Comments on: Mindful of Reality (and the people in it) http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/ a little of this, a lot of that Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:47:27 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Tony Whittaker http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-1395 Tony Whittaker Tue, 29 Jan 2008 09:49:19 +0000 http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-1395 Second Life is indeed a unique phenomenon, and has more users than the population of many a smaller country. I do remain convinced that it is an area in which evangelism should be done (with caveats) and have written a page about this: <a>Second Life Evangelism</a>. Will value feedback and comments on this. Blessings Tony Second Life is indeed a unique phenomenon, and has more users than the population of many a smaller country.

I do remain convinced that it is an area in which evangelism should be done (with caveats) and have written a page about this:
Second Life Evangelism. Will value feedback and comments on this.

Blessings

Tony

]]> By: eclexia http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-1382 eclexia Wed, 23 Jan 2008 21:14:05 +0000 http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-1382 Thanks, John, for your perspective. I continue to have very mixed emotions about this whole topic. But, I am open to (1) being wrong and (2) being challenged to think outside the box in this area. Writing about it and reading what others have written is helpful to me as part of the process. You have given me some good things to think about and grapple with. Thanks, John, for your perspective. I continue to have very mixed emotions about this whole topic. But, I am open to (1) being wrong and (2) being challenged to think outside the box in this area. Writing about it and reading what others have written is helpful to me as part of the process. You have given me some good things to think about and grapple with.

]]> By: John http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-1381 John Wed, 23 Jan 2008 20:58:03 +0000 http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-1381 Regarding "Mindful of Reality." From what I understand of your message, you are saying that you do not want people to get caught up in virtual reality so much that they are unaware of actual reality. So you would rather do away with this virtual reality thing altogether. That's a fine notion, and I'd be happy with getting rid of it, too. For Christians, it would be fine for Pastors to tell us to avoid virtual reality and stay in touch with actual reality; however, for non-Christians, they ARE escaping to virtual reality. They will not heed the call of our Pastors to avoid virtual reality. So there is this huge place where any Christian can go without having to pack a bag or buy a plane ticket, and where we know that there are hurting people who are trying to escape actual reality. What better place to go and present the Good News of Jesus Christ to people, than right in their escape from reality? If we can tell people who are hurting and escaping reality that there is One who can heal their hurt and help them face actual reality, then how can we deny that oppurtunity? The people in Second Life are the people we want to reach for Christ, and they have given us an open invitation to talk with them by simply being online! Now, as to how they would respond to us, whether they would respond as their character, or as themselves, I do not know. But I do know that their actual reality self has to read what has been typed, and process it in their actual brain. Even if they want to respond as their character, they still have to process it within themselves. And if we rely on God to do His part, through the Holy Spirit, then perhaps God will speak to them at the same time, and they will hear what we're saying in actual reality, as well as virtual reality. The way I see it, God told us to make disciples, and we can't make disciples without spreading the Gospel. So why not avail ourselves to every oppurtunity to spred the Word, especially to those who need it the most? Regarding “Mindful of Reality.” From what I understand of your message, you are saying that you do not want people to get caught up in virtual reality so much that they are unaware of actual reality. So you would rather do away with this virtual reality thing altogether. That’s a fine notion, and I’d be happy with getting rid of it, too. For Christians, it would be fine for Pastors to tell us to avoid virtual reality and stay in touch with actual reality; however, for non-Christians, they ARE escaping to virtual reality. They will not heed the call of our Pastors to avoid virtual reality. So there is this huge place where any Christian can go without having to pack a bag or buy a plane ticket, and where we know that there are hurting people who are trying to escape actual reality. What better place to go and present the Good News of Jesus Christ to people, than right in their escape from reality? If we can tell people who are hurting and escaping reality that there is One who can heal their hurt and help them face actual reality, then how can we deny that oppurtunity? The people in Second Life are the people we want to reach for Christ, and they have given us an open invitation to talk with them by simply being online!

Now, as to how they would respond to us, whether they would respond as their character, or as themselves, I do not know. But I do know that their actual reality self has to read what has been typed, and process it in their actual brain. Even if they want to respond as their character, they still have to process it within themselves. And if we rely on God to do His part, through the Holy Spirit, then perhaps God will speak to them at the same time, and they will hear what we’re saying in actual reality, as well as virtual reality.

The way I see it, God told us to make disciples, and we can’t make disciples without spreading the Gospel. So why not avail ourselves to every oppurtunity to spred the Word, especially to those who need it the most?

]]> By: eclexia http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-116 eclexia Wed, 08 Aug 2007 15:43:52 +0000 http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-116 April, thanks for sharing the difference you see between virtual reality and blogging. That was helpful for me to read in those words. Also, I appreciate the question you ask. I'm not sure that that I see the two fears as the same, but the way you've asked it is helping me think about it from that perspective, as well as, I think, helping to sort through my personal preferences vs. the principles I want to operate from when making any decisions considering online life and community--blogging, virtual reality, or playing other online games where I don't take on a fantasy character. I enjoyed reading through some of the posts on your blog. April, thanks for sharing the difference you see between virtual reality and blogging. That was helpful for me to read in those words.
Also, I appreciate the question you ask. I’m not sure that that I see the two fears as the same, but the way you’ve asked it is helping me think about it from that perspective, as well as, I think, helping to sort through my personal preferences vs. the principles I want to operate from when making any decisions considering online life and community–blogging, virtual reality, or playing other online games where I don’t take on a fantasy character.
I enjoyed reading through some of the posts on your blog.

]]> By: April http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-115 April Wed, 08 Aug 2007 12:25:33 +0000 http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-115 I agree that blogging is not quite the same as virtual reality. The point of virtual reality is to be someone else. When I blog, I'm being myself, probably more than I am in reality. Face-to-face I worry so much about hurting feelings that I'm not always honest. I cushion everything I say. But when I blog, I feel like I can be more honest. In fact, I'm thinking about starting a new blog just because my husband has given too many of my friends my address, so now I feel that need to cushion again. As for Second Life. Isn't the fear the same as that of most mission fields: that you will get caught up in the type of life that you are trying to change? I would hate doing that, but for someone who is interested in that virtual reality life, I suppose there are worse things they could be doing than evangelizing. I agree that blogging is not quite the same as virtual reality. The point of virtual reality is to be someone else. When I blog, I’m being myself, probably more than I am in reality. Face-to-face I worry so much about hurting feelings that I’m not always honest. I cushion everything I say. But when I blog, I feel like I can be more honest. In fact, I’m thinking about starting a new blog just because my husband has given too many of my friends my address, so now I feel that need to cushion again.
As for Second Life. Isn’t the fear the same as that of most mission fields: that you will get caught up in the type of life that you are trying to change? I would hate doing that, but for someone who is interested in that virtual reality life, I suppose there are worse things they could be doing than evangelizing.

]]> By: eclexia http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-90 eclexia Sat, 04 Aug 2007 20:26:14 +0000 http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-90 <em>"Virtual reality evangelism: Sounds like blogging to me…"</em> Perhaps. I see a big distinction living out and talking about my faith in the form of blogging in contrast to online game evangelism in the form of virtual, unrealistic fantasy creatures. Help me understand if you disagree with this distinction. “Virtual reality evangelism: Sounds like blogging to me…”

Perhaps. I see a big distinction living out and talking about my faith in the form of blogging in contrast to online game evangelism in the form of virtual, unrealistic fantasy creatures. Help me understand if you disagree with this distinction.

]]> By: eclexia http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-89 eclexia Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:56:31 +0000 http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-89 Thanks for the tip! I've replaced the underlines with italics. I told you I get stuck in ruts. It's been 15 or so years since I've used a typewriter, and I still forget that I can freely use italics without having to change the little thingy in the typewriter! Because I used to <em>have</em> to use underline for emphasis (and book titles, etc.), I still do it that way even when it's not necessary! If I were a brilliant writer, I suppose I'd be able to write without depending on italics, underlining or ALL CAPS to show my emphasis. The reader would naturally place the emphasis in the correct place because of the genius of my word usage! Thanks for the tip! I’ve replaced the underlines with italics. I told you I get stuck in ruts. It’s been 15 or so years since I’ve used a typewriter, and I still forget that I can freely use italics without having to change the little thingy in the typewriter! Because I used to have to use underline for emphasis (and book titles, etc.), I still do it that way even when it’s not necessary! If I were a brilliant writer, I suppose I’d be able to write without depending on italics, underlining or ALL CAPS to show my emphasis. The reader would naturally place the emphasis in the correct place because of the genius of my word usage!

]]> By: lingamish http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-88 lingamish Sat, 04 Aug 2007 18:46:44 +0000 http://eclexia.wordpress.com/2007/08/04/mindful-of-reality-and-the-people-in-it/#comment-88 Virtual reality evangelism: Sounds like blogging to me... BTW I saw you using underline for emphasis. That's a bit confusing since people usually expect that to be a link somewhere. One possibility is italics. Virtual reality evangelism: Sounds like blogging to me…

BTW I saw you using underline for emphasis. That’s a bit confusing since people usually expect that to be a link somewhere. One possibility is italics.

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