same could be said of any number of Catholics and Catholic services so I have no idea what that actually means.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Interesting side-note:

Polytheistic non-Christian faiths often adopt saints as deities.

 

[HellHound]

Just for the record, people...

we ARE discussion religion in here now, instead of how to introduce someone to an RPG.

As such, I feel that the discussions on religious backgrounds, differences, and so on should probably cease in this thread unless we want to get it shut down for violating one of the basic tennets of the forums.

Seriously consider any further posts about religion before you post them - try to make sure they are about the original thread (introducing a person to the game who is uncomfortable with certain religious elements of the game) and are not just a discussion of religion. I don't want to be the one running to the mods about religion in a thread, but I'm a notorious tattle-tale.