RPG Elite contains links to affiliate websites and receives an affiliate commission for any purchases made on or through those websites. This helps to maintain and support the RPG Elite Network and mission. Thanks for your support.
The Uncomfortable Truth of a Christian Worldview
Today may be a post that makes some people feel uncomfortable. It may even go as far as triggering some people. Discussion about having a Christian worldview does that these days.
I’m not writing this to make people feel uncomfortable. I’m not trying to pull a shock jock on you. However, I know when this subject comes up; it tends to be volatile because of negative presuppositions and biases.
Anyone who knows me knows I’m not one to shy away from certain topics I feel are relevant in the tabletop RPG culture. I’m also known to cover topics most won’t broach because they’re cowards, or they’re too concerned about money (again, cowards), or these are just things that don’t cross their minds.
Well, not me. I’m that guy. I’m the one willing to go there because we need to. I do it because I’m not afraid and God is worth it.
So, here’s my disclaimer for those who want to tread here. You’ve been warned.
First, let me tell you why this warning is necessary.
Why the Warning?
What will be the part of this post that triggers people? The fact I will mention things like the Bible, Jesus Christ, God, and Christianity. In short, a Christian worldview. Just talking about those things in connection with tabletop RPGs triggers the weak. Therefore, you don’t need to read this post if you are weak-minded and not emotionally mature enough to handle these topics. I know… that statement probably triggered some people. If it did, move on. This post is not for you.
Also, I need to point out that people who want to make denigrating comments and statements about those four things I just listed will not only have that comment not show up, but you will not show up on this website ever again. This is a safe place where we have adult conversations and exchanges. If you cannot do that, don’t let the door hit you in the behind.
Before we get started, let me give you some background for context on how I came to have a Christian worldview in the first place and how it has affected how I’ve been treated in the tabletop RPG community.
My Beginning
I commenced my foray into tabletop RPGs back in the early 1980s. Somewhere around 1983. Like most, I started with the-game-I-refuse-to-mention-by-name on-this-website. But it wasn’t too long after that where I discovered another game in a small game shop we had here at the time called Mind Games. That’s where I purchased my first copy of Marvel Superheroes. It was over after that. I never looked back.
I played Marvel a lot (seven-year campaign, folks). I also played other games — Gamma World, Traveller, Twilight 2000, Star Wars, DC Heroes, and a dash of Shadowrun.
My spiritual condition at the time was as an unbeliever. A heathen. I didn’t even know what a Christian worldview was. This doesn’t mean I knew nothing about God, especially Jesus Christ. I understood the basics of Jesus dying on the cross, the resurrection, and a verse here or there out of the Bible. But in no way, shape, or form was I a saved individual. The belief I had done me absolutely no good.
Belief Is Not Enough
Many people like to say that they believe in God. There are various reasons for this. Some think that’s all that’s needed and somehow it’s the equivalent of having a Christian worldview if they say the words “I’m a Christian” (I’m always suspect when people feel the need to announce that). Others think it is a religious duty to say it and think that way. And some actually do. But many of these people have a belief that’s not on to salvation. They are like demons in James 2:19 in the Bible:
You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder!
The belief of demons will do them no good, even though they believe there is one God. Their belief in one God is a belief that is not only closer to a Christian worldview than most people proclaiming they believe in God, it’s stronger because they actually do something with it — they shudder. People say they believe, yet do nothing with the “belief” they say they have, which is completely useless. I was in that same boat.
But in the mid-1990s, everything changed.
Enter Jesus
In March 1994, the Lord Jesus Christ took me, shook me, and made me one of His own. I have been on that journey ever since because the gospel changed everything. The outlook I had then radically changed into a Christian worldview, though I did not understand what that would entail. It literally took place overnight. This happens when the true gospel comes in and is efficacious in the way it should be — it changes everything.
It was around this time where I took a hiatus from playing tabletop RPGs. I spent most of my time reading the Scriptures and learning more about my God, Savior, and my faith. Cultivating and strengthening a Christian worldview into my thinking was an infusion of life I had never experienced. I felt myself change during the process and it was wonderful.
It was during this season I came across a verse of Scripture that crystallized how to understand life in Christ:
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31 ESV)
I read a book by Francis Schaeffer called The God Who Is There. In it, he wrote something explaining the same concept which made it blossom in my understanding:
Christ is the Lord over all — over every aspect of life. It is no use saying He is the alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the Lord of all things, if He’s not the Lord of my whole unified intellectual life. I am false or confused if I sing about Christ’s Lordship and contrive to retain areas of my own life that are autonomous.
Francis Schaeffer
I realized that “all” meant “all”. This included playing tabletop RPGs. My approach to them could no longer be the same as it was before. Having and developing a Christian worldview changed all of that. Once my season was over, which was the early to mid-2000s, I came back with a vengeance, transformed.
That’s my story. Now, let’s get into my experiences of being a Christian in the tabletop RPG community, specifically with unbelievers.
How Unbelievers Treat Me — The Good
When I first came out with the sister video to this post (down below), some people didn’t even watch the video. They saw the thumbnail and decided I was being a victim, which really was an excuse to not have to deal with a subject that made them feel uncomfortable. That let me know they didn’t actually watch the video.
The landscape of the tabletop RPG community is filled with unbelievers, more so than believers (though there are more of us than some people care to admit). My dealings with unbelievers have been generally positive. I have been running a group for the last five years and everyone in the group is an unbeliever, to my understanding.
On my YouTube channel in the comments, I have good exchanges and connections with people virtually who are admitted atheists. It’s possible, ya know.
This has been the vast experience I’ve had in the decades I’ve been playing tabletop RPGs. There was no gatekeeping. No so-called “racism” (I have some posts coming up that refute the word use) though I was almost always the only Negro in the group. Now, I’m the only Negro with a Christian worldview, and I run the game. That combination right there makes me public enemy #1 to many people.
It wasn’t until recent years where I started running into a different kind of individual in the community.
How Unbelievers Treat Me — The Bad
I mentioned at the beginning of this post that some people get triggered when I mention being a Christian or express a Christian worldview in the context of playing tabletop RPGs. They are vehemently against any mention of God, Christ, Christianity, or anything related.
I’ve had to deal with them in the comments on my YouTube channel. How I deal with them is to simply cut them off because there’s no talking to these people. Whenever you try to talk to them, they point fingers, make ad hominem attacks, and won’t let you speak, talking over you. This is especially true of this generation, which is generally godless. Okay. I have no time for that. I’m an adult. Bye, Felicia.
If there’s one thing I’ve understood when dealing with these people, it’s that they are bullies. They want to point fingers, yell, scream, and attempt to make life miserable for you and me as much as they can. So I cancel them from my channel and it solves the problem. I just purge them. It’s clear I’m not here for them. I’m here for you.
I’m not sure what you expected from this post. I know it took a while to get to the end of the article, but that setup was necessary in relation to this series (yes, this is a series). Plus, it sets up the next post where I talk about how the church treats me as a Christian playing tabletop RPGs. Until I get to that one, check out the unboxing I did for the Vaesen RPG.
Until next time, peace and hair grease!
I have the opposite journey from you, my friend. I grew up in a church and was abused emotionally and mentally by folks within and have left and never looked back. I know there are good philosophical standpoint in the book (having fear is crippling, facing the quirks without it is the only way to go, so thanks for that St. Matthew,) just as there are some pretty awful ones (I don’t get how a third party can forgive me of my transgressions against my fellow travelers, or more aptly I don’t accept the rationale anymore.) But I also see you and recognize your journey. Thank you for having the bravery to share this. I suspect we would vehemently disagree on a number of points (an air/raft’s worth, I’m sure!) but as long as we respect each other’s autonomy and aren’t trying to use state violence on each other to force our world views on one another, then there’s room to talk. And if there’s room to talk, there’s room to game!
Thank you, sir, for your comment. I appreciate you taking the time to chime in and being respectful about it. I am also sorry about your experience, but hey…I’m an optimistic realist. If there’s life, there’s opportunity. If we ever get a chance to connect, maybe there may be a middle ground we can start at, my friend. From there, you just don’t know what may happen.
Peace and hair grease!!
Fascinating read, and I’m looking forward to the next one with more than a bit of anticipation. Very curious how other theists and the church view the hobby!
My question, if it’s not too personal… How do you reconcile a polytheistic or otherwise non-christian game setting with your beliefs? As you wrote, ‘all means all.’ So could you have a character that prays to Krom before battle or would that be no-go? Can you hold versimilitude when your Call of Cthulhu investigator has to deal with cultists wielding blood magic?
As always, SoS, you are a treasure. Keep that hair grease flyin’!
This is a good question.
It would depend on if this is player-character driven or game mechanic imposed (or even suggested). In other words, did I create it because of the character’s background I wrote, or is this something included in the game itself. The former would be interesting roleplay in how the character would develop over time if I started there. I have control and creative freedom. The latter is a no go and not a good look if it’s something that HAS to be done or included in a character class. That should be the player’s creative prerogative.
The Holy Bible is FULL of false gods. They are all over the place. So many, there are multiple in depth theological textbooks about the subject, like Gods, Demons and Symbols of Ancient Mesopotamia: An Illustrated Dictionary, just to name one. If one reads the Bible with a discerning eye, it is a recounting on how the people of God dealt and deals with that reality, and how the true God is front and center culminating and through Christ Jesus. Therefore, playing a character in a polytheistic setting shouldn’t be an issue. We’re living in it globally, more so in the West than many would care to admit. However, for the Christian, context and creative impetus matters (or should. I won’t go off on that tangent because it would seriously be TLDR material).
Thanks for the question. Keep it Leet!
I did see the video, but popped by for this article, God bless you.
Thanks for the love. 👊🏿
Am a believer, usually the GM, played with a mix of church youth group and public high school friends. Chose non-fantasy games to avoid drama with my parents, mainly Classic Traveller, Champions (and related Hero System titles), and Toon. My family remained disapproving and I never felt comfortable telling folks at church about my beloved hobby because of the knee-jerk reaction of some people. After playing with various unbelievers I’ve become convinced that most games are only as harmless or as evil as the referee. Worldview matters.
Greetings, Servant.
I’ve wondered if your refusal to cover fantasy or The Game Which Shall Not Be Named was based on gaming preference or a perceived incompatibility with your Christian beliefs.
I’m a Christian myself, as well as a veteran of the Satanic Panic of the 80’s. I considered many of the complaints about the game to be a misunderstanding that has the unfortunate (and disastrous) effect of driving Christians out of gaming, where their influence may have prevented some of the nihilistic changes in the game (and hobby) that later occurred.
Anyway, I enjoy your perspective on TTRPGs and general approach to thinking, as far as I’ve seen. Keep the faith, and keep rolling.
[…] Coming from my Christian worldview, I’m impressed they even included that last one. The vehemence against Christianity, especially from the left which is where tabletop RPG companies lean, press and promote any and everything that deviates from anything even remotely relating to Christianity unless it is in a negative sense. It’s all over in the entertainment industry. This has been going on for three decades. […]