I am finishing up a Master's class, Topics in Contemporary Communication through which we are studying the field of Media Ecology, or the impact that communication technology has on individuals and society. We are having an online discussion about the virtual reality game, Second Life. I had no idea about Second Life, but that is why one goes to school, right?...To learn about things they never knew. For those of you as ignorant as I, Second Life (according to its website) is a "free, online virtual world that is imagined (key word, here) and created by its residents." The heart of our academic discussion centered around the idea that technology "giveth" and "taketh." In our discussion, we unpacked what Second Life might be giving or taking away from society, and since I attend a faith-based graduate school, what Second Life's implications may be for Christians.
One of my cohort buddies posted a link to a MSNBC news segment (and according to our class, the jury is still out on whether MSNBC "news" is newsworthy, but that is another discussion all together) about Second Life's online religious experiences. LifeChurch.tv senior pastor, Craig Groeschel, explains their interpretation of "into the uttermost parts of the earth" as very literal. But really? ...into the uttermost parts of Other World, too?
Obviously, I am still processing what this means for the way we do church. I believe doing church through Second Life has some relevancy in today's culture, but I am still weighing the balance between what church through Second Life gives and takes away. If it is a virtual reality environment, then I can be whoever I want to be and "hyperpretend" my way through my 'imagined' (see above) life. The church sometimes has enough trouble meeting the real needs of people...how is it supposed to conceivably meet their virtual needs as well. Hmm...ponder.
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