Post originally by purduedm at 2004-08-04 03:54:42
Converted from Phorums BB System

While I haven't read annual number 1, I would like to say a few things about the "Religious Conservative" business...

First, Elicia asks why there are no Religious Heroes...well that is an easy solution create one yourself! Religion is a fascinating motivation and frankly I have played a number of religious characters of various faiths in all sorts of games.

Also, the label "Religious Conservative" fails to appreciate the complexity of the world of religion. Even within Christianity it is so. For example, conservative Catholics are pro-life and anti-death penalty, whereas most evangelicals are pro-life AND pro-death penalty.

And of course there is individuality. You can be a pro-choice Catholic, for example.

The Author's accusations of religion bashing (or more likely meaning Christian bashing) seems to me a poor attempt by M&M to introduce some badguys unified by some ideology. I doubt it was some nefarious anti-religion position. It was just a poorly orchestrated idea. Personally, I am wholly unimpressed with any and all of their heroes and villians. In my games I might grab the stat block and nothing else.

Religion in rpgs have always interested me and the way religion is often given short shrift in a game is pathetic. In most games that even address religion, it is compartmentalized. But considering how religions and their adherents shape the word and contest "reality" how can you leave it out? Most games just seem to accept a Greco-Judeo-Christian world view and move forward from that. I personally am disappointed by this, as there is a world of opportunity for exploring in rpgs.

That is my humble ramblings on the subject.
Purduedm