Thing is this is a public forum and as wonderfully diverse as the human psyche is when you post something on here for all to view you will undoubtably come across someone or even a few who disagree with you. I have come across this on many a forum and as a result dont go on any of them (apart from this one) anymore. It really is not worth it to be honest. The last thing i need is to get worked up over the opinions of someone who (lets face it) i wouldnt give the time of day to in real life.
However..
There are some people that i would entertain and these are the ones who are NOT bigotted and take the upper hand in a hollier than thou attitude. With regards to your situation I will stand up for you because i am HONEST. YOU CANT HELP WHO YOU FALL FOR. I have been there. Personally I walked away because there was two young children who's lives would have been thrown into utter turmoil because of my actions. Do i regret it.. YES every day of my life. Did i do the right thing.. YES undoubtably and as usual i put my own needs aside for others that had no control over the situation. You havent wrecked any homes yet and i daresay in the light of day you probably wont but like i said you cant help who you fall for it is not your fault.
Stick with DS. I have watched your posts and i know you suffer with anxiety just like the rest of us and as such need the backup and support this group can give you.
At the end of the day you can walk away from this situation and be a better person for it. Will you regret it? Probably but it is better to live five minutes in the shoes of the righteous than to live a lifetime in the boots of a selfish individual. Take it from me i have been there. It is easy to condemn someone when they are in the wrong and you will find without exception when one person does this others will hop on the bandwagon to add fuel to the fire. However there are by the same token people out there that will be willing to give you help and give you unbiased advice and it is those people you should use this group to reach out to. They are there you just gotta find them.
For what its worth i treat people that flame on forums as i do a pop up. Ignor them. It is not their opinions that are important. It is the opinions of the people that have been in your shoes that you should seek advise from. NOT those that are being judgemental just for the sake of it. You are a good person for even asking advise on the situation as a selfish a******e would have just gone ahead and done it.
Remember that.

I went and read the post - agree that it was harsh. Anytime profanity has to be used is extreme.

Having feelings and acting on them are two different things. You are going though a struggle and I have faith that you will make a decision for the best of everyone involved.

Please don't leave based on the words of one person. Not everyone is going to agree with you. This is a place of support and we are supposed to be positive and helpful.

I think sometimes emotions flare on comments and the reminder on the right of each comment gets overlooked.

"I feel very ashamed and embarrassed"....

There is no need to feel this way.

Don't judge DS on the basis of a post or two, otherwise it's all about you. The harsh judgement of others is their problem, not yours.

Do you feel that way about ALL the replies or just one person who posted several replies. there were 6 posts in the replies. 3 posts were from one person, 1 post was from you and 1 was from another poster and 1 was from me. so what "people" are you referring to? are you referring to "people" or 1 particular "person"

I don't feel that my reply was offensive but just to make sure I am asking you if I said anything out of term? Another person posted a really nice reply about all the different kinds of love.
I would ignore the posts that were judgmental and look at the ones that may have offered some kind of food for thought.

there is no need to feel ashamed or embarrassed. Feelings are feelings. you like the guy and obviously it is causing you distress.
Please reconsider about leaving. There are far more nice and helpful people in DS than not. I have been here for well over a year and perhaps once or twice I have thought screw it...I want to leave but overall people are supportive and want to help.

She is referring to me I'm sure. My post was not meant to be judgmental, and I do apologize if it seemed harsh. I did not say you would act upon those feelings, nor did I imply you would break them up. it is a delicate situation that you should use caution with, because the potential for possible, not actual problems do exist if your feelings for this person go beyond friendship. Keep it on a friendship level and no worries. He'll get marry his betrothed and you'll stay friends. No one gets hurt.

Without having read the post in question, I'd have to say if you make a public post about ANYTHING, be prepared for some replies you may not like/agree with. The world is a diverse place, and a public forum online *IS* "the world". Some people will agree with you, some will not, that's life. If you are unable to let those who disagree with you roll off you, and are going to be affected by it, my thought would be "don't make the post in the first place". If you are really looking for "opinions", then even opinions that disagree with yours should be welcomed. If they're not, then you're not really looking for "opinions", you're looking for people who agree with you. I do agree that profanity and downright rudeness is uncalled for. In this situation, as with many situations in life, if we're the one(s) involved, we may not see the big picture as clearly as someone "on the outside", and when they reply with words we don't want to hear, we coil up like a snake and view the reply as "harsh", when actually, it may have just been a common sense opinion from "someone who isn't involved", and giving some thought to their point of view may open our eyes to things we didn't consider before... just my opinion, and I'm not judging anyone, as I said, I didn't read the original thread.

I have read some of widespread's posts and I don't believe he was trying to be condescending or judgemental. I think that is just his personality. Sometimes things come across harsher when you read them than they would in real life because it is hard to interpret the "tone". I have a problem myself with this sometimes when I answer posts. In my mind, I know I am being casual and maybe a bit sarcastic or funny, or I am just "telling it like it is" but other people don't "get it" or interpret it that way at all, or they simply don't want to be told "like it is". Sometimes I have to explain myself a bit. But the more you interact with people, the more you figure out who they are. I also have been known to throw a few profanities out there. Never in a hateful way...just to make a point. (I am much worse in real life, I must confess), and I think you interpreted what he said harsher than it was meant to be.
I just don't want you to leave over misunderstandings or hurt feelings and think people were judging you. Is it possible because of the shame and embarrassment you already feel that maybe you are a bit on the defensive and projecting those feelings on to other people? Just a thought... Anyway, I don't think anybody was judging you...I think the worst offense committed was that you got advice you didn't ask for and there is always the risk of that when you post a message on a forum. Don't let this upset you.

I do not know about your previous posts, nor do I know about what others have said to you. If others have been cruel, I am so sorry to hear that. But please, before you decide to leave DailyStrength, really consider staying. This is a place where you can release your feelings and emotions, and not have to feel embarassed or judged. And if there are a few people out there who do make you feel badly, you should ignore them and concentrate on the ones who want to help you. DailyStrength is such a great place, and it has so much to offer. I, personally, have gotten so much useful advice from people who suffer from anxiety, and I think that there's a lot of people who would be willing to help you, too. Don't let a few bad seeds ruin it for you- try to stay strong and I hope you'll continue to use DailyStrength.. Good luck...