Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Guy Buys $123 Safe on eBay, Finds $26,000 Inside Seller tries to get half the cash back, fails »

Real Priest Urges Virtual Soul-Searching

Second Life fertile ground for new Catholic converts, Jesuit says

By Wesley Oliver,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 29, 2007 4:20 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – A Jesuit academic is encouraging fellow believers to take the word of God to a new world—virtual reality. In a Roman Jesuit journal, Father Antonio Spadaro urges missionaries to preach the good life in Second Life, describing the online simulation game as packed with real souls to save, Reuters reports.

Spadaro says the game, which boats more than 8 million “residents” is full of people seeking more from life, including perhaps spiritual enlightenment: Second Life is already home to virtual churches and temples of various religions. But the academic is careful to it is also careful to warn of the wages of virtual sin: The online community teems with avatars who seek “erotic stimulation from prostitution to pedophilia.”

A look at Comcastic Island in Second Life, a new destination opened by the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. The island features a series of speed-themed racing games and interactive applications and has a virtual entertainment center that can host concerts and special events...
A look at Comcastic Island in Second Life, a new destination opened by the nation's leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services. The island features a series of...   (Associated Press)
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a Mass in memory of the late Pope John Paul II on the second anniversary of his death, at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Monday, April 2, 2007. Roman Catholics marked the second anniversary of Pope John Paul II's death Monday with vigils in his...
Pope Benedict XVI celebrates a Mass in memory of the late Pope John Paul II on the second anniversary of his death, at St. Peter's Basilica at the Vatican, Monday, April 2, 2007. Roman Catholics marked...   (Associated Press)
Faithful and pilgrims attend a ceremony in St. John Basilica in Rome, Monday April 2, 2007, for the closure of the investigation into the life of Pope John Paul II, to make him a saint. Roman Catholic Church officials closed the investigation with a Latin-filled ceremony on the second anniversary...
Faithful and pilgrims attend a ceremony in St. John Basilica in Rome, Monday April 2, 2007, for the closure of the investigation into the life of Pope John Paul II, to make him a saint. Roman Catholic...   (Associated Press)
IMG_1779.JPG
IMG_1779.JPG   ((c) vlidi)
july20_009
july20_009   ((c) cambodia4kidsorg)
july20_003
july20_003   ((c) cambodia4kidsorg)
july20_016
july20_016   ((c) cambodia4kidsorg)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Be the first to comment on this story.

Jesuits and Second Life a perfect fit
Second Life Insider

Catholic Church pushes Gospel 2.0
Financial Times (UK)

Background on Second Life
Financial Times (UK)

 
Internet • religion • spirituality • Second Life • Antonio Spadaro • virtual reality • Jesuit

More Newser Stories

Man Treats Virtual Wife Better Than Real One

Player Makes $335K in Virtual Real Estate Deal

Obama, the Christian, Prefers to Pray Privately

How to Manage Your Passwords From the Grave

Web Game Nets Creator $1.5M
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne