July 25, 2008
The First Church of Second Life
What is the role of real Christians in a virtual world?
There is another life beyond this one: a realm where one’s role on earth is a distant memory, where inhabitants have new bodies and can fly anywhere they like. It sounds a bit like heaven. But it’s not. It’s cyberspace.
Second Life is—well, for the uninitiated, it is hard to explain. Some call it a game, but in reality it is ultimate virtuality: a virtual, 3D, online world that is continually created and updated by its residents. Originally introduced to the public in 2003 by the company Linden Lab, Second Life now boasts over a million members from around the world.
These members, 50,000 or more of whom are online and “in-world” at any given time, create their own names and “avatars” (virtual identities with infinite combinations of customizable human and nonhuman “looks”) that can own merchandise and property (bought with real U.S. dollars) and interact with any anyone else in-world via Second Life chat or instant messenger. Residents can walk, fly, or teleport to various destinations, including lush beaches, raucous dance clubs, trendy restaurants, seedy strip joints, bustling malls—and churches.
As of this writing, there were around 100 churches listed in Second Life. Some were obviously created as a joke (The Church of Apathy), but dozens of others advertise legitimate doctrine, membership, and church functions. But why would anyone start a church in a place that isn’t real?
Because, for many of its residents, Second Life is real; more real—to them, at least—than their real-world existences. Some members spend entire days in-world at one time; they make friends, go to school, party, play, and sometimes even derive more income from their virtual enterprises than from their real-world ones. This is either cause for great alarm, or great opportunity for ministry.
Second Life resident “Emmanuel Hallard” believes the latter, and started the Christian Church of Second Life two and half years ago. “I felt that Jesus’ saying, ‘Go into all the world’ included Second Life,” explained Hallard, who in his “First Life” is Lee Wilson, a minister, author, and actor who works for the Family Dynamics Institute, a nonprofit marriage and family ministry located outside of Nashville.
Wilson/Hallard chose his Second Life first name, Emmanuel, because it means “God with us.” “When I first joined Second Life I wanted that message to go with me—that God is everywhere,” he said. “We can’t hide from Him in the dark, in a voting booth, or in a virtual world.” The Nashville minister says he spends around 10 hours per week in Second Life, communicating with his church’s 1,000 members, developing the church “property,” leading Bible discussions, talking with church visitors, and exploring new areas of the world. The church also has a donation box and accepts gifts that go toward the purchase of new property and the Second Life land ownership fee of $30 per month.
Other Second Life churches function in a similar manner, offering Bible studies and discussion groups. Some hold special events based on the liturgical calendar, such as Easter gatherings and special prayer services.
“Second Life in general lets you experience freedom you might not have in your everyday life,” explained Wilson/Hallard.
And the freedom to be and do anything you want in-world is a two-edged sword. “Slappy Yering,” another Christian who has spent significant time in Second Life, has observed the darker side of this freedom.
Yering, a church planter and telecom employee in his First Life, used to spend 8 to 16 hours per week in Second Life. He originally joined to get closer to a couple in his church that was very quiet in real life, but spent a lot of time in-world. “In the game they were just crazy,” Yering explained. “The couple worked at a virtual strip club. He was a DJ and she was a dancer, and they owned a house in-world. Most of the time I was there, we were talking about life. I was a counselor to these people who had trouble dealing with each other in the real world.
“It was kind of a fun thing,” Yering continued “You could be whoever you wanted and do whatever you wanted—no responsibility, because it’s just a game. But that’s the dangerous part. It crossed a line. The couple eventually divorced. They should really have never been married in the first place, but the game accelerated their downfall.”
So, what is Second Life? A colossal time waster, a harmless (albeit elaborate) diversion, or evil escapism? From my own experience, the Second Life world is difficult to learn, yet potentially addicting. The virtual world is completely unreal, yet totally real at the same time. Dangers lurk, yet opportunities abound. What is the appropriate approach for a Christian? On the one hand, Scripture warns us of spending time in futile pursuits; on the other, we are to spread the Gospel to the unreached, using whatever means possible.
Personally, I am too busy in my First Life to spend time in Second Life. But I commend those who are thinking outside the box about how to engage a vast, unevangelized world that is actually contained inside a box.
For a brief glimpse of a Second Life church experience, check out this video, produced by Craig Groeschel's LifeChurch.tv.
Posted by UrL on July 25, 2008
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Comments
I think this is the wrong video clip...
in response to the virtual world, I think Lauryn Hill said it best: "Fantasy is what we want, but reality is what we need." I suppose the assumption is that in a virtual world you can control all the unwieldy elements of church life. but what kind of community would that create?
I won't knock it, but I'm afraid it just continues to reveal the abject blindness we have (or want, I guess) toward dealing with real situations through faith and obedience.
grace and peace
Posted by: C.K. Tygrett at July 25, 2008
We now have the right video clip in place. I'm not sure how that happened, but I apologize for the confusion.
Posted by: Brandon at July 25, 2008
I've often thought of this virtual world as the one descibed by Micheal Morcock in his Elric of Melniboné series, The Dreaming City.
Interesting that that was written 1961...it's about a race of people who retreat to the "dreaming world" to live their lives because the real world had become so...boring.
And so we have our own "dreaming world" for which people can go live out their fantasies...hey, I'm going to go climb a mountain, look how easy it is! Woohooo!
I'm going to jump off this building, boooyaah!
Nothing like living in a world without the usual consequences of protesting muscles, or those silly laws of physics.
In the world of make believe all you have to do is ignore the world your body is in...I think its called insanity.
Posted by: sheerahkahn at July 25, 2008
About a year ago I spent a few days in Second Life, visiting some of the temples, churches, and coffee houses that were doing spiritual stuff. Some were on the ground; others in mid-air. It was creepy. I kept feeling like I was in a dream—flying here and there and meeting creatures that weren’t quite human but vaguely resembled humans. And we were trying to talk about deeply personal stuff and my pursuit of God and His pursuit of me.
When avatars wanted to pray with me, it was as awkward as when the Mormon elders want to pray with you at the front door. Is that real prayer, or performance art?
It reminded me of the similar conflict I felt when our cat died, and the kids wanted me to perform a funeral for Kitty Cat as we buried her in the back yard. I went through the motions, but it wasn’t quite like a real funeral, ya know? It was a reasonable facsimile—but I think the Bible has a word for “reasonable facsimile” of worship, doesn’t it—and it’s not a good word.
Anyway, I finally couldn’t take Second Life after about three days—and woke up to my own reality in First (and only) Life.
Posted by: Eustace at July 25, 2008
Jesus taught, "I am the way, and the truth and the life..." (John 14:6) and commended us to become His witnesses - as we are empowered by the Holy Spirit. (Acts 1:8)
I tried to live for almost 45 years, listening to preachers and studying what theologians had to say and wound up in the proverbial "ditch". Then, I began to believe what He said and since then, a little over 33 years, my life has become -"joy unspeable and full of glory".
I have no need for a second life!
Posted by: Sherwood MacRae at July 25, 2008
"From my own experience, the Second Life world is difficult to learn, yet potentially addicting." Very true. My daughter got caught in the addictive nature; to the point of seriously damaging her marriage and relationship with her child. Be very cautious if you have an "addictive" personality.
Posted by: Debby at July 25, 2008
I've been in SL for 15 months now. My character is well developed, relatively well known, and certainly embedded in various comunities. In RL (Real Life), I work in ministry full time (and then some). In SL, I hold hands, listen, counsel, and point people back to a real life, the real church, and a very real and living God.
Success rate? About 50/50. But, would He have died for just one? Absolutely. I thank God for the gifts and opportunity - and for the diligence to not engage in so much of the fantasy. (As a side note, I've yet to find what I would call a mainstream Protestant church in SL, although I stopped looking six months ago...)
Thank you for the article! I'm off to a RL fellowship! MUAH!
Posted by: Gina at July 25, 2008
Have you ever realized how lacking respect and acceptance of the other, even insulting, evangelisation is to non-Christians?
Freedom of religion is a great good and I am happy that you feel fullfilment in your belief. But are you now going to bother us in SL too trying to win our souls? Why just not respect others and leave them alone!
Posted by: Yak at July 26, 2008
modern day gnosticism? disembodied spirituality? there's nothing wrong with that, right?
Posted by: chad m at July 27, 2008
I am the pastor of the Anglican Cathedral in Second Life which celebrates one year of services in a couple of weeks. We presently have more than 450 members and are about to increase the number of services we run from 3 to 7 per week. We also offer Bible Studies and discussion groups - with heaps of encounters happening around the virtual Cathedral. One of the biggest misconceptions is that the virtual is somehow separate from 'real life', but actually my experience is that it is very much still me in Second Life, still the same God and still the same Great Commission.
Second Life and the virtual world are a new mission field. We are called by God to pitch our tent in this strange land and learn the language, so that we can share God's love.
We have no intention of replacing face to face ministry, but all the same, we are commited to going where the people are. As our aim states: 'We aim to be church wherever you are, whatever your circumstance.'
I invite you to come and check it out sometime!
For more info see: http://slangcath.wordpress.com/
or my blog at: http://brownblog.info
Mark Brown
Posted by: Mark Brown at July 27, 2008
To Yak,
I completely understand your opinion about how many Christians "evangelize". I've experienced in my faith journey what you seem to have experienced, the self-righteousness and egalitarianism that marks some approaches among evangelists. As Jesus said, we tend to point out the specks in others' eyes while ignoring the planks in our own. For the offenses others have commited against you in this respect, I offer my sincerest apologies.
I think I'm speaking for most Christians in saying that evangelization should be done with complete respect for the beliefs, histories, life situations, and feelings of others. The best evangelization is done through actions and not words. As St. Francis said, "Preach the Gospel at all times. And when necessary, use words." It is in being the embodiment of Christ that Christians evangelize most effectively.
That said, we are called to go and make disciples of all nations, and Second Life seems to be a new nation of sorts. So, we're called to be there as well. Second Life will have its fair share of people seeking spiritual guidance and support. It behooves all religions to have a presence there so that we can speak to our values, be guides and mentors, and assist with worship.
Yak, I'm sure if you took the time, you'll find many Christians (as well as Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, etc.) who are operating with SL as ordinary citizens of this virtual space, interacting with you like most ordinary citizens in the real world. Hopefully they're living according to the exhortations of Jesus. I'm sure they, like Mark Brown from above, are there to lovingly assist you on your spiritual journey if that's what you desire.
It's depressing to me when large groups of people are characterized by the minority versus the majority. Most Christians are NOT self-righteous and condescending in their evangelizing. They wish to live lovingly and as the embodiment of Christ's love and sacrifice.
May you be blessed in your personal journey, Yak. Truly, I hope you find joy and fulfillment personally and spiritually in both SL and real life.
Posted by: Mordecai at July 28, 2008
"That said, we are called to go and make disciples of all nations, and Second Life seems to be a new nation of sorts. So, we're called to be there as well. Second Life will have its fair share of people seeking spiritual guidance and support. It behooves all religions to have a presence there so that we can speak to our values, be guides and mentors, and assist with worship."
Oh man, this makes me itch...not so much the evangelizing part, of which I agree, but this part... "and Second Life seems to be a new nation of sorts. So, we're called to be there as well."
I'm hesitant to make that leap...and perhaps it is just my own biases at work here. I just don't see SL like that, and I have doubts we're being "called to be there as well."
I can understand that a follower of Christ in that environ will be noticed and the observed difference commented on, and thus the follower gives his reason for being "different" than everyone else.
But called to that environ?
I intellectual honesty demands that we be honest with both ourselves, and with each other.
I've been called to Hawaii, I know it...I can hear it in the winds, and the waves, G-d wants me to be in Hawaii...right?
I'm being called to Hawaii, ain't I?
I mean seriously, the white sandy beaches, the blue waters with white caps rolling in, and the pastel colored clouds marching off into the horizon at sunset all screams to me, "GO TO HAWAII AND EVANGELIZE...ON THE BEACH!"
Now that, I can get behind as a calling to, but called to SL? A game?
Ah...I am just not seeing it.
Posted by: sheerahkahn at July 28, 2008
Re: the observation that SL is potentially addictive and harmful - as a gamer, I'd attribute that potential to all video/computer games. They're the original virtual reality - I don't see SL as being any different, it's merely an interactive version of the Sims.
That being said how we play these games - interactive or otherwise - says a lot about our character. Any time I do something in a game that I wouldn't do in real life - for example, accept a quest to kill an innocent man in order to claim his amazing weapon for myself - I have to take a good look at attitudes and desires. Why am I choosing to live this out in a fantasy world? I know it's not healthy. Or, another example, I love first-person shooters, but draw the line at ones that are built around killing other (virtual) humans - so I love Halo etc., but don't go for stuff like Splinter Cell or Medal of Honor. It just makes me feel weird; I have no inner fantasy to satisfy there.
I don't believe there is a difference between living out a fantasy in real life and living out a fantasy in a virtual fashion - the same motives, desires, and questions are in play.
As far as SL evangelism goes, at the end of the day, any interactive online game is a type of community - and people in communities like to do things like talk to others who are like them, talk to others who are different, swap opinions and share views, just like you would on, for example, this comments section. As I see it, a SL church is akin to a Christian message board - it just looks neater.
Posted by: elly at July 28, 2008
Very nice, and balanced, article on Second Life. As an educator (formerly college professor and currently an eLearning provider) I see and use Second Life as merely another means to reach out to people.
As with any means of communication, Second Life can be exploited for use as a tool to spread negative issues. But this is all the more reason to embrace it for educational, informational, and religious use.
On a personal note, I use Second Life as a tool similar to the web. It is a technology that will continue to evolve and become more mainstream.
It is also a great tool to reach out to those that are not able to easily participate in certain events (either due to location or other circumstance).
Posted by: subQuark at July 28, 2008
That said, we are called to go and make disciples...
exactly.
and i bet dollars to donuts that what Yak finds offensive are those who 'share the gospel' and press for decisions.
which ain't what the GC is all about.
if those in SL (i keep wanting to write SNL - but SNL is really 'live'...) are truly setting up long-term relationships with avat- uh, i mean, people, then i can't see how it's much different than email romanc-, i mean, relationships. some have meaning, some are just bits in the ether.
still, i think what motivates a lot of 'soul-winning' Christians to go to SL are cap feathers and belt-notches. and, of course, the anonymity is a face-saving bonus.
go to nursing homes and hospitals. talk to the person in the cube next to you at work (he's probably surfing the web anyway...).
there's no shortage such that we have to go online and find them, is there?
mike rucker
fairburn, georgia, usa
mikerucker.wordpress.com
Posted by: mike rucker at July 28, 2008
Wilson/Hallard chose his Second Life first name, Emmanuel, because it means “God with us.”
This jumped out at me b/c a year or two ago I read a quote from one of the creators that the interesting thing about Second Life was that there was no God. "Imagine the possibilities," was the implication.
I think I know how I'm going to vote in the poll about churches in Second Life.
Posted by: Joel at July 29, 2008
I read a quote from one of the creators that the interesting thing about Second Life was that there was no God. "Imagine the possibilities," was the implication.
i think i hear john lennon singing...
some people, i suppose, would 'imagine the possibilities' of life without God as a license to steal, and look forward to the day where they could do everything without moral conviction or fear of punishment.
a large segment, though, will be glad that the arms-folded, scowling Man in the sky with a big stick has found someone else to pick on.
God looks quite differently to everyone. and the fault lies squarely with the church - and, to a great extent, the bible.
don't assume everyone is a reprobate. some people were just on the receiving end of some bad Christianity.
mike r.
Posted by: mike rucker at July 29, 2008
As a sometimes attendee of the Anglican church in SL, I have read this article with interest. The Anglican church in SL is located in a place called Epiphany Island, and has a number of services that are true to the tradition.
I have also visited a Quaker establishment and, although I have not ever participated in a real life Quaker community, I found the SL community to provide a good introduction to those traditions.
I have met the leaders/builders of both of these communities. They are leaders in their spiritual tradition in real life as well.
One thing that I have found when visiting SL spiritual communities is that I get a similar calm/reverent/etc feeling when visiting these areas in real life.
But, as with anything on the web, I would not feel so comfortable with these SL areas if I hadn't already had a good understanding of their real life counterparts. With the web you are on your own when deciding whether to believe anything that is said. (for instance, students using Wikipedia for research are required to cite "more reliable" sources as well)
Posted by: Suzanne/Miraanda at July 31, 2008
here's another thing that may be of interest:
I just got an SL notice about a new group called Second Life Pilgrims. The group at the Anglican church in SL have just started it after a recent Saturday discussion group. Search for "Second Life Pilgrims" in SL groups, or visit the group blog at http://slpilgrims.blogspot.com
Posted by: Suzanne/Miraanda at July 31, 2008
I haven't been in SL for long - I went there originally to hang out with my brother, who lives 1200 miles away in RL. One of the first things I did, though, was join the Anglican cathedral mentioned in a couple of posts above. Technical difficulties have prevented my actually attending church service, but I've been taking part in the Bible study. I really like it - like every other Bible study I've been to, it's frustrating that it ends after only an hour, when the discussion is just getting good!
The main reason I wanted to join a church in SL is that I have mobility and transportation problems; even worse, from my point of view, I have face-blindness. I can't recognize people or remember their names, and by the time you've been going to a church for a month or so, people fairly reasonably expect you to recognize them. In SL, people's names are always printed over their heads - no need to recognize or remember!
CarynW/MimseyBorogove
Posted by: CarynW at August 6, 2008