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As I grew up my parents were wary of me becoming too interested in any fiction with heavy supernatural themes. The D&D cartoon was ruled out pretty quick. And though they watched Ghostbusters with me, my mom was cautious (though still proud) when I made up my own Ghostbusters story and recorded it on tape. (My first audio production with scary demon voices in it!)
Many years later in my church's college group, a well-meaning leader carefully probed me for details about the "role-games" I loved playing so much, which were clearly sending up red flags for him.
A handful of years later, while serving as my church's worship pastor, a couple scheduled a meeting with me to express their concern over the fact that I played paper and pencil role-paying games.
And just after my oldest was born, some pent up stress over my choice of hobbies finally exploded out of someone on my wife's side of the family.
Over the years I've had my fair share of misunderstandings, though not really out and out "judgment", except perhaps in that last example. (BTW, we've long since had several good talks and gotten into scripture together. My nerdy hobbies are no longer an issue for them.)
When talking to Tom Vasel (The Dice Tower) recently, he shared that he also experienced some misunderstanding and judgment earlier in life (he's about my age) but not much in recent years.
So my question for all of you is, what has your experience been in the past with other Christians when it comes to your geeky side? Have you never had any problems bringing the two together? Have you experienced multiple misunderstandings or even judgment regarding your geekiness? If so, has it lessened over time? Is there even a significant challenge in bringing geeks together with other Christians these days, or are we just being oversensitive?
I'd love to get a read on the experiences and opinions of those in the community. I want to be careful this doesn't turn into a venting bash-fest against the church or Christians, but I definitely want honesty. My chief goal in most everything I do for Spirit Blade Productions is to encourage geeks to engage in the Christian life and equip them with scriptural truth. So getting a sense of the experiences out there might help me focus my efforts a little.
Thanks!
Many years later in my church's college group, a well-meaning leader carefully probed me for details about the "role-games" I loved playing so much, which were clearly sending up red flags for him.
A handful of years later, while serving as my church's worship pastor, a couple scheduled a meeting with me to express their concern over the fact that I played paper and pencil role-paying games.
And just after my oldest was born, some pent up stress over my choice of hobbies finally exploded out of someone on my wife's side of the family.
Over the years I've had my fair share of misunderstandings, though not really out and out "judgment", except perhaps in that last example. (BTW, we've long since had several good talks and gotten into scripture together. My nerdy hobbies are no longer an issue for them.)
When talking to Tom Vasel (The Dice Tower) recently, he shared that he also experienced some misunderstanding and judgment earlier in life (he's about my age) but not much in recent years.
So my question for all of you is, what has your experience been in the past with other Christians when it comes to your geeky side? Have you never had any problems bringing the two together? Have you experienced multiple misunderstandings or even judgment regarding your geekiness? If so, has it lessened over time? Is there even a significant challenge in bringing geeks together with other Christians these days, or are we just being oversensitive?
I'd love to get a read on the experiences and opinions of those in the community. I want to be careful this doesn't turn into a venting bash-fest against the church or Christians, but I definitely want honesty. My chief goal in most everything I do for Spirit Blade Productions is to encourage geeks to engage in the Christian life and equip them with scriptural truth. So getting a sense of the experiences out there might help me focus my efforts a little.
Thanks!
