Virtual Community is Real Community

            Communication as defined by Webster is the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors to express or exchange information or to express your ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc., to someone else. It is the way of sending information by any means to others. Communication in the philosophical perspective is primarily proper to human beings although we cannot also discredit those lower forms of creatures under us whether they too have ‘exclusive’ communication within its kind. We cannot be sure about it since we are not them. However, given that consideration, we are focusing here of communication as one of the essential capacity of man as expression and manifestation of their gifts of reason. Since we have the ability to observe and feel everything around us and we always try to understand its origin and purpose, we perhaps long to share this ideas and theories of ours to others, especially to those who have the same capacity of us. This gives perhaps the birth of the necessity to communicate. Well, this hypothesis, if you may call it, is just based according to my personal understanding of communication. We humans always long to ‘connect’ with others. Moreover, this fact may seem to support also the idea that “no man is an island, no man stands alone!” Given the fact that we always long to connect, physical communication arose. We could see how ‘dialogue’ was of great importance in the past, especially in the era of the philosophers. Through communication, we are able to find truth, although these accepted truths nowadays might still develop in the furure. Through communication we are able to build communities, maintain peace and order within it and its members.

            As time goes by, means of communication has evolved. The world of technology has offered a faster, easier and convenient way of communicating. This was the time when computers and cellular phones were introduced. This paves the way to what we now commonly call as ‘Virtual reality’.

   Applying this new means of communication to the work of evangelization, which is the promotion and rebuilding of the kingdom of God here on earth, I personally has no problem with it. Perhaps, this is one of the many signs of the times that call our attention, to dwell more and be sensitive about it. Technology makes it easier for the church to evangelize. Perhaps some might contend or argue for the elimination of the value of sacrifice within the process. But it is not always the case. In fact, you’re making extra-sacrifice when doing this stuff. We are just trying to multiply the recipients of evangelization. We are just expanding our range as preachers of God’s mercy and goodness. Practically, if we are really true to our goal of evangelization, we are widening our scope through this technology. At the same time, it lessens the scope of our manual effort, that is, to go to the place of those individuals who don’t know technology yet, especially on the mountainous areas. In this case, it initiates a holistic approach to evangelization. What matters here is how we utilize technology to reach and connect with others. What matters is how we use it to bring God in a faster and easier way. Beside, technology is designed for humans. No lower form of creature can access technology by itself. In this case, to whom we are connected in the virtual world are real individuals. There’s no sense of doubting their existence. Virtual community is a real community!