We want our board back!

Cheryl,

Thanks so much for your post.  While I am like you, finding all of the religious post overwhelming, I, unlike you, cannot turn my face any longer.  We are all here for support so why should a group of Christains ruin it for those of us who are not.  There are forums for such purposes as spritual matters, I'm like your husband, it is annoying and humorous but mostly annoying.  While I am not trying to flame others, I did give examples of a few who use Christainity to support their hypocritic lifesyles.  My point is that even if they walk the talk, it is not appropriately. 

Aloha Jeannie.....I have missed you, and I didn't realize the reason for your absence. When I first came to the OFF, you were one of the people who tickled my funny bone and made WLS seem not quite such a serious business. This has been a place of companionship, and learning, and *****ing, and laughing, and crying, and frustration. I understand all that you have said, and I too, am not a religious person, and find myself fast forwarding through the posts that have that focus. I was raised in a very religious family and had church forced on me, and I rebelled as a young adult, and have found my own unique way of believing which I keep pretty quiet. It's between me and what I call my higher power...and has nothing to do with church.

And, I agree...this is a place of sharing of support, experiences, adventures, problems, solutions, fun, fear, and laughter. I guess I have never understood the need to speak of religious beliefs in any public place.....we are all so individual and have become who we are through our life experiences. I'm not going to try and convince you of my conclusions, and I would appreciate that respect from all of my OFF family members.

If I didn't know you from long experience, Jeannie, I might be blown away by your post....but I do know you, and appreciate your shining a light on something that has probably bothered more of us than would admit to it. Thanks for jumping in to the pond and splashing water all over the place......LOL!

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Karen,

It has been you and a few of the others who keep me coming back.  I, like you, am often bothered by the religious undertones and for sure the overt pronoucments of those few who feel the need to throw their beliefs our way.  I left here when the board took a turn for the religious side.  I recieved way too many messages reminding me of my crudeness and pretty much was asked not to post by many who are posting here. LOL.  I was up to my ass in research and just thought WTF and left.  I didn't want to offend, but a few months ago, Ineeded the support from my off family and tried to come back but it was an exercise in futility.  But, now, I am stronger and am not going to be pushed away.  I miss Darlene's keen sense of knowledge on so many important health issues but she, too, has been sent to the side of lurkedome.  I say those wingnuts should keep their nuts to themselves and let us have our board back for support.  That's what it is right, a wls support board.  Wow, have I missed you and the other Karen, and Jan, and Darlene, and Jane, and the others.  You guys kept me on track.

DITTO  KAREN


Debi

Thanks, Debi.  I am not sure we have met, but any friend of Karen's...

I'm still here, up in the far corner of the room. That's me hiding behind the curtain. Not something I'm proud of but just the way I am. I just hate controversy. I really do. I get physically ill when the churning gets too intense. Kind of like motion sickness.

I love the diversity of this forum. Were it not for the commonality (word??) of Obesity and/or Surgery many of us would have never met, on line or anywhere else.

I too was raised in a very restrictive religious environment. For many people it "takes". With me it kind of sent me running the other direction as a young adult. I chose to not raise my children in that environment. I taught them to be decent human beings and I hope that they continue in that direction now that they are adults. I tried to set a good example, not a perfect one by any means. I have friends of many backgrounds and beliefs. I relish one on one discussions along philosophical lines. However, that is in person and with people that I am comfortable sharing with. I know something started all of this that led up to "us." I'm just not sure what it was. I won't label "it" a male or female. When I think of the vastness of the universe it is overwhelming and awe inspiring at the same time. This on line stuff is too available for everyone for me to feel at ease posting my innermost thoughts.

At times I have probably shared more publicly than I should have about those close to me. I try to be more guarded these days and keep those conversations off the public forums.

I don't have "the" answer. I have a close cousin raised the same as I was. She is so positive of a life here after. I don't know that there isn't, but I haven't seen the burning bush that shows me for sure that there is either. I pretty much believe that my heaven is here on earth and that I better make the best of it. However, what anyone else believes doesn't bother me. Just don't show up on my doorstep and try to convert me.

Perhaps OFF feels a bit like our doorstep. We do share a lot. We don't have to agree. I try to take what I like and leave the rest. I miss those who no longer post who added spice. Sometimes it gets a bit rocky, but that's ok. It gives me something to think about and helps me to solidify how I feel.

Jeannie, you've been missed. Come on back. There's room for all of us and all of our diverse beliefs and opinions.

I'm sitting here looking at a poster on my wall: "Risk: A ship in the harbor is safe. . .but that's not what ships were made for."

Hey Karen,

I wish we were neighbors and we could talk philosophy.  Sometimes, I get so caught up in what is fair and right and I think that everyone should be sensitive to others and when they aren't I just want to make it right.  However, I am not comfortable with all the religious oreinted post.  But, we can sure talk a lot about wls, can't we?  How the hell have you been?

Jeannie,

Go to my profile and catch up with me and mine! What a year it has been! Go look at my darling grand daughters who are now 9 months old. And how is that adorable Matthew? Is he in school? He must be.

I'm getting my "Arkansas itch." Maybe this fall. Can you believe it will be three years this July since you, Jan, and I met in Mountain Home? My oh my, how our lives have changed.

This coming Feb 16, will be my 4 YEAR surgery anniversary. I feel great, still not down to where I'd like to be, but no one's fault but my own. But, my gosh, I'm out there living life, going, doing, participating not sitting on the sidelines. 

Just thinking about you, Jan C, and I. . . now talk about 3 very different people but what a time we had! And now Jan is heading out cross country with Joe on her own bike! Remember sitting on that beautiful motorcycle that day? You and Jan were still waiting for surgery and I was just filled with the "afterglow." Fond memories of you donning a swimsuit for the first time in many years and slipping into tha****er on that hot day! Hugs,

Jeannie...I'm still new, only being here about a month, so I don't know what the 'old board' was like. But I think I understand where you're coming from. I'm sort of like Karen. I have my own spirituality and prefer to keep it private. It's my belief and has nothing to do with formal religion or church. I had enough formal religion forced on me as I was growing up. I have offered my prayers when I thought it was appropriate. I will admit that there are lots of threads that I just don't read, just too 'churchy' for me. I, too, wish the religious stuff was in it's own place but as long as I know that a post contains it, I'm happy to skip over it.

Deedles,

Thanks for the support. I am so happy that those who share my thoughts offer their support.