Comments on Pat Robertson's Style of Christian Stigma Against Dungeons & Dragons and Role-playing games
Video Commentary - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4XAtqaNNK8
Also comments on social stigma towards gamer, some history on that topic (he has written a number of essays on this specific topic, available on the website), and a challenge to others to take action locally to attempt to undo the fear and ignorance caused by the media and the special interest groups spreading misinformation and disinformation about D&D and role-playing games.
Some relevant articles and links:
Video of Recent Pat Robertson Comments Against D&D on 700 Club -
The Christian Gamers Guild - http://christian-gamers-guild.org/faq.html
The Defamation of Role-playing Games and Gamers - http://rpgresearch.com/documents/rpg-research-documents/RPGR-A003-The-Defamation-of-Role-playing-Games-and-Gamers-Orig-20081120a-Ver2-20081206a-Ver3-20111209a.pdf/view
Personalities and Alienation of Dungeons & Dragons Game Players - Long Commentary Version - http://rpgresearch.com/documents/rpg-research-documents/RPGR-A005-Personalities-and-Alienation-of-Dungeons-and-Dragons-Game-Players-long-commentary-version-Ver-2-20111209c.pdf/view
UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2016: Pat Robertson is at it again, a recent clip of him attacking D&D yet again: http://rpgresearch.com/documents/videos/rww-news-robertson-demonic-dungeons-dragons.mp4/view
May 13, 2013 12:37 PM
Here is a message I sent to the person running the kickstarter for Dark Dungeons (now funded), and my concerns.
"Greetings,
Maybe I'm just over alarmist because of all the research I am doing, and because of how many bad experiences I have witnessed related to this topic. Now that ZOE is on board, and you are funded, I am hoping you can address these concerns effectively...
If you shoot this "straight" how is it _not_ going to be used to further add to the ignorance of millions more, as the comic strip itself, and the related tracts that have been distributed to the various denominational churches and spread to their followers?
Such visual media as video, if not done in clear parody, will end up further reinforcing the already rampant inculcated social stigma against role-playing games and gamers.
I provide a few examples past and present in this commentary here: Video Commentary - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4XAtqaNNK8
Though you and I, and other fellow gamers know how ridiculous the tracts are, but the general population does not, if you take the Colbert dry approach, and it is not clearly parody for the average already indoctrinated or soon to be indoctrinated, do you really believe these innumerable churches and related orgnizations won't be gleefully distributing it, and referring to it as "see, this is how bad it is"?
As I state in the video, due to the ignorance spread because of the tracts, the pastors repeating them, and the ignorant sheeple multiplying the misinformation further, here in Spokane, Washington, has had a lasting impact for years on one of my children where we live, because of the local, and very large, church here. I have seen the same effect in multiple states, and even some other countries.
Aren't you just providing them with more fuel for the fire if you shoot it without clear parody?
I look forward to further discussion.
Sincerely,
-Hawke Robinson
RPG Research
http://www.rpgresearch.com