[DocJohn]

Just a gentle reminder folks that this is a support forum for all spiritual beliefs (not just Christianity). You should express your beliefs as you see fit, but NOT challenge others' or suggest a part of a religion's system is somehow up for debate.

I will reiterate -- this is not the place for debate or arguments about religion. Please check out a place like Beliefnet if you want to engage in long religious discussions that apply to your particular faith.

In the same way, I will again reinforce that we welcome all spiritual beliefs here, even though perhaps most of our members adhere to one set of them. Please don't let that intimidate you or make you fearful to share in support for your own belief system.

DocJohn

[Rapunzel]

Thanks for the reminder, DocJohn. I keep hoping that everyone here will be able to discuss various topics without it becoming a debate, but it turns into a fine line. We all need to remember that if it is necessary to include a caution with your post that you are not intending to start a debate, then that is a topic that is likely to start a debate and should be discussed elsewhere. Another rule of thumb that I apply often here is that if you are sharing your belief that is much more likely to be supportive than if you are questioning something that someone else believes in. I keep trying to be an optimist and allow some wiggle room. Sometimes it works out. Sometimes it doesn't. Either way, I am learning that it is impossible to please everyone, or sometimes even anyone.

[KathyM]

What was considered a debate was actually a supportive conversation. It feels good to find others with like minds. Some people enjoy listening to the input of others when they have questions about their faith.

Maybe if people realized this isn't a place to convert anyone to a particular way of thinking. Any discussion about our own life experiences that formed our beliefs have nothing to do with anyone in the room, so they should be taken in the spirit in which it was intended. Especially those of us who aren't Christian. It's insulting to be continually told to "take it outside" (PM or elsewhere).

As a result, a post of mine was deleted. I put a WHOLE lot of thought into it, and I tried my very best to abide by the rules.

It would be nice if we ALL tried very hard to respect each other.

[coralproper]

I got a thread deleted that had nothing to do with debate IMO, though I never got a chance to see any responce if there were any before it was deleted

Just trying to conversate, with like and open minds, Imo if someone don't like what some write and don't feel it is supportive DONT READ OR RESPOND IMO to the paticular thread, why let a select few who seem to be in a little click here IMO, dominate this forum, then say, well its for everyone or all beliefs, but then the same few, with the same beliefs, seem to complain and complain, everytime someone opens conversation to something they feel is not what everyone should believe, and ruin the open door type policy that you say is here, cause I see very few non strict bible followers who are not harrased (by a few) in some form or way if they make any comment not acceptable to a (few) strict bible followers beliefs...In this very small click

if they are so close to the Judge that they feel the can do the judging, for the judge, why are they even here imo, they should be able to get all the support they need from the Judge......all a little wierd to me

say what you may, but thats what I see going on here, though I can be out of line with this, its what I see going on, this policy seems contrary

I understand this may just mean I am the wierd one

sorry Doc, if I am out of line here with this but seems the only people getting any support in this forum, is the ones who already believe like the majority, or are receptive to starting to belive like them

I understand the fine line and all, but the only ones I see in a uproar are a (few) claiming to have that ultimate peace, and to have all the answers for us, who don't make that claim

Note: not a ALL claiming to have this peace are doing this, just a small click of them who seem to conspire against anyone who don't follow suit

once again sorry if I just stepped out of line , but this is what I see going on here, IMO

I will make a concious effort to be receptive to these select (fews) demands on some of us, if that is the only way I am aloud to post here, though once again its just seems so contrary

Kind Regards
Eddie

[KathyM]

Coral

AHA! You ARE a Pepper!

Sorry folks, couldn't resist.

[coralproper]

LOLOLOL.... yup

[coralproper]

oh.... to the few ....sorry I spelled clique wrong ... I know how proper some can be about miss spells

[nothemama8]

instead of finding fault in others we should all try to find possitivity, God, Higher Spirit, what ever you believe in is the perfect being, we are only human

[DocJohn]

A debate is "a contention by words or arguments" typically characterized by two or more opposing viewpoints.

When someone postulates one viewpoint that questions a core idiom of a spiritual belief system, and then says they believe that core component is "flawed," that seems to be a thread primed not only for debate, but argument as well. It was triggering to some of our members here as well. When someone says, "I don't mean for this to be a debate" and then proceeds to lay out a controversial or argumentative position, it doesn't change what is going to occur.

I'm not saying anything about the value of such questions, just that this is not the place for them (for better or worse). It sometimes pains me that we can't have forums to discuss some heated issues like this, but it's just too triggering to too many people, and not a primary purpose of a mental health support community.

DocJohn