Gary Gygax and the Pagan Roots of D&D

 Gary Gygax and the Pagan Roots of D&D: What Christians Must Know

Who Was Gary Gygax and What Did He Believe?

Gary Gygax was raised in a Christian home and reportedly attended a Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall in his early years, though his faith commitment later in life is debated. He never promoted Christianity in his works, nor did he create D&D to glorify the God of the Bible. Instead, he constructed entire pantheons of fantasy gods, many of whom mirrored ancient pagan deities.

Gygax drew heavily from polytheistic and occult sources—drawing inspiration from Norse mythology, ancient Egypt, Sumerian gods, and fictional works by H.P. Lovecraft and others. These sources are laced with spiritual darkness, demonic imagery, and philosophies that contradict the Gospel.

Though Gygax claimed later in life to be a Christian (non-denominational), the content he authored promotes magic, sorcery, necromancy, and occult exploration, all condemned in Scripture (Deuteronomy 18:10-12). His private faith did not translate into any restraint in his creative output, which became deeply rooted in mysticism and paganism.

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What About Dave Arneson?

Dave Arneson, the co-creator of D&D, was also raised in a Christian environment. He later converted to born-again Christianity and became critical of how dark and occultic the D&D franchise became, especially after Gygax lost creative control in the 1980s. Arneson distanced himself from the franchise’s evolution, though by then, the core foundation had already been laid.

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The Pantheon of Gods in Dungeons & Dragons

One of the most disturbing elements of D&D is the inclusion of detailed pantheons of gods, many of whom are based on real-world pagan religions. Players are often encouraged to choose a god or goddess for their character to worship or gain magical powers from—an idea that directly violates the First Commandment: “You shall have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3)

These fictional deities often resemble demonic entities:

• Lolth, the spider queen, a chaotic evil goddess of deceit.

• Vecna, a powerful undead sorcerer and god of secrets.

• Tiamat, a dragon goddess inspired by Babylonian mythology.

Even worse, some D&D materials have included real magical rituals and sigils, adapted or taken directly from occult texts, which former occultists have confirmed align with genuine witchcraft practices.

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How Dungeons & Dragons Influences the Mind and Spirit

D&D may seem like just a game, but it is more than pretend. It requires players to assume a character, make moral decisions in that character's name, and sometimes engage in role-playing that includes spell casting, necromancy, or communication with spirits. When players take on roles of wizards, warlocks, or sorcerers and repeatedly simulate dark spiritual practices, they can become spiritually desensitized or even demonically influenced.

This practice of imagination mixed with spiritual darkness is a form of gateway exposure, which can:

• Open the mind to demonic influence.

• Normalize the occult and sorcery.

• Confuse moral boundaries.

• Pull hearts away from Christ toward fantasy-based spirituality.

Scripture is clear: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:22) and “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11)

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Why This Is Dangerous for Christians

The danger isn’t just the content—it’s the gateway effect. D&D has led many into deeper exploration of the occult, spiritualism, and moral relativism. Some players admit to starting with fantasy spell books and ending up practicing real witchcraft. Others report experiencing nightmares, spiritual oppression, or anxiety linked to their gameplay.

Christian parents and youth should take this seriously. While it may seem like innocent fantasy, D&D creates a fantasy world where evil is playable, glorified, and rewarded. That world is often more appealing than the real one—and dangerously addictive.

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Conclusion: Discerning the Spirit Behind the Game

The Apostle Paul warns in 1 Corinthians 10:20, “The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons.”

Dungeons & Dragons, by its design and origin, introduces players to a realm where false gods, sorcery, and demonic symbolism are normalized. Gary Gygax’s legacy may be cultural innovation, but for Christians, it represents a spiritual counterfeit that can pull hearts and minds away from the Lord.

Dungeons & Dragons: A Fantasy Game or a Spiritual Trap?

Dungeons & Dragons: Harmless Fantasy or a Gateway to Spiritual Danger?

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role-playing game that has captivated millions since its release in the 1970s. Often seen as a harmless form of entertainment, D&D allows players to build imaginary characters—wizards, warriors, sorcerers, rogues—and immerse themselves in fictional quests filled with mythical creatures, spells, and ancient deities.

But for Christians, especially those with a strong biblical foundation, this fantasy world raises serious spiritual concerns. The Bible calls believers to "Abstain from all appearance of evil" (1 Thessalonians 5:22), a command that directly challenges the acceptance of games and media that flirt with themes of sorcery, magic, and alternative spiritual realms.

What Is Dungeons & Dragons?

Dungeons & Dragons is a cooperative storytelling game in which players assume the roles of fantasy characters, guided by a Dungeon Master (DM) who narrates the story and controls the non-player elements of the game world. The game involves character sheets, dice rolls, maps, and scripted (or improvised) adventures, often including magical spells, occult symbols, and mystical realms.

While the game is fictional, it simulates spiritual realities—invoking deities, casting spells, necromancy, and possession—that are not just make-believe in the biblical worldview. Players often consult official manuals like the Player’s Handbook or Dungeon Master’s Guide, some of which contain detailed rituals and magical practices drawn from real-world occult traditions.

Origins and Spiritual Influences

D&D was created in 1974 by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. Though Gygax identified as a Christian later in life, the game’s structure is influenced heavily by mythology, pagan religions, and esoteric traditions. Spellcasting, summoning spirits, astral projection, and dark rituals are often core components of gameplay.

Some manuals used in the game have even been verified to contain real magical rites by former occult practitioners. High priestesses from Wiccan and pagan backgrounds have confirmed the authenticity of certain spells and symbols used in gamebooks, raising alarming questions about spiritual contamination.

How It Works

In the game, a player may choose to be a cleric channeling power from a fantasy deity, or a sorcerer drawing on arcane energies. They might fight undead creatures, enter spirit realms, or negotiate with demons and dragons. Players often research spell mechanics, simulate rituals, or role-play interactions with dark forces. Over time, immersion can shift from imagination to psychological and spiritual entanglement.

Why Should Christians Be Concerned?

1. Desensitization to the Occult
   The more a person role-plays in occult environments—casting spells, performing rituals, invoking false gods—the more normalized these practices become. This directly contradicts biblical teaching. God condemns all forms of witchcraft, sorcery, necromancy, and divination (Deuteronomy 18:10-12).

2. Spiritual Compromise
   Even if done “just for fun,” D&D opens a door to spiritual compromise. The Bible warns about mixing the holy with the profane (2 Corinthians 6:14-17). Simulating evil—even in imagination—can make the soul more accepting of real-world spiritual darkness.

3. Torment and Oppression
   Some former players have testified to mental torment, nightmares, emotional instability, and spiritual oppression after prolonged exposure to role-playing games steeped in occult themes. These symptoms often lifted only after renouncing the game and seeking deliverance prayer.

4. A Distraction from God’s Kingdom
   D&D consumes time, imagination, and emotional energy—often at the expense of Bible study, prayer, and Christian fellowship. It becomes not only a distraction but a counterfeit spiritual experience. Players are drawn into alternate identities, false power, and imaginary realms that imitate absolute spiritual truths but distort them.

5. Appearance of Evil
   Even if a Christian claims they’re not engaging in real witchcraft, the game’s content and context violate 1 Thessalonians 5:22: “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” The fantasy world of D&D thrives on sorcery, dark alliances, and pagan mythology—precisely the kinds of practices Scripture warns us to avoid.

What Are the Consequences?

• Spiritual Confusion: Blending fantasy and reality can make it harder to discern truth from deception.

• Open Doors: Immersion in occult-themed games can invite demonic harassment, especially if players speak or role-play rituals aloud.

• Mental and Emotional Instability: Some players experience increased anxiety, depression, or compulsive escapism due to deep psychological investment in alternate identities.

• Withdrawal from Christian Community: The culture surrounding D&D can become addictive, often drawing players away from Christian fellowship, worship, and obedience to Christ.

What Should Christians Do?

1. Avoid Games That Glorify the Occult
   Ask the Holy Spirit for discernment. If a game glorifies magic, pagan gods, or dark power—even fictionally—it’s not harmless. Christians are called to “be holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16).

2. Educate Youth and Families
   Parents and church leaders must be vigilant. D&D and similar games are marketed as harmless fun, but they can profoundly influence impressionable minds and open spiritual doors.

3. Repent and Renounce
   If you or someone you know has participated in D&D or similar games, repent and renounce all associations. If necessary, seek prayer and deliverance. God is merciful to forgive and heal (1 John 1:9).

4. Pursue Holy Imagination
   God gave us imagination to worship, create, and glorify Him. Let’s invest our creativity in writing, games, and stories that point people to light—not darkness.

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Conclusion

Dungeons & Dragons may seem like a harmless game, but it immerses players in a spiritual environment where the lines between fantasy and real occult practices are dangerously blurred. Christians are not called to flirt with evil but to flee from it. Scripture is clear—what we entertain in our minds and imaginations matters deeply to God. Let us choose purity, truth, and light over shadowy spiritual entertainment.

Methods of discernment:

• Who was the founder of this modality?

• What was his/her spirituality?

• What culture did it come out of?

• What were their beliefs?

• Who is their God or gods?

Many occult practices in Christianity need to be discerned.  Another method of discernment is the Word of God. The word of God is our measuring stick. The more we read the word, know the word, and have a relationship with the Lord, the more we discern right and wrong. We perish from a lack of knowledge.

Hosea 4:6 declares, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.”

By Teresa Morin, President of Touch of God Int'l Ministries of Healing and Deliverance. 

See list of occult practices. 

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