Research paper introduction

For many people rituals are the major events in life that dictate social interaction in social circles. Weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other events are the things that people spend the most time planning for and are either a dread or something to look forward to. Either way people all feel a certain connection to each other through participating in these events. People often times spend a good portion of time and energy planning these events whether it be for a wedding of making sure a final will and testimony is in order in the event of a death. In our society great importance is put on attending these events for religious, personal, and family reasons. In Second Life, rituals are carried out as a way to make the environment even more like the real world. People in Second Life build cyber relationships and feel the same responsibility to their avatar friends as they would their friends of the flesh. What importance does participating in rituals have for residents of Second Life?

Research paper outline

I.               Introduction

a.     Background of rituals i.e. what is a ritual

b.     What makes rituals important to people

c.      Connect rituals to Second Life

d.     Research question

II.             Reationships in Second Life

a.     People’s desire to carry real life into the environment of Second Life

b.     People looking for fulfillment in Second Life relationships

c.      Sense of Belonging

III.           Planning life events

a.     People’s desire to be ready for the future

b.     Keeping up with the Jones’

c.      People’s desire to be in charge of their own destiny

IV.            Religious connections to rituals

a.     The importance of religion in rituals

b.     How religion is included in rituals

c.      Religious rituals

V.              Responsibility

a.     Family responsibility

b.     Internal conflict

c.      Personal conflict

VI.            Conclusion

Research paper question and topic

My topic for my research paper is Rituals. My research question is: What importance does participating in rituals have for residents of Second Life?

Introduction for Short Essay #2

In Second Life, Religion plays a key role for people wishing to enhance their spiritual walks beyond the real world. People have different motivations for participating in religious events depending upon the religion they follow. Some may question the presence of the god that they follow in virtual worlds but in any case Second Life gives an outlet for individuals to find truth in a way that suits them, and can be a very quick way to find a place to belong. Church buildings add to the variety of architectural designs in Second Life and give religious groups a place to meet and carry out their practices without interruption, and at the same time, are easily accessed by prospective new members. In Second Life religious sims appear in a variety of places and add to the character of the environment while also creating a unimposing place for the search for truth and the continuing of past commitments to certain religions.

Meeting with Kerri and Chris

Kerri, Chris and I met last Thursday and did some explorations in a church in second life, discussed Chris's experiences with the religious topic and helped improve Chris's thesis statement.

Thesis statement for short essay #2

In Second Life religious sims appear in a variety of places and add to the character of the environment while also creating a unimposing place for the search for truth and the continuing of past commitments to certain religions.

Today Kerri and I met at the Sistine Chapel in Second Life. The resolution of the images was amazing. We then went to find the Noh theatre, but were unsuccessful. We will try again later.