Enhancement through Virtual Reality: To Replace or To Supplement?

There have been concerns about whether Virtual Reality (VR) might replace normal life activities, community-based social interactions, or business operations. Such concerns have also been observed among church communities on metaverse platforms based on VR technology. This research presents current perspectives from VR leaders within church communities on how VR technology can optimally supplement, rather than replace, traditional brick-and-mortar churches. Through an exploratory, qualitative netnographic lens that includes interviews and observations, the study identifies three major issues that arise when VR technology is adopted to support social activities in communities and institutions that uphold traditional values.