Just be Considerate and Listen

I kinda get the vibe that there's been some issues here.

I just wanted to kinda give an example of how different people can do more then just coexist but love and respect one another too.

My family have a sort of Christian based belief, my father is a minister, my mother and sister and devote believers. Even my husband has sort of a Christian based belief as well.

I believe differently then they do. I won't go into detail about my beliefs, but there was a dark period for me. I sort of resented faith, like it had back stabbed me. It's all come clearer to me though this last year. Still, my beliefs are much different then those who are close to me in my life.

How we get along and respect one another is to listen. Not necessarily understand. My sister is very religious (hard to believe I know), but she is a God fearing individual, she loves God. She'll talk about her relationship with God. Instead of telling her she's wrong or I disagree, I just listen.

My close friends range from Christian to Catholics too, yet we remain very close friends....and can even discuss religion and spirituality. It is possible for differences to get along!

We've all made the mistake of being hard headed at one time or another, I had once been very cold towards religions. In a sense I was angry towards people and their beliefs and as soon as a person mentioned anything about God or belief I'd go on a atheist rampage. I can say, it's a huge mistake to demean others beliefs. Every person uniquely accepts their high power differently. I regret ever telling somebody they were wrong, just as much as I regret others telling me I'm damned. It's equal in it's essence.

One thing most faiths do agree upon, is consideration for all human kind, despite their differences I'm sure.


I just wanted to say that there's no right or wrong here and it's not even about that. There are ways of communicating spirituality without getting into religious debates, and that is by LISTENING.

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[b]youOme said:[/]

One thing most faiths do agree upon, is consideration for all human kind, despite their differences I'm sure.

I just wanted to say that there's no right or wrong here and it's not even about that. There are ways of communicating spirituality without getting into religious debates, and that is by LISTENING.

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Consideration, and maybe understanding are the things I wish for both this forum and for people in general. I wish all people would realize that the limits in this forum were put in place for just that reason. No one group is being more silenced than the other. It just seems that one group keeps bringing up the crying icons and saying things like "I wish I could say more but I'm not allowed anymore"....

To which others reply "oh I understand, there are sooo many of us who feel that way", more crying icons, hugs, etc.

Believe it or not I am a person who counts themselves among the "unnamed religious group". I just feel sad that some people do not feel comfortable enough with their faith that they are not able to show it with thoughtful supportive posts on the positive nature of believing there is something bigger than oneself. Show it by looking for the good in others, not by judging who may be further along the road in their faith than others.

If you truly believe in God's love and deliverance than leave the judgments out of it...... and show the love. Something that has proven hard for some.

Believe it or not I am a person of the "unnamed religious group", but have never felt comfortable posting here within that context because of the feeling that if I still had questions I was judged as just not doing it right. Frankly, I don't feel that the ability to quote scripture is going to get me to heaven any faster, than showing God's love by my personal actions and words will. In fact, if all quoting scripture does is serve to alienate a large group of people than I expect the opposite may be true. But than again it is NOT my place to judge. It is and will remain GOD'S. Thank God

If you feel that you need to elaborate on where your sense of spirituality comes from, than my all means PM the person. Trust me I get the sense that a lot less admirable stuff goes on in PM than that.

Thank you for listening ...

I wanted to say that I see it as a beautiful thing to believe in something so strongly and live according to your faith so strictly.

You see I grew up around people who said they were one Christian and yet would go against everything written...believing all they had to do was go to church once a week for forgiveness...I was never exposed to such a love and dedication as I've seen here.

And even though this whole mess is going on here at PC, even through all the harsh words and hurt feelings I retain respect for everyone because of the strength of their faith.

I just wanted to say how beautiful that was to me.

Being supportive and poking fun or being upset because people are in pain????? How does that work exactly?

I have been listening and I am hearing some very judgemental and segratory statements all over this forum. How is that supportive to anyone?

I think the original meaning of this "Sanctuary" has been lost.

I believe that you were responding to me recluse, instead if Tainted. Tainted's response seemed totally appropriate and very supportive to the strong beliefs that you and others hold, and having that type of confidence in your beliefs is truly admirable.

That being said, my sadness and yes some anger is because this type of discussion has gone in a number of different forums within this entire site. And it just keeps repeating itself, over and over and over again At what point can we just say....."Okay, this is going to be the way it is for a while and I am going to make the best of it."

I did not mean to make fun of anybody or to belittle anyone's feelings and I am truly sorry if that was the impression I gave. I am though frankly tired of reading and rereading posts that seem to just want to fuel the flames.....Yet again.

I am sorry that some people feel that they are more silenced than others in this forum, but they are not. The rule simply states that there is to be "No Religious Talk", not "No Religious Talk by a Certain Group" After all it is a "Spirituality Support Forum" not a "Religious Support Forum".

By the way I think a PM or private chat group for those of any certain belief is a great idea! Maybe this will help all to move on. Nice job

Yes, that was not directed at TaintedGoth, I just hit the reply button.

And yes, we've all heard it before, over and over again from both sides. Doesn't seem it's easier for anyone. But time heals all wounds as the saying goes.