One of my favorite online ‘religious’ sites is Ship of Fools.
It is very well written, updated frequently, technically maneuverable for those of us who can barely click the mouse, and it’s web staff doesn’t take religion too seriously.
Faith and people, yes, but religion, no.
This is a site that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to friends who would never darken the door of a church or participate in a spiritual discussion.
People of the non-religious persuasion might actually enjoy darkening the door of the cyber-church.
In their non-denominational virtual church, you can log on and come dressed in your cartoon best to worship and attend services.
It is the first 3-D online church service launched in Britain. The ministers who preach have their sermons appear as cartoon-style “thought bubbles.”
Worshippers can log on and put money in the collection box without ever leaving home or work.
My favorite feature of this site continues to be Mystery Worshipper. I wait for the updates, er, faithfully. It appeals to me that someone ‘unknown’ would go to a church anywhere in the english speaking world, leave a card and write up a witty commentary.
I did take a few minutes to pop into the cyber-church, and I actually plan to go back.
I knew Methodists had something to do with the excellence of this site, and this article spells out a bit more. Ship of Fools is so not a preachy site, it’s a user-friendly site in all the good connotations of what that means.
Quite frankly, I feel welcome there.
So do others.
And, in the cyber church the six ‘rules’ are really practical. It’s the ol’ do unto others routine, simple and clean, respecting yourself, your environment and others.
The Church of Fools site has been built by digital media company Specialmoves, which has worked for Vivendi Universal and MTV. The technology used for the project was originally developed while creating an award-winning site for a cartoon version of “The Osbournes.”
The Church of Fools idea came out of Ship of Fools’ Internet game show, The Ark, in which 12 Bible heroes and villains were voted off Noah’s famous floating zoo, “Big Brother”-style. More sailings are planned, Ship of Fools says.
Meantime, pop into church. The 3D environment is very good, and the conversation equally so - you’re welcome to whisper all you’d like.
On the bandwagon
There was one blogger with an idea, a tin whistle and a way to put an audio file on a blog. Now there are two - a blogger with a guitar joined in. And it’s sweet. A blogger band is starting small and easy. Have a listen, join in.:^)
Blog Malaise
I’ve had a touch of it myself lately.
Hits all of us who blog I think.
This is an amazing hobby, but it does take some discipline.
We all need a break for different reasons. Three of my favorite bloggers - Relapsed catholic, Real Live Preacher and bloggedy blog are taking breaks. (Well, Kathy Shaidle said she was going to take a break but me thinks but there is too much of the writer in her)
I’ve been tempted to stop for awhile - but perhaps not for the same reasons. I’m genuinely fed up with all the political racket leading up to the US election. I’m tired of the grandstanding, arguing, puffery and anger on blogs.
A lot of it is really foolish.
We go through six weeks of a federal election soon, and it is where my political energy lies. Politics by it’s nature sucks up a lot of the air in the room. But it isn’t my passion - it’s merely a noisy and demanding part of the whole, and I allow it to take up too much of my time online. It’s seductive, and tips me off balance before I realize it. It can be hard to keep priorities straight, but I know for a fact that debating politics isn’t an eternal issue in my life, or on this blog. Wanting to yell I”M NOT A REPUBLICAN OR A DEMOCRAT! is stupider than spitting into the wind.
Search
Subscribe 
You are currently browsing the Bene Diction Blogs On weblog archives.
Related Entries
- How Tony Campolo preached at the Church of Fools
- Toronto church: The Prayer Palace
- Church of Fools
- Ship-of-Fools relaunches Church of Fools - St. Pixels
- Canadian Evangelical radio host pays people to go to church
- Ship of Fools publishes Bullshipper
- Lead by advertising
- Left Behind
- The need to succeed - Christian diploma mills
For blog design, Wordpress or MovableType coding or blog consulting, see cre8d design.
HI, you are right. I am back now, hopefully with 50% less bitchiness!
Looks like you’ve made friends with a friendly comment spammer there, Bene…
Thanks for your note on my blog. I’ll be hoping something pulls you from the malaise soon, but that you have optimal time for some refreshment.
Speaking for myself, it’s summer (in the Northern Hemisphere, anyway), too much to do at work to spare any brain cells, too much at church, and my family. And just a general world-weariness with politics and the war news.
Bene - I too read Real Live Preacher’s “good bye” words, and I too identified with them. You wrote “I’m tired of the grandstanding, arguing, puffery, and anger on blogs.” Couldn’t agree more. When I get the urge to write something nasty and mean, I remind myself that I don’t like to read diatribes, so therefore I should “Do unto others . . “, and try not to be negative in my postings.
In the meantime, with so many other quality bloggers taking time off, don’t you dare take time off yourself! (smile)
Hey Jonathan:
Comment spammers like this blog, and keep coming back.The MT blacklist probably saves me an extra half-hour a day.:^)
Hi Kathy: Welcome back, 50% less bitchiness is great but keep the edge eh? We love you for it.
Lee Anne: Right on. Summer here is way to short to waste it. To everything there is a season - and nice weather is supposed to be alluring.
Back at you Andrew. I’ve decided like Lee Anne and others that optimal time for refreshment isn’t optional:^)
Doug: I know. It’s hard not to return harsh words, and I sure fail sometimes. I’m kind of like Kathy, I like this blogging way to much - all is well in my life so I’ll stick around. There are so many quality bloggers, they just don’t demand attention and shout real loud. You hang in there too eh? Blog on!
A factual correction BD - it was Wood who was involved in the “Ark”, not me.
Thanks for the plug, though!
Okay. Fixed. Thanks.
I feel the center shifting, even here in remote Paradise, and the currents of November will eventually suck me in. A little. Not a God-blogger, but also one to avoid politics, it is hard to know how seemingly oblivious to be in the face of this madness that is our “real” world.
There is definitely a wave of blog-aversion going on, and the tides of war and politics are partly to blame as a cause.
Meanwhile, we have the gardening year ahead of us here–the garden full of those interesting insects and life-lessons– and I hope I can spend my time and energies learning them.