Dungeons and Dragons is the Devil's Plaything!

http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/295102457/rpgs-are-evil-dark-dungeons-the-movie

(Let me preface this whole rant with this comment.  After watching this guy's 9 minute long promotion, I am 89% convinced that he is one of the greatest Trolls of all times and does not seriously believe the manure he is spewing.  However, whether he does or does not believe doesn't change the tone of the rant at all.)

(Preface the second:  For those who are unaware, a Troll in the modern sense is not some big hairy creature that lives under bridges and eats people.  It means someone who states objectionable, inflammatory remarks into a conversation in the hopes of pissing people off or making them look stupid.  Most often seen in Common Chat Channels in most Multi Member Online Role Playing Games.)

(Preface the third:  I am extremely tempted to donate to this guy's cause simply because I think any movie based of the Dark Dungeons Comics would be absolutely hilarious Especially if they use the actors shown in the promo video.  As a writer of Science Fiction and Fantasy, I can only imagine the amount of publicity this could engender as people tried to figure out where all the evil was.)

     Wow, that is a lot of prefaces.  Anyways, the concept that RPGs are evil and the work of the Devil isn't new.  Dark Dungeons http://www.chick.com/reading/tracts/0046/0046_01.ASP (If you want to actually read it) was printed in 1984 and I recollect other such tripe as early as 1979.   Dungeons and Dragons was first printed in 1974 and the criticisms started flowing immediately afterwards.  As RPGs have grown in popularity so has the criticisms.  

     Besides the Mazes and Monsters movie mentioned in the video.  ( I actually saw that movie and thought it was kind of silly back then.) I remember one of those fake "Court" shows from the late 1970s where a kid chopped up his girlfriend because he was convinced that she was some foul monster from his game.  I also recall a book (Can't remember the name off the top of my head) where the main character loses his mind after his favorite character dies in a game and begins seeing monsters everywhere.  As long as there have been RPGs, there have been attacks.

     So the question becomes "Why these attacks?"  What about RPGs and Fantasy in general sparks this incredible fear in so many people?  Why do so many "Leaders" see this sort of thing as a threat against all they believe in?  Most will argue that it is because Fantasy RPGs focus on the supernatural.  They are filled with Sorcery/Demons/Devils/False Gods and that these can lead people down dark and dangerous paths.  Antagonists voice fears that doing things in the game will entice people to do them in real life.  

     I personally feel the answer is a little more simple than that.  The powers that be depend on people leading nice sedate ordinary lives without having too many questions about what is going on around them.  Politicians and Religious Forces want people to follow the rules without thinking too hard about them.  Role Playing Games like D&D, GURPS (Generic Universal Role Playing System in case you were wondering) and even more modern Online RPGs encourage people to use their minds and imaginations.  They teach problem solving and out of the box thinking.  They make players question the whys and wherefores of it all.  

     I think that this sparks terror in the stoney hearts of the people who would control our lives.  If everyone is questioning why you are doing what you are doing, then you might actually have to explain yourself.   A wise man once said, "A weak mind is an easily manipulated one."  The Powers that be don't want free thinkers wondering exactly WTF is going on.  Ignorance is bliss.  Well at least for the Ones in charge. 

     So read a book.  Go out and play a game with your friends.  Slay a Dragon and save the day.  Exercise the most dangerous weapon you have and keep it sharp.  (That is your brain parts btw.)  Never can tell, especially these days, when you might need it.)

End of rant