What Do Christians Think Of VR?

[Found Goat]

I’m posting this in the Christianity section because I’m mostly interested in getting the opinions of Christians in regards to this topic.

Virtual Reality (VR). What do you make of it? Do you think it will conflict with your religious beliefs?

If Christ were on Earth today, I somehow can’t picture him ever donning a VR headset.

I’m more than familiar with the opinions of VR enthusiasts. Proponents of this state-of-the-art technology seem to largely outnumber those who are anti-VR within the mainstream media. This is not surprising if you are of the belief that this is a fallen world and one on a path progressively heading towards its demise.

I want to hear from Christians on this. Are you for or against VR?

I speak as one with no religious affiliation and am merely wanting to hear from all sides of the issue.

Of course, those all for it concentrate only on whatever positives VR will offer the world, grossly failing to understand that most technologies eventually become misappropriated (especially by those in positions of power) and put to a negative use.

Yet, I think, there is also a far deeper concern here, one perhaps involving a spiritual warfare of sorts. I say this neither as a denominational Christian nor as a technophobe. There is much technology that I like and use. It’s when it starts to become creepy or weird – which I consider much of VR to be – that I become a technocritic.

For starters, I don’t see the purpose of VR. Why design something with the ultimate goal of simulating what our five senses can do naturally without? Is not the real thing good enough? As an aesthete who appreciates gardening and other outdoor activities, art and actual human connection, the real world is more than sufficient in bringing me delight.

It is said that VR will revolutionize how we experience entertainment. Movies, for example, may become interactive activities instead of mere passive pastimes. As if digital natives are not already distracted enough by their devices, now here one comes along offering a totally immersive experience.

My feeling is that VR will only increase technology-induced human isolation. It appeals primarily to the self-absorbed and fantasy-prone, and instead of promoting togetherness will likely cause more and more people to become inward, withdrawn, detached, and disconnected from each other.

Studies have already shown that VR can cause its users various discomforting side-effects, such as disorientation and nervous states of mind. One experiencer reported in an article I read on it, likening it to being on a mind-altering drug, akin to LSD.

I’ve heard a few Christian-based opinions of VR and it goes something like this: God created a lovely and more than sufficient home for us, the Earth, which at one time was a paradise and in His divine plan will one day be again, that VR is rejecting of God’s creation and is satanic at its core. It may do some partial good, like in the medical field, but that its ultimate aim is draw people further away from consensus reality and hence the Creator. They further note that VR is largely championed and backed by the porn industry, a factor which will undoubtedly lead to more people drawn to digital sex and sin.

Is this also how you feel? As a Christian, are you pro- or anti-VR? Do you consider it a spiritual perversion? Would you want to belong to a post-VR world where much of your panoramic environment is counterfeit? Will Christians of the future engage in "virtual worship" by putting on a pair of dorky goggles?

[Honza]

I suspect that it will be mainly non Christians that use VR. Christians tend to be somewhat resigned to what non Christians get up to. We/they know the earth is full of deceit, evil, weirdness and that many people stray far and wide.

VR is just another kick into God's spirituality. Whatever will be will be.

I was not apposed to surround sound which is a more immersive experience,
why would I be apposed to a more immersive visual aid.

Commonsense is a valuable tool.

[inavalan]

TV, kitchen knives, language, and lots of other things can be used with negative consequences for a person, a community, a religion, humanity, ...

VR is just a tool, nothing more.

You mentioned the five senses. Who's to say what's beyond your five senses? How do you know that there is anything, and your conscious isn't just connected to a VR machine? This idea might be more offensive to most religions, science included.

I'll add to ImthatIm's "Commonsense is a valuable tool" that "Good manners are a valuable tool" too. (finger pointed to nobody in particular)

[BigJohn]

Became familiar with VR over 25 years ago. No big deal.

Originally Posted by inavalan

TV, kitchen knives, language, and lots of other things can be used with negative consequences for a person, a community, a religion, humanity, ...

VR is just a tool, nothing more.

You mentioned the five senses. Who's to say what's beyond your five senses? How do you know that there is anything, and your conscious isn't just connected to a VR machine? This idea might be more offensive to most religions, science included.

I'll add to ImthatIm's "Commonsense is a valuable tool" that "Good manners are a valuable tool" too. (finger pointed to nobody in particular)

Do you mean good manners while using VR?
Or
Do you mean it in some other way?
Thanks in advance.

[inavalan]

Originally Posted by ImthatIm

Do you mean good manners while using VR?
Or
Do you mean it in some other way?
Thanks in advance.

I was meaning: in general. Your "common sense" reference triggered that thought in my mind.

[Busby]

Should actually be called Virtual Non-Reality.
Just as pesticides shouldn't be called plant protection stuff.
Or as George Carlin pointed out, near misses are actually near hits.


So what do Christians think of these? !!!

[inavalan]

Originally Posted by Busby

Should actually be called Virtual Non-Reality.
Just as pesticides shouldn't be called plant protection stuff.
Or as George Carlin pointed out, near misses are actually near hits.


So what do Christians think of these? !!!

Isn't your non-dreaming reality, also, a reality for your dreaming self? Who's to say what's "reality" and what's "non-reality"?

[Found Goat]

An interesting read -- especially I would think for Christians -- is Tom and Nita Horn's Forbidden Gates (2010), which delves into all sorts of strangely technological areas -- insidious and encroaching -- and how these intend to threaten what it means to be spiritual and even Christian.

Granted, the reader may not be in complete agreement with the authors' overall theological context, but for anyone who understands and appreciates what it means to be human in an increasingly atheistic and anti-human age, the book contains significant value.

Undoubtedly, those whose minds are veiled to this disturbing cultural trend (wolves in sheep's wool, included) and who regard it as perfectly normal and simply a natural extension of the evolutionary theory, will be left in the dark, as to this so-called "enlightened" and "progressive" path of the technocrats.