The Satanic Panic and Dungeons and Dragons

[Rafterman]

New episode of the Monstertalk podcast this week focusing on the Satanic Panic of the late 70s/80s here in the States. The primary focus of the discussion is how it relates to role playing games such as D&D, but there's a lot of good historical information on the Satanic Panic in general.

I've posted about the SP before and am of the opinion that it is only overshadowed by the Salem Witch Trials in US history for its sheer lunacy. Sadly, many people went to prison - some of whom just got out in the past couple of years - and many more lives were ruined over what were 100% unfounded allegations.

Enjoy.

http://www.skeptic.com/podcasts/monstertalk/15/03/04/

THE LATE 1970s AND 1980s saw the rise of a new kind of game. Dungeons & Dragons and its many competitors captivated many high-school and college students, but many parents and authority figures feared that these new games were a gateway to Satanic ritual and perhaps even murder. Author Joseph Laycock returns to discuss his new book: Dangerous Games.

[+OverSword]

When Geraldo did his 3 night special about satanism I was in a heavy metal band, heavy metal of course was a big focus of the show. One night right after one of the episodes had aired we took a break from band practice and headed to Mcdonalds to scarf down some burgers and middle class families with small children with terrified looks on their faces moved to sit on the other side of the dining room from us. It was quite funny.

Edited March 5, 2015 by OverSword

[karmakazi]

When Geraldo did his 3 night special about satanism I was in a heavy metal band, heavy metal of course was a big focus of the show. One night right after one of the episodes had aired we took a break from practices and headed to Mcdonalds to scarf down some burgers and middle class families with small children with terrified looks on their faces moved to sit on the other side of the dining room from us. It was quite funny.

I think I saw part of that Geraldo thing... my mom was totally freaked out.

[Indiogene]

The late 1970s-80s era is when the religious right and neoconservatives rose into power and prominence in the US, they used the "satanic panic" to further their own agendas in morality and culture. They stirred the pot over the wave of child abductions and the issue of child molestation, but they equated them with homosexuality and "gay recruitment" nonsense to spout their anti-gay agenda. They weren't trying to inform the public, more like selling hysteria to gain a psychological influence over the country. Also the "satanic panic" was against heavy metal and there were calls for censorship against bands known for explicit lyrics to prevent "teens getting into devil worship", so I'm familiar in the trend against video or computer games thought to influence players to turn "satanist".

Edited March 5, 2015 by Mike D boy

[bubblykiss]

My father, an devote Mormon, warmed me not to invoke demonic names or ask Lucifer for powers when casting spells in D&D.

It was at this point that I understood just how little people understood what D&D is/was.

[Michelle]

Without shelling out the money for this guys book, was this "panic" as large as the Beatles or Elvis scare? Just about everyone I knew played D&D and I don't recall anyone's parents being worried in the least about us sitting up all night playing. It's amazing the amount of attention a few nut jobs will garner...like the Westboro Baptist Church.

[Rafterman]

My father, an devote Mormon, warmed me not to invoke demonic names or ask Lucifer for powers when casting spells in D&D.

It was at this point that I understood just how little people understood what D&D is/was.

Agreed. As is pointed out in the podcast, most of the critics of D&D make claims that clearly show they had never had any experience with the game.

I will attest first hand that people were genuinely scared about this stuff.

[Rafterman]

Without shelling out the money for this guys book, was this "panic" as large as the Beatles or Elvis scare? Just about everyone I knew played D&D and I don't recall anyone's parents being worried in the least about us sitting up all night playing. It's amazing the amount of attention a few nut jobs will garner...like the Westboro Baptist Church.

Google some stuff about it. It was nationwide if not, in some cases, international. Donahue and Geraldo all did shows on it as did 60 Minutes and 20/20 if I recall. And you had very high profile cases such as the McMillan Preschool case that were tied to Satanic ritual and influence.

[+OverSword]

12 Nutty Dungeons & Dragons Media Mentions From the 1980s

This includes the 60 minutes story about AD&D

Edited March 5, 2015 by OverSword

[Michelle]

I must have definitely been out of the loop in the 70's and 80's. It was a very busy and interesting couple of decades for me.

[Stubbly_Dooright]

New episode of the Monstertalk podcast this week focusing on the Satanic Panic of the late 70s/80s here in the States. The primary focus of the discussion is how it relates to role playing games such as D&D, but there's a lot of good historical information on the Satanic Panic in general.

I've posted about the SP before and am of the opinion that it is only overshadowed by the Salem Witch Trials in US history for its sheer lunacy. Sadly, many people went to prison - some of whom just got out in the past couple of years - and many more lives were ruined over what were 100% unfounded allegations.

Enjoy.

http://www.skeptic.c...rtalk/15/03/04/

THE LATE 1970s AND 1980s saw the rise of a new kind of game. Dungeons & Dragons and its many competitors captivated many high-school and college students, but many parents and authority figures feared that these new games were a gateway to Satanic ritual and perhaps even murder. Author Joseph Laycock returns to discuss his new book: Dangerous Games.

During those years, I played four versions of the D&D game. The basic original D&D games with both a group of off work friends, and then also with my husband, (who was my boyfriend at the time) and his friends from work. We met the same day every week. Both groups were mostly male. Then years later, with my group of female friends, who I grew up with, we played a more fantasy fairy female like version. It had the same concept, but with different characters and different environments. Then years after that, after my husband and I got married and then he went into the Air Force and we ended up moving to MIssissippi, we would meet with his tech school buddies. This version was the original Star Trek version. It took place in space, and we had to blow up other's starships. *Wistful* (Those were the days)

I remember the controversy of the some people's thoughts on this. Of course, at the time, I kind of rolled my eyes on that. If they played the game, they would knew it was nothing like that. It was simple role playing. And thinking how I played in different versions with different environments, and nothing to do with Satan, I wonder, really?! They need to prove that. Mostly so, because the different versions of the same concept would prove, well to me atleast, that how could you derive Satan's messages from that?

Aw man, I'm getting nostalgic. (I wont mention the sneakiness of playing them too, including the Star Trek one. Even off point, I was amazed how one player didn't realize how I swooped in, grabbed his pack of cigarettes and lighter right from under his nose to hide it. The look on his face when he noticed them missing......................................... )

I'm so evil! .................................But totally not close to the topic, I was evil before the games!!!!!!

[quiXilver]

My wife and a long time friend just rolled up new characters and started a new campaign a few weeks ago.

We've all gamed since middle school and it's insurmountably better to share in collective story telling than to collectively stare at a tv, or phone.

I'll game my entire life.

[Rafterman]

My wife and a long time friend just rolled up new characters and started a new campaign a few weeks ago.

We've all gamed since middle school and it's insurmountably better to share in collective story telling than to collectively stare at a tv, or phone.

I'll game my entire life.

Agreed. If anything, we should have been encouraging kids to play D&D and other such games.

Not to mention, should we really be revering a supposedly omnipresent and omniscient god who is threatened by a bunch of teenagers sitting at their kitchen table rolling dice, fighting imaginary dragons, and eating Doritos?

[travelnjones]

I seem to be one of the few folks on the board that believes in God and AD&D/Heavy Metal were/are huge parts of my life.

[+OverSword]

Maybe I should start playing again.

[Michelle]

I seem to be one of the few folks on the board that believes in God and AD&D/Heavy Metal were/are huge parts of my life.

Maybe here, but most everyone I know who plays it are from religious families.

[travelnjones]

Maybe I should start playing again.

There are plenty of great games out there. D&D now has a 5th edition that is very similar to the older editions most folks played. From my experience its amazing how many people used to play and miss it.

[quiXilver]

This reminds me of my favorite board game of all time... Talisman.

It's the best board game that incorporates the elements of table top gaming with none of the prep, all of the quest elements come through the cards one draws.

It's recently been republished and has 5 or so expansions. Top notch game.

https://www.google.com/search?q=talisman+board+game&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=lq74VOH0D83xoATp0IDYDw&ved=0CCcQsAQ&biw=1472&bih=706&dpr=1.3

[Rafterman]

Maybe I should start playing again.

Definitely. I played pretty regularly in high school, but dropped away in college. About five years ago a friend of mine suggested we do a game one night and it was fantastic. Brought back lots of good memories.

[travelnjones]

Oversword i saw your location says seattle a quick search came up with these maybe they can help you get back into something.

http://forum.rpg.net/showthread.php?507178-Awesome-Seattle-FLGS

Blue Highway Games

www.bluehighwaygames.com/

4.7

24 Google reviews · Write a review · Google+ page 2203 Queen Anne Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109

(206) 282-0540

[The Gremlin]

This reminds me of my favorite board game of all time... Talisman.

It's the best board game that incorporates the elements of table top gaming with none of the prep, all of the quest elements come through the cards one draws.

It's recently been republished and has 5 or so expansions. Top notch game.

https://www.google.com/search?q=talisman+board+game&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=lq74VOH0D83xoATp0IDYDw&ved=0CCcQsAQ&biw=1472&bih=706&dpr=1.3

Love talisman.... Had a hazey revisit of it in uni...another favourite at the time was kuhandel.... A German game for 5+yrs old....That game is genius.... Can get humorously tense.

[travelnjones]

Talisman is good played tons of the 2nd edition of it. we had all the expansions for a little bit even the ones from White Dwarf and the dragons one.

[+Link of Hyrule]

Talisman is good played tons of the 2nd edition of it. we had all the expansions for a little bit even the ones from White Dwarf and the dragons one.

Relic is better. But it's not Role Playing in the strictest sense, though character development and skills do increase.

[LostSouls7]

I love DnD, Doom, Heretic etc.

Anything with lots of blood and demonic and occult imagery i love!

I never turned into a satanist.

Just a mage. But back in the Salem witch trials

I would have been burned at the stake!

[bubblykiss]

Maybe I should start playing again.

Last year I hosted a game for a bunch of oldsters.....kids left with baby sitters, grey and beer everywhere.....after a lifetime I found that forging a communal story was astounding.

And then there is my youth........