When I discuss my spirituality

IN MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION:

Spirtuality can be demonstrated several different ways.

Paganism versus a belief in God Almighty. If you don't believe in GOD then you are a pagan. Pagans believe in part, in the old Roman and Greek gods of mythology.

I don't believe that there are too many pagans that cause conflict in the Christian threads. Perhaps it's those that don't have any real faith of any kind or just like to cause friction. Just my opinion.

for me I just hope all the conflict is over! yipeee!

I appreciate everyone's feedback.

Again, spirituality is the broad term used to encompass the many beliefs/practices that bring it about. I do not agree in any type of separation of the various religions...not at all.

This forum is about a *common experience* regardless of the different ways it's obtained; not about further separation.

Let's concentrate on that common experience, while accepting, tolerating, working with or around the individual roads we travel to get to the "city".

Sept., Bee, sky, Kathy, pat, Rap, me, all of us may travel different roads daily, but should meet here at this city not necessarily to discuss the road traveled but the wonderful experience in the city in which we've arrived. I think our main focus in this forum should be the commonplace, the "city". If it is, the differences in the travel won't be so apparent?

I really think alot of difficulties that can occur here could be nil if we all adjust our focus just a bit?

With love and respect,

KD

Sorry September - I just had to respond to this. I do not believe in God and I am not a Pagan. You do not have to believe in God to be spiritual. I consider myself a very spiritual person and I don't believe in God.

I was the one who said I sent the mods and Doc John and email suggesting a split (which I still have not received a response on - other than what I suppose is Kimmy's decision by her most recent post). My suggestion was simply to have a spirituality forum and a christian forum. There is a large number of christians that fall into different sects of religion but from what I can see they all mainly believe in the bible. So there is alot of bible quoting that happens and that is a common thread between many religions.

I have no trouble being on the same forum; however, if I am posting on my spirituality experience, I would not expect nor appreciate a response that quotes the bible and preaches beliefs that I don't share (unless I ask for it).

I simply thought two different forums may settle the issues that have arisen - it's not dissention, it's not about hatred or slamming a religion, it was just a way to make everyone alot more comfortable.

Tranquility

I'm torn about this idea of a split. Coming from a Christian background, I like posting Christian thoughts from time to time, though they are unconventional, and I actually appreciate the "debate" that ensues. At the same time, I would be more categorized as "spiritual" than Christian in my current belief system. I question a lot of things, though I still enjoy reading the Bible.
Personally, I see nothing wrong with debate.
Patty

I think debate is ok too but when it turns to arguing that is different. I just get confused from time to time lol

i get sick at my stomach over the "debates".

to see so much posturing and absolutes reminds me of growing up.

KD, if you can dangle a carrot and get others to participate as you've asked, it might work. otherwise, i won't take part in it anymore. no threat, just common sense.

i've really enjoyed learning more about other's "spirituality"......

i've already been knocked in the head with the bible and it's too upsetting to me. xoxox pat

p.s. in my opinion, true believers respect, very much, other's beliefs and feelings. if we could practice that here, it would encompass the whole meaning of spirituality.

No problem, Tranquility. Like I said, what I stated was strictly my opinion. You're more than welcome to yours.

As far as I can remember, I've never posted in disagreement to a non-Christian post. The only time I "preach" is in a Christian thread and there's been a question asked.

I would like the same consideration from non-Christians. If they don't believe in what Christ stands for, then don't respond to a Christian thread. It's really as simple as that.

I agree September - I also don't post on christian threads since that's not my forte

Now, if we can get everybody convinced that this is the way to go, then the war is over!!

I don't see any difference in what is being said now and what was commonly understood under the supportive guidelines. IMO it would only cause additional strife to say at this time certain people of this and thus belief won't post in that and vice versa... for the problem has been, imo, that those of a certain beliefs include negative discussion of others' beliefs, sometimes under the guise of a friendly thread/post. By making some agreement to stay out of threads, oh my that is just not going to work imo. There are some ppl who might come on and wish to post only to rile others up. Unassuming new members might fall into the lead and the thread is off track from there. It would be best if everyone could just leave a thread or a wayward post totally alone...let it hand out there by itself. Human nature gets the best of all of us. Some people's disorders perhaps cause them to need the last word on everything. I'm not leaving the forum, and I'm not threatening nor offering to do so.

We each need to be adults and quit with the sarcasm and putting all the blame on other people, quit making side and snide comments for any of this to work. That probably isn't possible for some. But then, that's the administrator's job, to control that member. If we moderator ourselves as we agreed to when we joined Psychcentral, and discuss our own spirituality, and give support to those of like beliefs, then when it goes awry for some reason, let the admin handle it. I think they are doing a progressively good job!

I know what spirituality means, what it means to me and from reading here, what it means to the members who have expressed it. In fact, I don't see where anyone here doesn't know. Just because I use Scripture doesn't mean I'm pushing it into anyone's face. If I'm attacked though, or my God is, of course I want to set things straight. But then, I could leave it up to Him to do, but that would be stern. I have the right and responsibility as a Christian to demonstrate good apologetics. But if my faith isn't attacked, why should I have to defend it?

My spirituality encompasses a great many areas of life. I have been a Christian for a very long time, and while there are plenty of things I'm still learning about, they are the deeper things of God. What I already know can give great comfort and allow for understanding by younger Christians. I have no problem with others sharing their faith with others of the same faith. Just don't go slinging around the word Christian like it was dirty.

Perhaps the real debates and discussions need to go to chat or PM, as we've been asked to do by admin. Put me down, my faith and my God all you want in private. I don't put you down in private though. I do help others try to understand where some other's faith "come from" and how they might be thinking. The better we understand each other, the more likely we can work together on this. But there will never be a time of peace ..not here at PC, not anywhere, imo because people know what they know. But here at PC we can get along in some fashion, imo, with admin's help.

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I don't see any difference in what is being said now and what was commonly understood under the supportive guidelines.

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Perhaps not, but we've at least got one Christian and one non-Christian agreeing to respect each other's views!

If we're repeating and agreeing to the guidelines, then maybe more people will pick up on it. One can hope, at least.