Second Life Spirituality - Is it Real?

Leading a small group in Second Life has some of the same issues as in real life. Getting people together and starting on time! Beyond the fact that the activity took place in the virtual world, in my estimation it could have been held in the brick and mortar church next door.

About eight avatars showed up for a small group session exploring spiritual formation.
Using recorded music and video along with guided meditation and prayer, we met for about an hour. Some of us had attended the Koinia Church in SL and held a get acquainted session, but this was the first official meeting of the Avatars for Faith group.

There were a few technical glitches, but those happen in the real world as well. How often have the words to a song been behind the accompaniment, or the video clip fail to play the first time? One thing I experienced was the freedom to choose music other than church hymns or praise songs. Was it too risky?

Here real flesh & blood humans, strangers and friends, came together to learn about the grace of God, share their sense of the sacred and worship, I think. Maybe they just came to see how I'd pull it off?

At any rate, I'm hoping they will give some feedback. Here's what I'd like to know:

Was this your first experience in Second Life?
What were the range on emotions you felt during the session?
Was the Meditation meaningful?
What felt different?
What did you like?
What did you dislike?
What was good?
What needs improvement?
Would you try it again?

Is spirituality real in Second Life?

Pro or Con - please explain.

To other readers of this blog: What are thoughts on using Second Life to do ministry?

jinjan

Virtual Religion in Second Life Like On-Line Sex?

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?

Caputo’s Deconstruction = LOVE

I tried to skim thorough John Caputo’s “What Would Jesus Deconstruct?” but I couldn’t! It is so rich and deep; I was captivated by this postmodern philosophical view. Just can't do it justice in a short, so I’ll focus on his theo-poetic reading of “deconstruction”.

Caputo sees “deconstruction” not as a negative but a positive that offers the opportunity to reconfigure and reform not only our lives but the church. In the book he “deconstructs” the popular slogan “What Would Jesus Do?” to unpack his meaning of the term. In non-philosophical terms, Caputo sees Jesus as a deconstructionist. He asks the reader to look at Jesus’ life and ministry and dream about, remember, re-image, and reshape the vision of Jesus then and now; to get a sense of how and what Jesus would “deconstruct” in our time. What would Jesus deconstruct?

Jesus’ life reflected “love of neighbor and God”, characterized by justice and mercy for the poor, forgiveness of sin, compassion, radical hospitality, in what we name “unconditional love” but rarely exemplify in our everyday lives. But what would happen if we did?

Our institutions, including ‘the Church’, hide behind a veil of hypocrisy as did the religious authorities of Jesus time “…denouncing sin while concealing their own corruption” (83) in an effort to sustain their imbalance of power they fear is slipping away. One need to tap into the internet, turn on the TV, or pick up a newspaper to see the violence, greed and hate pervasive not only in our society, but the world.

What would Jesus deconstruct? According to Caputo’s view of deconstruction – a hermeneutics of the kingdom of God - Jesus would call for a reversal of it all. He writes:

“The key to the kingdom is to love those who do not love you. Who hate you, and whom you, by worldly standards, should also hate. That is exactly the madness of deconstructive analysis of love would predict. Loving the lovable is entirely possible, but loving the unlovable, those who are impossible to love, that is when the kingdom reigns.” (84)

Caputo thinks the concept of deconstruction applied to the church just might save it and us. But who on earth will heed this wisdom? What denomination would have the courage to propose it, much less lead? I live in hope, how about you?