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I am new to this forum so first off I'd like to say hello.  I have a question about Dungeons and Dragons.  My boyfriend of 2yrs plays D&D 1-2 times a month but is a Christian?  When I question him about playing he says that he doesn't take it seriously and that it is no different then picking up a book and reading it to escape reality once in a while but I can't help but be concerned.  Is this harmless or harmful spiritually to a Christian?  I grew up believing it was harmful but I wanted to get some different opinions on the matter.  Any help with this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Amanda

D&D isn't inherently harmful to anyone, regardless of what Jack Chick would have you believe! :)

I suppose (like anything) it could be carried too far, but then again, anyone who actually believes in elves, monsters, dragons, and trolls is likely to be slightly mentally unstable in the first place, and the game really has nothing to do with it.

In short: Don't be too concerned.

Unless, of course, he comes home one evening, greets you in Elvish, discusses the intricacies of Lawful/Good Magic with you over dinner, and then rolls a saving throw to see whether or not he has to do the dishes! ;)

For what it's worth - found this on the net:

http://www.exposingsatanism.org/dnd.htm

QUOTE:  

Dungeons and Dragons

Why all the fuss over a game?

I will attempt to give you my view of Dungeons and Dragons from the perspective of being saved by the Lord Jesus Christ, and by what the word of God says.

Corinthians II 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Now I have never gotten "into" the game, (and I thank my lord and savior for that) I have been around people who have and from what I have researched and have seen its is my conclusion the game teaches witchcraft, demonology, voodoo, necromancy and satanism. There are many more but lets look at just these five and other meanings in their definitions. Those of you who are playing D&D are angry right now and are looking for the mail link to give me a tongue lashing. Before you do I ask, as some ask me to do, just listen for a moment. What we must do is identify certain definitions and then see if in fact this game is contrary to the word of God.

According to Webster what is:
Witchcraft--The use of sorcery or magic.
Sorcery-- The use of power gained from the assistance or control of evil spirits.
Demonology-- the study of demons or evil spirits
Voodoo-- One who deals in spells and necromancy
Necromancy-- Conjuration of the spirits of the dead for purposes of magically revealing the future or changing the course of events.
Magic-- The use of means (as charms or spells) believed to have supernatural power over natural forces.
Satanism-- obsession with or affinity for evil

Now let us look at some of the characters from which a player can choose. And keep in mind Mr. Gygax admits these are derived from mythology.

Mythology-- The myths dealing with gods, demi-gods and legendary heroes involving supernatural events.
Dwarf-- a small legendary manlike being.
Elf-- a small often mischievous fairy. a small lively creature; also mischievous or malicious person.
Gnome-- an ageless and often deformed dwarf of folklore who lives in the earth and usually guards treasure.
Half-elf, Halfling, Half-orc-- There are no definitions in the dictionary for these three creatures and I admit I do not know what they are. However from what I know of mythology they are somewhat like the above. Perhaps Half elf, half human etc....

Now the occupations the player can choose. There are many but lets use these.

Cleric-- Wears armor, has weapons and can do spells and heal wounds.
Druid-- Cleric of nature with powers over plants and animals
Ranger-- Woodsman with magical abilities.
Magic user-- no need to explain this one is there
Illusionists-- magic user
Thief-- does this one need explaining?

Now the object of the game.

Players try to build up personal power and wealth. They have to penetrate the dungeon or the maze that the dungeon master has created. This game has no cards, boards or play money. It is played in the mind and mapped out on paper. The motivation is greed and you can do what ever you have to do to outwit and win. If it means to steal, rape, assassinate, trick or kill then so be it. You cast spells, hexes or curses on the other players monsters to help over come them. Players also have the ability to reincarnate their dead characters and the ability to gain information by contacting the spirit world. (just a tad of new age there) The game also uses occult emblems. See Signs and Symbols

So what is the problem with all of this?
Well if this were only a game to play like football, baseball ect.. there would be no problem. Most games are played on a field or board. Here lies the problem. This and games like it are in the field of the mind which is a very fragile thing when the wrong things are pumped into it. In order to master this game you need to take on characteristics of what you are playing. Most of the time you act out what is in you, your fantasies or imagination. Lets look at what God has to say about these things.

Concerning your fantasy's or imagination
II Corinthians 10:3,4,5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.

Concerning the witchcraft and other things listed
Samuel I 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

Deuteronomy 18:10 ,11,12 There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD: and because of these abominations the LORD thy God doth drive them out from before thee.

Galatians 5:19 ,20,21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

What you think you become. If all this garbage gets in you mind you can not think in a rational way. What you have to understand is Satan is the author of all this perversion. The bottom line is he hates your guts because we are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). There is a battle for your soul and it is not a battle of the flesh as we see in 2 Cor. 10:3,4,5. Now, if Satan can get you to reject Gods word and keep you from this knowledge that you have just read, then he has you right where he wants you.
So much more can be said here and I am not going to dig more deeply. More things can be listed but what is the point. This has just taken the tip of the "ice berg" and from just what is shown any rational person (God Fearing) can see this game is demonic.
As I stated at the beginning this is my God inspired view by his Holy word. I would advise you to do your own research into what Mr. Gygax has created here.
 Is he in contact with some supernatural force? I do not know.....but God does!!!!!
[end quote]
==================================
1 Thess 5:22  Abstain from every appearance of evil.

Shalom, MalkyEL

God Question, I SSuuupppossse ??? that we could agrue our right to do any thing at all, you know as long as we're not " hurting anyone"  ???
A another word of CAUTION;
2 CORINTHIANS 6:14 (NIV)
Do not be yoked with unbelivers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have wit darkness ? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial ? What does a believer have in comon with an unbeliever ? What agreeent is there between the temple of God and idols ? For we are the temple of the Living God. As God said: " I will live with them and I will be their God and they wil be my people. "
Therefore come out and be seperate, says the Lord. touch no unclean thing and I will receive you.
Pray before you speak with him, ask the Holy Spirit to give you wisdom and the words, also pray the Lord would prepare and soften his heart. I'm confident to say that I and others will agree in prayer with you. It seems to me that you already know it's wrong, the Lord will reveal to His people by His Spirit if we are not hard hearted. Be encouraged. Prayer changes things! :)

Haha dude - it's just a game! :)

It's not evil, just (in my opinion) kinda stupid.

Playing D&D is no more evil than reading Harry Potter or Nania.

Hi there,
I know nothing about D&D apart from what I have read about it here. All I know is that I had never heard of it at all til last year (perhaps its not popular in England I dunno) but anyways, the first I heard of it was at a talk about the occult at a christian camp and D&D did come into it and it was talked of in a negative manner and very harmful. Not just to Christians, but to anyone who plays it as with any other form of occultism. It might not seem harmful at the time, but it is one of those shiny, exciting things that draws people in. I expect True Christian's who play D&D understand that it is 'just a game' the same way that reading Harry Potter books is 'just a story' but to others it can be the start of a slippery slope into the 'dark'.
Just my opinions, from what I have heard!
Marie

hehee!  That's funny!  So I take it you've played before eh?  I like the saving roll to see about the dishes.  Never tried that... ;D :D

I'll just say this: "All things are lawful for me but all things are not expedient, all things are lawful for me but I will not be brought under the power of any."[/i]  There are pros and cons to everything.  I played GURPS for years prior to being saved.  When I got saved, my desire for that stuff was less, but I never felt the need to stop.  Not until I found myself still spending a great deal of time in prep for gaming, or painting the miniatures, or other stuff related thereto.  I felt genuinely convicted and gave it all up for the verses and what not listed by others.

Since then, I've come to understand something.  Again, this is my understanding and I do believe it to be biblical, but nonetheless is an understanding that many won't agree with.  The verse I quoted at the top is strong.  It doesn't say "all things but what God said no to."  It says "all things."  The point being that the condemnation that the law brought was no longer in effect.  Killing is still wrong, but Jesus paid the price the law demanded for me.  I said all that to say this.  For me, gaming was my god.  I had to get rid of it to know my God.  I know Him, and am growing in my knowledge of Him.  

Now, I play Axis and Allies, and spent some time last week rolling up a GURP's character with and for my wife.  It was fun!  But it's not my life now.  I'm not tempted to delve into anything.  It is lawful for me, and I relish the liberty, but do not take that liberty for granted.  Your boyfriend should watch out.  He needs to make sure Who his God is and make Him his priority in life.   :)

I've been gaming for near 18 yrs now. I was gaming when the whole D&D witchunt was going on here in the states. My Mom flipped her wig when she realized that I was playing that "EVIL SATANIC GAME"... Wow that was intense, of course I am a prankster so me showing up with a cloak on at dinner didn't help any. I eventually convinced her that it was no more evil than watching TV.

Since I've been married I have played off and on for 10 years. It is hard to have a play group in the military, since people come and go so much.

My wife encourages me to go gaming. She has sat down with me at a few sessions, got confused at the rules and "funny" dice. She knows I enjoy it, and has given me many kitchen passes to go play. Of course when we do finally get together to play we start friday afternoon and I leave at 4 in the mornig so I can spend the day chasing my kids around.

By its self it is harmless, if it rules your life it interfeers with your walk with Christ. Once in a great while, is no problem. It is good socializing, and is better than going out carousing with a bunch of booze hounds.

but thats my 2 cents

Yup.  That and the folk that dislike Harry Potter so much because he's a warlock loved Gandalf in TLOTR.  Go figure.  Well said bro.   :)

Thanks so much for all the replies everyone.  You all have been very informative and helpful.  I have tried playing once with him and his friend in Washington when we went to visit his buddy during Christmas and when I played with them I didn't find it any more harmful then watching TV or a movie.  His friend doesn't allow people to play evil characters because he too is a Christian and doesn't feel comfortable with that type of game anymore.  My boyfriend plays D & D about 2 Saturdays a month and I didn't worry about it at first until everyone started coming to me who are fellow Christian friends of ours and asking me why he took part in an evil game so I thought I would get some peoples opinions on the matter.  

Thanks so much,

emtmedgrl :D

I always kinda thought that the purpose of a Christian life was to pursue a life of holiness and righteousness, so it puzzles me that involvement, dabbling, messing with, etc in this kind of stuff doesn't make a lot of sense.

When I read the Word, I see things like, don't be friends of the world - think about things that are pure and lovely - let the Holy Spirit renew your mind and transform your life in Godliness and the fruit of the Spirit - don't quench the Spirit, don't grieve the Spirit.  

So I figure if Jesus is living in me, by His Spirit, then everything I do and say is right in front of Him.

It's hard to imagine that He would sit and play D & D or read Harry Potter books with me.  

I think that the world has so tremendously much to offer to take our minds off the things that God finds acceptable, that we miss the whole idea that satan's purpose is to find anything and everything to work his playground into our lives and leave less time for God and His Word.

I was reading Acts 19, when some dudes [exorcists] decided they were going to cast out demons in the name of Paul's Jesus.  The demons turned on them and beat them up, causing them to flee naked.  This newsflash spread like wildfire and a great fear came on the people.  They were so freaked, they took all their curious arts, magical stuff, and books having to do with them and dumped them in a huge pile and torched them.

Maybe it's time for us to contend for the faith, instead of playing in satan's litterbox . . . :-[

Colossians 3
1 ¶ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.
2 Be mindful of things above, not on things on the earth.
3 For you died, and your life has been hidden with Christ in God.
4 When Christ our Life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory.
5 ¶ Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness (which is idolatry),
6 on account of which things' sake the wrath of God is coming on the sons of disobedience,
7 among whom you also once walked, when you lived in these.
8 ¶ But now also put off all these things: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, shameful speech out of your mouth.
9 Do not lie to one another, having put off the old man with his deeds
10 and having put on the new, having been renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him,
11 where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, foreigner, Scythian, slave or freeman, but Christ is all things in all.

Shalom, MalkyEL  8)

Allinall makes a good point when he talks about the game taking over, but it's no more true of D&D than Chess or Fishing.  If whatever you do for recreation takes over your life and prevents you doing what's important that's wrong.  D&D is no more likely to do that than any other hobby.

I played a lot of D&D (& similar games) when I was at high school and university and I've never met anyone (Christian or otherwise) who gained a remotest interest in the occult from it.

Yeah.  But it is the Satanist's game of the year...yes.  I jest.   ;D

Simple - if you want something to take over your mind, you let it.  People with significant intelligence and/or willpower will have no problems.

It's just like hypnosis - it won't work if you aren't suggestible.

love,
~AAAA

Exactly. 8)