April 28, 2013 – 10:23 pm
Today I was invited to take part in an interfaith symposium on the topic – Religion: A Source of Conflict or Peace? When an organizer contacted me to ask if I’d be willing to be a part of it, it didn’t take me long to agree. I think it’s important for nonbelievers to have a voice in these kinds of events, even though we are not a part of a “faith” system.
Here are the slides I used for my talk:
I decided to approach the symposium’s question from a personal perspective, rather than outline all the ways religion has caused conflict all over the world (and throughout history). My main goal was to get believers to think of atheists in a different, more positive light — so I made the focus more about the religious-induced conflict I’ve experienced in my personal life since I’ve come out as a nonbeliever.
And I think it worked.
It was interesting to watch how the women in the audience positively received my message. The majority of my audience was Muslim or Sikh, with only a few friends and Western-ized folks in attendance. As I told my story, I could tell that many women could empathize with what it feels like to be discriminated against because of your philosophical (read: religious) outlook. Isn’t it funny how an atheist could build rapport with such an ideologically different set of people! But we did connect, and it was a cool experience.
And when it came to the question period, I had almost twice as many questions asked of me than the other panelists — I must have hit a nerve. I wish there could have been more time for the Q & A, since that’s when you really get to know someone.
As I left the mosque tonight, I wondered about if any evangelical church in Saskatoon (or elsewhere) would ever feel compelled to host an interfaith event like this. While I didn’t always agree with my fellow panelists on the issues (especially when it came to a woman’s role), I felt like I left today’s symposium with a better understanding of these different faiths. Would an evangelical church be comfortable to enable their congregation to consider other points of view when it comes to spirituality? Unfortunately, my experience in the church tells me no — and that’s really sad.
November 26, 2012 – 9:21 pm
That’s what I usually think to myself when I’m doing a Body Attack class at my gym. No lie, I’m usually one of the bigger grrrls in the class, but wow, I love that I can actually survive that 55 minutes (and still walk the next day).
Tonight I came across this link: Fat Acceptance at the Gym Burns More Than Calories, an essay that’s all about what it means to be fat at a gym. I resonated with a lot of what this essay said (along with the Jezebel article that pointed me in its direction). I know what it’s like to be the red-faced, sweaty big girl working out next to the slender girl in her Lululemons. And, despite the fact I’m active — playing on a soccer team for the fourth season in a row, working out with a personal trainer, and on track to run a 10k in the spring — I so often feel out of place and really low in the self-esteem department when it comes to looking around me.
And you know, I shouldn’t. I can flex now and feel muscles moving in places that weren’t there before. And while the scale may not be doing down, I see my body in a stronger light. I sleep better, and I’m setting an example for my daughter on why it’s important to schedule in time for yourself at the gym.
But that’s my brain talking — and it’s easy to talk yourself up when you’re not having to stare at your mirrored profile while doing insane amounts of lunges and squats.
It’s been a lifelong struggle for me, and if I’m honest, I’m not looking forward to the day when Emma begins to struggle with her self-esteem. So I know, not only for my sake, but for hers, I need to kick this negative body image thing I’ve got going to the curb. I don’t want her thinking it’s okay to think less of herself because she doesn’t measure up to a (unattainable?) standard of beauty that’s been imposed on her from the outside.
I don’t think I will ever be the cute skinny girl in Lulus (for one I don’t think I could ever bring myself to spend $100 on yoga pants) — but I think I could be the cute big girl in generic yoga pants who’s proud of who she is, and the steps she’s taking to be healthy.
November 23, 2012 – 1:11 pm
The article featuring me and the group I help run, Café Apostate, is now out on newsstands — Verb issue S17.
If you’re interested in reading it, pick up a copy on newsstands, or click here to read part 1 and part 2.
November 23, 2012 – 12:41 pm
Despite waking up with a wicked sore throat, here are some things that are making my day so far:
- breakfast with my little family of 3
- discovering that my new-found love of PB2 (powdered peanut butter) now comes with chocolate!
- ordering presents for people I love from Surly-Ramics
- an afternoon parent-teacher conference with Emma’s teacher, who I sorta adore (and am so grateful Emma will have had for THREE years!)
- discovering there’s a showing of JC Superstar with Tim Minchin as Judas at the Galaxy in 2 weeks! (I am so there)
- a decorated Christmas tree waiting for me at home
- Winterscapes radio in my office
Sometimes it doesn’t take a lot to make my day.
November 21, 2012 – 8:09 pm
Happy Thanksgiving-eve! Even after 10 years, it still feels weird to have Thanksgiving in October. Unfortunately for me, November is the most insane time of the year for the school term, so there will be no free-range turkey in store for me tomorrow.
It’s funny, even though there’s still a Thanksgiving holiday up here, it’s still not quite the same big-of-a-deal as it was for me growing up back home.
It’s true what they say — Thanksgiving is a bigger deal in the States than it is here in Canada. For one, it’s the busiest travel day of the year. For me, I have memories of “Turkey Day” MST3K marathons, my dad having a stuffing sandwich (yes, a bread-bread sandwich), and lots of family time.
These days my family is spread across the country, so it’s getting harder than ever to celebrate holidays and special occasions. Still, these memories of old are fun ones to recall.
My life has given me many reasons to be thankful — both from the life I had growing up, and the life I have living now.
