Since 2006, the Second Life Left Unity (SLLU) has been involved in virtual activism and successfully ousted fascist group French Front National from Second Life
An account of a science writer broadcasting a podcast from Second Life. Includes brief and helpful background on the history of avatars and their social function and best practices. A good intro to avatars.
I never knew that Second Life was being used to this extent. People are using it for educational and occupational purposes. It is quite amazing, but I wonder if we lose a sense of reality, or gain something more from it?
Dr. Haught introduced theologian Paul Ricoeur’s concept of the three stages of religious faith
The
first stage, childlike faith, may be likened to the clear, unimpeded view that one enjoys standing atop a tall mountain.7 As
children, our faith is simple and uncritical, and we can see clearly in every direction.
The second stage
Ricoeur calls the desert of criticism. At some point, often during adolescence, we descend from the mountain of childlike faith and enter the
critical world. We might label this world “high school” or, better yet, “college.” Here we find that others do not share our faith. In
fact, some openly disparage what we hold dear. We learn that the very idea of faith is thought by many to be childish or delusional. We may
become skeptical, perhaps even cynical.
The desert of criticism is akin to being in the midst of a blinding sandstorm, where you are
forced to lean into the wind and take one step at a time without a clear view of where you are going. Walking by faith becomes difficult. Some
of our former beliefs cannot survive the desert of criticism.
Ricoeur did not malign the desert of criticism, for some childish
beliefs are incorrect and should be abandoned
Furthermore, it is only in coming down from the mountain that we are able to enter into the world and engage
others who are different from us. To a great extent this is where life is lived and where we can make a difference in the world. Some people
never leave the desert of criticism, and in time the memory of their childlike faith may dim. After prolonged exposure to the desert of
criticism, some even lose their faith altogether. Ricoeur maintained that once one has entered the desert of criticism, it is not possible to
return to the mountain of childlike faith. It is a little like leaving Eden. Something has been lost; life and faith can never be quite so
simple again
But he held out the possibility of a third stage of religious faith. On the other side of the desert of
criticism lies another mountain, not as tall as the mountain of childlike faith, with views that are not quite as clear and unobstructed. But we
can, as Dr. Haught explained it, remove ourselves periodically from the desert of criticism and ascend this somewhat less majestic mountain.
Ricoeur calls this possibility of a second faith “postcritical” naveté or a “second naveté.”
Here the truths
and realities of our childlike faith can be reaffirmed or revised
Our faith
will not be as simple as it once was, but it need not be lost. In fact, I believe our faith may become more powerful than before, for it will
have weathered and survived the assaults of the desert of criticism.