We at the Saga Society are excited to soon be launching our website. As we kickoff our community, I wanted to ponder a moment about the role of imaginative hobbies for Christian families.

Imaginative Literature

St. Basil, speaking to young men on the right use of Greek literature, made this statement on the proper use of non-Christian literature:

“Now, then, altogether after the manner of bees must we use these writings, for the bees do not visit all the flowers without discrimination, nor indeed do they seek to carry away entire those upon which they light, but rather, having taken so much as is adapted to their needs, they let the rest go. So we, if wise, shall take from heathen books whatever befits us and is allied to the truth, and shall pass over the rest.”

Saint basil

When embracing imaginative hobbies, whether reading, writing, or playing games in such fantastic worlds, Christians can look for that which is worthy of contemplation.

In the words of Doxacon website:

“There is much in the genres of sci-fi and fantasy that is worthy of our attention.  Many sci-fi/fantasy authors drew on ideas based on Christian themes, people, or events.  In stories such as “Lord of the Rings”, “Chronicles of Narnia”, “Dune”, “Star Wars” and “Star Trek”, the fate of the world — or even the universe, hangs on the actions of individuals. These individuals must stand by their principles and beliefs to save everything. We get to learn what would we do in these situations that seem implausible now, but may one day become very real. We look back at George Orwell’s “1984” and see the balancing act between freedom and security as one we live with every day now. Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New World” of consumerism and hedonism doesn’t seem so different in today’s society, as it did when first published.”

From: http://www.doxacon.org/about.html

Creating Community

One reader of an Orthodox blog wrote:

“My soul longs to be a part of a family that is heading in the same direction. It’s lonely out here.”

Christian reader commenting on a blog post (source: https://goo.gl/Hfffgs)

We find that hobby clubs focused on meeting regularly to play games or discuss common imaginative interests provide venues to establish long-lasting relationships. The Church’s mission in part is to connect with one another and to reach out to the world. We’re using games and literature to do just that.