- Moderator
- #22,126
Online
I would think an easy case could be made that spiritual gatherings are virtual gatherings
Semantically and otherwise
Well, you have your semantics and I have mine.
And fwiw, there certainly are times where you can have spiritual experiences through watching a service on TV. But I don't think it's truly communal in the complete sense. I mean, I think we can do OK for a time, but for months on end, it's a legitimate challenge to nurture the personal relationships we've built through close interaction. I know you're not saying it's an equivalent substitute.
It's similar to the sense of loss we feel when we can't be close to a loved one when they're sick. I feel that same sense of loss when I am disconnected from friends for long periods of time.