Posts tagged ‘community’

March 8th, 2010

Blogger Challenge: The Honesty Project

I want to get to know you better and am eager to try an experiment. Are you up for an excercise in honesty that demands you to say one truthful thing about yourself every single day for one week?

This is my challenge!

The Honesty Project from GodlessGirl

Original photo by Lady Vic (flickr.com)

Are you a blogger or journaler? Do you have a youtube channel? Do you have twitter or facebook? It doesn’t matter if you’re an atheist, republican, Canadian, teenager, stay-at-home mom, food blogger, cartoonist, scientist, or anything at all. There are no restrictions on who can participate.

Here’s What to Do

  1. Write, blog, plurk, tweet, or record one honest moment or thought each day for one week starting whenever you want.
  2. Be honest and take your time. Say something you may not have said to your audience before. It has to be about you, and it will hopefully be a bit more revealing of who you are than a statement like “I hate Chinese food.” Work with me here! If you’ve had writer’s block like I have, this could help you jump out of it. Use it as a springboard to talk about anything you like!
  3. When you start the challenge, leave your link below so we can all read it/watch it/fap to it.
  4. I’d appreciate it if you’d spread the word around so others could take part. You can link to this post and use the image above if you like! Tweet it, share it on facebook, or just keep it simple—your choice!
  5. There is no closing date, so come back and do it agin anytime!
March 3rd, 2010

Confession and Why It Works for Atheists

Alcoholic SecretConfession. Its common definition outside of the law is an admission of sins or unrighteousness–often in order to gain absolution and forgiveness for breaking the laws or ideals of a deity. But since there is no deity, why should it ever apply to Atheists?

What is confession for atheists?

I’d like to re-brand confession for the secular audience. If it isn’t about sin and disappointing a god, then what is it and why should we adopt a seemingly religious word? I’d like to suggest the following definition:

Confession is an acknowledgment of something personal that perhaps needs improvement, is troubling or difficult, or opens one up to the inclusion of another person into the private parts of someone’s life. Confession may be an admission of wrongdoing, a kept secret, a story of emotional trial, or even a cry for help.

Do you know PostSecret? Then you get an idea of what secular confession is all about.

I grew up in a vibrant, passionate intentional community filled mostly with Catholics. The sacrament of confession is one of the most “holy” and beloved practices in that tradition. One of my closest friends attends a weekly confession with her priest. She meets with him in his office and talks to him about the struggles and frustrations in her life as she tries to become a better person full of love, mercy, and righteousness. I admire her for working so hard at improving who she is on the inside. If confiding in her religious authority brings her closer to what she truly feels is right, then good for her. She’s a gentle and loving friend, and I know she wants to be honest and real with me.

But why should a non-theist use a concept like confession if there is no sin or god to punish and shame us? One reason is because it works. When confession is used to better onesself and one’s community, it helps people open up to one another about the realities and struggles in their lives. Love and care is shared, and the community becomes stronger. The Christian system in particular is certainly a flawed system based on unrealistic expectations and needless guilt and fear, but when the “crime and punishment” aspect of confession is removed, it becomes more like therapy, honest intimacy, and consultation rather than an admission of wrongdoing. This portion of confession is what I desire in my own life.

Confession isn’t about feeling shame or fessing up because you have to. As an adult, no one is forcing you to admit anything. We still have free choice to tell one another about our secrets and our darker moments.

Why confess to another person?

read more »

January 5th, 2010

Let’s Trade Links!

Is your secular/atheist/skeptic/scientific blog/resource/website not featured on my links page? Let’s fix it!

1) Write a comment below that links to your website or a site you reommend.
2) Describe the site briefly so other readers will want to click and give you traffic.
3) Press submit.
3a) You have now brewed your own Instant Awesome™!

I will check it out and make sure it fits into one of the 7 link categories:

  • Fun & media
  • Godless Blogs
  • Organizations & community
  • Politics
  • Religion
  • Resources
  • Science

If you feel so inclined, I’d appreciate a link back to Godlessgirl.com, but that is entirely up to you.

Ye Olde Disclaimer: I post sites at my discretion. If you only diary your burned calories of the day, haven’t posted any content in a long time, or have the general attitude of a diaper rash, you probably won’t get linked.

July 3rd, 2009

3 Reasons Atheists Should Be on Twitter

Cartoon © Oliver Widder

Cartoon © Oliver Widder

Newsflash, heathens: Skeptics/Freethinkers/Atheists are all over twitter! [Can you tell I have a hard time labeling the godless?]

How involved can you get with a website that asks “What are you doing?” Wait, don’t ask. Just smile, nod, and think of a good username.

Here are a few brief reasons you should be using twitter:

1) For the people. You are not alone–I promise! Twitter is a fabulous resource for you if you are: still in the closet, surrounded by religion, living far away from freethought communities or groups, or just those who want to have camaraderie. There is always conversation to be had and friends to make. You might even discover someone close to you. Networking is an obvious plus for anyone who wants to make connections with seculars.

2) For the brain. The links just keep on coming. From blogs to news, forums, research, and silliness–the godless tweeps will always keep you informed and entertained. Get a secular taste of what’s happening in the world, and keep your brain humming throughout the day. I have so many articles and blogs to read now that I can’t keep up with it all! Follow a few scientists and artists and enjoy how your knowledge and appreciation for the natural world expands.

3) For the lawls. My tweeps are wicked fabulous. Tossing around sarcastic banter, shirking propriety for a laugh, and having an all-around swell time will keep you healthier and happier. Just don’t forget to get off your flattening arse and take a walk.

Bonus! It’s better than any holy day service!

Jump on the godless train!
Here is a wiki of atheists on twitter to get you started. If you have an account, add your info to the list.
@zipzink has organized one of the largest lists of Atheists on twitter–complete with profiles!
There’s an atheist group on twibes.com with 200+ members and a huge list on wefollow.com.
Also check out the latest atheist activity on twitter.
And don’t forget to follow me and say hello!