Virtual Theology
I've been playing with Second Life lately, trying to figure out the virtual world's potentials, seeing how closely it matches Neil Stevenson's and William Gibson's visions.
I found a Christian church, and walked up to the front door. There were people in side, or, at least, avatars. And they were in a fervent discussion. I drew near enough to be able to "hear" the discussion. It was about the necessity of baptism for salvation.
I found a Christian church, and walked up to the front door. There were people in side, or, at least, avatars. And they were in a fervent discussion. I drew near enough to be able to "hear" the discussion. It was about the necessity of baptism for salvation.
posted by TWD | 17:22
6 Comments:
I've never heard of Second Life until you posted it. Looks like a virtual nightmare.
Could be. It certainly raises some interesting social and legal issues. Many of the social issues have already been seen to some extent in chat rooms, forums, blogs, and other online mechanisms.
Some of the legal issues, though, are new. For instance, because money assets in Second Life can be freely converted to and from real dollars, if someone steals from you in Second Life, can they be charged with theft in real life criminal courts? If so, who has jurisdiction?
Yeah, that's not what bothers me.
I think I may know what bothers you about Second Life (and similar virtual worlds), but I may be wrong. What bothers you?
"Virtual" would allow me to go places and do things with a shroud of secrecy and with the empty promise of no consequences. In times of weakness the fear of consequence is sometimes the saving grace I need until I come to my senses.
I'm sure there is more to it though...
Chris,
There is truth to that, and I found that Second Life has its seamy side, worth staying away from. Of course, the news media earn their bread and butter by either breathlessly focusing on that seaminess, or alternatively, by simply repeating the "yay, rah" PR pieces put out by the VW (virtual world, not Volkswagen) providers.
I'd argue it's not the virtuality (did I coin a new word?) so much as the anonymity that can lead one to not fear consequences. Of course, the same is true of many other forms of online communication, including this one. It's an issue we need figure out how to deal with.
I do know that I don't have enough time to have a first life, let alone a second one. To me, as a technophile, the appeal is in the technology. In that sense, it's like radio, television, the Internet: a medium that can be used for good or evil. There are already post-secondary educational institutions (OK, colleges) that are offering course work in this environment.
We can decry technology, and become modern Amish, or we can look for new opportunities for serving God using those technologies.
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