I need help! RL Minister wants to work in sl too!

I really, really hope that this is the right forum! If not, forgive me, I'm thick ;P


Basically, a friend has asked me to officiate as minister at their sl wedding, as has a group, Rites Of Spring, who want me to do free vow renewals as part of the spring festival. Now, I have my Spiritual Humanist rl materials-scripts, rituals for different religions and services etc, but I'm not certain how to translate it over into sl!

Can anyone out there help me?

Pretty please?

I'm not sure what you mean by "translate it over".

The metaverse has a culture of its own, one that on the surface resembles 21st century western life but that still is quite different in many ways.

I don't think there's any right or wrong way to practice a ministry in SL, because nobody has done much of it yet. So you can make it up as you go along and that's OK, because you're simultaneously defining the right way Don't assume that things should resemble RL by default though, that's my only advice.

Not trying to hijack the thread (just ignore this post if you want) but I'm fascinated by the legality of an SL marriage being officiated by a RL minister. Would that marriage be legally recognized if you got the proper RL marriage license? Does a RL marriage license exist that recognizes this type of marriage? Is there anyone reading who has done this yet?

Wow, good question. I'd imagine there would have to be some sort of authentication process, to ensure that the two avatars acting as stand-ins for the real life people actually are being operated by the people that claim they are. Even in RL we still have the two witnesses rule (in NY anyway), even though they did away with the blood test some time ago.

I don't see why it wouldn't. People have been married over shortwave radio before (i.e. in war zones and such). I don't see why this would be any different.

P2

As Mack said, there's no right or wrong way in SL to perform weddings or anything else. I've been to weddings performed by people dressed as anything from mideival bishops to sea captains to military chaplains to ministers to starship captains. Generally, they go pretty much just like RL weddings, except for all the typing. Groom & party stand at the altar, bride marches down the isle, vows are said (typed), a couple of "I do"s, a kiss animation, and then a big party. Nothing unusual or unique, just a wedding like any other.

There was even a M*A*S*H episode with a shortwave radio wedding. So it must be real.

It would be interesting if a Linden chimed in. I was at a ceremony recently and the "minister" said something to the effect of "by the powers vested to me by Second Life (or Linden Labs -- I don't remember for sure)..."

It made me assume that there was some kind of "seal of approval" available for clergy -- similar to that granted to official instructions in SL.

Fascinating idea, and glad to have you in Second Life.

Most people put the ceremonies on a notecard, and then modify the text for whatever of course the couple wants as you would in RL.

As far as the legality, well most people don't get married in SL for RL that would be sort of revolutionary to have a RL wedding in SL. Though as far as SL weddings, no seal of approval or anything is needed, you just advertise your services and do it. Cut and paste into the chat window, let the people say back their vows, etc.

Great idea though!

Witnesses still required in my neck of the woods, too. And shortwave radio would be more easily "witnessed" than SL. Not to mention that doing it doesn't make it legal.

I've been asked to officiate as a minister in an SL wedding too, though that one was strictly role playing and didn't actually go through. It's been many years since I've been in any sense active as a minister, and I made it clear that it had no legal meaning, but even so I admit I was relieved when the bride declined to turn up.

The issue of RL marriage in SL hit me just recently when I caught a news report (Link ) about virtual visitations (that was the headline, the reality was phonecalls/emails/regular stuff). I was expecting a story about people in prison. There's already a service that creates "virtual" memories by photographing a couple (one incarcerated) and photoshopping them into a scene ... on the beach, at a landmark, aso (Link ). I figure it won't be long before the MSM reports on a real marriage in a vw, a telepresence-enhanced virtual honeymoon, and a forum flamewar divorce.

Long distance. Next best thing to being there.

Thanks to everybody who has replied to my query! I'm now set up in sl thanks to you guys

Also, one quick note-in rl, weddings are only classed as legal when performed by someone with the legal right to do so-even if it's over the air waves. In sl, that wouldn't be considered plausible, as sl is divided between countries and continents, is not recognised as a country in it's own right, and is not represented by the UN or it's courts, at least thats' what my rl boss told me!

Personally, if it was a legal wedding, I'd be more concerned about witnesses being afk, and the inability for people to sign a register...and where I'd be meant to file it lol


But once again, thank you all very much for your help, hope I see you at my first large public event on May 1st-free vow renewals and a masquerade ball-then you can tell me what you think, and I can thank you all in meta-person.

TY (again),
Cyra xxx