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February
2002 - Volume 1, Issue 1
God
on The Internet
The medium that
is transforming shopping, research and education is now dramatically
changing the way some people worship. Almost anything you do at
church or synagogue, you can now do at your computer terminal -
from taking part in discussions of scripture to singing along with
an online Jewish cantor. Religion's presence on the Web is expanding
exponentially.
But as it expands,
the world of virtual worship has sparked a controversy that goes
to the heart of what the word "religion" means. Is authentic
faith possible without real people gathered together in real place?
Some Christian theologians, argue that Internet engages people's
mind but Christianity requires physical participation.
Proponents of
online worship say religion puts its future at risk by not offering
ritual on the Internet. They say that that Web offers a chance to
touch an unprecedented number of souls: the unaffiliated, the spiritually
reticent, the workaholics. Many people who participate in cyber
rituals say they feel part of an authentic religious community.
Prayer sites are also popular online because for most people, prayer
is unscheduled and solitary anyway. Several sites have features
that help participants get in the habit of regular worship, with
the hope that they will be more connected to the faith.
There are thousands
of outlets for worship and religious information on the Web. Few
samples are presented below.
Samples of religious
web sites:
www.peachtreepres.org
An Atlanta (USA) church that broadcasts its Sunday morning services
live with audio and video.
www.hindunet.org
This site has all the basics: a calendar of holidays, a listing
of Hindu temples around the world, links to Hindu scriptures and
explanations of various customs.
www.islamicity.com
This site broadcasts prayers from Mecca via Web-cam five times a
day.
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