(2/10) Alright. Here's an upgrade in controversy from Romance, obviously, so in the interests of keeping a civil discussion, I'll be playing neutral arbitrator. It's okay to discuss or debate, but if any personal accusations or flaming comes out, I'm reporting it. If you become a repeat offender, don't be surprised if your posts aren't just deleted, but a moderator might temporarily ban you to let you cool your head.

Also, in the interests of remaining reliable neutral, I won't be commenting personally on the things people say. I might inquire further to encourage discussion, but I'm not going to judge people's personal beliefs here. Consider this a "judgement free zone" if you want.

Now that that is out of the way...

What do you think of religions in role plays? How should they be used and how do you use them? Do you have explicitly religious characters, a-religious characters, or do your characters never really feel strongly one way or the other about such things? Do you avoid the topic altogether, or embrace it whenever you get the chance?

Any disagreements people have about Religion aside it is unarguably a influence on people's culture and personality.

So quite simply it would simply be an RP injustice to try to avoid or not address it with your characters.

(What? No long rant on Religion? Are you ok Gwazi?)
I'm fine, this is just a pretty clear cut case in my opinion. If something plays an effect on people it's something that RP's should at the very least address.

Considering in roleplays, you're taking the role of a character who might be anything from a cannibalistic orc to a womanizing space jock, I don't see how having a religious character, be they of real world or fictional faiths, would be controversial, especially in a setting where gods are tangible.

Dervish said
Considering in roleplays, you're taking the role of a character who might be anything from a cannibalistic orc to a womanizing space jock, I don't see how having a religious character, be they of real world or fictional faiths, would be controversial, especially in a setting where gods are tangible.

This. My characters' views on religion change depending on the roleplay and who they are, as appropriate for the context, and are entirely removed from my own.

Its just the same as using it in any other media. As long as I don't do something like take Muslims, make them all stereotypical arabs who run around blowing up towers then there's nothing wrong with using religion, or make all Jews have big noses and hoard wealth, but instead use it in a proper manner as a device for the plot or character development then I don't see any reason for it to be wrong.

As for characters, I've had an evil wizard cult leader, a strong atheist (ironically in a world stuffed with gods doing crap 24/7), an alien zealot, an entire alien race of atheists, an assassin who couldn't give two shits about it all etc. If it fits the setting then I might use it, or not depending on what character I'm building.

Religion is important motivation in peoples' lives.It's an important aspect of culture. It would kinda blow to have a restriction on it when it comes to characters.

Though, personally, I don't really have any characters highly influenced by religion one way or another unless they're in a fantasy setting. It, like, never comes up for my characters in RPs. And I rarely see it in other peoples' characters, so I can't really give any experimental input.

Religion is an excellent tool because pretty much any monotheism naturally invites conflict. Religion is historically one of the widest used ways to both control and separate people. It can be by forcing ideals, it can be by spreading hatred, or even motivation (you get X amount of virgins if you explode yourself). Nothing can achieve that quite as well as targeting a belief system and related identity. Especially if everyone around you shares these.

Conveniently it's also one of the easier ways to make you villain pursue a goal with some rather nasty means, without making them the evil alignment. Villains who think they're doing right? Pretty damn scary. Now imagine them in a position of power. A nation full of followers who will tattle on each other for even doubting their beliefs, WW2 style, having death as the best-case scenario for so-called heretics? Nothing gets the pressure on quite like it. Control and separation, brainwashing and self-righteousness. All a package deal.

So yeah, I think religion is a great tool for roleplays. Especially villainy, but it can be used both ways (though expect to see lots of grey if you see it being used for good).
Also. Characters can be pretty much whatever and I don't think that warrants any discussion.