Jesuit publication Civiltá Catholic proposes evangelization of virtual world
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Rome, Italy, Jul 27, 2007 / 10:17 am (CNA).- The Italian journal Civiltá Cattolica, which is published by the Jesuits, has proposed that the Internet be considered “mission territory,” with evangelization efforts aimed at the “second lives” of people in the online world.

Those familiar with the Internet know that the last few years have seen the introduction of new virtual worlds online. Of particular note is the game Second Life, which allows users to assume a persona and engage in everyday activities from shopping to sleeping.

Residents can explore, meet other Residents, socialise, participate in individual and group activities, create and trade property and provide services for one another - all paid for using the world's virtual currency (which costs actual money).

The creators of the Second Life world, Linden Research Inc., say about 7 million users have been registered, but it is unclear how many people regularly participate through their avatars.

In their article on Second Life and the digital world, Civiltá Cattolica assesses the risks and opportunities of the worldwide phenomenon of Second Life and underscores that religious elements should be present there as well.

“Any initiative capable of encouraging these ‘environments’ in a positive way should be considered opportune” for the virtual lives that people create on the Internet.  “The digital world is, in its own way, mission territory,” the article states.

Recently, Second Life’s creators  took the step of enriching its places of prayer, mosques, churches, cathedrals and convents with avatars keen to meditate and find God.

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Subscriber comments:
Published by: henrymaquli
jackson/N J/U S 04/28/2009 04:13 AM EST
The above thought is smart and doesn’t require any further addition. It’s perfect thought from my side.
henrymaquli
One thing that a lot of people have missed in this recent economic down turn is the fact that in-game money for all of the massive mutliplayer online role playing games has not been effected. I guess it just shows how strong and stable the computer game industry really is.
Virtual Currency
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Published by: Charles
Kirkland 07/31/2007 05:59 PM EST
I just can't believe that this article had two words intertwined together in the same article; Jesuits & Evangelize.

The Jesuits mis-read Vatican II so badly, which is why I'm surprised they are even thinking of evangelization.

Praise God for working a miracle in the Jesuit order. I know there are a few good Jesuits still left. AD MAJOREM DEI GLORIAM! St. Ignatius pray for them.
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Published by: Domenico
Titusville, Florida USA 07/30/2007 10:38 AM EST
I hope that anybody that ventures in to "Second Life" is very careful. Although I haven't dared to enter it (my real life is much more interesting), I have heard reports that the virtual world is rampant with explicit sexuality. The virtual world seems to be a place where these sick/evil people can act out their fantasies without necessarily breaking laws. However, I have heard one story where a Second Life user is suing another user because the victim was "raped".

Stories like these are sufficient enough for me to stay clear of this and other virtual worlds. To me, I view it as synonymous to going to a bar or strip club to speak with somebody about spirituality... with all the evil distractions around, how could anybody focus on what was the more righteous topic?

I hope that the approach taken by the Jesuits to venture into this hostile mission territory is done with caution. It would be a shame to lose good religious people to the snares of the devil prowling about the virtual world seeking the ruin of souls.
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