Chief Metaverse Spiritual Officer — Part II : Holy sites guardian

In the current article, Chief Metaverse Spiritual Officer as Metaverse Holy sites guardian missions is explained in detail. CMSO role as a necessity is explained in “Chief Metaverse Spiritual Officer — Part I : Why?”

Holy site guardian or custodian is not a new role. The most known is the King of Jordany who has been custodian of Jerusalem holy sites since 1924. While mainly focusing on the physical integrity of religious buildings, this role also encompasses making sure that respectful, peaceful freedom of access to the site is ensured for worshippers.

“Holy sites” is written with an ‘s’ because as the CMSO is polytheist she/he has to protect mainy sites that are important for many spiritualities.

Kebra, as CMSO, mainly operating in the OVR metaverse, is custodian of many holy sites. Here is his vision as metaverse holy site guardian which is similar to physical holy site custodian missions :

1. Protect the integrity of religious buildings virtually which might mean no VR installation that degrades the site or its significance to worshippers.
2. Making sure that respectful, peaceful freedom of access to the site is ensured for worshippers and other visitors from all over the metaverse worlds.
3. As the site can be accessed by anyone and from anywhere in the metaverse world, some specific information or education might be posted to educate visitors from other spiritualities.
4. In case the physical location is ground for political or religious conflict, it might be good to give explanations from all sides and give some context.

Here are some examples of the holy sites Kebra as CMSO protects in OVR and why they have been elected:

Afaq Khoja Mausoleum in Kashgar : this is where all began for Kebra as CMSO. He visited the site 30 years ago and fell for the green glazed building and its peaceful surroundings. It’s now part of its identity, and naturally wanted to preserve it from defamation, for instance change historic facts associated with it.

Indian temples in Pakistan : While the indian sub-continent has been splitted along mostly religions, in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, religious minorities still live today with religious buildings still standing and running. Kebra thought it was also important that these sites were protected even if it appears much less urgent and vital than in Xinjiang.

Bahá’í is a religion that has suffered persecution since its inception. There is a danger that it’s most important buildings are defaced in the metaverse. That’s why Kebra decided to “protect them” in the OVR metaverse. By the way, Bahá’í faith is already present in Decentraland. It might be not fortuitous as Bahá’í faith has other religions in its big picture known as “Greater covenant”. As such, Bahá’í faith might be especially well suited as an important religion in the metaverse.

Post Scriptum

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