Telegraph, UK
July 30, 2007
Patrick Phelvin
www.telegraph.co.uk

---

ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 18904 • Posted: Wednesday August 1, 2007  

---

Missionaries have been urged to scour the virtual world of online computer games in an attempt to convert cyber souls.

The instruction has been made by Father Antonio Spadaro, writing in the Vatican-approved journal La Civilta` Cattolica.

He wants Catholics to go online and take part in the simulation game Second Life in an effort to convert some of its eight million participants.

Second Life players create virtual versions of themselves, known as Avatars, and can buy, sell and interact with other users in a vast computer-generated world accessed by the internet.

Father Spadaro’s concern is that users find themselves free of the constraints of regular life and sin has flourished in the various towns which make up Second Life.

Gambling and prostitution are rife and millions of real dollars exchange hands between players every year.
advertisement
Telegraph – Menswear/Shoes

In some countries, such as Germany, where virtual misdemeanors can constitute crimes, the authorities have already been called in to investigate claims of paedophilia in the online world.

“It is not possible to turn a blind eye to this phenomenon, or offhandedly pass judgement glorifying or condemning it,” said Father Spadaro. “Instead it must be understood…the best way to understand it is to enter it and live inside it to recognise its potential and dangers.”

John Lester, of Second Life producer Linden Lab, said: “I think it’s a cool idea for folks to want to make sure that their side of spirituality is being represented.”.

Second life claims to have more than 8 million “residents” and is home to companies from Adidas and Calvin Klein to BMW and Vodafone.

---

What You Can Do From Here

---

Read More Articles On These Topics Categories: Catholic Church Share, Blog About, Bookmark, or Email This Article Subscribe Religion News Blog RSS feed [What is this?] RSS by topic: Catholic Church Read Another Article Previous entry: Evil forces drove husband to suicide: widow Next entry: RNB Roundup: Scientology; No ifs, ands, or….; A Goaded Priest; Brian Welch; and more RNB Homepage with latest headlines Find Related Information Use our custom search engines to find additional research resources on religions and cults Find Related Books Catholic Church Most Popular Today Couple plead not guilty to killing their 7-year old daugher Cult survivor relives history of servitude in the Brisbane Christian Fellowship Australian Senate again rejects inquiry into Scientology cult Second Wave of Attacks Near Jos, Nigeria Leaves 13 Christians Dead FLDS sect member Merril Leroy Jessop sentenced to 75 years in prison Tokyo marks 15th anniversary of subway sarin attack

---

Share This Article

---

To share this page simply copy and paste one of these URL's:

• Post a link on your blog or website:
  
• Send in an email or IM:
  
• Post on a forum:
  

Search for information about (religious) cults, cult-like organizations, -- as well as paranormal-, New Age, and pseudoscientific claims -- across 260+ websites, blogs and forums dedicated to cult research, spiritual abuse, ex-cult counseling & support.

Note: results are listed on another domain -- CounterCultSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.

Search for apologetics articles, books, videos, and other research resources across 135 Christian apologetics websites and blogs.

Note: results are listed on another domain -- ApologeticsSearch.com -- from which you can easily return here.