by Keith Distel

Created on: March 27, 2009

I was almost blown over when I came across this question. While I understand that the debate has raged for years about the nature of Dungeons and Dragons, I still find this to be a question of silliness. Given a little time and effort I think, no I know, I could write you a paper defining how the Bible promoted evil, adultery, and sin. The argument that the game is satanic is religious sophistry, nothing more and nothing less. Dungeons and Dragons as a game is only as satanic as the people playing it.

The whole idea of the game is to adventure and defeat the evil of a made up world. I would have to point out to anyone who sites the various monster folios or manuals as having lots of references to evil creature, well duh! They are the books designed to list the MONSTERS. The BAD GUYS. The creatures that you make characters up to defeat. As a person who runs these types of games I am here to tell you, it is a lot of work to come up with nemesis that are fun to battle and are believable to the players as foes. This is not just a game of pictures and graphics, it is a game of the intellect. A lot of work goes into making the game fun for all. The descriptions of these creatures give shape and texture to ideas and phobias many people share. These books also give many references to the good races and how they are portrayed. While there are no game references to Yahweh or God or Christ I am sure that this is as much to keep the Christian religious zealots from attacking the company as anything else. Zealots are impossible to satisfy.

I would argue that the practice of gaming is antithetical to satanism. Played by those of sound mind it becomes a cathartic bonding experience that allows people to release fears and worries of our everyday life. Whereas Satan would like us to be scared and alone, the game brings people together to act as a team, as trusted companions. Companions stay together down the years after having explored both dungeon mazes and each other in an arena that is safe and healthy for all involved if you cut out the often times unhealthy snacks. Therapists will tell you that talking about your problems is good for you, this is a game that lets you talk about your problems and slay them in the same evening.

The game allows through intellectual freedom the exploration of our psyche, which sometimes is a disturbing journey. There are dark facets to all of us. Given the openness of the game, at the same time the darkest parts of us, and the brightest, can come out. Let someone sit down with me at a gaming table, and within two hours I will be able to tell you what kind of person they are. I have seen timid bookish men ride hell bent into the teeth of a raging dragon to save the girl all the while figuring that their character is going to die because it is the right thing to do. I have also seen learned upright church goers rob and kill dwarfish merchants who were placed in the world to help them out because they felt there was no "real" repercussion on them for the way they behaved. The game doesn't shape you, you shape the game.
Satanism comes from people who by force of strength and personality would take and destroy what others have made. Satanism comes from those who would kill others who have different ideas on life. Satanism tolerates no moderation or understanding of anothers beliefs or ideas. Now then, let he is without shame throw the first stone.

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