ASFDan said:
Unless he's running around shoving a cross in peoples' faces and/or generally playing up the historically religious aspect of the historically religious templar then I wouldn't stress it over the particulars of his costuming.
Rulebook p. 14 said:
One of the quickest ways to get your character history rejected is to draw too heavily on religion or religious themes.
99% of the time, a character's background -- especially the specific, nitty-gritty type stuff -- is between the player and the plot team, and a lot of times is there to simply serve as a "focal point" for the player to give that character depth (an overly simplistic way of describing the process, I know). Things that are shared or told at events, more often than not, are simple versions that leave out most of the details.
So why then would having a background that draws too heavily on religion or religious themes be rejected? As long as the character isn't going around getting in people's faces about it, why would there be a problem? Why was that specifically included in an otherwise fairly sparse description of this nebulous
policy? I'm asking because I'm genuinely curious, not because I'm trying to be difficult (which I realize this post may sound that way).
ASFDan said:
As far as things go it's just not that big a deal when it comes to the greater picture. The religion-free stance of Alliance is about trying to avoid accidental disrespect and/or discomfort for players of various OOG religions, not about abolishing everything of potentially religious symbolism from the game, everywhere, always. Can he worship/proselytize/convert/pray/etc? No, that is prohibited by the rules of the game. Should he be crucified (see what I did there?) for having a cross on his shield or what have you? Absent the aforementioned RP to hold it up as religious in significance I'd suggest it's pretty nitpicky (to be polite) to do so.
I don't think it's a matter of questioning his intent because I don't think intent matters:
Rulebook Page 14 said:
This is especially problematic, for many people consider much of folklore to be fair game, but unknowingly and ignorantly trod over religions that are actively practiced (in particular paganism) because they mirror fantasy gaming.
I think it's more a matter of applying a rule (or policy) universally, and as fairly as possible, across all chapters in the game. Looking at it from an organizational standpoint, it sucks to be able to go to one chapter and have something accepted, then travel to another (should the opportunity arise) only to have it rejected which makes the rejecting chapter/staff member look like/feel like an ******* because they're just doing what their chapter owner wants them to do.
Also: a class name change wouldn't be out of line. How about a Cavalier, Barrister, or a Gallant?