Monday, March 4, 2002		Article

THE Vatican warned of the dangers of cyberspace spirituality, saying the Internet should not be used as a religious supermarket.

The buy-and-sell ethics of the Internet have spilled over into matters of faith, the Vatican said as it released two short documents, "Ethics in Internet" and "The Church in Internet".

"Some visitors to religious Web sites may be on a sort of shopping spree, picking and choosing elements of customised religious packages to suit their personal tastes," one of the documents said.

The barrage of choices offered online leads believers to adopt a consumer approach to faith, it said.

And it was big business, who benefitted most from the creation of a virtual planet, who should take responsibility for their sway over the Web, the document said.

"It is important that these corporations be encouraged and helped to use their power for the good of humanity."

The Vatican is eager to embrace the evangelical advantages offered by the Internet, enabling it to spread its message across the globe, but is worried by a lack of moral guidance.

The Vatican has its own Web site (www.vatican.va) but the documents reminded believers that virtual religion was no subsitute for the real thing.

"There are no sacraments on the Internet; even the religious experiences there available by the grace of God are insufficient apart from real-world interaction," it said.

Describing the giddy range of experiences offered online, it compared the Internet to a mind-altering substance with "near-narcotic effects". Priests should seek to untangle people from virtual communities to real belonging, it advised.

While condemning political regimes that block free access to the Internet, the Vatican also appealed for limits to prevent violence and hatred being perpetuated online.

"While respect for freedom of expression may require tolerating even voices of hatred up to a point, industry self-regulation should establish and enforce reasonable limits."

The United Nations, the document recommended, should act as a watchdog to protect the dignity of online readers.

Despite plans to train priests and religious leaders to surf the Web, the Pope's aides make no secret of the fact that he still favours old-fashioned pen and ink when preparing his speeches.

— Reuters