ok i know you all wont like this

I know how you feel. I AM a Christian but I don't care for formalised religion at all. I guess you could say I'm more spititual than religious. I do believe in a higher being but it's a personal thing with me, not a group activity. I do offer a prayer here for peoples surgeries but it gets old when folks ask for prayers for extended family (ex. distant cousins,), neighbors and co-workers. Not that those people may not need prayers but this venue isn't the place for it. To me they should PM their like minded fellow members for those requests.

The main reason I don't visit this forum as much as I used to is for this very reason...I get tired of so very many prayer requests. Maybe if everyone who asked could add *Prayer request* to the subject line so those of us who wish can skip it.

thats an excellent idea.

maybe some of the posters will do that.  i certainly would be
more comfortalbe with that.

thanks for your reply

jacki

Jacki, I have only one thing to say on this to you, no....strike that one....when have you ever known me to have one thing to say? It isn't going to happen ever I don't think. ha ha

You handled this with tact, love and consideration and I want to thank you for that. There was not hostility in any of the words that you said and that was wonderful. But then again I didn't expect you to do that because you are a very loving and caring person. No matter if the beliefs are different.

We are all different because if we weren't it would such a boring world and we would all sit here with nothing to talk about. This forum is a talking one as you all know. We talk about everything.....even the things that others would say is just plain to much information. ha ha  Nothing is past all of the siblings on here and we all just except it with the love we have for one another. That is what makes me feel so comfortable here. Maybe that is the reason that my faith comes out so easily here....because I am so comfortable with you all.

If I ever offended you with any other the things that I have talked about please know that I never would have done that and I apologize to you for it. My faith is very important to me and with it being such a part of my life it is just normal for me to include it what I talk about since I talk about my life and the good and the bad in it. Please know that I understand not everyone has the faith that I do. There are ones that a faith different than mine and that is alright with me. I have had atheists in my family and I loved him just as much as I have my other cousins. That is what makes a family a family......it is alright to be different.

Please don't stop posting......just take what you like and leave the rest. I do that on here on a regular basis. I just skim over some things all the time and that is alright. If I start to read something and I have no interest in it I just go on to something else. That is alright......who knows if and when someone does that.......you are the only one who would know. So please continue to be a part of us and know that we accept and love you for who and what you are........someone different than some and the same as others. We are all here for the same thing....to help us get through life with the new tools that we have been given.

With love, hugs and much respect you, dear sister of mine......

Jacki,

At first I planned to ignore this entire thread. I figured there might be some ugliness going on and didn't want to read more.

I was wrong. This was written with kindness, respect and consideration.
The responses were positive too. Good job.

Annette

hi again everyone

thank you for all your lovely responses and input.

i have to say, i feel much better about everything tonight

sometimes a good dialogue helps

be safe and well, hugs, jacki

Thanks for your post, Jacki, and for broaching this tender subject so eloquently. I've perused this threade with a great deal of interest.  It's gratifying to see the open-mindedness of those who've reponded here, and reassures me that OFF is a great place to be.
It seems we have as a group agreed to disagree, which is a healthy attitude. We can pick and choose and all get along.

Jacki, I am so sorry that the Christian references have been offensive to you.  I know you don't mean any offense, and that you don't dislike the people who speak of their faith, and I appreciate that.

Please understand the way I live my life is as a Christian.  It's as much a part of me as breathing.  My husband and I serve the church full time, but more importantly we serve our God 24/7.  I cannot deny the way I live, it is pervasive in every activity, every thought, and particularly when I am concerned for others.  I believe that I am doing what God wills for my life.

I don't know how to be different without compromising what I am in Christ.  I try very hard not to preach or teach or be too churchy.  I don't promote one religion over another.  I am aware many believe differently, but embrace the believer none-the-less.  I don't sell religion, I am just being who I am.

I hope this explanation helps you understand why there is so much God talk.  I cannot be any other way.  It hurts me to think I am offending you, but it would hurt more to deny my faith.

I hope we can continue our mutual journey on the WLS road.
Warmest regards!! Mary

I agree with Jacki, I find myself cringing at many posts.

I am not going into a deep philosophical discussion here this is not the place for it.

I do however have some beliefs about here, this board.

This is a place for helping each other.
This is a place for listening to each other.
This is a place to learn about each other.
This is a place we go to because we need each other.
This is not a place to preach to each other. I would not presume to preach my religious views or lack thereof on anyone here.
This is not a place where we argue which religion or ,as in my case non religion, is bigger, better, brighter, or more benevolant.

Each of us, for many reason, have our beliefs.

Some days I envy people their faith, but I know it is not for me, never was and I believe, never will be.

I understand what you are saying, however, I feel I help others by praying for them.  I feel I help myself with my faith in God.  I do no preaching.  The one thing I do, that I know offends some people, and I am sorry it does, is my daily Bible verse thread.  I am reading the Bible through in a year and it helps me to remain committed.  To everything in my life. 

Jacki, I am really appreciative of how you have handled this situation.  And I too must comment on how pleasantly surprised I am at how well the conversation on the subject has gone.

You and I have had a discussion about my Bible verse thread and I did change it to read OT to make sure everyone is aware what it is. 

The last thing I have to say on the subject is about what this board is.  It is a peace haven for me.  I know I am in a distinct minority here, but I am happy to be here.  If we made this board JUST WLS stuff, it would be pretty boring.  There are other forums for that kind of stuff.  Here I feel we are more family, where we can talk about everything.  Brenda's problems with the newly born grandchild (yes Brenda, I feel that is your grandchild), Laureen with her employment issues, Eileen with her newspaper stuff.  If we censored this board to WLS only, we would not know each other as well as we do.

Truthfully, I would be very happy if you stay around.  And please don't just stay around.  Post.  Support.  We all need it.