urban@trwspp.UUCP (09/19/83)
The following item appeared in that example of supermarket-check- out journalism, "Weekly World news" (Published weekly by Weekly World News, Inc., 600 S. East Coast Ave, Lantana, Fla, 33462). FANTASY GAME RULED HONOR STUDENT'S LIFE -- AND DEATH @Bold( Straight-A student Irving Lee Pulling II put a loaded gun to his heart and pulled the trigger -- because he'd been cursed by a wizard in the eerie game of Dungeons and Dragons.) That's the contention of his grieving parents, who blame the controversial fantasy game for the 16-year-old boy's tragic death. They've filed a $1 million suit against a high school principal for permitting students to play Dungeons & Dragons during school hours. "The Pullings told me their boy killed himself after another student at the school put a curse on him," said the Rev. John Torell, a minister and head of a Sacramento, Calif., citizens' group that opposes the top-selling game. "They said they have no doubt the game drove their son over the brink. He left suicide notes referring to it. He was possessed by the denmonry and black magic used by players of the game." The Montpelier, Va., schoolboy had been playing Dungeons & Dragons with his schoolmates at Patrick Henry High School's Talented and Gifted program, the Pulling's suit contends. They claim that his English teacher allowed pupils to play the game as a reward for finishing their lessons. "We didn't know he was involved," Mrs. Pulling told Torell. "We would never have permitted it." Dungeons & Dragons, marketed by TSR Hobbies, Inc., of Lake Geneva, Wis., is a complex fantasy adventure that requires players to assume the roles and powers of wizards, magicians, druids, warriors and dragons. "People just go nuts with it," Torell told The NEWS. "They start living the game. They can't tell the difference between their fantasies and reality. "The game uses all sorts of mystical spells and witchcraft. We've documented hundreds of cases where pepole's lives were ruined by it--and a number where it actually led to death for the players." According to the pullings, their son shot himself in his home on June 9, 1982, a few hours after eh was hexed by a fellow student during a game session at school. The curse was "intended to inflict emotional distress," their suit claims, at a time when young Irving was already under "extreme psychological stress and emotional pressure" from playing Dungeons & Dragons. The Pullings contend that the principal of their son's school is responsible for his death and have asked for $1 million in damages and legal expenses in their suit. School officials claim the principal, Dr. Robert A. Bracey III, is immune to prosecution because of his post. "It's shocking to think that educators would knowingly permit the use of such a dangerous game in the schools," fumed the Rev. Torell. "What are these people thinking of?" --Jane Stewart ================================================================ Hm, this story has a familiar sound. I think I've heard of this Torell guy before, and suspect that the quotes are accurate. Ya know, if the religious right ever takes over, LOTS of people are in trouble...and yes, I know not all Christians are like that etc, etc. Mike