I saw this before I started the class, but forgot about it until now. If you can't attend church for what ever reason, including being too lazy to leave your house, just log on to (lifechurch.tv). There seem to be many efforts to provide ease of access when it comes to attending church. I found two 2-D versions, but lifechurch.tv seems to be the most developed. With a click to the title you will be taken to a video of SL site of (lifechurch.tv).
What do people who normally attend church think of this? Would you attend church virtually? What are the opinions of those who do not attend church on a regular basis?
Interesting comment, Bryan.
ReplyDeleteI have two perspectives for you on this one: academic and personal. From an academic viewpoint, technologies transform social practices everyday and institutions can either attempt to resist them or seek to find a way to integrate them into their milieu. Those that are successful in integrating them survive, but are still changed (even in small ways0 by the integration. Those that resist tend to be relegated to the fringes of society.
From a personal perspective, I attend church regularly. Aside from personal aspects of faith, I also very much enjoy the face-to-face relationships I have with people in my church. For me, going to church online or even in SL (I've tried both) just isn't as compelling because it doesn't have the depth of friendships that I have in "real life." Could these type of relationships develop online? I honestly don't know the answer to that. Theoretically I suppose its possible, but I don't find online friendships as compelling and integrated into my whole life as my face-to-face relationships.
I can't help but think of shut-ins. These people CAN'T get to church physically and watching it on TV doesn't offer ANY 2-way interaction. As with people with other disabilities who find hope and pleasure in this environment, isn't there social opportunity here for those who do not have the physical capacity to be IN church?
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ReplyDeleteThere's no "edit comment" option!
ReplyDeleteI think of my Mom, as well as other people I know, when I think of this subject.
My Mom is a "normal" human being, perfectly able of going to church on her own. And she does. She likes it there, but she's a little shy, so I guess interaction with other members is somewhat awkward and rare.
But at the same time, she loves watching T.D. Jakes preach on TV. And because it's in the comfort of her own home, she can shout "Amen" as loudly as she wants :o) It's like she's a part of a whole other congregation (not necessarily like a secret identity or anything...), because when chatting with her friends who also happen to be fans of Bishop Jakes' sermons, they interact just like during the fellowship break at church.
So...if it were up to my Mom, I'm sure she wouldn't skip a beat in joining Bishop Jakes' congregation. But since she's in Port Charlotte, FL, and his church is physically in Dallas, TX, thanks to that newfangled technology, she & her friends don't necessarily have to be in Dallas to be a part of that church. At the same time, however, there's something about getting to worship alongside other people, physically, that is totally fulfilling, and that Bishop Jakes unfortunately cannot provide through the TV screen.
But give it a few years, maybe one day he'll literally be able to reach out and touch someone.
As for myself, I am much more likely to attend service than to watch one on TV, just because when the TV is on, I'm doing 10 other things at the same time. I think it would be disrespectful to God for me to even be tempted with doing busywork while his Word (note: I am aware that there are false teachings out there) is being preached. Being surrounded by people helps me to stay focused, and on top of that, being surrounded by people that are focused on the same thing, which would be worship, is doubly helpful. However, far be it from me to say that a church building is the only place I can do so, and with a group is the only way. I can go on for years, but I think you get the gist.
In general I see SL as more of an enhancement or supplement to RL activities and not a replacement. So I would not see church services being successful on SL, but using it for other church related social activities may be beneficial. For many church going people the social and communal aspect of worship is very important. This is the case for me, even though I am generally not a very social person. As Dennis said, the depth of personal interaction is just not possible in SL.
ReplyDeleteAs far as shut-ins are concerned I would still feel that it would be better as a supplement to an actual church service. The aspects of an actual service are usually pretty one-way so I think TV is a better option for shut ins because of quality, reliability, and realism. But, the socializing that takes place around the service could be supplemented in SL.