IS playing Dungeons and Dragons a sin?

Question

And is playing Neverwinter Nights, which uses D&D 3rd edition rules, a sin?

I'm Christian.

Answer 1

I've been playing D&D for years and can state, without reservation, that it has absolutely nothing to do with summoning demons, worshipping Satan, performing magic, sacrificing animals, or any other such ridiculousness. Such claims are fueled by people who have very little knowledge of what the games entail. Here's a brief rundown:

D&D is a role-playing game, a particular genre of table-top games. In a role-playing game, one participant (known in D&D lingo as a "dungeon master") writes a story. The other players create characters for the story. During a gaming session, the DM recites his or her story to the players, and the players decide what their characters do. The physical skills and attributes of the characters are represented numerically, and luck is represented by rolling dice. The entire experience is something like mixing a boardgame, a creative writing session, and improvisational theatre.

D&D itself is set within a fantasy world similar to the one represented in the legends of King Arthur or Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. This setting does include demons, wizards, and the like. These are works of fiction, and people who play the game understand that.

In short, if the subject matter of D&D doesn't appeal to you, that's completely understandable. Lots of people don't like it. You shouldn't be worried about evil influences, however. D&D is no more evil than a DVD of "Robin Hood". The subject matter is quite similar.

Feel free to email me through my profile if you have any other questions.

Answer 2

No. D&D, and Neverwinter Nights, are themselves are not sins. However, many people seem to belive video games lead to violence and civil disobediance; and just as many belive D&D is the mariuana of devil worship and dark magic.

What would be a sin, I suppose, would letting what you do in the world of fantasy leak over into the real world, and act out what you make-belived on people or things in the real world.

As for D&D (the pecil and paper version), it is really just make-belive, like you proably did as a kid. Did you ever tell a story to another child when you where young and had them interupt with their version of events? D&D is basically the same thing, but it adds rules and structure to keep the story moving more or less smoothly.

So if you think make belive, or acting, is a sin; then yes, D&D is a sin. Otherwise keep the make belive just make belive and you'll be fine.

Answer 3

wow. Remarkably over-posted question. Instead of asking, why didn't you just do an advanced search and READ the answers of all the other times this question had been posted?

Another thing to do, while doing your homework, is to seek out Mike Stackpole's websites, he did a lot of work refuting all the "D&D is satanic" accusations.

Now, I can see how you might think it was a sin, and evil.
an 18 (6+6+6) is a "perfect" score.
The Book of Demons & Devils.
The Book of Vile Darkness.
The Book of Erotic Fantasy- these are all REAL gaming supplements!!
But just because they were all published, doesn't mean everyone uses them.

D&D, and all heroic fantasy, is about good triumphing over evil.
So, no, the game by itself is not evil.

The question is, can your faith steer you clear of temptations, or do you give in to them? If your faith is weak, then ANYTHING- including the internet, gaming, alcohol, the lottery, you name it- can lead you astray. If your faith is strong, then nothing can touch you, no matter how hard it tries.

Some people- especially impressionable kids- should maybe not play without some adult supervision. But compared to some movies and video games and magazines out there, D&D is not that bad.

Answer 4

Absolutely not. I am also a Christian ((LDS)) and play with a group of friends who are also Christian from varying denominations. Playing D&D is no more a Sin then reading a book or watching a movie, acting in a play, or playing a mystery dinner theater type game. The important thing to remember is that the game is Fiction, If you keep that in mind when you play, your play will be fun, engageing and good healthy fun.
Also something to remember, is that when playing D&D style RPG's That YOU are in complete control of your game, If your particular faith has problems with the concept of fantastic, fictional magic, you can elimnate it from your game, if you have a problem with the concept of encountering the fictional dieties and demons in the game setting, create one in which that element doesn't exist. You have complete control over what elements you use and your game can be completely clean, or it can be a little more colorful based on your needs and your wants.
Role Playing is also a healthy social activity which increases critical thinking, creativity, mathmatical, and situational reasoning skills and is a great pass time.

Answer 5

Dude, "fundies" and some of us are now being called, do not think its a sin. Atleast not us sensible "fundies". I got that game too, and I used to play it, and the actual table top game too. There only problem is when the people playing cannot separate the game from reality. Those are the kids to watch out for.

Answer 6

It's only a sin if you play it as a larp and end up killing people and drinking goats blood and stuff. That happened to us once. The neighbors got really pissed.... at least... the ones that survived did...

Something about a guy dressed like a goblin running around town with a rock in a tube sock hitting people and screaming that people don't like. I don't understand that..... we all found it comical. The goat farmer was REALLY pissed. We told him we'd give him a few really sweet wands and a cloak of invisibility for the damages, but he was just being totally unreasonable.

Answer 7

Yes it is, and you will burn in Hell forever!!!

Geese, give me a break. If playing that game is a sin, then what ISN'T a sin? Is smelling your fingers after cutting your toenails a sin?

Listen to me. Forget everything you were taught, and investigate things for yourself. Read the bible back to front, in one go preferably. It will open your eyes. Trust me, if more people did this, we would have more atheists in the world.

Answer 8

it is so ridiculous! i'm giggling in the present day. heavily, what do you imagine a position-taking area in recreation can do on your brother except strengthen his mind's eye and advance his math skills? continuously, those who imagine RPGs are "evil" or "sinful" understand no longer some thing about them in any respect. they are no longer some other thing beneficial than a cooperative storytelling recreation with quite of random probability thrown in (particular issues are determined through the throw of the dice.) that is an mind's eye recreation. It gained't harm your brother. God would not care (considering he would not exist besides.) i can not trust the D&D hysteria continues to be alive and correctly, 30+ years later.

Answer 9

I'd consider it less dangerous than religion. Everyone knows that D&D is all about fantasy and make believe. The same goes for Harry Potter- but not so with religions.

Answer 10

the Christian Ministers that i have played with and DMed for dont seem to think so.

It is a Game that is all. just keep the game in a fantasy world and all will be well.