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Should churches have sound effects / thematic high graphics elements inculcated with supercomputers?

amorphous_constellation

Well-Known Member
So I heard somebody saying how impressed they were with this new church across the way that they attended, a half a million dollar sound system that could cater to a rock concert, the incredibly well rounded lows, the state of the art percussion.

So this got me thinking. Surely there are other ways you could build on and develop the thematic possibilities, if for instance you had a large screen or 3D projection that simulated a parting ocean during a sermon on the parting of the red sea, or the sound of rattlesnakes, or howling wind when they talk about John the Baptist. Sudden changes in lighting, going from dark to radiant heavenly lights run through custom kaleidoscopes when describing heaven, the superimposing of stars on the ceiling using light manipulation or fire and red lighting for scenes of hell, all coupled with new sound effects on the preachers voice. I'm talking about adding in more magic, like maybe during key verses you could find a use for a tesla coil as long is it's behind a no access zone and is maybe small enough to pose no safety concern, whatever the regulations are on that. And more highly rendered computer graphics as well, if suddenly an incredible 3D animation should appear displaying some strange monster from Ezekiel, all the better right? And as for the modern effects on the preachers voice like for instance, incredible delay or flanger or an octave divider for key verses, dramatically changing the mood along with the lighting and animations, wouldn't that make it better too?
 
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mainliner

no one can de-borg my fact's ...NO-ONE!!
So I heard somebody saying how impressed they were with this new church across the way that they attended, a half a million dollar sound system that could cater to a rock concert, the incredibly well rounded lows, the state of the art percussion.

So this got me thinking. Surely there are other ways you could build on and develop the thematic possibilities, if for instance you had a large screen or 3D projection that simulated a parting ocean during a sermon on the parting of the red sea, or the sound of rattlesnakes, or howling wind when they talk about John the Baptist. Sudden changes in lighting, going from dark to radiant heavenly lights run through custom kaleidoscopes when describing heaven, the superimposing of stars on the ceiling using light manipulation or fire and red lighting for scenes of hell, all coupled with new sound effects on the preachers voice. I'm talking about adding in more magic, like maybe during key verses you could find a use for a tesla coil as long is it's behind a no access zone and is maybe small enough to pose no safety concern, whatever the regulations are on that. And more highly rendered computer graphics as well, if suddenly an incredible 3D animation should appear displaying some strange monster from Ezekiel, all the better right? And as for the modern effects on the preachers voice like for instance, incredible delay or flanger or an octave divider for key verses, dramatically changing the mood along with the lighting and animations, wouldn't that make it better too?
if we imangine it together it may come true :)
 

Sha'irullah

رسول الآلهة
These mega amp churches are serving more and more as entertainment centers where you can hear a deluded man speak on a pulpit dæg after dæg. I wonder if Cinemark and AMC theaters are gonna be run out of town because of this. They should start playing rated R films and hold late night showings of sermons if they are going to start doing this.
What on earth happened to ethics, community, simplicity and happiness.
 

Sapiens

Polymathematician
These mega amp churches are serving more and more as entertainment centers where you can hear a deluded man speak on a pulpit dæg after dæg. I wonder if Cinemark and AMC theaters are gonna be run out of town because of this. They should start playing rated R films and hold late night showings of sermons if they are going to start doing this.
What on earth happened to ethics, community, simplicity and happiness.
Many of the churches around here don't even let their clergy speak (likely a good thing) they just turn on the satellite broadcast and everyone watches the service on a projection screen.
 

The Sum of Awe

Brought to you by the moment that spacetime began.
Why would anyone want to waste that kind of money on something that is usually used only twice a week?

Just put your head down and close your eyes in prayer as the pastor counts the tithe with a huge smile thinking, "How much fancy equipment can I get with this?"
 

Storm

ThrUU the Looking Glass
If you want screens and high end surround sound, go see a movie. Churches are for worship, not entertainment. If that's not what you're want, just don't go.

And the churches need to figure that out more than anyone else. It's one thing to want beauty in sacred spaces, but no amount of hollow flash will engender true faith.
 

amorphous_constellation

Well-Known Member
It's one thing to want beauty in sacred spaces, but no amount of hollow flash will engender true faith.
Yeah but how about the pillar of fire guiding the Israelites. What I'm talking about they'd have a simulation room so you could join Jonah in the belly of the whale, maybe it would roar a bit and the room would rock around a little too.
 

Storm

ThrUU the Looking Glass
Yeah but how about the pillar of fire guiding the Israelites. What I'm talking about they'd have a simulation room so you could join Jonah in the belly of the whale, maybe it would roar a bit and the room would rock around a little too.
Or, we could let people who have respect show respect, and let people who don't want to be there leave, instead of turning faith into a damned theme park. How about that?
 

Koldo

Outstanding Member
So I heard somebody saying how impressed they were with this new church across the way that they attended, a half a million dollar sound system that could cater to a rock concert, the incredibly well rounded lows, the state of the art percussion.

So this got me thinking. Surely there are other ways you could build on and develop the thematic possibilities, if for instance you had a large screen or 3D projection that simulated a parting ocean during a sermon on the parting of the red sea, or the sound of rattlesnakes, or howling wind when they talk about John the Baptist. Sudden changes in lighting, going from dark to radiant heavenly lights run through custom kaleidoscopes when describing heaven, the superimposing of stars on the ceiling using light manipulation or fire and red lighting for scenes of hell, all coupled with new sound effects on the preachers voice. I'm talking about adding in more magic, like maybe during key verses you could find a use for a tesla coil as long is it's behind a no access zone and is maybe small enough to pose no safety concern, whatever the regulations are on that. And more highly rendered computer graphics as well, if suddenly an incredible 3D animation should appear displaying some strange monster from Ezekiel, all the better right? And as for the modern effects on the preachers voice like for instance, incredible delay or flanger or an octave divider for key verses, dramatically changing the mood along with the lighting and animations, wouldn't that make it better too?

I wouldn't call it better. It would be different, and probably more entertaining.
However, there is nothing wrong with doing that, and it might be worth doing it to bring more people to the church.
 

Nietzsche

The Last Prussian
Premium Member
We've been using special effects in religious buildings since antiquity. Why shouldn't they use it?
 

Quintessence

Consults with Trees
Staff member
Premium Member
Although I personally would keep theatre separate from service, such theatrics got their start with religion. I see nothing wrong with continuing the tradition. If my Catholic Church had been like that growing up, I probably would not have gotten bored out of my mind and quit before age ten...
 

amorphous_constellation

Well-Known Member
What would be the purpose? If the answer is entertainment, then you could figure the rest out...
Not just that, but to enhance all aspects, and that would mean entertainment, production, impressiveness, conversion rates, and the like. Just building on what is already there, the glossolalia, the singing, the thematic decorations that work their way up to christmas.
 
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amorphous_constellation

Well-Known Member
Or, we could let people who have respect show respect, and let people who don't want to be there leave, instead of turning faith into a damned theme park. How about that?
Several other posts in the thread look like they'd be open to trying to spice it up a little, I don't know to what extent.
 

Nietzsche

The Last Prussian
Premium Member
An example or two of these devices?
Are you aware of the Baghdad Battery? Or the various machines found in some Greek Temples to Athena & Zeus? Or the sound design you'll sometimes find in Catholic churches that enables you to hear an individual at a dead whisper from across the room?
 
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