In an attempt to connect to its followers and increase its numbers, the
Vatican released "Faithbook," an online Catholic social network.
The
website allows Catholics to interact and connect internationally, and it
also boasts a direct connection to the Vatican.
The site has the verbal
and -most importantly - the electronic support of His Holiness Pope
Benedict XVI.
"We thought it was really important to make sure His
Holiness had a profile," commented Cardinal Amendolia. "We also made a
page for Jesus, but we're still waiting for Him to update his page."
With the recent popularity of Facebook, the Church felt it had to create an alternative social network for its followers that wasn't founded by a guy who's name "sounds kind of Jewish."
With the recent popularity of Facebook, the Church felt it had to create an alternative social network for its followers that wasn't founded by a guy who's name "sounds kind of Jewish."
Many features are the same as
Facebook, such as the profile page and ability to create events, but
with a Catholic spin. For example, upon creating a profile, the user is
automatically invited to the event "Armageddon," with the only RSVP
option being "Attending."
The only options for relationships for
non-clergy members are married and single, but an added feature for nuns
allows them to be "in a relationship with Jesus."
There is a large
range of apps to choose from. These include "Will You Go to Heaven?"
quizzes, "Guess the Papal Bull" trivia games and Farmville.
Despite the intitial success of the site, there are still some problems. Many parents have expressed discomfort with priests "poking" their children.
Despite the intitial success of the site, there are still some problems. Many parents have expressed discomfort with priests "poking" their children.
The Vatican had to recently issue a statement that Faithbook-stalking
should be called "knowing thy neighbor" to avoid complicated theological
issues.
While the Vatican has generously subsidized the creation of Faithbook, the Church hopes to eventually make the website self-sufficient through advertising, which has been somewhat controversial thus far.
While the Vatican has generously subsidized the creation of Faithbook, the Church hopes to eventually make the website self-sufficient through advertising, which has been somewhat controversial thus far.
The most recent advertising campaign focused on
creating targeted ads for priests, but the only ads that seemed to work
were for gay singles bars.
For all its faults, the sites have caused a worldwide splash.
For all its faults, the sites have caused a worldwide splash.
There have been rumors of a movie coming out
about the site starring Jesse Eisenberg as the Pope, but nothing has
been confirmed.
Many other major religions have been developing their
own sites to rival Faithbook. Jewish leaders are currently working on
what they're calling "Facebaruch," while Muslim leaders have been
developing "Don'tShowYourFacebook."
No word has been heard regarding the
Buddhist social network other than that your profile changes every time
you log on based on your past actions while on the site.
Whether Faithbook is a passing fad or here to stay is still uncertain, but the Pope seems to be happy with the results.
Whether Faithbook is a passing fad or here to stay is still uncertain, but the Pope seems to be happy with the results.
He recently posted, "LOVE the
new site.
Check your profiles for invites to Vatican III! It's gonna be
dope."
He then promptly liked his own status, because he's allowed to do
that sort of thing.