Reader comments
MormonTimes.com: Virtual Mormons get a second life — Part 1

Interesting article. Just a few serious questions;
Is Second Life a way for extremely shy people to learn to interact with people in a virtual world, or does it enable them to continue to avoid the real world while pretending to be social?

Also, as Keith Thompson has severe A.D.D., he has been able to pay alot of attention to Second Life. I have noticed others with ADD also able to spend many hours chatting online, playing video games or skateboarding. It seems that they are able to focus their attention on things that they are interested in, or don't bother them.

Does Second Life fall under the 'wherever two or more are gathered in my Name' qualification for when the Holy Spirit can be present?

I don't know what to make of this. I loved the reporter's writing, it was a great, well-written article. I don't know whether this Mormon second-life thing is a good thing or a bad one. SO you have to get a temple-recommend to go into avatar temples... do you actually see the insides of temples when you go in? That could be very dangerous if the wrong hands get into that...

sometimes what comes off as fun and games from some, others can trash. Hopefully this doesn't happen. Sounds like a fun virtual world for young people with social issues or old people with nothing to do...

Great. Now there is a virtual world where we can all meet and drink virtual diet decaffinated coke and discuss the latest BYU football game.

I think I will pass.

Is Second Life for people who don't have a first one?

lame.

This is just weird. I'm not, nor would anyone in my family, nor any of my LDS friends, be interested in something like this. Maybe I don't really get it??? It just comes off as really strange.

Nerd alert!

Second Life ... you beat me to it. People who live in a virtual world need a first life before they can have a second one.

It's interesting how some people can find something negative to say about just about anything. I think they need to get a life, one that is a little more positive. You could spend more time building others up instead of tearing them down, or is that what you do to make yourselves feel good? How sad for you.

I am very surprized at all the negative comments here!!!! I am a VERY active LDS grandmother and I think that this is totally awesome.. When I think of all the crap that is on the internet that we have to fight to keep people from dealing with I think that a positive sight where they can play a positive spiritual game is really great!! I hope that this is the beginning of many more to come!!

For all those insinuating this is a waste of time,
I would ask, have you ever spent a couple hours or more watching TV in a day?

I can't say what's the bet way to waste your time, but don't tell me you never do.

This is just too delusional, living a real life in a fantasy land and seeking a second virtual life in a computer fantasy life: is this an attempt to escape from all reality. Are people who live a life of fantsy happy, do they seek or receive more than average help or therapy and is there more than normal competition or antagonism between fantasy groups like the LDS and FLDS. Why do they want to destroy or conquer each others fantacies, what is to be gained. It almost seems like a big monoply gave but this is real life so it seems there must be a down side where real people are impacted.

Wow! a lot of negative comments! Being negative is a sin. Don't you remember when Jesus said, "Thou shalt not be negative, you den of vipers and hypocrites!"

The reality is that these online virtual social reality things are here to stay, regardless of whether you think they are good, bad, a waste of time, or the best thing since Google. People are enjoying alternate realities for a number of reasons, and there is not a darn thing you can do about it.

And to the Grandma who is paranoid about all the bad stuff out there "on the Internet" -- get a clue. There is nothing "on the Internet". You have to deliberately bring the stuff into your home by downloading the crap. Nobody forces it into your computer (unless you haven't a clue about security protocols). People get from the Internet exactly what they want. I you are "battling" bad stuff on the Internet, then you are the one downloading it! Stay off the porn sites, granny, and you won't have a problem!

Copyright/Trademark infringement!

If the Corp guys don't defend their usage rights someone is going to create a game where they can blow up temples & tabernacles.

If you don't defend it you lose it.

Cool. There is something for everyone on this planet. 2nd life isn't for everyone... but neither is anything else.

Odd balls

Living the lifestyle is demanding enough without doing it in the virtual world too.

Mmmmmm!! This is all good as long as people dont end up dreaming instead of real faith and real work to prepare for the real second life when we leave this real world.

This is no different than being an LDS member - you go to meetings and sit around agreeing with all the other LDS about how right we and our Church are, pretending to be as righteous as possible so we can get an impressive calling; turning our noses up at those who aren't as righteous as we are, or who have not been to the Holy Land on a tour, or who are not good friends with a high-ranking General Authority. Then we dismiss after 3 hours of meetings where we are taught for the millionth time the same primary school lessons we have heard our entire life, to return home and act like regular folks again, with all the biases, prejudices, contention, pride, and sin that everyone suffers from. It is VIRTUAL RELIGION! That is all the LDS Church is, so this kind of virtual thing is PERFECT for the LDS membership!

Oh Dear "Virtually LDS"-

You know, you're right. There are some members of the LDS Church who are exactly as you describe, in every way. But. of course, they are a minority. And for you to insinuate that ALL members of the Church are like that is proof positive that you are about as delusional as they come.

Someone that is pretty much "spiritually corrupt," WOULD believe that "we dismiss after 3 hours of meetings where we are taught for the millionth time the same primary school lessons we have heard our entire life, to return home and act like regular folks again, with all the biases, prejudices, contention, pride, and sin that everyone suffers from. . ."