The Medium is the Divine Message: Religion Meets Virtual Reality – NBCNews.com

Posted: April 17, 2017 at 12:53 pm

Rev. William H. Lamar IV, pastor of Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church in Washington, D.C. preaching during the morning worship service on September 28, 2014. Walter Morris

"For Christians, being in fellowship with one another spiritually and physically is vitally important," he told NBCBLK. "Virtual reality worlds, which may take people from community and from the incarnational aspects of Christian life could be potentially dangerous."

Rev. Lamar wants to be clear - he is not against technology. He references the AME church's founder, Richard Allen, as a leader who utilized technology to advance the church and its mission.

"Allen used technology, technology of the printing press, to spread political dissent against white supremacy as well as other important denominational documents as needed," he said. "However, we always run a very serious risk that the medium overtakes the message. Technology should be used as the handmaiden of a liberating gospel. What we must do is guard against the use of technology through market logic where people become brands and all things spiritual become commoditized."

Mission VR

Collins, on the other hand, is convinced Believe VR will add on and help expand the reach of the Christian church by expanding the message and tenets of Christianity beyond traditional and conventional methods.

Salvant is excited to be leading the effort. They are working to have Believe VR available as a free mobile app at its launch. They are sure their early adopters will more than likely millennials and those most comfortable with technology.

"But the project will not be limited to them. My 68-year old Mom is waiting excitedly for Believe VR to come," she said. "I can say, we have truly done something that is groundbreaking and we hope opens the door for much more to come."

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The Medium is the Divine Message: Religion Meets Virtual Reality - NBCNews.com

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