Elysian: I would think that by age 16 you’d have a little more say in the matter.
Anyway, as has been pointed out, your parents probably won’t know anyone you meet until you introduce him to them. Maybe you could explain that to your parents and have the boy come visit you while your parents are at home? Then they’d know him, anyway.
Hope it works out for you.
OOps! Sorry, got the Op’s name wrong. Apologies to both of you.
I think that most parents know you cannot be too cautious in this day and time, but I cannot understand why they wouldn’t want to meet this person that you are evidently set on spending time with.
Did your mom not meet him when you guys met at the Ren Faire?
Maybe you should ask them this: How likely do they really think it is that they would know every boy you dated before you did? It’s really inconceivable. What happens when you go to college? Do they know all the guys that you know from school?
When a teenager is dealing with his/her parents, I would advise him to be as honest as possible if he is looking for support. Being open and honest (should) make your parents a bit less wary.
~J
Not entirely sure that’s the best idea, really.
If your parents think that “internet folk” are all murderers, rapists, or losers then I really don’t think they’ll be inclined to reconsider the situation with your boyfriend ‘because my internet friends say it’s a good idea’. My guess is that as far as they’re concerned, we’re ‘internet wierdos’ who ‘have no grasp of reality’ … and that equates to no credibility as far as they’re concerned.
If anything, directing them to read this thread might further cripple your chances.
Plus, if there’s one thing I know, it’s that nobody (parents included) likes being told ‘everybody thinks you’re wrong’. No matter how tactfully it’s put. If you think your folks are off-side now, wait until you present them with a page or two of people criticising them/their actions.
The advice given by the guys and gals in the posts above is well thought out and pretty good. However, I don’t think it’ll help you in any way at all to present it to your folks as a guide on How To Be A Better Parent.
Good luck with your boyfriend. I hope it works out. 
40 minutes away is hardly any distance at all. Surely there’s some way you and he can arrange for your parents to meet him, even if it involves both families meeting up in a neutral place for a meal or something.
You met this guy on Everquest. Since he plays Everquest, logically the chances that he will find another girlfriend are very, very small. Therefore, he will not do anything to screw this potential relationship up. This means, for example, he will be incredibly polite and corgial to your parents, and treat you with the utmost respect. Tell your parents this!
Gah! Beat me to it…
Anyway, to echo the advice of some other people in this thread, I think you just need to arrange for him to meet your parents, and then they will calm down a little.
With all the stories on the news about young teenagers being abducted by evil sexual predators after seducing them on the internet, I understand their fear. Yet, in truth, the vast majority of people on the internet aren’t sexual predators. Many are really pretty nice people. So show that to your parents.
(Side story… I have a female friend who plays Everquest a lot. One guy started flirting with her and they became good friends. He lived nearby, and was obviously interested in her. Before they ever met, she found out he was 30-something and married! They obviously never did end up meeting. While he was a little creepy, he was at least honest. Still…)