Dungeons & Dragons has been the subject of much controversy and moral panic since its inception in the 1970s. Despite its widespread popularity, many religious and conservative groups have accused the game of promoting satanism, demonic possession, and other forms of evil (DnD's Tipper Gore moment!). This phenomenon became known as the "Satanic Panic," a widespread "moral panic" in the 1980s and early 1990s that claimed that satanic forces were infiltrating American culture and influencing young people.
At the height of the panic, D&D was often portrayed as a tool of the devil, used to lead impressionable young slackers down a path of darkness and evil. Some religious groups even held "D&D exorcisms" where they claimed to "purify" young players of any demonic influences. Parents, schools, and law enforcement agencies became concerned about the impact the game was having on young people and sought to ban it, as it sought to ban books, films, items of clothing, saucy attitudes, and Zesty Cheese Doritos (ok, maybe not the Doritos). Despite these efforts, D&D continued to grow in popularity and is now widely recognized as a cultural phenomenon recently appearing as a major component of the hit tv show Stranger Things. In reality, the game is simply a form of imaginative play that allows players to take on the roles of characters in a fantasy world. It does not promote or glorify satanism or any other form of evil, unless you consider meta gaming EVIL!!!
Despite its controversial history though, D&D has remained a beloved pastime for millions of people around the world and is consistently growing, despite trying to burn its own house down with the OGL fiasco these last few weeks. Today, it is widely accepted and enjoyed by players of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs. While some may still view the game with suspicion, it has become a cornerstone of geek culture and continues to be a source of inspiration for writers, artists, and gamers everywhere.
The "Satanic Panic" surrounding D&D was a product of fear, ignorance, and willful misunderstanding. While the controversy has faded from the peak of its firestorm in the 80s, the game remains a beloved pastime for millions of people around the world and has expanded into a myriad of other tabletop roleplaying games. So next time you sit down to play a game of D&D, remember to fire up that theatre of the mind, and ignore those soft, ominous voices!
