What's so strange about Satan hurling abuse from a pulpit in Church?


It was with great interest that I read about the recent events at the Methodist Church of Britain's first 'online church', www.churchoffools.com (see http://shipoffools.com/church). First let me say a few words about this church, and then a brief comment on the particular incident that prompts this entry.

The Church of Fools is a project of the Methodist Church in England. In essence it is an online congregation in which one can participate through taking on a virtual form (generally known as an avatar - which in itself is a rather bold theological statement, taking into account how loaded the term avatar is due to its connection with the Hindu religion). The website describes it as a "cross between a computer game and an 11th century Romanesque sanctuary". Here is a snapshot I took whilst in the church.




What is incredibly positive about this Church is that it allows one to enter into some form of simulated interaction with people in an, ostensibly, Christian environment. Sermons are preached, people can come and pray, speak with one another, find comfort, inspiration, solace and support. It is open all day and night (unlike most modern churches), and on the few occasions that I 'attended' the church it was very well attended! In fact so well attended that once or twice I had to enter anonymously (another rather interesting observation on the way in which technology mirrors 'meat space' church life - how many people enter into the Church anonymously?) I would encourage you to take a look around, it certainly is a VERY innovative and creative way to generate interest in a form of Christian engagement that is facing serious challenges in a decentralized, and secularized, society. In fact I find this to be a most creative and applaudable use of communication and information technology.

The down side for me is that even though such an endeavor can go some way towards simulating fellowship and interaction, it most certainly is not a replacement for the necessity and engagement of actual human interaction. For one thing, the environment is deliberately false, since it is a stereotyped representation of an English parish Church (complete with crypt, elevated pulpit and pews). Also, the avatars are fairly expressionless and all adult (if I remember correctly). Whilst I was able to engage at some level with a few fellow worshipers there was certainly no sense of the general connectedness and unity that one feels when entering a 'real' church building, singing, praying and considering scripture together with others. It seemed a lot more like a person entering a shopping mall, watching with interest the activities of those around you, occasionally engaging someone in conversation and then leaving. I admit that I have not yet stayed for a sermon. I would be most interested to experience such an event. Despite these issues, I do believe that this is a wonderful way to reach out to people who occupy a whole new realm of reality, cyberspace. If we have cybermalls and cyber chatrooms, why not a cyber church!?

What prompted this entry is the hubbub that has been caused by the actions of a person who logged in as a normal worshipper and then identified himself as Satan. No comment on the fact that he was 'disguised' as a normal worshiper. Well, OK, I have to say it. I have met many a Satan disguised as a normal worshiper in some of the Churches that I have served in. These are generally sweet and harmless looking people who can be the cause of much hurt, insecurity, brokenness and general evil, through their deliberate acts of sabotage and disinformation.

But, back to Satan in the Church of fools. The article on the Church of fools website (http://shipoffools.com/church/stories/story_6.html) starts by saying, "It's not every day you encounter Satan in the pulpit of a church". Of course the statement is true in some senses. Yes, I don't encounter Satan in the pulpit EVERY DAY. However, it is also untrue in that it suggests that the pulpit is a place of holiness and purity. This simply is not true. The pulpit (as with Satan in disguise as an ordinary member of the church) has often been used to express some of the most evil thoughts and ideas in history. South Africa has a particularly shameful past in this regard, where the Dutch Reformed Church often used it's pulpits to prop up and sanction the policies of racial discrimination, known as Apartheid, that caused a great deal of pain and destruction in our land. I am pleased that Satan made an appearance so early in the life of the cyber Church. It reminds us of the reality of the true Church, broken, infiltrated, and yet in spite of this an instrument of healing, truth and grace!

Of course, as with all churches, this indiscretion has lead to the development of certain policies and procedures. The pulpit is no longer open to the public, a thing that I'm sure the founder of the Methodist Church, John Wesley - who encouraged the work of the laity, might not have sanctioned too easily.

However, as I said, this is a very positive move on the internet! I would like to close this entry with the last two paragraphs from the article on the website (listed above).

One week into our experiment, and we are encountering bigger issues than a pantomime Devil. On the plus side, 8,000 people are entering Church of Fools each day (that's a cathedral sized congregation), and there are some lively theological discussions in the crypt and heartfelt prayers being exchanged. On the minus side are sorties by small groups who want to post racist slogans, religious abuse and experience the joy of shouting "fuck" in a church.

We think the Methodist Church (who are sponsoring the project) has a good role model: John Wesley, who did the unthinkable in the 18th century and took preaching out of the churches and into the fields and streets, where people were. He was pelted with eggs and abuse for his trouble. We're interested in the same sort of thing: taking church to where people are - on the Net - even if it means virtual eggs are going to fly.

Hear, hear! My last comment is simply this.... Unfortunately you have to be a Windows user, or have MS Internet Explorer for Mac to enter the Church.... It doesn't work with Safari. How discriminatory is that !! ;-) One day we will all know the truth....

It's all been said....

Posted: Fri - May 28, 2004 at 06:26 PM      


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