Faith Filled Family Magazine October 2016 | Page 34

lawless . The danger in this is that most players will select evil and lawless because it is the most intriguing , and offers the most “ fun ” game play . Furthermore , its ethics are questionable . In the handbook it states , “… that goodness has no absolute values . Although many things are commonly accepted as good ( helping those in need , protecting the weak ) different cultures impose their own interpretations on what is good and what is evil .” Character is left up to your own interpretation , and the Bible itself is very clear on what governs good and evil . In this game , the lines are blurred . Characters are additionally allowed to choose swords , saddles or cross bows . Harmless , right ? But wait … Some characters can choose magical tools such as spells , charms , wands , talismans , potions , and magical versions of most weapons . The game prepares players to think like a sorcerer . These are all things that your child is verbalizing , and acting out .
Gary Gygax , the original creator of the game , said that the use of magic is something the user must memorize , and prepare for the use of each spell . Casting it , according to this game , makes it necessary to reabsorb the incantation by reading the book of spells . All spells must be spoken or read aloud .
Is this what you want your children doing ? This game introduces them directly to sorcery , incantations , spells and witchcraft . You may justify it as just play , but according to the Bible , our words have meaning . The Bible directly states that life and death are in the power of the tongue . We will eat the fruit of our words .
The Players
Some parent may say that they will just encourage their children to be the good characters . However , what good characters exist in this game ? Here ’ s a rundown :
1 . The Warrior : The warrior is a fighter . They can be soldiers , knights or mercenaries . Paladins and rangers can cast spells .
2 . The Wizard : As the name implies , these characters cast spells , and are considered the masters of magical energies . The handbook also says that a wizard ’ s goals are a quest for knowledge and power which leads him into realms that humans were never meant to go . It creates a fascination with the occult and magic , to the player , because it seems so forbidden and invokes the imagination . Everyone wants to feel special , and have something that sets them apart . This is a draw for a child with low-self esteem , and a porthole to the demonic .
3 . Cleric or Priest : You would think that this character would be harmless , but clerics have a main tool of spells . Additionally , titles given to this role can be abbess , Ayatollah , Imam , Metropolitan , Patriarch , Prelate , Rector , Vicar or Yogi . None of these represent God ’ s ordination for ministers of His Word . It falls into an eastern philosophy that places no emphasis on the Bible .
4 . The Rogue ( or Bard or Thief ): The Rogues has a sense of entitlement . The less they have to work , the better they are . The character is deceitful , and underhanded . It uses manipulation , and it uses magic .
Are any of these characters something that you feel that your children should align themselves with ?
Other fantasy role-playing games are often enacted in fields wherein people dress in costume , and re-enact specific scenarios . As with any scenario , there is a good and bad , and your dialogue will reflect that . It begs the question of what are you saying over your life and the lives of others , what are you accepting ( even as your character , you are still accepting it into your own life ), and what are you engaging in ? Does your character cast spells , use magic , or incantations ? Does it consult with the dead ? While the lure may be that you can be anyone you want to for a couple of hours , it is a form of escapism . Furthermore , you aren ’ t delighting in who God created you to be . Usually , there is some dissatisfaction with who you are that you feel compelled to pretend that you are someone else at an adult stage . Not always , but sometimes .
As parents , we need to be aware of what our children are engaging in . These are just examples of popular methods of role-playing . The reality is that many more role-playing games exist on your child ’ s smartphone , tablet , computer , and gaming system . Not all of them are godly . Some elicit violence , incite the