Virtual organizing for real change

(Cross-posted at InterfaithFast.org.)

I am thrilled to announce that one of the many events that will commemorate the Interfaith Fast to End the War in Iraq on Monday October 8th will be in Second Life! Second Life is an online virtual world created by its members or "residents." Two national nonprofit organizations, the Fellowship of Reconciliation and the Peacemaker Institute, will sponsor the event on Commonwealth Island, which is a home for progressive organizations in Second Life. Our celebration will include a meditation for world peace, speakers, and even virtual food!

Several different groups have also been organizing in Facebook, an online social networking community, to spread the word about the fast. One group of Young Universalist Unitarian Peacemakers has already got over 300 people signed up!

Now you are probably wondering: will our fast also be "virtual?" And if so, what meaning does it have? Personally, I will be fasting in real life, but celebrating it with a spiritual community in Second Life. For many of us, this is just as real and moving of an experience as you might have in a church, and has the added benefit of allowing us to connect with people across the country and across the world.

Click here if you'd like to join us the virtual fast-breaking celebration in Second Life.