Virtual devils curse Internet church - GoFuckYourself.com

Sarah_Jayne · 05-19-2004, 07:39 AM

Sometimes I love the internet
-

LONDON (Reuters) - The world's first Internet church has fallen victim to a plague of virtual demons, some of whom have been logging on as Satan and unleashing strings of expletives during sermons.

The "Church of Fools" was launched last week as a unique chance for Christians to worship interactively by choosing a "3D" animated character who could kneel, sing hymns, talk to others, hear a sermon, or shout "Hallelujah".

The site attracts between 5,000 and 10,000 worshippers daily and those who log on can also give money to a collection plate via mobile phone.

But the temptation to misbehave has proved too much for some.

"We have had problems from a small number of worshippers, which happens in any Internet chat room, and we are bothered about individual harassment, which we are taking seriously," said the site's deputy editor, Stephen Goddard.

"We're increasing security day by day to eliminate the disruptive behaviour, such as the profanity, but we're determined to carry on...At least we're not preaching to the converted," he added.

The Church, sponsored by the Methodist Church but organised by the multi-denominational "Ship of Fools" project, said it had removed a "shout" function where people could speak to the whole congregation. Some were using it to hurl abuse or yell: "Satan loves you".

The pulpit, altar and lectern areas will be closed to the public after some worshippers walked their animated character into those areas during sermons.

But the strongest measure against the unruly will be the online equivalent of damnation: wardens will be able to smite the wicked by instantly logging them out of the church if they misbehave.

"In a way, we are facing the same problems faced by the first preachers who met resistance when they moved into new communities," said Goddard.

"But the church has always expanded into new communities and some of those are to be found in cyberspace now, so we are determined to carry on."

The Church of Fools is found at www.shipoffools.com.

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040519/80/etygc.html

=^..^= · 05-19-2004, 08:00 AM

heheh sounds liek fun
thnx for posting it's url

im off to church ...

SNG · 05-19-2004, 08:54 AM

I saw news about this church

cherrylula · 05-19-2004, 08:56 AM

Churches should be outlawed and all their people burned at the stake.

Just yesterday I had to restrain myself from punching a monk.

ztik · 05-19-2004, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by sarah_webinc
give money to a collection plate via mobile phone.

Sammy4u · 05-19-2004, 08:58 AM

Wrestlingdiva · 05-19-2004, 08:58 AM

It would be funny if they hung thier problematic people on xcrosses at the front of the church.

Then maybe I would have an inkling of respect for them.. then again, probably not.

smokingdawn · 05-19-2004, 08:59 AM

LOL..that is good

The Heron · 05-19-2004, 09:37 AM

BRB, have to go spam my urls in there!

EviLGuY · 05-19-2004, 09:53 AM

They should know better.. the internet brings out the jackass in people.

stev0 · 05-19-2004, 09:54 AM

haha, that's hillarious...

Sarah_Jayne · 05-19-2004, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cherrylula

Just yesterday I had to restrain myself from punching a monk.

Do tell.

Tofu · 05-19-2004, 10:12 AM

Hallelujah!

05-19-2004, 07:39 AM	#1
Sarah_Jayne Now with more Jayne Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 40,077	Virtual devils curse Internet church Sometimes I love the internet - LONDON (Reuters) - The world's first Internet church has fallen victim to a plague of virtual demons, some of whom have been logging on as Satan and unleashing strings of expletives during sermons. The "Church of Fools" was launched last week as a unique chance for Christians to worship interactively by choosing a "3D" animated character who could kneel, sing hymns, talk to others, hear a sermon, or shout "Hallelujah". The site attracts between 5,000 and 10,000 worshippers daily and those who log on can also give money to a collection plate via mobile phone. But the temptation to misbehave has proved too much for some. "We have had problems from a small number of worshippers, which happens in any Internet chat room, and we are bothered about individual harassment, which we are taking seriously," said the site's deputy editor, Stephen Goddard. "We're increasing security day by day to eliminate the disruptive behaviour, such as the profanity, but we're determined to carry on...At least we're not preaching to the converted," he added. The Church, sponsored by the Methodist Church but organised by the multi-denominational "Ship of Fools" project, said it had removed a "shout" function where people could speak to the whole congregation. Some were using it to hurl abuse or yell: "Satan loves you". The pulpit, altar and lectern areas will be closed to the public after some worshippers walked their animated character into those areas during sermons. But the strongest measure against the unruly will be the online equivalent of damnation: wardens will be able to smite the wicked by instantly logging them out of the church if they misbehave. "In a way, we are facing the same problems faced by the first preachers who met resistance when they moved into new communities," said Goddard. "But the church has always expanded into new communities and some of those are to be found in cyberspace now, so we are determined to carry on." The Church of Fools is found at www.shipoffools.com. http://uk.news.yahoo.com/040519/80/etygc.html

05-19-2004, 08:00 AM	#2
=^..^= Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: ICQ 380-366 Posts: 6,935	heheh sounds liek fun thnx for posting it's url im off to church ... __________________ #RememberYourRoots #AaronMForGFYHOF

05-19-2004, 08:54 AM	#3
SNG Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 206	I saw news about this church __________________ SIG TOO BIG! Maximum 120x60 button and no more than 3 text lines of DEFAULT SIZE and COLOR. Unless your sig is for a GFY top banner sponsor, then you may use a 624x80 instead of a 120x60.

05-19-2004, 08:56 AM	#4
cherrylula lol Industry Role: Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 15,969	Churches should be outlawed and all their people burned at the stake. Just yesterday I had to restrain myself from punching a monk. Last edited by cherrylula; 05-19-2004 at 08:57 AM..

05-19-2004, 08:58 AM	#6
Sammy4u Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: SAMMYSMACK.com Posts: 1,844	__________________ Sammy4u.com Winner - Best Individual Performer Site! POTD blog plug in \| GeoIP & Custom Text Fansigns Hosted Blog, POTD, TGP, MGP, and Freesites

05-19-2004, 08:58 AM	#7
Wrestlingdiva Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: New York! Posts: 182	It would be funny if they hung thier problematic people on xcrosses at the front of the church. Then maybe I would have an inkling of respect for them.. then again, probably not.

05-19-2004, 08:59 AM	#8
smokingdawn Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,808	LOL..that is good __________________ $35 Per FREE CC sign up on CONSOLE FREE video niched tours including cams. $50 Per free instant access join for all new affiliates. Ask me how! DawnG \|at\| adultalchemy.com ICQ: 428-655-109

05-19-2004, 09:37 AM	#9
The Heron Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Michigan Posts: 4,488	BRB, have to go spam my urls in there!

05-19-2004, 09:53 AM	#10
EviLGuY So Fucking Banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: malta Posts: 12,745	They should know better.. the internet brings out the jackass in people.

05-19-2004, 09:54 AM	#11
stev0 Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 6,801	haha, that's hillarious...

05-19-2004, 10:12 AM	#13
Tofu The Video Specialist Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: California Posts: 5,615	Hallelujah! __________________ tofu916 video services - tofu916.com twitter: tofu916 \| skype: tofu916 \| tel: 916-672-TOFU \| e: tofu # tofu916.com