Blogging and CB Radios
As a child many of us went through the phase of acquiring CB radios. This gave us the excitement of chatting to complete strangers, albeit within a fairly short radius. But one aspect of this fad really sticks in my mind. The principal conversation topic revolved around CB radios.
We used CB radio’s to talk to strangers about CB radio’s.
I mention this because this post is another post relating to blogging and it tickled me to remember the parallel with CB radio’s.
I wonder how many search engine hits I’ll get from folk searching for CB radio bloggers? They’ll be disappointed that’s for sure. Sorry CB Radio enthusiasts.
Anyway, enough of my Saturday morning randomness, down to business.
Dylan of the Reluctant Sinner has been invited to the first Vatican Blogmeet which coincides with the Beatification of Pope John Paul II. He’s duly preparing and I feel excited for him.
It was a remarkable coincidence that shortly after Dylan floated the idea of a Catholic guild of bloggers he was invited to Rome for the Vatican’s Bloggers’ Meeting.
Before jetting off Dylan has posted his thoughts on the Catholic blogging “vocation” and mentions the upcoming Catholic Guild of Bloggers meeting, which is due to take place next Saturday (7th May) at Westminster Cathedral.
All details can be found here.
Here’s some of what he had to say, but it’s worth reading in it’s entirety:
…..It is well known that blogging tends to amplify feelings and attitudes, and provides what many would consider to be an artificial way of engaging with others. It’s much easier to condemn a man, even a bishop or one who should know better, when we don’t have to look him in the eye. It can also, conversely, be easier to talk about loving others whilst tapping on a keyboard at home than if we had to deal with the same people in real life. So, for me, blogging must always be kept in perspective. It is not the real world, but it does contain very worldly temptations. Anything that feeds my pride or ego cannot be good – and, sometimes, the sense of satisfaction when posting criticisms on my blog or when “going for the kill” (joining in that journalistic mentality that sees men merely as stories, not persons loved by God) does lead to an over-abundance of pride and self-will. Blogging can be dangerous, even if it’s something I feel presently called to do.
So, I really think that bloggers – those of us who travel through uncharted waters and who face demons who are more than ready to see Christians fight amongst themselves in public – really need to be spiritually healthy. For that to happen, we need the support of others, especially those who know what it’s like to blog. No Christian is an island, we cannot be followers of Christ without being deeply united to all his other followers. We need other (flesh and blood) human beings, to share our pilgrimages with. We need the Church, and should never think ourselves above that need. We also need the mutual support of others, especially those who tread similar paths to our own. This, more than any other, is the reason behind wanting to set up a guild (or group) for Catholic bloggers.
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I honestly believe that a Guild of Catholic Bloggers would help those of us who blog grow closer to each other in love. We would be able to meet face to face, in the real world, and get to know one another as Christians should. We could care for each others’ needs, physical and spiritual, and pray together in unity and peace. It might be possible to use Guild meetings to seek reconciliation and forgiveness – for, in the heat of online arguments, it can be too easy to fall out or say things that are designed to hurt. A Guild of Catholic Bloggers could also arrange for spiritual retreats and conferences, or workshops designed to get the most out of blogging. It could also facilitate talks by experienced and holy bloggers, who would be able to guide those who wish to turn their blogs into tools of the new evangelisation or aids to holiness.
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I have become acutely aware of the dangers of blogging since I began writing as A Reluctant Sinner, and for that reason feel a need to experience help from others, especially those who understand the blogger’s “vocation”. As much as I enjoy writing and finding stories, sharing my opinions or making virtual friends, I would much rather meet with people in the flesh. I also wish I could sometimes attend Masses specifically geared towards those who blog as Catholics – if only to pray with them, to worship God with them, and to listen to a homily that might speak to me as a Catholic blogger. It is for all these reasons that I think a Guild of Catholic Bloggers is necessary. It is also for this reason that I think the Holy Spirit is prompting our pastors and leaders to engage with the sometimes frightening world of the blogosphere!
May 1st, 2011 at 9:27 am
Oddly, I am a radio amateur (its the posh version of CB, but I do actually make the odd bit of equipment and obviously I can speak to people much further away).