D&D and the Satanic Panic of the 1980s

Aten of the We Love TTRPGs! YouTube channel has produced a couple short videos that look at the Satanic panic of the 1980s which resulted from the fears that some parents and religious leaders had regarding Dungeons & Dragons or D&D (and other tabletop roleplaying games [TTRPGs] perhaps to a lesser degree), as well as some of the more recent speculation that the game was rife with racism, sexism, and other “-isms” in early editions. I have posted links to those videos below for your enjoyment and education.

I played Dungeons & Dragons in the early 1980s and I certainly remember the Satanic panic. Perhaps surprisingly, my parents which had enrolled my brothers and I in a couple small, private, Christian schools during our elementary school years, didn’t seem to be particularly concerned that D&D would cause us to reject Christianity and become Satanists or practitioners of the occult. What concerns my parents had about the games seemed to be more centered on the games as a pastime that might interfere with other priorities such as our education. I do seem to recall my father threatening to confiscate and perhaps destroy a younger brother’s D&D books when my father felt that his enjoyment and passion for the game was outpacing his dedication to his academic work in high school. But by that point the Satanic panic regarding the game had largely ended.

TTRPGs have been found to produce some desirable results for players and these are touched upon in the first video as well. In addition to being a pleasant pastime and giving us the opportunity to spend quality time with family and/or friends (or soon-to-be friends), the game has provided many opportunities for its players to better themselves.

Enjoy this look into the history of the hobby and perhaps share the videos with a friend or family member that is thinking about giving these games a try. I have also included a bonus video detailing some easy ways to make yourself welcome at a D&D (or other TTRPG) gaming table.

“DnD vs 50 years of moral outrage”

“Scandals that ‘Destroyed Dungeons & Dragons forever!!’”

“Become DnD's MVP with these tips!”