Comments on: Spirituality and Social Media: Discovering Your Virtual ‘Self’

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 19 Apr 2009 22:35:55 +0000

@Chad – Thanks for coming by! I think that’s really the blessing (and at times the curse) of the internet – the transparency it provides, allowing us to interact without reservation. At times, this can lead to acting without regret or accountability, but in this realm, in a spiritual sense, it can be a beautiful thing, allowing for free flowing of ideas and theories without judgment. That is what I really pulled from this idea of the virtual ’self’. It provides a forum for unrestricted ideas, it provides an outlet for people to pursue faith beliefs and ideas that they may be passionate about, but afraid to confront in ‘real’ life.

In short – allowing for such open communication can translate into real-world results. Someone who was once afraid to be judged or was fearing a lack of acceptance may be re-assured after their online experiences to pursue their faith face-to-face.

By: chad swanzy

chad swanzy — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:39:47 +0000

My team and I are basically “creepers.” 2/3 of my leaders are 23-27 and it is nothing for them to connect with the kids online leading them, encouraging them, and “being where they are at.” We’ve had to create a few guidelines for this but only to create freedom and more security for the kids. When we started an online campus I had a girl who had moved from a small town in Kansas. She started a facebook group back home for her friends and without me knowing had been pushing them toward our experience online. My wife as counseled a girl from Kansas we have interacted with that group online and it’s been both interesting and odd to see them interact without reservation. Everything we do is somehow represented or celebrated on Facebook.

By: gavin richardson

gavin richardson — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:12:44 +0000

i do believe that some people will get confused and a virtual life will become for them their whole life. that is sad, but i’d also say there is most likely something else going on there for that person that helps enable that. the ‘personal relationship’ as i somewhat identified in my first posting here is a rather new concept as the technology of print took away the community element of faith and built into it the individual experience. i’m not much into sl & other worlds (wow, habbo hotel, there, sims online) but it is a place where people with needs are taking themselves.

By: gavin richardson

gavin richardson — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 15:03:46 +0000

i agree, that this medium is not the best for a deep discussion on beliefs & practices. there is too much break in interaction. i will say, there is a distinction between a theology of belief and the doctrine that is practiced. everything has a doctrine (whether they call it that or not). the american way has a doctrine of prosperity, hard work, etc.

good chat

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 14:14:57 +0000

Great article Gavin. I completely agree with you that while there is a place for online interaction, we all need that sense of community and real human interaction that comes from being involved in a local group of like-minded believers. I can see how Second Life could be used as a tool to draw people toward belief and also a safe and non confrontational experience. But I wonder if people could mistake it as a substitute for the personal relationship with God that is necessary.

Thanks for posting this and for introducing me to Second Life. I’m not much into reality universes, but it’s certainly a tool that can be used to evangelize and open doors.