May 20, 2004

Profanity in the pews

After a noisy opening, with people ranting from the pulpit and swearing in the aisles, the internet Church of Fools has introduced some changes to quieten things down.

The Church of Fools was disrupted by swearing and profanity in the two days after it opened to internet worshippers around the world this month. Visitors wanted to know what being done to maintain the space as place of prayer, quiet, teaching and community.

Since it was announced at the Christian Resources Exhibition earlier this month, the site attracted 20,000 visits a day.

But Ruth Gledhill, The Times’ religion correspondent, reported that a large number of online worshippers had logged in as Satan and shouted expletives.

Some of the worst offenders were from the US and Australia and visited in the middle of the night, when the wardens are asleep. Hackers had broken in disguised as wardens, sworn at the congregation or greeted newcomers by saying “Satan loves you”.

Stephen Goddard, a spokesman for the cyber chapel, drew an analogy with John Wesley, the 18th-century founder of Methodism: “When Wesley went out in the early days, people swore at him, made braying noises like a donkey and spat on him. At least we know we are not preaching to the converted.”

In response to the rowdiness, the church has removed the “shout” function (where people could speak to the whole room). “This has immediately quietened down the sanctuary.” Disruptive people can now only be heard by their immediate neighbours, rather than disturbing the whole room.

The apse area (including the pulpit, altar and lectern) has been closed to the public. “Many ‘real’ churches don’t allow visitors to climb up into their pulpits or wander round the altar, and we think this encourages people to have respect for the place. It also stops wannabe preachers putting on a floor show.”

The church has added a welcome and “please respect this place” message which appears when people first walk into the church. And it is planning to increase the presence of wardens (wardens have the power to “smite” people, which instantly logs them out of the environment) and to recruit volunteer helpers who will talk to people visiting the church.

Visit the now more placid Church of Fools.