Virtual Church?
I've been researching Second Life. Our university is considering using SL as a teaching tool. Right now many universities such as Harvard hold classes there. I was fortunate enough to attend a seminar where I saw a classroom teaching the Jazz age in a virtual Harlem. It was very cool and educational. I actually got to play the piano in the Cotton Club. . . but I digress.
Now why do I bring this up? There's been a lot of negative press on Second Life (virtual worlds). Both Law and Order and CSI have done episodes demonstrating the "dangers" of these types of internet sites. And don't get me wrong. There are some very sleezy aspects of SL, as in the real world and on the internet.
Yet, I've stumbled across some very positive aspects as well--one such aspect is religion in SL. One of the most active churches is Life Church.
Here's a short video the from MSNBC on church in SL:
While it may not be my cup of tea, so to speak I do know that many of the younger generation really "relate" well in the realm. Can there be true community in SL? I have lots of questions and of course no answers. So what do you think? Thumbs up or down on Virtual Church?
3 comments:
I don't know much about SL but it looks like I need to investigate it a little bit! Thanks for the heads up!
You are such a good teacher!
Got your e-mail and haven't been able to respond as I'm limited and on vacation in Florida...but
I knelt on the sand, a thousand thought-filled reminders of HIS THOUGHTS toward you Cheryl. And I prayed for you and inquired and listened as the waves invaded my space of sand. Wet with water and tears, I heard him whisper: Isaiah 7: 1,2 - Careful. Calm. Quiet. Prayed for that kind of peace in your beautiful heart!
Hmmm ... Just off the top of my head, having watched that video clip, I'm thinking "better virtual church than no church at all," yet surely something is missed by the lack of human interaction and the not living out one's day to day life in community. Then again, it occurs to me that there probably are many people who go to church, feel invisible, and live the rest of their lives rather apart from that church community anyway. Very interesting.
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