Faith or something of it

[Misty]

You don't see the harm in "the devil's children"? The "us" vs. "them" mentality, them being lesser human beings you would happily cast down to hell... While you sit on your lofty perch, granted to you by your faith in a dusty, old book. If being a lesbian makes someone the devil's child, then the devil is a pretty cool guy. I'd have tea and biscuits with him.

I hope there's space down in hell for me, for loving and supporting gay people, lesbians, transgender people, etc. I hear it's warm down there, sounds cozy.

Haha… I knew it the second you walked in the forum, Ms. President. A leopard never changes its spots. All I had to do was poke the bear a teeny weeny bit for it to show its teeth.

They don’t call me the Spidey sense Wielder for nothing. Ni - razor sharp.

 

[President of Canada]

Some struggle to grasp that it is not your faith that is the problem. It is how you abuse and misuse the Bible. That is the consistent theme here.

Also, I am confused. You poked no one. I replied to a post, and then you arrived. You were not here, until I was. If anything, I poked you.

 

[Misty]

Okie dokie, Rachel.

 

[Fruiteloop]

Misuse is people dependent.

The bible has more complexity to it.

Try to see the difference?

 

[President of Canada]

Okie dokie, Rachel.

This is the second time since I have arrived, that I have seen you call someone "Rachel." That was at the top of the profile posts, when I joined (hard to miss). Do you have a tendency to throw around the personal names of people? Will there be a third Rachel soon? Perhaps a fourth?

 

[Misty]

This is the second time since I have arrived, that I have seen you call someone "Rachel." Do you have a tendency to throw around the personal names of people?

Definitely.

Will there be a third Rachel soon? Perhaps a fourth?

There already were at least 4 that we have counted, so far. Probably more, in actuality. They keep catching and blocking her because she’s mentally unstable, I hear. A real stalker..

Who knows how many of her alt accounts there will be - dressed in disguise as a “new member”

 

[President of Canada]

Definitely.


There already were at least 4 that we have counted, so far. Probably more, in actuality. They keep catching and blocking her because she’s mentally unstable, I hear. A real stalker..

Who knows how many of her alt accounts there will be - dressed in disguise as a “new member”

I looked around. This Rachel was a forum admin. You think you are repeatedly blocking a forum admin? That they would not know what to do, what not to do? They are probably highly experienced with this. It sounds like this forum targeted an innocent person. Did no one think about this? I'm sorry, but this is hilarious... And also sad.

If someone is repeatedly getting banned, I'd be like... Girl, why do you keep doing the same thing? Google exists lol. And then I would roll my eyes.

I was on topic, this thread was on topic... Until you strolled in and attacked me.

 

[Misty]

I looked around. This Rachel was a forum admin. You think you are repeatedly blocking a forum admin? That they would not know what to do, what not to do? They are probably highly experienced with this. It sounds like this forum targeted an innocent person. Did no one think about this? I'm sorry, but this is hilarious... And also sad.

If someone is repeatedly getting banned, I'd be like... Girl, why do you keep doing the same thing? Google exists lol. And then I would roll my eyes.

I was on topic, this thread was on topic... Until you strolled in and attacked me.

…

 

[President of Canada]

I am just so confused. I was not even talking to this person. I was replying to someone else, then they followed me here and attacked me. Calling someone a stalker, based on the behavior I have observed, seems like obvious projection. What is this place?

 

[Misty]

Linguistics never lie.

 

[Misty]

I am just so confused. I was not even talking to this person. I was replying to someone else, then they followed me here and attacked me. Calling someone a stalker, based on the behavior I have observed, seems like obvious projection. What is this place?

Incorrect. I came in to join the thread as I find the topic of interest, and then, upon seeing, responded to your post. Questioning another poster is not an attack.

 

[President of Canada]

Incorrect. I came in to join the thread as I find the topic of interest, and then, upon seeing, responded to your post. Questioning another poster is not an attack.

Question the topic, focus on the topic. I would love to actually discuss the topic, which is why I was here. The topic is faith, not Rachel.

 

[Misty]

Question the topic, focus on the topic. I would love to actually discuss the topic, which is why I was here. The topic is faith, not Rachel.

True enough. Stalkers are a boring topic.

- adieu

 

[President of Canada]

I think that the Bible can be a beautiful thing, when used properly. I oppose its misuse, that is all. Christians have been some of the best people I have known throughout my life. Even one of my exes. We are still good friends, and I still love him.

I do apologize for my... Gusto. It's like I can't help it, I see someone hurt, and I feel like I have to do something. But, one can go too far. It just genuinely hurts to see it, painful. This is just me wrapping my arms around those affected, protectively. I want to keep them safe, but you should be able to feel safe too.

 

[President of Canada]

Thinking about that ex, his faith has only brought him pure goodness. He is one of the best people I have ever known, one of the purest hearts. He has always helped calm me, center me. Faith gives you a rock, to hold onto when a storm threatens to blow you away. You in turn become a rock for other people, weathering their storms. And I think that is beautiful.

 

[meowzician]

This was so beautifully written, thank you. I find your views on religion, as a person of faith, modern and refreshing. Strip away the nonsense, the noise, the clutter, and it is just you, your faith, and God. Simple and clean.

Why use your faith to divide and hurt people, when it should simply be a loving relationship between you and God? To command people to do one thing or another? Love people and love God. That is all you need to do. The Bible should be a book of love, not a strict book of rules and regulations, passed down from antiquated times.

I was called the devil's child during my youth. This is not love. When I hear these words spoken by someone of faith, I know it is not love. It is hate flowing from the person, twisting words read in holy books, twisting sermons. Assuming you are on a pedestal of morality, up high, towering above others because of your faith... Is deeply incorrect. Your faith gives you faith. It does not give you morality.

I feel just awful that you were called the devil's child. SMH Who DOES that?? ? It's just so harmful.

I am a huge advocate of religion. But not every religion. There are places that are just toxic and do more soul killing than soul building. And unfortunately you do find such places in all of the larger, mainstream religions. I think of them as the lunatic fringe.

But it doesn't have to be that way! There are good and loving congregations that will embrace you, religious communities that will help you flourish! They are worth seeking out, whatever your religion.

The synagogue I attend is just beyond words. I consider myself so incredibly lucky to have stumbled upon it. From its worship and music to its social justice programs, to its community support for its members... We have a brilliant rabbi and an inspiring cantor... A Caring Committee that makes sure all visitor feel welcome and the needs of members are met. I don't think I've ever felt this loved before.

As far as what you are calling my modern approach, the book that was most helpful to me is called "Faith After Doubt" by Brian McLaren. It is written from a Christian perspective but its principles are universal. It gave me the vocabulary to discuss how doubt is not a danger but a door to deeper spirituality.

If you are familiar with Piaget's cognitive stages of development and Kohlberg's moral stages of development, then McLaren's stages of faith development will make perfect sense. I had a wonderful correspondence with him where we discussed the universality of his principles, and I was extremely pleased to learn that an interfaith book is in the works.