Initial Actions a Gay atheist organization could do. Preparations for the first meeting.
We will want to start having zoom meetings in November and we will want to select some initial projects. To do this we should be thinking about what our possibilities are & which ones we should pick.
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Introduction:
In launching a Gay atheist action group the first question is what actions and projects should we start with. Rather than just consider items ah hoc and in isolation without a previously thought out set of criteria, or overall plan, a systematic review should be taken with some criteria to base our decisions on.
We should select our projects from a set of possible projects with considerations of the positives and negatives and issues involved.
This first document is to gather input from Gay atheists what our initial projects might be, and what our criteria for selecting projects might be. Also, what might be successful and why.
This is prepatory to having the first initial organizing meeting.
General Specifications.
What criteria do we want to consider in selecting and choosing initial projects.
[1] High impact with low efforts. We will start out with limited resources. We need to show something can be done to get others to realize that something can be done.
[2] One person projects. Not everyone will be in a situation where they can participate in a group. Some will want to work at their own pace or with their schedule. This helps everyone to be active doing something.
[3] Projects aligned with individual’s strong interests or special talents. It may be high effort, but it is what they want to do and will keep them engaged in the group with an activity.
[4] Projects that can keep people involved with low participatory effort. People who are busy, or have other demands on their time, can be kept connected and active with something.
[5] A variety of projects so people have choices. There needs to be a variety to so that people can find something that is of interest to them.
[6] Projects that people will find of interest. Look for projects that would be popular. They may be higher levels of effort, but it is something people will want to do, and keep them engaged.
[7] Projects that result in publicity. Getting new people involved will be a priority in getting the Gay atheist group launched and growing. People can’t join if they don’t know we exist. Also, it is important for the Gay community to know that there is a Gay atheist opinion.
Specific Proposals.
The following are ideas for which to choose from. Not all possibilities need to be pursued.
[1] Review who is doing invocations for their elected councils and legislators. Report on homophobes chosen. This has been done and it was successful.
It got coverage in the local alternative weekly. It has a good likely hood of success and can inspire others to do the same. It can be done in about 4 months, 3 months to compile the information and about 2 weeks to compile it and issue a report, and then you need to schedule presentation to the city council. It takes about 2 to 3 hours a week during this time. Not that high a burden.
Why: Does have impact. Not much work. Possibility of publicity. Quick results. Early success for our group. With at least one attempt a proven success.
[2] Review who is running for local office and whether they are members of homophobic denominations. It can be a project for one person. It might cause publicity. Needs to be non-partisan.
Why: Though it will require sustained effort, it would appeal to a person with strong interest in politics. Also, opportunity for publicity. It is variety in what activities the group could do.
[3] Counter protest Christians protesting Gay event. Can test new tactics to disable them and upset them. It could be very important if we develop methods of psychologically disabling them.
Why: It is great publicity for both reaching out to the general Gay community and publicity, especially if the opposition reacts publicly and other groups react. Test ground for psychological efforts. Some people like to do this. It is variety in what activities the group could do.
Eventually there was news coverage of the protest against this church calling for the government to execute Gays.
[4] Task force on waging psychological warfare against them. This will require a group developing tactics and testing them. Lots of work, but could be very powerful. Chance of crashing Christianity.
Why: It is going to be high effort, but there is the possibility of high rewards, crashing Christianity. Also, provide alternative actions for the ineffective tactics atheists are doing now.
[5] Task force to harness cultural phenomenon. People would likely find this a fun activity and it could be very powerful. “His Dark Materials” might be promoted. Likely there are other shows, songs, movies, series which might be promoted.
Why: Likelihood of high impact with low effort. Popular culture is something people enjoy and is popular. It is variety in what activities the group could do.
[6] Task force to promote BL in Christian nations. Could be very powerful to assist this cultural phenomenon as a subtle force against Christian homophobia. It could be a counter force in the schools against Christian campus groups and school chaplains.
Why: High impact with low effort. This strongly appeals to some people and so it would be something they would enjoy doing. We might get allies in helping us. BL fandom is huge. It is variety in what activities the group could do.
This show identified Christian homophobia as delusional. It got translated into a dozen languages so far. Christians there hated it. Now it is going global. Click on image.
[7] Strategy committee to review current projects to see how well they are working and if not discontinue them or modify them. If a current project is working, what improvements might be made or expand the project. Also consider new projects. This would be for those who work. Not a discussion club.
Why: High effort, but we need to make sure we are taking advantage of opportunities, but also not waste time on what doesn’t work. We need to be effective. This might be basically the sterring committee.
[8] Enhance intra-Christian conflicts. Publicize the existing conflicts on social media. It could be a form of psychological warfare against them. When they fight each other, they undermine their credibility. The public has a horror of sectarian conflict.
Why: Low effort with possibly high impact.
[9] Publicize Church scandals. Not sure if we need to do this. Maybe a team to spread info on social media. It is already being done and not sure if it can accomplish more with out involvement. However, maybe Gay atheist involvement might cause resistance to reform and self-sabotage by the Christians.
Why: Low effort, but maybe not much impact of additional effort. Some people like doing this, and so it is a way to keep them engaged.
[10] Develop and support a specific program for students against school chaplains.
Why: It is high effort. But this is where the homophobic Christians are having a significant negative impact on Gays.
[11] Critically review human rights policies of the U.S. government so that they don’t aid homophobic Christians. This is in the areas of foreign aid, diplomacy, asylum.
Why: This could be of high interest to those interested in foreign policy. It could result in publicity.
[12] Team to warn non-Christian nation Gay groups the menace of Christianity to them.
Why: This could be of high interest to some people. Also, it helps organize Gay atheists around the world to work with each other. However, this might not be an immediate project, unless someone is particularly interested in it.
[13] Team to counter Gay Christian defenses of Christianity and educate the Gay community about their negative effects.
Why: These arguments are one of the big obstacles in fighting homophobic Christianity.
[14] Team to publicize extreme Christianity overseas such as Russia, Georgia, South Korea. This will alert the Gay community to realize what a potential menace Christianity can be.
Why: This might be of particular interest to some individuals. It could be low effort and high impact in alerting the public and making the public aware how dangerous Christianity is.
There is a lot of violent attacks that happen. Need to write up someting as a report and put it here.
[15] We will need to have a steering committee to direct and coordinate efforts. This might be the steering committee mentioned earlier.
Why: So our efforts are coordinated and we are confused and disjointed and disorganized.
[16] Educational team. This is a team to educate the new members and educate Gay atheists in general the ideas of the group.
Why: Otherwise a lot of people will continue to do the failing activities of the past atheist movement.
Give us your inputs.
In the comments or at the Facebook page for the group, leave comments as to what projects you think would be good initial projects and why.
Gay Atheist Action Facebook group.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/804043147621086
Will want to have a zoom meeting in November and get Gay atheist action projects started.
Christianity is vulnerable. We can bring them down.
