Thursday, October 20, 2011

Why the OSR Rocks

When I asked the question Is Christianity Compatible With D&D the other day, I had no idea it would make its way across so much of the OSR. Along the way, however, something quite wonderful happened.

Firstly, religion (and Christianity, in particular) can be a touchy subject. Throughout this ongoing discussion (despite the wide ranging viewpoints and experience of those who voiced their opinion) I never felt as if anyone didn't approach the subject without some amount of respect for the subject or for those who are in the middle of the discussion.

Secondly, James and Stuart (in what I see as an attempt to sum up the discussion) have chimed in to point out that D&D is indeed
a cultural Borg ... that rolled around borrowing from just about every source it encountered.
and this smorgasbord of options includes Christianity. Whether you roll with a heavy dose of theological Christianity (as I do), a Hammer Horror version of Christianity or none whatsoever is entirely up to you. What is important to me, at the end of the day, is the reality that all of these options are not only acceptable but supported by the game.

There was a time in my life, not so long ago, that had I asked the question Is Christianity Compatible With D&D, I very much doubt that such an acknowledgment would have been made. For that I'd like to take a moment to thank all of you and to remind folks what a cool place this corner of the internet happens to be.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

It's remarkable how often people call me Scott. It's like a second name. :D

FrDave said...

@Scott...uh...Stuart

Doh! (Already fixed, sorry about that).

Think of it as a complement. You remind me very much of my friend Scott who is among my very favorite people to have at my table.

Unknown said...

No worries at all. It honestly happens a lot. :)

Bree Yark! said...

"What is important to me, at the end of the day, is the reality that all of these options are not only acceptable but supported by the game."

I don't understand the meaning of that sentence. A game is just a game. Whether or not Christianity is compatible with a game has more to do with one's definition of Christianity than the game.

Padre said...

Thanks for the post that generated all the good discussion. I have been trying to catch up today with the various comments and discussions on the OSR blogs.

Alex Osias said...

@Bree Yark -- well, it depends on your definition of what constitutes a game and its rules. There were a number of very heated debates on whether or not certain factions (and their powers) in Mage: The Ascension were able to support different religions or not. It seems to center around what is canon in the rules and in the setting.

Dr Rotwang said...

What is important to me, at the end of the day, is the reality that all of these options are not only acceptable but supported by the game.

AAaaaaaaand that's all that matters. In other words, the game is whatever you want it to be. Consensus achieved. Thanks, everyone! Please join us in the lobby for Rice Krispies Treats and tea.

Seriously, though, I am quite glad that this discussion went the way it went. We are awesome.

Theodric the Obscure said...

Anybody else think that Stuart and Trey look like they are related?

migellito said...

I'd also like to thank FrDave for starting this off, and I agree that the discussion has gone extremely well :)