Announcement: This Week At The Science Circle: "Two Part Talk by Dr. Gastor, and Debate"

"Two Part Talk by Dr. Gastor, and Debate."

“Reducing Irreducible Complexity”
“A Biological Basis for Morality”

Saturday Sept. 16
8-9AM SLtime 

In this two part talk, Dr. Gasior discusses two crux arguments in the evolution versus religion debate.
 
One counter concept to Darwinian evolution is the argument that biological systems are designed. And, an irreducibly complex machine must have had a designer. A deconstruction of this line of reasoning will be produced along with an example of how evolution works to develop biological machines via analogy with handgun development.

Regardless of the truth of religion, many people find comfort and feel a need for a system of morality with an omniscient and punishing/redeeming entity. Science does not per se offer a specific system of morality and in fact it is argued it creates a potential sense of loneliness and isolation. The second segment puts forth a biological basis for morality from our understanding of biological diversity and Darwinian evolution.

The second segment will begin by watching the first couple minutes of the following video which sets up the conversation.

 More information at: https://www.sciencecircle.org/event/two-part-talk-by-dr-gasior-debate/

The Science Circle (61/126/32) 

Passover Service in Second Life (March 2010)

In March 2010 on Palm Sunday, Bixyl Shuftan was at a virtual Passover service in Second Life. The event was performed by a Christian group whom saw great value for followers in learning about what has traditionally been a Jewish practice. Although done four years ago, this event still stands out as how Second Life can be used for religious education.

Read more in Events.

Grace Baptist Church of Second Life

One can find many things in Second Life. This includes places to go to church. Among them is the Grace Baptist Church of Second Life. Second Life Newser recently went to the location for a closer look, and had a few words with it's Pastor, Bryan Sarjeant.

Read about the church in People.

UUtopia

Joshua Xavier (aka Becky Shamen) has long had an interest in philosophy. So when he heard about a church in Second Life that fit his beliefs and ideals, he dropped by to take a look. So what did he find, and why was it so important to him?

Read Joshua's article in Extra.

Bible Study at the "House of Prayer" Church

With Easter later this month, churches are more active than usual this time of year. And this includes churches in Second Life. Grease Coakes stopped by one, the "House of Prayer" church during its Bible study hour. There was singing, and much discussion as the group talked about God.

Read Grease's story in Places.

Ash Wednesday Forehead Mark

"After the reverly, time to reflect." At least that what comes to mind with the contrast between Mardi Gras or "Carnival," and Ash Wednesday. For those who don't know, Ash Wednesday is the beginning of Lent. For Catholics and more recently some Protestant denominations, the day offers church services in which the observers have their foreheads with a cross-shaped mark made of ashes.

Second Life Marketplace offers several forehead cross marks. Among them, a free one from Edd Thor, whom on his profile described himself as Episcopalian, "Ash Wednesday is observed by some denominations as the beginning of the time of preparation for Easter. A cross made of ashes may be placed on the forehead, perhaps with the words, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return." To the best of my knowledge, the church clip art from which these crosses are derived are public domain."

The item can be found on the Marketplace Here.

Stations of the Cross at Via Dolorosa

 Recently, I heard of a Christian sim named Via Dolorosa. Here, residents are invited to virtually relive Christ's carrying of the cross in his journey to Calvary.


We are all asked by Jesus to carry our cross; this sim is the Via Dolorosa where you re-enact the final steps of our Lord to His crucifixion and the Empty Tomb.  At Station 2 you are given a cross to wear and it follows a track for you through the 14 stations of the cross.  Again, this is a must see.... must experience... and reminder of our own cross that we bear.  Peace & blessings - Pet Karu


Via Dolorosa gets its name from the street in ancient Jerusalem believed to be the path Jesus walked carrying the cross, also called the "Way of Grief." Like the real life Via Dolorosa, there are fourteen Stations of the Cross. In real life, the Stations are shrines to "help the faithful to make a spiritual pilgrimage of prayer, through meditating upon the chief scenes of Christ's sufferings and death." The crosses are picked up at the second Station, with a smaller one available for child avatars.


The journey will take approximately 15 minutes to complete the 14 Stations. Your avatar will be fully animated via a scripted tour as you travel to each Station. Each of the 14 Stations are marked by a gold disk on the ground, a plaque and an artistic representation on the wall. Upon arriving at each Station, simple touch the plaque on the wall to receive the Station description. A local chat message will whisper that you have arrived at each Station.


Via Dolorosa is run by the Sacred Fish Group.

"We hope you are touched by this experience."

Via Dolorosa (90, 182, 23)

Bixyl Shuftan

The New Life Church

While people usually think of Easter bunnies and chocolates this time of year, for churchgoers it's also time to celebrate what Easter originally meant, the Resurrection. Second Life has it's share of churches. Among them is the New Life Church in the Shelton sim.

Read more in People.

Via Crucis

Here is another site you might like to visit before Easter. You are invited to Via Crucis: a depiction of the last journey of Jesus on the way to the cross remembered on Good Friday of this solemn week. It will be here until April 15 in case you miss it during this busy week. It is interactive and there are avatars to pick up and you may participate in each station as you walk the way.

Sicily Zapatero sent me this invitation:

The Way of the Cross. Beginning April 5th, 2012 at 1pm SLT.

The Passion of Christ presented as a 3D immersive experience. All are welcome to visit the Stations of the Cross as never before, in this self guided exhibit where the power of avatar identity is felt. The Exhibit will open to the public at 1pm slt April 5. through April 15th . Presented by Sicily Zapatero & Eros Boa. A Heart2Art production.

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Naberrie/178/220/48

Gemma Cleanslate

Ash Wednesday Forehead Cross Freebie

It's Ash Wednesday, and taking a look at the Marketplace, there was this item: freebie ash forehead crosses.

Ash Wednesday is observed by some denominations as the beginning of the time of preparation for Easter. A cross made of ashes may be placed on the forehead, perhaps with the words, "Remember you are dust, and to dust you shall return." To the best of my knowledge, the church clip art from which these crosses are derived are public domain. If this is an error, please notify me (Edd Thor). Please distribute these as you wish throughout the Second Life communities.

It item can be found here on Marketplace.

Pure Land: Exploring Buddhism

Gemma Cleanslate takes a look at the quieter, more meditative side of Second Life with a trip to the Pure Land Buddhist Practice. At the location, she read a few things about the religion, and found out about a few other locations built around the belief.

Read more in Places.

Noah's Ark

With the weather so prominent in the news lately, perhaps it was only fitting I came across a build of Noah's Ark. Filled with descriptions, ans numerous exhibits, the Ark is a detailed Biblical build.

Read more in Places.

Saint George’s Church

Besides having fun with bunnies and the Easter eggs, there of course are the churches in Second Life people could experience in Second Life this Easter season. I heard about one such church, St. Georges. Of Eastern Orthodox design, it's primary purpose is to inform people about this old form of Christianity.

Read the article in Places.

What's Going On in Your SL Church?

Last year at Palm Sunday, the You Are Loved Ministries held a virtual Passover service. Attented by over 80, it was an experience many found educational, some spiritually uplifting, some both.

SL Newser is interested in what is going on at the various churches in Second Life this Easter season. If you belong to a religious group on the Grid, please let us know what special events you will be doing online.

Image from Second Life Newspaper

Ash Wednesday Forehead Mark Av Tattoo

I found out from a friend about this item in SL Marketplace, an avatar tattoo made to look like the forehead mark made during Ash Wednesday church ceremonies.

Get ready for Lent with this affordable Ash Wednesday ash for your forehead. It comes as a Second Life tattoo. Just click wear and you are good to go. The item transfers so get one for your family and friends. A wonderful way to observe the special time of Lent.

Made by JP Ivercourt, this product certainly stands out, virtual goods having a reputation of catering to vanity or the riskee.

“The Creation Story” Christian Group in Second Life Performs “Broadway Style” Onstage

This January, a group of Christian artists are performing every weekend onstage. "The Creation Story - From the Angels' Perspective," by Unity Productions, is a unique example of performance art in Second Life. I recently had a chance to talk to Pet Karu who heads the group, and some of the others.

Read the story in People.