Game of Everquest QUESTION from Jim on November 16, 2001 Dear John-Paul Ignatius,
Greetings,
Iam a Christian (non-catholic). My question has to do about the very popular online game of Everquest (EQ). It is a fantasy role playing game. In the game, their are classes (professions would be a better word) that people play, such as druids, shamans, necromancers, shadowknights, wizards,ect. and where spells are used for protection or to harm ones opponent. People in the game go on various quests and adventures. I have been playing this game for a year now. (Im trying to keep this brief, but to the point,without going into alot of detail about the game). Anyway, my question is this. Is this a game that Christians should aviod and not play, like other games such as the Ouija board and Dungeons & Dragons, Tarot cards, ect (which I know are evil and very dangerous). You said that one cannot play in the Devils sandbox, without getting sand in ones shoes ( I believe thats what you said, correct me if im wrong). Am I playing in the Devils sandbox in regards to this game?
P.S. After writing this question I came across an earlier posted question dated the 16th of June 1999 by Suzanne, relating to the game of Dungeons & Dragons. Your comments there were very helpful and answered my question. But any addtional thoughts and comments are appreciated and welcomed. Thank you & God Bless.
Yours Sincerly, Jim
ANSWER by John-Paul Ignatius, OLSM on February 10, 2002 Dear Mr. Jim:
Yes, you are playing in the Devil's sandbox. These types of roll play games are inappropriate for Christians.
There is an excellent article called The Demon of Distraction. It deals with media, but role-play games are similar. http://www.petersnet.net/research/retrieve.cfm?recnum=3041
Also consider this passage from the bible:
Deuteronomy, Chapter 18, says:

9 When you come into the land which the LORD your God gives you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. 10 There shall not be found among you any one who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, any one who practices divination, a soothsayer, or an augur, or a sorcerer, 11 or a charmer, or a medium, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For whoever does these things is an abomination to the LORD; and because of these abominable practices the LORD your God is driving them out before you. 13 You shall be blameless before the LORD your God.
I think this about says it all.

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