Nothing speaks up close and personal like a distant avatar on a computer screen that has no idea you’re there. Popular megachurch, LifeChurch.TV, which is pastored by Craig Groeschel–a close ally and associate of Andy Stanley and part of each other’s cultish leadership network–is now offering a “virtual reality” campus for those who don’t actually want to be around God’s people for corporate worship on Sunday mornings.
According to a post on Groeschel’s Instagram page,
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Of course, virtual reality church is not actually church. Even to the limited extent you may be able to interact with others, talking to someone else’s avatar does not translate into being able to see each other face to face, greet each other with a holy kiss, or being able to bear one another’s burdens–some of the main reasons for biblical churches to actually meet in person.
We already know, however, that these organizations do not exist to glorify God or edify the saints. These organizations exist for the sole purpose of lining the pockets of the people–like Groeschel–who sit at the top of these leadership pyramids. Groeschel doesn’t care about the eternal state of any of the souls sitting in the pews or sitting on the couch with their virtual reality goggles on. He only cares about being able to attract more people to his own feet to grovel at him and give him money.