Bereavement Support Group

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vader 01/18/2009

I had to write this column because lately a great deal of these born again christians have been trying to convert me.I dont believe in this.Never have and never will.I was taught by the Catholic Irish nuns 1954 to 1962.I graduated St.Annes..1962 at the age of 14.No matter what has happened..I will always be Catholic..but lately people have been crying to convert me and others.Cant we stop discussing religion? Why? Because in the state of Washington..we have got various religions..We have got Wicca,we have Pagan and we have got the organized religions.Now if anyone has noticed everytime something goes wrong..it is quoted as Gods Will? Well,excuse me! A drunk driver that kills a walking person is not Gods Will.Blame the drunk driver! And how about the vicitims of Ted Bundy? Is this Gods Will to have people murdered? Of course not! And what about these people who are on the tv screaming about the end of the world...telling people that Jesus is coming! Send them 20.00! Now these people do need God and they will get His Wrath.The Bible states that Jesus doesnt even know the hour of His Return..so if Jesus doesnt know the hour..how can these people? Because these people are making specific claims that has and will do a diservice to anyone who does believe in God.We are living in a wonderful time.We are living in a time where various diseases can be healed..where human life can be expended and where we can finally go to Mars.And what do I have? I have got Faith! My God is good and rational.What these people are teaching is irrational and this is what I have been dealing plus the death of my godfather.Can stop discussing religion? Can we just know that Our God is one of Peace...(because any of these armament races will wind up in the graveyard) and the love that we have got the honor to be His Children.He did not cause all of this schism.Man did.Only man can undo this.Only man can come to an understanding of what and who God really is..I have got faith.I intend to live a long life.A lady just made her 115th birthday and I intend to live this long.And I will do this by my faith...I believe.I do.I do believe in God...I do not rely of voodoo and magic nor do I rely on this silly possibiliy thinking.

deleted_user 01/18/2009

I agree. God is a loving, compassionate God, ready to comfort and heal us. This world causes many much pain, not God. I will end on that..........see Motherless Daughters for a good article on God, under discusssions.

vader 01/18/2009

I thank you for your reply.It is so wonderful that someone feels that way that I do.And we must learn now that all faiths are working and we cant just cant judge or try to convert them because the Muslims here are gaining in the work force and they are nice people..but sometimes things have gotten heated.Just be careful what you discusss..vader.

deleted_user 01/19/2009

I wish people would stop discussing religion. Not everyone believes in a God. I feel the bible is just a book of fables written by men in the last third of the first century. It was chosen out of 88 different books by the Catholic Church. All major religions have a magical birth and resurrection story. Telling me to pray is wasted effort. So stop it!

deleted_user 01/19/2009

I agree with you 100% about God not wishing the terrible things that happen. I get offended by that myself because I am a believer but do not try to push my opinion on anyone else.

I hope that by offering prayer for someone is not an issue for you. Your post will help me to be more careful as I realize it would be for someone that does not believe in a God of any sort and I apologize if I have offended anyone on the forum.

You were very correct in bringing this to the attention of the members here. I would imagine there are forums to discuss religion, etc. if that is what someone is wanting to do and not bring it in to the other areas where that isn't the topic.

Many people feel they need to share their faith with someome hurting and personally, I have no issue with someone offering to pray for me and my family. But, that does not sound like what you are referring to here.

Either way though, I do agree with you that there is a time and place for everything and I want to thank you for the care you gave to your post to not be hurtful but still make your point.

deleted_user 01/19/2009

I agree as well. My brother in law was Catholic and has since converted to being a "Christian". His mom passed suddenly right before the holiday and the entire time, he's been trying to convert my father in law who's mourning so terribly. My fil told us that he had to tell him to stop and leave him alone, he'll grieve in his own way in the comfort of the Catholic church. They've been great during this difficult time. I wish they'd stop, it doesn't drive us closer, it's driving us apart!

cliffskat 01/19/2009

The Administrators of DS have an 'official' Rules of the Road on this topic that might be helpful for people to read/re-read. It says:

"6. Religion:
DailyStrength has no religious affiliation. However, we believe that religion can play an important role in helping people overcome their challenges. Members must respect other members' differing religious beliefs, and do not assume that other Members subscribe (or want to subscribe) to yours.

Here are 3 things we ask you not to do:

a. Impose your beliefs on others. Example: Telling members of our Gay & Lesbian communities that they are "sinners" is not appropriate.

b. Disrespect someone else's religion.

c. Spamming (aka "sending unsolicited messages") to members about religion. Repeatedly posting religious passages (or anything else, for that matter) around the site is not appropriate."

There are groups here where you can post about faith, offer prayers for each other, etc., so it's not intended to make DS a hostile environment for people of faith, but rather assure that differing viewpoints don't drive people off from the support they need. Thanks for this post.

daisydduck 01/19/2009

Vader, you write a great deal about your beliefs and feelings. Others should have the same opportunity also. It is not for you or I to judge. If you do not want to discuss with some people, don't. But, remember they have just as much right to express their feelings. There is an "ignore" button you can push and you will not receive their messages.

deleted_user 01/19/2009

I think its great to talk about the various beliefs out there. You never know what you can learn about human nature and life in general.

If you don't believe in God, Allah, Buddah, Jesus, Goddess, whatever...then you have JUST as much responsibility to be respectful as those who are sharing their ideas.

It's a two way street.

deleted_user 01/19/2009

Is it not enough that they took bibles out of schools?
I am a Big believer of God and I dont discuss this with someone if I do not see His name on their page..I do not push my religion on anyone-I believe what I believe and thats final!
Vader if you want others to stop talking about our God then you need to stop talking of your beliefs...period!

deleted_user 01/19/2009

I find it amazing that you do not want "religion" pushed your way however you are the one posting the long rambling topic about it. I for one find your posts to be less than enlightening as they are always started with "I had to write this" ughhh you don't HAVE to write anything, and if you are so moved to have to write anything why not in your private journal? I do not feel you are trying to do anything here with your posts other than trying to start small sqabbles between the "believers" and "non-believers" I for one do belive in a god and do not appose to anybody saying a prayer for me or my family I mean what can it hurt right. But I do not want anybody shoving religion down my throat I have my beliefs and I am comfortable with them.
Sorry I even jumped on this band wagon as I personally think that all of vaders posts are senseless drivle. But I am entitles to my opinion right? Sorry just a bit aggrevated here.

deleted_user 01/24/2009

Vadar, I have been on this site for awhile and I see you like to post a lot of blogs and alot of them are trying to start turmoil with others and that you have such strong opinion about things that you yourself try to force them on others. Such as shen someone accidently ran over your cat. At least he got out and put the cat on the sidewalk. But boy did you go on take such judgment of him even though you don't even know him. No one has the right to judge other people and throw such hateful words at them or try to force their beliefs down their throats. It is only gods right to judge man. If someone is trying to convert you tell them you are interested and don't be such a mean person about it. Be nice and say you are not interested but thank you. I do not know if I believe in the bible but I do believe in god and in jesus. They have given me much support and have shown themselves to me and to my son when he was dieing. So do I believe yes I do. Do I believe in your religion or others I do. I do believe that it releigion in its own way has its own truth. I try to keep a very open mind to others beliefs as long as they are not trying to shove it down my throt. So VAda take a chill pill.

deleted_user 01/25/2009

Why must there be arguing on a support site. I thought this was a place to vent without judgement. My mistake.

daisydduck 01/26/2009

Trent, you hit the nail on the head. Thanks for your post.

lladyfairhair 01/26/2009

I know Vader... my mom worries about me because she thinks I am "turning Catholic." I find that to be the most ridiculous thing - I mean... that someone would literally worry about that...she is "Baptist." I cant even believe that she would say that she is "right" and I am "wrong" because I like both the Lutheran and Catholic faiths. I also like parts of alot of different faiths...We can all believe what we want - its America and its beautiful ~~~~~

Religion is SO personal based on what you experience and have experienced in your life - that to me IMO- it would be impossible to say whats right or wrong for ANOTHER person...

daisydduck 01/27/2009

I was raised as a Catholic and when I became an adult I was challenged as to why I was a Catholic. When my daughter died and left a young son, I challenged my belief in God. However, one thing about the Catholic Church. We are educated, not only in the rules of the Catholic Church, but to understand other religions as well. If you have received this education, you do not doubt your religion and you do not criticize other religions...you honor their beliefs. There are evangelists from every religion. They believe strongly but I do not believe they understand. I never read anything about Jesus saying you had to belong to go to a certain church...He said to follow Him. He didn't make one of us better than the other...He said to love to each other. Amen.

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