A very insightful reflection from The Suburban Christian, Albert Hsu, about Gary Gygax's (co-creator of Dungeons and Dragons who died on March 4) effect on culture.
Mr. Hsu used to role play himself until a Bill Gothard rally convinced him to rid himself of his D&D paraphernalia. Reading this post makes me think that he doesn't quite think the same way now:
It occurs to me now that in the Gygax vs. Gothard smackdown, Gygax ultimately triumphed. Why? I think because whereas Gothard and other conservative Christians defensively attacked D&D out of fears of Satan worship, Gygax and D&D created an appealing world and fascinating narrative that people could enter into. It was participatory, and it also created community. Rogers notes, "You needed at least three people to play — two adventurers and one Dungeon Master to guide the game — so Dungeons & Dragons was social. Demented and sad, but social."
In short, Gygax created culture, whereas Gothard merely condemned culture. Gothard did not create a compelling alternative to D&D - he merely argued that it was evil. Whatever one might think about his perspective, the larger issue for Christians is whether we will create compelling, dramatic narratives and stories for people to participate in, or if we only react against what other people create
Moderate googling will net you with both positive and negative Christian stances on Dungeons and Dragons. The two have an interesting history to say the least. Here are two of the more well-known negative views:
The infamous Chick tract
Back to Mr. Hsu's point though: like it or not Gygax has done quite a bit to shape our current culture. Science Fiction and Fantasy books, videogames and movies are indebted to the mythology of D&D. Take The Lord of the Rings trilogy, much of the imagery is borrowed heavily from the D&D universe.
Take this quotation from the New York Times:
We live in Gary Gygax’s world. The most popular books on earth are fantasy novels about wizards and magic swords. The most popular movies are about characters from superhero comic books. The most popular TV shows look like elaborate role-playing games: intricate, hidden-clue-laden science fiction stories connected to impossibly mathematical games that live both online and in the real world.
Are Christians creating "compelling, dramatic narratives and stories for people to participate in?" Or should this even be a goal of Christians? Any of you have kept your Dungeons and Dragons characters secret for fear of what your church leaders might think? Other thoughts?
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Comments (25)
But in the meantime I do feel like there IS a compelling narrative to offer to roleplayers (now on Dofus or WoW, to some extent) of living in a country that is not your own. That's what Paul says!
I don't think that "Christian" roleplaying games are the answer, though I've had friends who've tried that approach - it ends up like a lot of "Christian" versions of stuff, namely not as good because it's trying to do two things. Even roleplaying a "pure good" character might not be the answer - but rather showing that Christian community can have as much and more to offer than the roleplaying community alone, a deeper and fuller sense of community that won't end when you decide you've outgrown the games (if you do - Andy, are you out there?).
I started writing up some random thoughts on this issue, but they got kinda lengthy, so I posted them here instead.
I like the article and it gives you a lot to think about - but this statement is to correct. The Movie may have borrowed from D&D but the original books by Tolkien come before D&D games. The origin of all of this is from myths that go way back in time. I think Tolkien and C.S Lewis can give us a good example of how to maybe engage mythology into Christian culture (And I think why LotR and Narnia have now been popular again)
Just my $.02 :)
I'd wager to say that the original intent of that statement referred to the "look-and-feel" of the LotR movie trilogy. We might have a very different concept of what elves and orcs and the like would look like were it not for D&D (and those fantastic manual illustrations!). No one's saying that LotR's *content* is derived from D&D. :-)
Peter
Now, while I don't flaunt it, I play every reasonable chance I can get. These days, since my Dungeon Master lives 2000 miles away (hi Andy!), it's pretty rare. But I still love it.
In terms of Christian RPGs, KDC said it all: "it ends up like a lot of 'Christian' versions of stuff, namely not as good." cf. "Christian" top 40 music, "Christian" dramas, etc. Give me "Tomb of Horrors" or "The Temple of Elemental Evil" over "Holy Lands: Light Edition" or "Forgiveness: The First Chapter" anyday. (And yes, those are the actual names of "Christian" RPGs out there!)
More seriously, I agree about Christian versions of D&D--while there are a couple with some interesting ideas, most were pretty much "D&D, but less fun." A lot of them hinted at theology that was actually more alarming to me than D&D's magic and occult content ever was--most Christian versions of D&D cast players as holy warriors out to fight evil and kill demons. Certainly that sort of war imagery has its place in Christianity, but it's hardly a very complete picture of the Gospel, and some games were not great at distinguishing between demons (who you were supposed to fight) and sinners (for whom violence is not usually a good evangelism tactic). Faced with a choice between a weird pseudo-Christian Sunday-school-lesson-meets-D&D game and a honest, unpretentious D&D dungeon crawl, I'll go with the latter any day of the week.
You say "much of the imagery (in LOTR) is borrowed heavily from the D&D universe."
I disagree. LOTR movies are based on the books... which came much before D&D (gygax was born in 1938 if I recall) and Gygax is quoted as saying LOTR was a big influence for him :)
A more correct statement would be that fantasy-fiction in general is heavily indebted to J.R.R. Tolkien.
This isn't to say that D&D hasn't since had a very large influence since though.
I completely agree with the sentiment that people should be creating culture, not just condemming another. Very insightful.
Absolutely you can call me Chris!
I should have been a bit more clear in the distinction between the LOTR books and movies. No doubt the books are the groundwork for a large part of the mythology of D&D. However, I think (and I've done zero research to back this up) that the movies in turn borrow heavily from the imagery and direction that D&D took the genre.
It's a weird cyclical symbiotic thing. At this point they're both effecting each other (LOTR MMORPGs, table-top LOTR games, D&D novels, etc.) which is kind of cool. Still, your point does bear repeating that as much as Gygax changed gaming and entertainment as we know it., Tolkien had to come before him to pave the way.
First, in defense of the Genre of Fantasy I have to say that unfortunately the popularity of D and D has made that type of Fantasy incredibly cliche and derivative, to the point where I eve loathe the Lord of the Rings, despite it's originality at the time because of how so much of fantasy is a derivative of it.
Secondly, I think Christians should be open to the culture, if they have friends in it to both learn it's not demonic, it's not that ultra-geeky, use it to build relationships. Don't do narratives that are blatantly "Christian-allegories". Don't have your level 12 elf become a Christ-archetype, where every move you get you "Teach the Way" and then die to save your friends, then get ressurected. That is incredibly cheesy.
Just my two cents.
Great article, but the comparison verges on anachronistic.
I agree wholeheartedly that LOTR paved the way for D&D, but my point was that the imagery in the MOVIES borrows heavily from what D&D did with that mythology.
Internally we had a lengthy discussion and debate on this topic of whether or not the games were appropriate for Christians to play. Both games use a make believe religion and involve the uses of magic and dark magic.
In CEF our focus has always been on the people who play rather than the game. So maybe we have a different view. We get immersed in the game, but only to the point of it being a game. We understand we are not our characters, it is make believe. And we should not allow our lives to be controlled by said games.
In the end our discussion was inconclusive. The best answer we could offer was that if it causes you to sin or practice REAL world magic STAY AWAY. But in the going on 3 years I've been leader of our clan we have not had one case where anyone has admitted or shown signs of being influenced to practice witchcraft or magic.
What many people don't understand is that there is a VERY INTRICATE and complex sub culture of gamers in both World of Warcraft and Guild Wars. Darkness reigns supreme in this culture. People come here to escape the world and their problems. There are a lot of hurting people.
As soldiers of light our presence has been met with stiff opposition. Especially in WoW we are fiercely hated for daring to bring Christianity into their culture...but for those Christians which were lost afloat in this culture who found us we lock onto and hold onto. We disciple. We teach. We strengthen. And most importantly we genuinely love them.
We have weekly Bible studies, weekly prayer meetings, some of our more trusted members have my cell phone number and the cell phone number of my co-leader with the instructions "If you ever need prayer. If you ever need someone to listen to you. Call."
Not a week goes by where someone doesn't turn to me and say "Thank you, Matthew, because of you and the people in this clan I've grown closer to God. You have encouraged me to read my Bible. You have helped me come closer to God. If it wasn't for you and what you've done here I don't know where I would be."
These are people I have never met and may never meet. Through the Internet. This is not an over exaggeration. Weekly I am told by different members about how awesome it is that they've been given a Christian atmosphere in these games that they love to play.
It is important that we stay away from the darker aspects of these games. I've never played D&D but my co-leader use to with a bunch of Christian friends. With games like D&D you have control over your world and where the story goes and what characters you play. They intentionally avoided the darker areas of the game. We do the same.
Christians are going to play these games. They are fun. They provide great entertainment and a nice escape after a long hard day. It would be a grievous mistake for the church to condemn and abandon this culture.
I'm in it. I'm seeing lives changed for Jesus. I'm seeing people go from potty mouth to on fire for God earnestly seeking His will. I'm seeing people take the Bible. Hold it in their hands and say "This is the truth. I serve Jesus. I'm going to make a difference."
I'll take all of the condemnation in the world from both the unbelievers and the Believers. I know what I am doing in this culture is God's will and I'm not going to stand down. Period.
If you struggle with witchcraft. Stay away. If you feel like you want to try it out. GET AWAY FAST. Just like someone who struggles with homosexuality shouldn't go witnessing at a homosexual convention. If its your vice. GET AWAY. Don't touch it. If it is wrong to you. Then DON'T. But for those who don't struggle with this...come on in. We could use more light in this dark culture.
My wife and I & a group of friends played D&D in our early 20's every Friday night. We had a great time and guess what we are now in our 50's and all still alive and happily married. We haven't killed anyone either and still go to church. We still use our 'imagination' to write music, stories, stage plays etc. My wife uses her 'imagination' that has made her one of the most respected scientists in her field. Imagine what life would be like without it - imagination. No cars, planes computers, medicine, need I go on?
Yes there is drivel that we need to stand against but we'd better make sure we have the facts before we mouth off otherwise we bring MORE shame and ridicule upon Jesus name. What did Ghandi say? Something in the vein of he liked the man Jesus Christ but he "didn't think much of his followers". We need to make sure our brains are in gear before we drive our mouths.