I recently wrote about a real Christian church service being held in Virtual London (http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-377853) and received a couple of comments from people who did not believe in religion at all.  I set out to see what is covered in SL, for either religious or non-religious organisations.  I found that there are many groups to choose from.  Most religions are well represented in Second life, including Islam, Christian, Catholic, Hindu and Buddhism.  The religious groups appear to want to spread their word virtually, linking their sites back to their teachings and even giving lessons and having discussions in-world.  You can find many beautiful buildings for prayers and meditation.  The Muslim Mosques and Hindu Temples are painstakingly crafted and include prayer areas that people can use, just like inside the real buildings.  You are asked to comply with the dress codes too before you enter the mosques and temples, removing your shoes and making sure that you are modestly dressed, as you would in real life out of respect.  There are usually samples of free clothing and headscarves that you can obtain at the sims before you set foot inside the hallowed virtual places of prayer.

Atheism too is represented in SL, there is the Atheism Centre where you can obtain links to a good deal of literature, their information says that the centre has resources for Athiests, Agnostics, Brights, Sceptics, Naturalists, Freethinkers and other like-minded individuals. The large library at the centre is well done, showing examples of books you can buy in real life, so for anyone who wishes to learn more about the Atheist way of life, this is ideal.

The Second Life Catholic Church provides Catholic mass and confession at its virtual church and you can even donate some funds, the information states ‘Net collections after payment of church operations are forwarded to the Vatican. Our church treasury records are open for review upon request.’  The Second Life Catholic Church has a website too at www.SLCatholic.com.

I you wish to follow whatever beliefs you have, SL can help to make things a little easier for you if you can’t get out and about to places in real life, or if you just  want to fit a particular way of life into your virtual existence.  If you use the Seach menu in SL you will find most organisations there, and if you can’t find one you like, you could always set up your own, anything is possible in a virtual environment.

Buddhism centre

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Buddhism/128/128/22

Atheist Centre

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Durango/120/11/134

Hindu Temple

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Blackfield%20Glenn%20Estates/218/70/22

St Georg - Catholic Church

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Arae/223/109/26

IslamOnline.net Virtual Hajj

http://slurl.com/secondlife/IslamOnline%20dot%20Net/77/53/26

Christian Fellowship Bible Study

http://slurl.com/secondlife/Thorncliff/102/34/3010