>>Yes, September, we are talking about love.

**Then I don't understand your comment of:

>>Who defines what "action" is appropriate?

Who would define what "inaction" is?

**Let me give you and example of "loving your neighbor":

My neighbor across the street who is elderly took a bad fall in his carport day before yesterday. His next door neighbor was outside watering his weeds and saw and heard it. He looked up and kept on watering.

I saw and heard it too, and I rushed over to see how bad he had hurt himself, then I wheeled myself back across the street as fast as I could and called for my husband to come help, which he did.

Now... who took action and who didn't? Who behaved as if they love their neighbor and who didn't? Which "neighbor" acted in love towards this man? Who didn't take any action at all showing no concern, never mind love, for the man who fell?

>>What if your "action" feels hurtful to some people? Do you plow ahead, even if you have been requested not too? Maybe you could tread lightly, leading more by example? Just a thought....

**Do you think the action of me and my husband was hurtful to the fallen man? I seriously doubt it. LOL

>>Sometimes I guess it is much easier to talk the talk, then [than] walk the walk

**I take this statement personally. It looks like an accusation but I assure you, I talk the talk as well a walk the walk.

>>Here is to hoping that we are all able to begin walking the walk. It is sure to be a tough path for everyone, me included. But worth it, for everyone!!!!

**The path isn't too tough for me thank you, because God is my companion and my guide. Yes, I stumble and fall because I'm not perfect, but He helps me up, dusts me off and we continue on our way.

>>It will seem easier at times to just stay where you are on the path and "shout" at the people you feel are behind you, but that wont work for some, dare I say most. Some people who feel that they are being shouted at, just shut down. They stop walking the path altogether, you will have lost them. Now that would be really sad.

**I think "shouting" is a matter of perception. If you're sensitive to begin with, then your perception could be that you've been shouted at, but in reality, the voice may have been just half a decibel up because of emotion other than just anger.

>>How about helping that person by quietly walking side by side, hand in hand and whispering encouragement? And if your friends complain about what you are doing is wrong, that the person you are helping isn't deserving of your help...... well then maybe you can be strong enough in your beliefs to continue to help that person in the way they need to be helped, the way they can "hear" it.

**I don't let anyone tell me who my friends are or are not. I also follow my own quiet little voice, my discernment and what I hold to be the truth to help others. If that help is rejected, then I don't waste my time or my breath. I don't have the power to change anyone or their beliefs. They have to want to do their own changing. But I have the right to disagree with their methods

>>Maybe you will be strong enough to say EVERYONE MATTERS, and better yet, maybe you could even believe it...

**How do you know that I don't have the strength to say "everyone matters"? And how do you know I don't believe it? Do you know my heart? Do you know ME, even? No, you don't.

>>It is my opinion when people talk about other people, even in the name of their beliefs, they are just talking the talk. I can't believe that anyone, let alone any higher power, embraces hypocrisy. Why do we?

**I don't know why anyone embraces hypocrisy. Maybe they don't understand the meaning of it, or they have made assumptions or have wrong expectations of someone.

>>And yes September, love is gentle and kind. And yes September, It doesn't seek its own reward, although I am surprised that you quoted this one.

>>And when someone loves another or others in general they should try very hard to treat them kindly.

**Again, you don't know me, but those who do, know that I do treat people kindly. If they don't treat me kindly in return, then I may express my hurt and simply walk away from them.

**Why would you be surprised? You don't know me.

>>Even those who don't believe in, or don't believe as strongly in "you know who" as you or others may.

**"You know who"? What is so wrong with calling God by His name? What are you afraid of? I'm not afraid to call my Friend and Lord by His name.

>>It isn't a hard concept, and I would even goes as far as saying it was even encouraged by "you know who".

**Yes, it is a hard concept to follow through with, especially for us mere mortals. God doesn't have any trouble loving ALL unconditionally, but mortals aren't God, are they?

>>And you are correct, love never should be about controlling, pushing or hurting another, although again I am surprised that you have referred to this concept.

** I referred to this concept because you did when you said

>>Who defines what "action" is appropriate?

Who would define what "inaction" is?

>>But if you were trying to use the above example and have it relate to your faith and your ability to save peoples lives here for "you know who", then I strongly disagree.

**I'm not trying to "save people's lives". Heaven help me! Certainly not for myself because without GOD, it would be an empty action. No one is dying here as far as I know, and if there is someone in that predicament, it certainly isn't up to me! It's up to their doctor.

My interpretation of "support" is different than it is on this site. "Support" here is usually "enabling", agreeing no matter what the belief, action, inaction or wrong thinking is. I believe that if someone is so dead in the water wrong, then they need a dose of the truth. Truth can quite often hurt although that is never my intention. I never set out to hurt anyone, not even with the truth, but like they say, if the shoe fits, wear it.

>>Most people on these boards have suffered enough hurt to last them a lifetime. Some people may have even been hurt in the name of a specific religion, maybe your religion.

**Yes, I know. I'm one of them. I'm sorry if others have been hurt in the name of God, but I'm not responsible for that, neither do I have the ability to know who has and who hasn't. I believe strongly in taking responsibility for one's actions. If someone has been hurt in the name of God or in the name of any religion, then they should tread very lightly around this forum. Anything could touch off a trigger from the past.

As for this forum being a "sanctuary"... well... no comment on that. Most people know how I feel about that.

If we still don't understand each other, so be it. I'm done explaining my stance. There will continue to be some that can't or won't understand... and *I* understand that.