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'''Dungeons & Dragons''' (D&D or DnD) is a [[role-playing]] game with a medieval theme featuring [[myth]]ical creatures such as [[elf|elves]], [[dwarf (mythology)|dwarves]], [[orc]]s, and [[dragon]]s, but also semi-fictionalized [[demons]]. Players take the role of characters who solve a series of heroic adventures or quests. Though argued to be a harmless game, it has attracted a variety of criticism.

'''Dungeons & Dragons''' (D&D or DnD) is a [[role-playing]] game with a medieval theme featuring [[myth]]ical creatures such as [[elf|elves]], [[dwarf (mythology)|dwarves]], [[orc]]s, a pantheon of gods, and [[dragon]]s, but also semi-fictionalized [[demons]]. Players take the role of characters who solve a series of heroic adventures or quests. Though argued to be a harmless game, it has attracted a variety of criticism.

Players typically do not compete against one another; rather, the players cooperate to achieve goals and objectives while a referee, in this case called the ''dungeon master'' (DM) or ''game master'' (GM), interprets rules and adjudicates the success or failure of the players' efforts.  

Players typically do not compete against one another; rather, the players cooperate to achieve goals and objectives while a referee, in this case called the ''dungeon master'' (DM) or ''game master'' (GM), interprets rules and adjudicates the success or failure of the players' efforts.  

The game was first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules (TSR). Most of those rules and many of the subsequent rules were authored by [[Gary Gygax]]. There are some who claim that [[Dave Arneson]] was the actual "inventor" of D&D, but this claim is disputed, not least by the fact that many references were authored by Gygax.  After its original publisher TSR, Inc., went bankrupt, the game was sold to [[Wizards of the Coast]], a division of Hasbro.<ref>Wizards of the Coast's [http://www.wizards.com/dnd D&amp;D site]</ref>  

The game was first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules (TSR). Most of those rules and many of the subsequent rules were authored by [[Gary Gygax]]. There are some who claim that [[Dave Arneson]] was the actual "inventor" of D&D, but this claim is disputed, not least by the fact that many references were authored by Gygax.  After its original publisher TSR, Inc., went bankrupt, the game was sold to [[Wizards of the Coast]], which later became a division of Hasbro.<ref>Wizards of the Coast's [http://www.wizards.com/dnd D&amp;D site]</ref>  

In the late 1970s, the game's popularity exploded, particularly on college campuses. ''Dungeons & Dragons'' spawned countless variations and permutations, but during the earliest days of the game's growth, there were accusations that the game contributed to Satanic worship, teen suicide and general moral depravity.  These criticisms have been repeatedly addressed by the game's creators and defenders.

In the late 1970s, the game's popularity exploded, particularly on college campuses. ''Dungeons & Dragons'' spawned countless variations and permutations, but during the earliest days of the game's growth, there were accusations that the game contributed to Satanic worship, teen suicide and general moral depravity.  These criticisms have been repeatedly addressed by the game's creators and defenders.

Tracy Hickman, one of the main authors of the Dungeons & Dragons Dragonlance book series, and a Christian with conservative politics and theology, has written a number of articles defending and discussing D&D from a Christian perspective.<ref name="Waldron">The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture: [http://www.usask.ca/relst/jrpc/art9-roleplaying.html "Role-Playing Games and the Christian Right"]</ref> Others within the Dungeons & Dragons community responded by writing other defenses from rationalist perspectives or other perspectives or by writing parodies such as "Chess: The Subtle Sin: Should Christians play chess?". Some argue that  in response to the perceived Christian persecution of the Dungeons & Dragons, darker themed, deliberately counter-cultural games appeared in reaction such as [[Call of Cthulhu]] which is based on the horror writing of [[H.P. Lovecraft]] and set in the [[Cthulhu|Cthulhu Mythos]],<ref name="Waldron"/> or [[Vampire: the Masquerade]], where players act the roles of undead vampires.

Tracy Hickman, one of the main authors of the Dungeons & Dragons Dragonlance book series, and a Christian with conservative politics and theology, has written a number of articles defending and discussing D&D from a Christian perspective.<ref name="Waldron">The Journal of Religion and Popular Culture: [http://www.usask.ca/relst/jrpc/art9-roleplaying.html "Role-Playing Games and the Christian Right"]</ref> Others within the Dungeons & Dragons community responded by writing other defenses from rationalist perspectives or other perspectives or by writing parodies such as "Chess: The Subtle Sin: Should Christians play chess?". Some argue that  in response to the perceived Christian persecution of the Dungeons & Dragons, darker themed, deliberately counter-cultural games appeared in reaction such as [[Call of Cthulhu]] which is based on the horror writing of [[H.P. Lovecraft]] and set in the [[Cthulhu|Cthulhu Mythos]],<ref name="Waldron"/> or [[Vampire: the Masquerade]], where players act the roles of undead vampires.

====Possible Areas of Concern for Christians====

====Possible Areas of Concern for Christians====