There was a post this morning that mentioned how God & Faith helps & that sparked a bit of a debate. And I just noticed that all the comments that supported the desire to post on that topic have been deleted by a site moderator but a few posts against it have been left intact.
I have learned that to enable ourselves to stay stable & strong in ourselves we have to pick our battles wisely. Thus, this is not one that should be fought here.
My point in this post is to let anyone who “does want” to share & hear how God & Faith has helped minimize “depression & anxiety”, which is the whole point of this forum on the surface level, know to contact me via DM (aka PM) to join me & others in discussions on that topic to be continued & started online elsewhere.
Hopeful Wishes that peace surrounds & fills you on today.
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CornerstoneSolidHope
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the site rules state...."no posts about politics or religion"....it could not be any clearer why, it always causes problems.... if you want to have discussions about either topic...PM is a great place to do so. When one person pushes their own agenda around politics or religion...it causes decent, argument, disagreements, and drama....
Yes, thank you for reiterating. That’s why I offered what I posted in this post; to allow others the freedom to receive the help they desire, online elsewhere since it’s oppressed here, in relation to faith, without others allowing themselves to be offended by someone else sharing what has helped them manage or overcome their depression & anxiety. That’s the agenda here, to help others.
I have no problems with others beliefs as long as they don't try and tell me what to believe. If they want to say how their beliefs have helped them that's fine. But when they start telling me to pray to the lord for advice etc. that's where I draw the line. So does Health Unlocked and the site admins. So if you want to do that go somewhere else and do it.
I think it's very kind of her to offer that type of support to anyone who needs it.
I understand that some don't believe in things such as this but many others do and are grateful they can express that. I don't believe in telling people they should just "pray about their situation" bc it obviously takes more than that to heal but I do say they're in my thoughts and prayers sometimes in replies to people. If they tell me they don't believe, I apologize if I offended but I still do pray for them anyway. I never do a prayer on a post or comment though bc I don't believe in pushing my opinions on others.
Thank you Tutamama. Yes, I offered the help because, if the responses were still there in that previous post from this morning, you’d be able to see how many others actually welcomed what the original poster had said & talking about faith in general.
You’re right too in being careful in how & when you post because I try, though I may not always succeed, to only reply with a spiritual response when I’ve previously seen the person express belief, either in the post or previous posts by that person.
Truth is, faith is a HUGE part of life. Human Beings are the only creatures, that we know of thus far, that seek a higher power to find significance & meaning of life’s happenstances. So to oppress it completely can be a disservice to healing. For there are scientific studies that show the positive impact of faith on healing, both physically & mentally, though, I myself don’t, nor do many others, need statistics to tell us what we experienced directly.
I just want to provide a way to fulfill a gap that needs to be filled. You’re welcome also by the way, because you’re also right for sure, though praying is a big part, there is more than just praying, even in spiritual practices, that can bring forth the peace of mind needed.
Faith is a huge part of YOUR life. It's not a huge part of mine or many of us or even a small part so don't try and make us all believers. I believe what I want to and not what others tell me I should. So please stop including us all in your beliefs.
She was replying to me, speaking to ME. She's not pushing her beliefs on you or anyone else. This was something she and I were discussing and something she offered to others who DO believe in the power of faith with healing, she offered them to msg her.
I objected to CS saying that faith is a huge part of life. Isn't this pushing her beliefs on to me then? If she says it's a huge part of her life then fine but I am not going to be included in her beliefs. Or are you saying I should be?
If a discussion is on the open board then anyone has a right to speak their mind. If you want private conversation then please use the pm.
Not when she was talking to me using the reply back to me and not just to the entire group, that wasn't pushing her beliefs onto you. You responded on the thread she and I were replying to each other on. If she had made just another comment instead of a reply, then yes, I suppose you could say she may have been talking to you...but she wasn't.
It is a huge part of her life apparently, as is faith in mine, but neither of us said you had to be included in what we were replying to each other about. No, I would never tell you or anyone else that "you should be included in her beliefs". That is very wrong and I don't agree with it whatsoever.
You're exactly right, you have the option to speak your mind. Just don't reply in the comment section where 2 others are talking about the faith that they have. Make your own comment on how you don't agree or choose not to comment at all, it's not so hard to scroll past something you don't want to see or be involved in.
I'm not trying to be rude, you just inserted yourself in a conversation between us and no, it doesn't have to be taken to PM when we discuss how certain things help the 2 of us feel better.
When you talk on the open board then we can all see it. It doesn't matter who you are talking to, we all have the right to disagree with anything which is said. I will say for the third time if you want private message then do not do it on the open forum but in pm's or other methods. Religious discussion is not allowed on here whether talking to you or anyone else.
I understand where hypercat was coming from. It did sound like the comment was for everyone. Not that I’m offended. I just don’t think you should have commented in such an attacking manner. At least that’s what I would feel like you were doing if you sent me that comment. This is a sensitive site and we should be more gentle with our words.
I apologize if my comment came off as seeming offensive or in an attacking manner. That is not how I meant it to sound at all. I simply stated hypercat responded on a reply between Cornerstone and I.
I honestly took that comment as offensive myself and it bothered me as well, I'm just as sensitive as the next person. I just don't like it when people sound rude to someone who wasn't really even suggesting they were responding to that person....then that person gets offended by something that wasn't even said to them. That is essentially what happened here.
Again, I'm sorry if it sounded rude, it's not my nature and I offer kindness to people all of the time. I believe in treating others the way I want to be treated. But she nor i was saying others should believe what we do and I think that was misunderstood here.
here we go again with the caps.... the tempers flare....and reason goes out the door.... dear poster.... this is why we don't talk about religion or politics...just as said on the last post that your post is referring too. It promotes tempers flaring, feelings hurt, and drama....
You're very welcome. I'm of the same mindset. Unfortunately I think some are already misconstruing what we are speaking of.
I truly believe in faith, no matter what type of faith it is that a person believes in. It gives a person something to believe in and rely upon daily.
I suffer from chronic pain conditions and multiple mental health issues which the pain makes worse. There are many days I wouldn't make it through without my faith and knowing there has to be better days ahead.
I know that many don't believe in any kind of higher power or faith (as I see here from a few responses) and I would never try to push my beliefs on anyone or tell them they "need Jesus and he will fix it."
But I do still think it's wonderful for you to offer to help anyone who needs it. I thought that's what we were all here for, to love and support one another.
At least, that's why I'm here, I've always had good experiences and never experienced some of the impoliteness this particular subject has apparently brought about.
it's the preaching that gets some of us.... I had seen a recovery site completely taken over by people posting bible verses, preaching to other members, and I personally was bashed and bullied because I asked them to follow the very program rules I did, but they still continued braking the program rules of not bringing in 'self promoting of your own agenda or business', and 'no religion or politics'...and this very same diatribe started there, calling it freedom to choose....it's not about that...it's about not alienating other members who are of other faiths, beliefs, and or agnostic as well as those of us who prefer to keep the preaching in the church.
Nobody has a problem with someone saying they offered a prayer or something along those lines...those of us who don't want to be preached to just don't want to see the site turn into a Bible study class...no one has any idea what my beliefs are or are not because they are my business...I never said I do or don't believe anything.....this is not the forum for it.
If your faith in God helps you heal, that is great. People try many different avenues to achieve peace. Therapy, medication, meditation, support groups ect...I am glad there are so many techniques that could help someone. As we are all different with different beliefs. And one technique may work for one but not the next. Options and choices are good for us. My goal here is to support and get support. No intentions on offending 🙂
I think you are forgetting that this site is for everyone regardless of what religion they follow or whether they are a non believer. Stating your beliefs is fine but giving god advice generally is not whether you be a christian, catholic, muslin, buddhist etc. You can't tell believers of other religions or non believers to believe in the lord and to pray for deliverance etc. This is off limits on this site so I suggest those who want to discuss god either do it in pm or on an specifically christian site. It has no place on here and never will.
I don't see her saying ANY of that? Why are you being so hostile towards a friendly helpful person?
She isn't telling anyone to believe as she does or even saying God. She said anyone who believes in a higher power and there are many of those who don't believe in God but believe in another higher power.
If I were to ask for prayers in a post, I would expect that people know what my faith is and usually offer their thoughts or prayers. It doesn't make me a bad person nor does it make the people who state they will pray for me bad people.
Everything she's talking about here isn't specifically Christian, she's not pushing her beliefs onto you or anyone else. I know what type of place this is, it's to try to help one another and for support and most people are truly kind about it but you're being overly rude when she isn't doing anything off limits here by what she posted.
Her comment where she does talk about prayer was a reply back to me bc I spoke of it and as far I understand, that is ok here.
I like to talk about God and faith and would be interested in a private conversation. You can send me a DM if you want. I tried to figure out how to send one to you. I'm a little tech challenged sometimes.
exactly...PM each other.... I have a couple of buddies here and we always have great conversations about politics.....and no one has to be upset by our views on politics because we believe the same....
'Truth is, faith is a HUGE part of life. Human Beings are the only creatures, that we know of thus far, that seek a higher power to find significance & meaning of life’s happenstances. So to oppress it completely can be a disservice to healing. For there are scientific studies that show the positive impact of faith on healing, both physically & mentally, though, I myself don’t, nor do many others, need statistics to tell us what we experienced directly'
If this isn't trying to include all of us in her belief system then I don't know what is. If she stated she believes this then fine, but she is stating it as a fact. Can't you see the difference? Like I said if you want to discuss subjects which are off limits here you need to use the pm's.
Please also refer to the post by Vesa from Health Unlocked which she put up a short time ago. If you want to argue the toss about religious posts/replies then you need to do it with HU and not me.
First, I want to thank you, Tutumama & any others who has so kindly defended my honest intentions.
Hypercat54,
as I mentioned in my initial reply to you in the original post from this morning, I respect your perspective, though I was intrigued to understand more about why you held to your perspective in such a defensive way. Because these topics, including absence of belief can be discussed in ways that brings forth understanding & not strife. Though, many of the comments, including that one was deleted, my offer to you still stands.
Now, regarding the comment I posted that mentioned that “faith is a huge part of life”, that comment does not say that “everyone” in the world believes in a higher power. Just that a majority does, to the point that we do have a plethora of religious beliefs that people of various lifestyles & economic stances seek out. Studies show that, in the US alone, 90% of people believe in a higher power though they may choose not to attend services. It was not implying that everyone, or that You, hold the same belief as I do.
You have reiterated several times to take this private. That’s what this initial post was offering to do. So the issue of talking about faith here is solved.
Cathy63,
and anyone else that has expressed interest here that I haven’t seen yet, I will reach out to you within the next week to let you know where we can discuss faith topics in relation to depression & anxiety, & any other mental struggles that some of us may be dealing with.
Thanks again everyone. Again, please know, I meant no harm just to offer help.
why are you posting this.... look at all the drama it has caused again.... and your taking sides with those that support you, really?.... this is not a popularity contest.... or a bible study class... this is a site for recovery.... what part of some of us just want a site free of this is not blatantly clear....please stop. Please either PM.... or like you said...start your own group to promote your own agenda of religious healing..... how is this doing any good as you claim to want to be doing for everyone... it's upsetting people and causing divide amongst members who might otherwise not have disagreements with each other. No religion or politics.... if you want to make up your own rules...start your own group.....thank you.
I agree with Hypercat. All religious discussions should be done solely through PM. There is not really such a thing as a "private" conversation on a public forum. If a so called "private" conversation occurs anyone may read it, be upset about it and most definitely may comment on it. These religious discussions are upsetting for many and the purpose of this forum is not to upset people.
I agree but I also didn't see anyone preaching about it or telling someone it should be their belief as well. That's the difference in it.
It was she and I replying to each other which of course I know others can see, but she didn't mean her words towards anyone on the thread even though someone felt like she did.
I apologized if I made anyone feel as if I was speaking to them bc I wasn't, I was solely responding to her.
Faith is all I spoke of about myself, no one else but then I was essentially attacked for it and have had several rude remarks made to me in a time when i don't need them, it's not helping me any to feel like I'm being talked to like a child just bc someone doesn't agree with how i feel about faith and that's not always just religious. It means many different things to me, not just God and I never spoke of God myself.
Why should I take a comment I made to PM when i said all i was going to say about it? That's not quite fair, do you think??
Since it was suggested, I went to group outlines to make sure this was appropriate to speak about (how people deal with things in their own way).
This is what is listed, verbatim:
"Difference of opinion is expected and something to be celebrated. Online platforms like HealthUnlocked allow people from all walks of life to meet and discuss common interests, as well as offer and receive support.
But we also need to stress the importance of tolerating that difference. This means accepting that others find comfort in different avenues to ourselves, as well as understanding that what we find comforting, others might find upsetting. There is no easy resolution to this, but we ask that members of this community try and reply to posts in a compassionate spirit. The purpose of this community is to support each other through mental health struggles, and that needs to remain the main purpose of our posts and replies."
Her post is doing just that, offering support to anyone who needed it. I know it has to do with a higher power and faith, but many do believe in that and many don't. We still shouldn't have to worry about having an argument over it or being told to take it to PM.
She states "This means accepting that others find comfort in different avenues to ourselves, as well as understanding that what we find comforting, others might find upsetting."
There is no reason I should be made to feel like an outcast (nor should she) bc I believe that my faith is 1 of the things that keeps me going through my many struggles I face daily. I deal with chronic debilitating pain along with many mental health issues that are now worsened by this anguish I have been in for the last several years. Yet I come on here and agree with something, someone has an attitude and I tell them it's not appropriate, they continue and I'm made to feel like the bad guy?
I come on here often and comment to try to help others and have gotten msgs from people I've tried to help as well...in return I've always felt like my life may matter again too just bc I could help 1 other person.
No, I've never posted "my story" on here bc it's too long to even try to give the condensed version. But, I will say even getting out of bed every morning is a struggle for me both physically and mentally, so no, I don't have it easy. If I want to show that my faith (in whoever the higher power is that I choose) is what helps me, what is SO wrong about that?
I feel like I've been attacked just by having a conversation with the lady on how we feel. When someone mentions they don't believe in God and others agree, I've never ever said "take it to PM". I've let them have their opinions and scroll on past bc it's not my job to be the religion police. It's mentioned on here quite often.
Wow, Tutumama, thank you for posting this. I tell you, we all have gifts that compliment each other cause I didn’t have the patience to check that detail. Awesome info!
I’m hoping with my previous post to this one will squelch this debate. So please don’t let it unnecessarily cause you more trouble. Again, I truly appreciate your input.
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