[(JD)]

John I tried to reply to your post and the thread is locked so I ask here.

Would you please clarify your notice of..."specifically prohibited... religion..." for us?

While I can agree to avoiding the argumentative, energy-wasting words of "my religion is better than yours"... I cannot agree to avoid all references to God.

<font color=blue>Certainly you don't mean that everyone here has to avoid the supernatural and spiritual? What we do is in that realm, since, obviously, we don't do anything physical to each other.

Tell me you don't mean that we cannot even mention a higher power, most all of the western world who believes in such and calls that power God.? Such "references for help "are all some of your members have left!

And, so, also tell me, even when members are in agreement, we cannot mention, or reference anything having to do with religion, even in the "support" of each other?

<font color=green> I am also questioning references to "politics"... since we are in different countries, and it does come up - the differences- necessarily so from time to time... is this banned? Why, the very operation of our healthcare systems are political, is this taboo too?

Pardon me, but I wouldn't want to knowingly, or unwittingly, break rules, and as to have anyone else interpret what you have written, well, it's all subject to individual interpretation right now.

This isn't a big deal. Just please elaborate.


<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

[SeptemberMorn]

Doc John, I too, would like a clarification on the religion issue. Are we prohibited from saying "You're in my prayers" or something like I said yesterday "God shuts one door but opens another." (or something similar)

Recently, there has been several posts of a religious nature and it seems no one has made an issue of it, with one exception; me when the "holy grail" was mentioned and in the context it was said.





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[DocJohn]

Basically, religion and politics are two topics that stir strong reactions within people. Almost guaranteed. There are very religious members, and then there are very cynical members who are atheist or agnostic.There are very political folks and those who are apolitical.

I'm asking that members voluntarily restrain themselves and keep such topics and references to a minimum. No, it does not mean you can't say things like "You are in my prayers" or "Sometimes God works in mysterious ways" and the like. However, be aware that when you make such statements, you may be inviting further discussion/debate about that statement. What you see as something meant in a purely supportive, non-judgmental fashion may be perceived by others as something else. Especially for those who disagree with your views.

I leave it up to your good judgment when and how much to post on these topics and will update the guidelines to reflect such.

Thanks for the feedback!

[SeptemberMorn]

Thanks for your response, Doc John. I'm very comfortable with it.





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[(JD)]

Yep, Me too. About that holy grail Sept... LOL!

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

[Starbuck]

My experience with others religion is the following :

First and foremost, be open and be careful of what you say ;

Second, try to understand what the "other" is telling you ;

Third, if no use, quit it, no big deal.

But it's hard talking religion in any given any circumstances.

Here in Eastern Canada, some Forums explicitely incite people not to talk about religion.

It raises a lot of controversy.

Sincerely,

Starbuck


Born in 1963 of French mom and Canadian dad. Studied a lot (Majors in History, Theology, M.A. in Sociology). Just been diagnosed Borderline.

[SeptemberMorn]

Never heard that terminoligy in that context before! I wasn't ready for that! I understand it's common usage now. Weird!





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[Starbuck]

It's not a definitive statement, just my own opinion !

Sincerely,

Starbuck

Born in 1963 of French mom and Canadian dad. Studied a lot (Majors in History, Theology, M.A. in Sociology). Just been diagnosed Borderline.

[SeptemberMorn]

You're not going to get an argument from me.



<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[bptoo]

You just think you're so cool with your new signature...

But, it is very cool!

[SeptemberMorn]

Of course I do! I'm special!! I feel loved! ... don't you, Mr. Smartypants? LOL Heather told me that it's "Me" and that Dave knows me really well. So there! hehehe Of course, the same goes for you, doesn't it?





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[LadyDragus]

ok, so are you saying that if one or two members are in a discussion lets say about God, and how he helps us to make the right choices in life, we can not talk about that.. if we are not agruging or anything like that???

I am not a very religouis person, but I have invited god back into my life, and this other member has too, and we were having a wonderful converstion till a mod pm'd me and told me we were not allowoed to talk about it on the fourms????

Can you hlep me out on this???



<font color=blue>
Darkness all around
Darkness is my freind
I will let it overtake me this time
Cause I no longer belong....
This Dragon is very hurt
This dargon does not belong
This dragon is lost
and I no longer want to be found

[alm15]

Wow. Are you kidding? I read those posts and loved them! My spiritual beliefs have helped me a great deal in my healing. Myabe we'll just have to go into the "closet" to discuss something that is so very important to some of us and our healing. Yikes.

[Thelema]

I've found my Ouiji board is very helpful when making important business decisions....whoops! Is that considered religion?

<font color=blue> "History shows again and again how nature puts up the folly of men." </font color=blue>

[LadyDragus]

Well maybe we could ask to have a fourm dedicated to "religion" or soemthing like that, and say this fourm is about this and please to do not go on this one, fi you do not belive in that..

I do nto know..
I for one do not mind others talking about it.. I for one belive there is a higher calling.. but some do not.. and you know that is there belife.. that is there choice and life and I am very happy for them for choosing the path that is correct for them..



<font color=blue>
Darkness all around
Darkness is my freind
I will let it overtake me this time
Cause I no longer belong....
This Dragon is very hurt
This dargon does not belong
This dragon is lost
and I no longer want to be found

[(JD)]

Lady I haven't seen that work on other sites either... there are always those who are so intense about their beliefs being more important than others, or how others are not interpreting the Bible correctly... it just becomes a shouting match...

BUT to share the Higher Power's love and strength... and post special poems or songs and such that would be comforting I think to some who come and no one is around to chat with them... to go in and read?

Of course I believe what I believe is the Truth... but I learned long ago you cannot change ppl by force or argument... not all have learned this.

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

[LadyDragus]

I know, but I have also learnd "least the be judge, only one can judge" we do not judge others, for it is not our place.. We are not right or wrong..

Our beliefs are just that... ours. not his, or hers, nor theris.. We can not condone, condem or hold it against someone else.. We can accept that person for who she is and go from there.

that is all I can say on the matter
I do belive we are on the same track ok..
or at least I think we are

<font color=blue>
Darkness all around
Darkness is my freind
I will let it overtake me this time
Cause I no longer belong....
This Dragon is very hurt
This dargon does not belong
This dragon is lost
and I no longer want to be found

[(JD)]

yep.

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

[SeptemberMorn]

Not too many people believe that strongly enough, Lady D, that's why the arguments, sadly enough.

This is what Doc John answered Sky and I:

"However, be aware that when you make such statements, you may be inviting further discussion/debate about that statement." And then: "I leave it up to your good judgment when and how much to post on these topics and will update the guidelines to reflect such."

Sounds good to me!





<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>

[LadyDragus]

I know..

I have tried so hard to be quiet about my newfound love of "God" but it is just so hard..

But I will keep quiet about it on here for sake, of arugements for I do nto ever want to offend anyone..

<font color=blue>
Darkness all around
Darkness is my freind
I will let it overtake me this time
Cause I no longer belong....
This Dragon is very hurt
This dargon does not belong
This dragon is lost
and I no longer want to be found

[(JD)]

Lady that is a perfect example of what I can not agree to being prohibited... someone sharing their own faith, and using it to encourage others. Maybe those who do wish to have those comments can notate such in their profile so we know, and can better able to not offend.

You can always spout off at me about God... and when we find a difference in "opinion" I think we both can handle it. Is there a cross for an icon we could use as a marker on such a post, to warn off those who fear such talk????? just thinkin'

<font color=blue> meditation is a true way to connect to the Source </font color=blue>

[alm15]

I really like the suggestion of putting a special icon next to the message to let people know it's of a spiritual or religous nature. I must say I think it's funny that someone sending you a note that we weren't supposed to write about this has caused just that. If noone bothered to admonish you, the subject would have been long over. The timing is also interresting. Good luck all! Annie

[LadyDragus]

Maybe we could get doc to make a cross for a icon.. That would be a good idea..

Maybe if enough of us pm him or get a theard started here in general telling him we want a fourm or a place to talk about that specific subject he will see that sum of us do want to talk about it..
I am not sure..
I after today at church, want to talk to others about God.. I was saved today.. I was not goin to say it but I can not keep it bottled up.. any longer.. I feel so good about life now..
I want to share that part my life..
I have brought God back into my life, and I will share him with whomever comes into it, and I want it to be on there own time, and on when they want him to be with them..

Not me.. not you, just whenever they want him..


<font color=blue>
Darkness all around
Darkness is my freind
I will let it overtake me this time
Cause I no longer belong....
This Dragon is very hurt
This dargon does not belong
This dragon is lost
and I no longer want to be found

[SeptemberMorn]

IMHO, things should be left as they are. I've been witness to a disagreement and the religious post wasn't even aimed at the person offended.

There's a time and a place for everything, and religion and politics don't belong on a mental health message board. Feelings run high, anyway, and people are more likely to take offense at something that wasn't meant to offend anyone.

Besides, Doc John has run this website for years. I think he knows best.

(Not that I don't believe God has been kicked out of too many places, already, but still. There are "spiritual" sites that one can go to if one feels the need.)







<font color=blue>"Our doubts are traitors and make us lose the good we oft might win by fearing to attempt" --Shakespeare</font color=blue>