Jesuits say take word of God to Second Life

[TriWooOx]

Quote:ROME (Reuters) - Catholic missionaries have always trekked to dangerous parts of the Earth to spread the word of God -- now they are being encouraged to go into the virtual realm of Second Life to save virtual souls.

In an article in Rome-based Jesuit journal La Civilta Cattolica, academic Antonio Spadaro urged fellow Catholics not to be scared of entering the virtual world which may be fertile ground for new converts wishing to better themselves.

"It's not possible to close our eyes to this phenomenon or rush to judge it," Spadaro said. "Instead it needs to be understood ... the best way to understand it is to enter it."

Second Life is a simulation game where players can create a virtual version of themselves -- an avatar -- and interact with other people in the three-dimensional world.

According to its Web site, it has a population of more than 8 million residents and millions of dollars change hands there every month.

"Is there (cyber) space for God?" Spadaro aaka in his article which says there are already virtual churches and temples serving countless religions. He quotes a Swedish Muslim who says his avatar prays regularly as he prays in real life.

Spadaro warns the uninitiated that "the erotic dimension is very present" in Second Life, that people can buy genitalia for their avatars in a world that is "open to any form of erotic stimulation from prostitution to pedophilia".

While the virtual world might be a refuge for some people seeking to flee the real one, it is also full of people seeking something more from life, including, possibly, religious enlightenment, he said.

"Deep down, the digital world can be considered, in its way, mission territory," he said. "Second Life is somewhere where the opportunity to meet people and to grow should not be missed, therefore, any initiative that can inspire the residents in a positive way should be considered opportune."

http://www.reuters.com/article/internetNew...27?feedType=RSS

[hilly7]

ok, that's weird

[TeslaandLyne]

There are stories in the Catholic realm about a priest who saw a dead relative as a vision
and that relative would look better and better after each reappearance after prayers were said
for the dead person.

So every little bit helps.

So Jesuits are supposed to know their business, just who needs this after life help I'd like to know.

Yeah and keep those Jesuits away from our business, don't let them tell you they know something
about conspiracies.

Guess Hitler is finally dead and they must make up for not telling us he lasted into the 90s.

I know, its for JFK and JFK Jr.

Well it looks like Bush might live past 107 like Hitler did on his war profits.

Can't wait to pray for that event, praying now doesn't seem to help.

[ephilution]

Here's a futuristic scenario:

Sex, through its attractive potential, will be used to lure gullible (but horny) people into the virtual arena. Through the promise of wild and unrestrained virtual sexual escapades people will find accepting the brainchip, which promises all that, much easier. In general, basically natural tendencies of humans will be used against them to facilitate absolute closure of the level of bondage ordinary humans will be subjected to. The power of the science of manipulating and governing humans is not to be taken lightly.