Glocal Christianity

5 ways to have fun with holographic multi-site pastors

I've been thinking of ways to have fun with holographic multi-site pastors. Here's the first five that come to mind for me:

1. Approach the dais in a white frock and exclaim, “Help me, Pastor Kenobi, you’re my only hope.”

2. Suggest the men’s ministry leaders combine mixed martial arts ministry with Star Wars chess, “But, let the Wookies win.”

3. Front up on Sundays with a Ghostbusters proton pack, ecto-goggles and a ghost trap.

4. Voice over, "Please state the nature of the ministry emergency" when multi-site celebrity guy is "activated" on stage.

5. Paint a big “H” on his forehead and carry on about curries

This could be the best thing since church street signs.

Can you think of any more?

Related articles on holograms:

Do you think incarnational hologram ministry might be an oxymoron?

Holodeck church

Augmented reality closer to reality

Do you think incarnational hologram ministry might be an oxymoron?

Well, I do believe I predicted this some time ago, but some pastors are now exploring the idea of using holographic technology for multi-site churches. Takes incarnational ministry to new heights of existential whiplash. Could make commissioning through laying on of hands a tad difficult don't you think?

Hindu leaders call for PlayStation boycott

Following the release of Sony India's PlayStation 2 game Hanuman: Boy Warrior, Hindu groups have called for a worldwide boycott. But from the reaction of some gamers, the product is so bad that's unlikely to be necessary. I suppose this is a salutory lesson for Sony in the hazards of consumer religion.

Google Rome

As if Google wasn't omnipotent enough, they're now experimenting in time travel. Google has launched a 3D reconstruction of ancient Rome as it may have been in 320 AD. As a virtual traveller you can now see every building as it was, just prior to the rise of Constantine. I can Christian reconstructionists rubbing their hands right now.

For more download Google Earth 4.3. Look close and you may see some lions feeding on Christians in the Roman circus.

Bible Fight - The Video Game

This is a screenshot from an online video game called Bible Fight. But after having a turn I was wondering if a more appropriate name for would have been "The Blaspheme Challenge". I came across it though A Little Leaven who was also less than impressed, not least with how some Christians blithely endorse it. What do you think? Harmless game? Or the death of a thousand cuts?

Killing Muslims and Christians a Game?

If there was ever any doubt that Atheists can be just as susceptible to fundamentalism as any other religion, then take a look at this new video game under development by a “zealous” humanist.

You can see video footage and a transcript here.

The object of the game is to stop the spread of Christianity and Islam by murdering Abraham and the authors of the Bible, before beheading Muhammad.

“It’s the idea of being able to go back in time and sort of nipping the problem in the bud,” said the game’s creator.

What problem would that be, the problem of violent extremism?

Yes, I am being sarcastic.

It's not that I am suggesting all Atheists are fundamentalists. I just seek to demonstrate that we theists don't have a monopoly on fundamentalism any more than we have a monopoly on truth. Fundamentalism has its origins in hate and fear, and these unfortunately infect all humanity.

Holodeck Church?

Aussie telecommunications company Telstra has demonstrated its new hologram technology at a news conference this week. Has the potential to take virtual church to a whole new level I suspect. Then again, it could take irony to a whole new level too in terms of "incarnating" into the emerging culture. You can view the video here and read the news report here.

Confession 2.0

Not being a Catholic, or at least not these days, the idea of anonymous confession doesn't hold much appeal for me. But I did take note of a recent article on the growth of online confession called Forgive us, father; we'd rather go online. In the article, Ashley Fantz writes:

Already a repository for too much information from bloggers divulging their every intimate thought, the Web recently extended its reach into territory the church once dominated. Tens of thousands of the guilty among us are visiting confessional booths at ivescrewedup.com, mysecret.tv and dailyconfessions.com and unburdening themselves anonymously.

I wonder who they think they are really confessing to.

Skype Recommendations?

Hey, do any of you out there use skype? I am looking for recommendations on camera / speaker gear for videoconferencing. Preference is for low price of reasonable quality so if any of you have experience to share it would be much appreciated. Besides all that, I'd be interested in knowing how many of you are already on it.

The Journey To Wild Divine

I was introduced to The Journey To Wild Divine last week so I thought I'd post a few embryonic thoughts.

What is Wild Divine? Well it looks like a video game but in actual fact its a sophisticated piece of biofeedback hardware. Using finger sensors it measures your body's heart rate variability and skin conductance to guage your progress in various meditation exercises.

Now I'd heard of this program some time ago but I'd never seen it in the flesh before. However, after the pagan drumming circle last Friday night (first for the year) I got chatting to a few of my fellow drummers and was invited to try it out given my interest in meditation.

Well I was a bit too wired up to do the energy lowering exercises (for various reasons which I wont go into) but I tried some of the energy raising exercises and they were amazing. It was almost like telepathy the way you could use your mind to send objects wizzing around the screen. I can see how this could be helpful for developing concentration and mental discipline.

Yet, as a Christian I do have to question its value as a tool for spiritual growth - at least in certain respects. You see, there is nothing in a program that can ensure growth in faith, hope and love, the Christian measures of spiritual growth. Progression through exercises can just as easily nurture arrogance. Mind you, this caution can be extended to the practice of meditation as whole or even prayer so I don't want to come across as too dismissive. Its just I wonder of its potential to feed our desires for instant gratification. For an instant spiritual quick fix. But maybe I'm just being technophobic. Bah. I'll have to meditate on this some more.

My hosts themselves cautioned me that Wild Divine came with a philosophical overlay that they themselves didn't agree with, pointing out the involvement of Deepak Chopra in its inception. I suppose the message to get out of this is that what you bring to these exercises may be just as important - if not more so - as what you hope to get out of them.

Anyways, I had a fascinating and enjoyable evening with lots of food for thought.