I just ran across something that really bothers me. And it concerns a local church that many of us are familiar with that ends in .tv. I looked at their website because I read about how people can raise their hands to be saved by clicking a button on the computer. That in itself really got to me. Accepting Christ into your life is supposed to be a life-changing experience, not a click of a button. I've always been skeptical of this church because it seems to rely so heavily on their "internet campuses." I think this whole going to church on the internet thing totally defeats the purpose of what church is supposed to be about: community and fellowship. How do you do that online? I'm sure some may say, there is an "online community," but you can't have meaningful relationships or experiences with God or other people on the computer!
So after looking at the website a little more, I saw something about "Second Life." This is the description of it:
Second Life is an Internet-based 3-D virtual world which enables its users to explore, socialize, participate in individual or group activities, and create and trade items and services from one another. In Second Life, users create avatars (3-D characters) that they use to interact and communicate with each other via a text chat (audio chat is coming soon) or by making gestures.
Using avatars to socialize and participate in activities?!!! What happened to meeting with people in person and engaging in meaningful conversation face to face? What happened to having people over to your home or going to a restaurant and hanging out? What happened to worshiping together as a community and serving others as a community?
We all need to be around others. We need human touch, we need human interaction, we need common experiences. I just don't see how this church thinks taking out what makes churches human is acceptable.
I know there are good people that go to that church and many of them probably actually meet with other church members and have meaningful conversations and experiences togther. But why would you want something so impersonal and sterile to be such a big part of your church?
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2 comments:
Wow.
Good stuff here.
There IS something kind of magical or necessary about actual, physical presence, isn't there? I'm discovering this more and more--the beauty of simple pleasures. Taking the time to share time and space with people is just kind of a fundamental.
I just can't get into these VIRTUAL ways of living life. The whole idea seems kind of stupid, (as I sit here 'typing' to you.)
So, will I see you guys IN PERSON at Jenn's next week?
I hope you're feeling better.
yes, we should be there IN PERSON! :) yeah, it's kind of ironic that i'm conveying this all by computer. but i know you know what i mean. i'm still coughing a lot, but i feel fine. how was wichita?
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