July 30, 2007 11:12 PM
Saving Virtual Souls in a Virtual Environment
What is Second Life?
"A 3D online digital world imagined, created, and owned by its residents" - http://secondlife.com
In layman's term, think of it as a 3D version of the message boards, forums and chat rooms where people transcends geographic boundaries to communicate, share ideas, meet new friends. In Second Life however, these interactions happen in a realistic, 3D rendition of real world. Second Life is a pseudo society where members do build houses, meet friends, transact business and soon - evangelize and be evangelized
The Jesuits Missionaries Interest on Second Life
Perhaps due to the growing popularity of Second Life and media buzz and attention that it is getting everyday, the Jesuit Catholic Missionaries took noticed of this and decided they will conduct their missionary work in the virtual world.
Or perhaps because recently, Government agencies have pinned down on Second Life's gambling casinos and declared it closed down. The Jesuits saw this as a fitting time to enter the virtual world.
Why Religion Will not Work in a Virtual World?
I cannot imagine such thing as virtual belief and virtual catholic faith. Faith and belief are already conceptual in nature. Putting these two in a virtual scenario adds more to its conceptuality and the more it will become vague as it is.
And besides, how can you reform something or someone that doesn't really exist. The citizens of Second Life are representations of real people who play the game. They are not real people who need moral guidance.
Perhaps, somebody ought to remind the Jesuits, one of the oldest Catholic missionaries, that Second Life is just a game and should not be equated to a real community.
Leave a comment