Virtual Religion?

USA today has an online article in its tech section talking specifically about the role of religion in online virtual communities like Second Life (5 million members).

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/gaming/2007-04-01-second-life-religion_N.htm

My first response? Yikes, Is this right?

When i think of religion, i always think of the community aspect. A virtual community practicing religion has a creepy and hollow feeling to me. I guess if you are living in the middle of no where and have no access to people who believe as you do, that’s one thing, but if this becomes a substitute for people to gather face to face with each other to worship, i have great fears.

Indeed, says Internet expert Julian Dibbell, “virtual reality is in some ways an essentially spiritual experience.” Dibbell, of South Bend, Ind., has written about online society for 15 years and served as a consultant to Linden Lab.

Spiritual experience? I’ve had internet access since 1994 and i don’t think i’ve had a spiritual experience in any way on the WWW. I rarely agree with the catholics, but i must support Francis Maier, chancellor of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Denver who said:

You can’t phone that in.

The article specifically mentions pagan worship. I wonder what an online heathen blot would like? Virtual animal sacrifice. Is that allowed?

Make sure you watch the little movie.