>Up-close personal observation
>leaves me thoroughly convinced that the social matrix of the
>evangelical church is quite important in congregants' lives -- and
>the more 'into' religion they are, the more churchy their social
>circle is.
I've had some up-close personal observation too and I'm not nearly as convinced. One thing left out of this discussion about community is the importance of radio and tv to evangelicals. I know, from up-close personal observation, that a lot of people's churches are electronic:
<http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-virtual8apr08,1,1290438.story?coll=la-news-a_section>http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/asection/la-na-virtual8apr08,1,1290438.story?coll=la-news-a_section
In Second Life, nobody knows you're a lapsed Catholic
Virtual houses of worship await you in the online universe. Can that emu sing a hymn in tune? By Stephanie Simon Times Staff Writer
April 8, 2007
If all goes well, the naked lady won't show up this morning when Pastor Craig Groeschel preaches his Easter service. But several cats will probably drop in. A horned dragon might perch on the crimson seats. There could even, perhaps, be an emu strolling in.
Groeschel will deliver his sermon in an Oklahoma City church. It will also be streamed over the Internet to the virtual world called Second Life a world populated by 5 million pixilated characters of every description.
[....]
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