That’s the way one skeptic see it. "It's like online sex — it's satisfying in a weird way, I suppose … but the real thing is so much better, why would you want to waste your time on it?" asked Francis Maier, chancellor of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver and an avid video gamer.
Some say it’s supposed to be an escape from real life and still others, like Larry Trensue, says "We definitely feel the presence of the Holy Spirit there in Second Life." Larry’s viewpoint seems to be echoed by Ben Faust, 34, founder of the ALM Cyber Church, “Worship is always between you and God, wherever you are.” Transue does not view the virtual church as a substitute for the real thing. (That's why he's did not host an Easter service) But he believes it can be an important supplement. And he hopes it can be a tool of evangelism, introducing nonbelievers —through their avatars — to the principles of faith.
It’s no wonder people give me a quizzical look when I explain my theology project “Avatars for Faith”, a short-term exploration using the 3-D Virtual Reality game, Second Life, as a tool for small group spiritual practice. In a real sense I was/am a little skeptical myself, but after attending a couple “in world” worship services where a dragon avatar attended, I’m not so sure.
Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY, reported in 2007 that at any day or hour, people around the globe – seekers and believes- congregate. “Wherever the human imagination goes, so goes the spirit.” Second Life is now also opening windows on religious and spiritual expression. Theologians and philosophers may debate the authenticity of religious life online, but out on the Internet faith frontier, believers are too busy to listen.”
What will Avatars for Faith discover?
No comments:
Post a Comment