Dungeons And Dragons and Christians
Posted: Sat Apr 25, 2020 1:26 pm
I admit it, I want to play D&D. Here are the ABCs of this topic,
About: I couldn't find any topics covering this on the main site, and checked back as far as 2016 and there weren't any discussions about it on the forums, either.
Background: D&D is a tabletop roleplaying game (no, not that kind of roleplay, Rick) where you create a character who fulfills a specific "role" in the group. This can be as a leader, a simple brawler, or the dungeon master who keeps track of scores, settles minor disputes, and generally guides the story along.
Conflict: D&D has been criticized in the past by Christians as being immoral. I did not know what they mean, until I got into the lore of the game, which is immense and convoluted. There is magic, of course. There are hundreds of different gods and goddesses. There isn't 1 hell, but 9 hells, each with their own rulers. There is a separate hellish place called the Abyss that is for some reason at war with the hells.
....and that's just scratching the surface.
Defense: Gary Gygax, the creator, stated he was a devout Christian before he died. His game, particularly the 1st edition, are based almost primarily upon J.R. Tolkein's The Lord of the Rings franchise. Tolkein's worldview was heavily Christian and was reflected in his work, I believe. He even was friends in life with C.S. Lewis, a theologian who wrote many books on the subject of Christian Life in the 20th century. If not for Tolkein, it's possible Lewis would not have been led back to this path.
Et cetera: Haven't made an OP in a long time, but hoping this stirs some conversation. Speaking of stirs, I am a little stir crazy in lockdown, and am reading everything I can find. D&D crossed my desk and I have been fascinated with it, and wish I could try it out right now. Such bad luck I discovered an indoor activity, but nobody to play it with!!
About: I couldn't find any topics covering this on the main site, and checked back as far as 2016 and there weren't any discussions about it on the forums, either.
Background: D&D is a tabletop roleplaying game (no, not that kind of roleplay, Rick) where you create a character who fulfills a specific "role" in the group. This can be as a leader, a simple brawler, or the dungeon master who keeps track of scores, settles minor disputes, and generally guides the story along.
Conflict: D&D has been criticized in the past by Christians as being immoral. I did not know what they mean, until I got into the lore of the game, which is immense and convoluted. There is magic, of course. There are hundreds of different gods and goddesses. There isn't 1 hell, but 9 hells, each with their own rulers. There is a separate hellish place called the Abyss that is for some reason at war with the hells.
....and that's just scratching the surface.
Defense: Gary Gygax, the creator, stated he was a devout Christian before he died. His game, particularly the 1st edition, are based almost primarily upon J.R. Tolkein's The Lord of the Rings franchise. Tolkein's worldview was heavily Christian and was reflected in his work, I believe. He even was friends in life with C.S. Lewis, a theologian who wrote many books on the subject of Christian Life in the 20th century. If not for Tolkein, it's possible Lewis would not have been led back to this path.
Et cetera: Haven't made an OP in a long time, but hoping this stirs some conversation. Speaking of stirs, I am a little stir crazy in lockdown, and am reading everything I can find. D&D crossed my desk and I have been fascinated with it, and wish I could try it out right now. Such bad luck I discovered an indoor activity, but nobody to play it with!!
