Online article from the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-26328105)
"The view of roleplaying games has changed over time," says Smith, "mostly because the predicted 'streets awash with the blood of innocents as a horde of demonically-possessed roleplayers laid waste to the country' simply never materialised."
The overall moral panic over it may be over but it still has echoes. My mother remembered it from growing up and was in full blown "its the devil" mode when she found out I played. I also have a sister in law that had to be convinced that it is no danger to my wife or mine souls. Then again I live in the bible belt so...
People are dummies, and journalists put their stories together not for the truth, but for a buck.
The whole scare for the media was just a question of riding the gravy train for as long as they could. Now nobody gives a fuck, geeks are trendy, etc etc, so the media moved on. Video games change people into murdering psychopaths, don't you know?
I lived through the 'panic' as a resident of Southern California. I had one friend who's parents 'wouldn't let him play'. Outside of that, it had absolutely no effect on me or the hobby.
I know it was a bigger issue in some places, but quite a number of very conservative Christians permitted their children to play. You know, basically anyone that is willing to consider evidence and form their own conclusions.
If Ralph Reed turned his burning eye towards D&D ... but no, he'd respect Hasbro.
This is like the 4th or 5th mention of the Satanic Panic recently. What, is there something in the drinking water?
Around my small bible belt home town we had a few who couldn't play, one who could only play supers/Star Wars/etc, and one who was told never to speak to us again.
We also had a guy who wanted to replace the pantheon with Christ and the Saints and run a game for his church.
Quote from: thedungeondelver;742191This is like the 4th or 5th mention of the Satanic Panic recently. What, is there something in the drinking water?
Perhaps.... the DEVIL is behind it? Hmmmm?
Quote from: thedungeondelver;742191What, is there something in the drinking water?
I blame the new Dio tribute album.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ronnie_James_Dio_This_Is_Your_Life
Quote from: mcbobbo;742192We also had a guy who wanted to replace the pantheon with Christ and the Saints and run a game for his church.
I'm somewhat surprised this doesn't exist, call it: "Martyrs and Crusades" or something.
Quote from: thedungeondelver;742191This is like the 4th or 5th mention of the Satanic Panic recently. What, is there something in the drinking water?
I think it started as a 40th anniversary thing.
Quote from: Benoist;742179Video games change people into murdering psychopaths, don't you know?
And now the internet is the font of all moral corruption. Whatever sells "news", and nothing sells like moral panic.
Quote from: deadDMwalking;742187I know it was a bigger issue in some places, but quite a number of very conservative Christians permitted their children to play.
One of my clubs at the time had a member who was a vicar
and he brought his two kids to play. His game of choice was Call of Cthulhu, if I remember correctly.
Quote from: dragoner;742195I'm somewhat surprised this doesn't exist, call it: "Martyrs and Crusades" or something.
Dragon had at least one article on it and It was fairly common at cons to see clerics and paladins themed so.
The name Dungeons and Dragons was automatically associated with satanism where I lived in VA. It even got banned from my scout troop. We got caught once sneaking away to play at camp. The camp counselor made us all go back to our tents that first night, but never bothered us again so we kept sneaking out to play. I really think he was more surprised that there were no cigarettes, weed, or booze to confiscate, just some kids playing make believe with dice.
Michael Stackpole wrote a thing about Pat Pulling back in 1990 which is in hindsight a fun read: http://www.rpgstudies.net/stackpole/pulling_report.html
Pulling described D&D as "a fantasy role-playing game which uses demonology, witchcraft, voodoo, murder, rape, blasphemy, suicide, assassination, insanity, sex perversion, homosexuality, prostitution, satanic type rituals, gambling, barbarism, cannibalism, sadism, desecration, demon summoning, necromantics, divination and other teachings".
...or at least it is if you're playing it properly.
I also got a laugh at "No screens were involved." and felt a pedantic email coming on.
In all seriousness though, why is this suddenly featured on in the national news media...again? Repetitive and boring!
Quote from: AndrewSFTSN;742260In all seriousness though, why is this suddenly featured on in the national news media...again? Repetitive and boring!
I think bevause a new version of D&D is coming out and that is making people think back to the good, and the bad old days.
That and the fact that in some areas the witch hunts never ended.
Quote from: thedungeondelver;742191This is like the 4th or 5th mention of the Satanic Panic recently. What, is there something in the drinking water?
(http://s3.postimg.org/5qvvy89en/simon.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5qvvy89en/)
Goat's blood!
Quote from: Raven;742277(http://s3.postimg.org/5qvvy89en/simon.jpg) (http://postimg.org/image/5qvvy89en/)
Goat's blood!
"Hecubus, I haven't seen that movie yet!"
:D