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Posted 11/4/2014 5:41 PM (GMT 0)
Okay, I hate to be a downer, and totally support those who have faith. Good on you!

But I don't share your beliefs and it makes me really uncomfortable when you put me in the position of having two different contexts (health and religion) in one place. HW is supposed to be free of both political and religious information/beliefs.

Just as I support your right to religious belief, please accept that it doesn't belong in every context.
Posted 11/4/2014 5:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Myself,

I don't know if you saw this post, I just made a few minutes ago...

This is a grey area for sure. I think that if we seek a balance of remembering that our first goal here is supporting one another in anxiety challenges...and ignoring that which you do not necessarily agree with (because that extends to more than just religion here at times) that we should all be comfortable.:)

Copied from another post...


A good point was brought up here about differing beliefs...

I believe that though we don't all call upon the same higher power...we can all agree that as humans, we are spiritual beings.

Expressing ourselves through our faith here is fine, so long as it is not done in a manner of proselytizing, coercion or disrepect of anyone else's beliefs. (see rule #6)

I know what I believe, and have great confindence in it...therefore if someone wanted to offer up a prayer to 'The Pillsbury Dough Boy' for example...I would be completely fine with that...(silly example, just for argument's sake)

However, if anyone is uncomfortable with any material here, I would encourage you to contact me (or another moderator) so that we can discuss and remedy any issues.

This is afterall a forum focused on anxiety as its main directive.

Love to all of you awesome members!!

S.C.

Posted 11/4/2014 7:03 PM (GMT 0)
Hey Myself_09,

Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. As one of the current "prayer-folks," and formerly a non-practicing believer, I totally understand how that can make you feel uncomfortable. And even now I can relate as I sometimes find myself feeling uncomfortable with other professed beliefs that are not Christianity. Sometimes I think to myself "oh no, they're not saved! How can I help?" But obviously, I'm not tackling that on this forum. I would probably be over-stepping my bounds there! :)

I think Scaredy Cat had some good advice in the idea that we can choose to overlook that which we do not agree with. I do this often on this website as sometimes I see things that I know I can't change or do a thing about.

I do however believe that anxiety and spirituality are linked and prayer can be a wonderfully enriching path to their healing.

Best wishes for a bright day!
Posted 11/4/2014 8:13 PM (GMT 0)
I dont want to offend anyone, though im probably bound to, and for that I apologize. That said...

I am a true believer, and a sinner. Though I may not believe in anothers belief system, I will fight for their right to believe what they will. We have too many people in this world dictating what others should/shouldnt do, spritually. Too many are offended quite easily. Though this is a private board, if it ever comes to a point where I cannot say God bless you, or send prayers, I would kindly ask to have my membership terminated immediately.
Posted 11/4/2014 8:19 PM (GMT 0)
This is my response to the other thread... here it is again...

Our spirituality (whatever it may be as we are all different and have different beliefs) is a huge part of our healing process when it comes to our anxiety disorder. It has been such an important tool for my own treatment! (I hate to think of my religion as a "tool" though as it is so much more than that).

Therefore, I would encourage you to post about your spirituality anytime (keeping it within rule #6 Ofcourse). If someone doesn't believe what you believe then that's fine... They don't have to comment on your post...

I respect all of you and your views and beliefs. I know not everyone agrees with me but it doesn't change the fact that we are dear friends and we will always "agree to disagree"... (On any subject for that matter)

As I said, this prayer was beautiful (not sure I read where anyone disputed that) and it was a blessing to me as well many others!

Lord knows I need all the prayers I can get! (I've been known to wander off His path)

Love you all

Cornell
Posted 11/4/2014 8:35 PM (GMT 0)
Just want to add a couple more things...

TMA - you're so right! We are here on this wonderful forum to discuss our anxiety disorder and the coping skills we use to keep it at bay... RELIGION IS A COPING SKILL! (and for some people, the most powerful one). I have never seen anyone stuff their religion in anyone else's face on here! Everyone is so respectful of one another - that's why I love this place!

Can you imagine how boring this place would be if we were just limited to talk about certain coping skills??? LOL. It would get old fast! It's so refreshing to respond to an array of topics... Some topics are intimate and some are not but it has been great to get to know each and everyone of you!

I am a man and when I see a topic that says "MY MENSTRUAL CYCLE IS CAUSIN ME ANXIETY", it makes me VERY uncomfortable... That's why I don't respond. Not because I am mad or upset but because there is nothing productive I can bring to that topic.. When you see a post that makes you feel uncomfortable, I encourage you to move on to another post....PERIOD, THAT SIMPLE.

Happy Posting!

Hugs

Cornell

Post Edited (Cornell) : 11/4/2014 1:44:22 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/4/2014 8:41 PM (GMT 0)
I would agree with Cornell. There are times that I just can't relate to a post or disagree with an opinion, so I just choose to move on from that post. I've found this to be a VERY accepting and open minded group of people, especially given some of the topics I've posted about!

I am not terribly religious, though I am a believer and I can say for sure that when people have told me they would say a prayer for me, I am so grateful. I dont believe they are in anyway trying to make me believe what they believe, I just think they're doing something kind and wonderful for me. Maybe I don't believe it will do me any good, but I do know that this is one of my friends giving me their support and I'll take that anyway I can get it!
Posted 11/4/2014 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Beautiful, Park!
Posted 11/5/2014 7:49 AM (GMT 0)
for me, sometimes it was more to do with accepting whomever as god or the savior in the prayer. i just posted on another thread that the prayers are lovely, and they are but i am omitting the word or words to do with god etc. i am glad that SC posted on the thread i posted on recognizing other people,denominations etc. i think it is about the wording, and providing we are keeping it within the rules then i think it is okay. i was staunch on this awhile back, only because that it was all christ and god etc and he is the only healer, the father etc. i mean i send healing thoughts.........and that comes from my spiritual side. just my 2 cents.
Posted 11/5/2014 7:57 AM (GMT 0)
I am so sorry myself! I tried to make it clear as to what my posts will contain if such things will occur, I will not post such items in the future as I do not want ANY ONE to feel offended or mad or hurt by my posts. I only want to help is all. I am so sorry again.
Posted 11/5/2014 8:09 AM (GMT 0)
Jessica, you did NOTHING wrong... The rules are plain and I am willing to bet if you asked SC, you didn't cross that line - not even close! Keep posting your prayers!

They're healing to a lot of people on here and to those who don't like your prayers don't have to read them.

We will all continue to respect one another and keep on being a "tight -knit" community!

Group hug!

Cornell

Post Edited (Cornell) : 11/5/2014 1:23:45 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 11/5/2014 10:37 AM (GMT 0)
I agree with all the sentiments above. I think that all of us can't help using our own personal belief systems to help us cope and when we offer our thoughts/prayers we are only doing it out of a sense of caring for those of us who suffer from this debilitating anxiety/panic disorder, not preaching or trying to "convert" another. I myself am in the middle I guess...being brought up a strict Catholic, leaving the church and God for many years, and now just not sure what I believe, other than feeling that there IS some kind of higher power guiding the universe. So I take my wise mother's advice "Take what you need and leave the rest." There was a prayer posted recently that profoundly "spoke" to me so now I use it every day....however there have been prayers and posts that I felt were way "over-the-top" so I just went on to the next thing. Maybe it's the fact that I'm older now, I don't know. But I believe much more in tolerance and acceptance of other people's beliefs than I ever used to. I watch a world that is full of violence and wars just because of religious intolerance and I think if we all became more accepting of other people's beliefs, no matter what our own might be, it would be a much happier place. We are all human beings, trying to make our way through this life with a crippling affliction that could make us bitter and selfish but we still try to be good, moral people, raising our children to be the same, and hopefully trying never to hurt others in the process. The things that help us in that process can't be bad, whether they are based on our faith or just our belief in kindness or the desire for oneness with, or understanding from our fellow man. I believe the people who post on this forum all have that kindness in their hearts because they are here to help eachother through a terrible affliction. How can that be bad, no matter what coping skills they suggest. The main fact should be that they are here, they care, they help, they are genuinely concerned and they love. Isn't that what it's all about?
Posted 11/5/2014 11:44 AM (GMT 0)
Hey myself09.

I respect your opinion and yes this is a great place of support.
I am not a religious person myself even though i believe in God, Im more on the spiritual side. But still i take such prayer context as a way of comfort, as some people find support and comfort in their believes. This is totally natural.

And since this forum place gives support, it cannot be taken as making this forum a religious place, right? :)
Just take it as a way of these members hopes and wishful thinking about their anxiety problems. It is respect...
Posted 11/5/2014 4:26 PM (GMT 0)
Well said ladies... It's so nice to see your all's point of view! Andwes, I enjoyed reading your post - so much truth there that I agree with! Rrakma, you have such a nice heart!

Myself, you are such a special person as well! We don't beat each other up, we speak from the heart and we learn from one another - this is how relationships (and communities) become a stronger "unit".

It's such a nice thing when we can say "I love you, friend, but I don't agree with you" and yet no love, trust, or respect is lost (by either party).

"In family (and community) life, LOVE is the oil that eases friction, the cement that binds closer together, and the music that brings harmony" - Eva Burrows

Family hug!!

Cornell
Posted 11/5/2014 4:38 PM (GMT 0)
I hope I don't come off as disrespectful here because I really don't mean to but here goes. So my best friend of over 25 years became a very devout Christian a few years ago. She had always believed but it wasn't at all a big part of her life, now all of that has changed. As she was becoming deeper into her beliefs I was beginning to really doubt mine. We both worried what would become of our relationship but thankfully we have and still continue to work through it. She offers advice that she thinks will help, sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes I completely disagree and what she says annoys me but I know it is coming from her heart and from a good place. She NEVER tries to push her beliefs upon anyone.

I feel like lately it has become okay for everyone but Christians to be able to speak their minds. Not every Christian is a hateful bigot who tries to shove their beliefs down everyone's throat. I see my friend get judged when people find out how involved in church she is and I hate it. At this point in my life I don't really even believe in god or an afterlife but why would I get offended if someone wanted to pray for me? To me that is good vibes coming from someone's heart and I am very willing to accept that.

It seems like in this day and age everyone is offended by everything. What will life be like if we continue down this road? We live in America where we can pick and choose what we believe in. The cost of that freedom is that we owe it to others to allow them to have theirs. People here have just as much of a right to post about how their faith is helping them through their issues as we have to not read or believe those posts. You don't like it you move on, I'm sorry to me it's as simple as that.

I will not take away the rights of another poster because I am uncomfortable that they believe something different than me. It makes no sense at all. You have the right to skip past that specific post if you don't like it, but not to censor the entire forum. Again I mean no disrespect here this is just my feeling.
Posted 11/5/2014 5:24 PM (GMT 0)
I agree Cornell and Billy! This is a place of love and it's amazing that how we can express our opinions within the boundaries of respecting each other :) I love it <3

And yeah as Billy said, if someone wanted to send prayers, one should just accept it by taking it as that person's good wishes :) thinking that way won't hurt or offend.
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