I have become rather despondent lately about this site, or rather, how to properly use this site. I am confused and becoming ever more afraid to post anything more than affirmations of prayer to someone in need, yet to express my beliefs is becoming harder and harder for me to want to do.

I was so excited at the possibility of what this site could bring when it was first opened (and I just had to be one of the first to post!). Yet I was wary too, because I just knew that contentions would arise and stated beliefs would often become a basis for debate (no matter how much we all tried not to make it so), just as opinions in all the other forums do, I suppose, but I guess I was hoping for something a little different here. What that ‘something different’ was suppose to be, I wasn’t sure.

While I understand that community is a good thing when it comes to spirituality, it is really something different when it comes down to our individual beliefs and practices, isn't it?

I cannot and do not want to disparage this forum, because the potential to learn about all sorts of other faiths, traditions, beliefs and insights is just way too good an opportunity to deny anyone of. And religious studies of all sorts, is something I have always had an interest in, too.

I guess, firstly, I was hoping to find those of like mind and heart; those of my own faith that I could talk to and discuss things with, because, after all, if I want to practice and strengthen my own particular faith, I can only truly find it among those that are on the same wave length - or path - as I am. I actually wanted to find knowledgeable people within my own faith that I could connect with. For it is really only those within the same faith can understand my specific needs and concerns when it comes to practicing “our” beliefs properly.

I suppose I am feeling left somewhat wanting; still alone, in a way, with my faith in here...

I also was hoping to find about how other religions are practiced, the beliefs (and/or history) behind these practices, as they stand alone. For instance, what is one basic practice in say, Buddhism or Islam, and how does it specifically help you in your own quest for peace and comfort and restoration. That sort of thing.

Does anyone understand?

This is difficult to express because it automatically implies a desire for division, yet this is absolutely the last thing that I would want to create among us, but the reality is, the practice of different religious beliefs does this.

I don't want to continually have to defend or define what my beliefs are every time I post something, unless specifically asked to do so, and on a specific concept within my faith. My faith is practiced differently and it is based on different reasoning and beliefs than others and I want to discuss issues with like-minded individuals to help deepen my own understandings.

This concept should not be news to anyone, and it is not an issue that can be ignored, at least for much longer, because I believe that it has already begun, really, just in a very polite, yet ‘round-a-bout way.

Maybe I was/am being a little over-optimistic about what I can expect on this site and how good it will be for me to even participate, if I cannot find something other than posts that almost seem to “beg” me to respond in an opinionated manner and vice-versa. (Yeah, I know – this one is strictly a “me” problem here…)

Does anyone understand what I am trying to say?

Altered State