The Bible is God's word. It is the Truth whether people believe it or not.

I think that we are so concerned about offending people that we put that fear (other people's feelings/perceptions) before God. And that's wrong.

I hope & pray that everyone has a gamble-free day. I know the only reason I've made it to around 5 months gamble free is because of God. I couldn't have done this without Him.

Thank you.
I consider myself to be spiritual and I believe in God but I do not subscribe to organized religion and have a very hard time with many aspects of it. I respect those whom label their spirituality as Christian or Catholic etc etc but I believe when we ask God into our hearts that we will experience God in our own unique way- we were created uniquely and it makes sense to me that we would also have a unique relationship/experience of God. God is Truth for me, not necessarily the bible which has been passed down so many generations and written by men or organized religion which is also created by men. for me God is a great mystery and I am in awe and worship that mystery and it feels fine not to have all the answers or a book with instructions. It does not make my experience less or make me think of anyone else's as less. I really appreciate your posting this because it is a little isolating and the leaning makes me feel on the outside whereas everything else about our supporting one another feels so inclusive.
(I still pray and I still ask for Guidance and support from God)

I don't think it's a real big deal for me. I consider myself to be a spiritual person but I don't attend a church. I was turned off as a child when my parents sent me to churches with other people. I attended all the different churches and I really didn't like it. I attend Gods church. "The Great Outdoors!" When I am outside and I sit quietly listening to nature I feel very close with my higher power or God. I do believe My aunt Eddy who died last week is in heaven now with her husband and my Mother and Grandma. I like to think they are all playing cards and having a great time. Someone said to me last week that the only people who have no problems in life are dead people. It sounds cold but it's true. We all have problems and we all need each other for support and love. It doesn't matter to me what church people go to or if they believe in God or a higher power or not. I do believe we all need to feel loved, understood and needed. I'm not at all turned off by other people's expressions of their religious beliefs as long as they don't push it on me or expect me to believe or act the same as they do. The best thing about religion is that it teaches people to be good, kind and love one and other. Some people twist it around and use it for evil in this world and that makes me very sad.

I know I've said I was Catholic ...I certainly didn 't mean to offend anyone. My faith is a big part of my recovery. I pray for all of us!

My post was never intended to single anyone out. I was simply saying that not everyone reads the bible or prays to the God of the bible. It can be offensive or at the very least isolating. That was simply my point.

I don't think anyone has been offended I like your point of it possibly having people feel isolated though. What brings us together is our Gambling Addiction and not what religious sect we belong to.
Thanks again Rainie

Well,
When we start editing what people can say and do here
then aren't we just as much part of the problem??
And just who will be making the decisions??
I want to get started with a lot of hugs etc.

I think that we are all GROWN enough to take it or leave it
and what doesn't help someone just might help another.

Let us remember that there are many who are still searching for
a higher power and God.

Our goal is to not only share our opinions and those of others, but to learn from each others.

In the spirit of the "open" forum, I am all in favor of complete
and utter right of free speech. I believe that unless the site policies strictly forbid the behavior each individual has every right to post to their hearts content what may be on their mind.
Again, it is quite easy to ascertain when someone is being helpful or being beligerent etc. a spammer or troll as described by the DS support team, which by the way have done a super fantastic job of it.



go to "help" then "abuse" then "rules of the road." for more info.

I say POST to your hearts content, I am very literally quite good at opening and closing any internet window should I become so riled that I need anger management or that would cause a relapse or urge to commence my addiction.

I love each and everyone of you and
want to be right here always.
Lets just keep the focus on recovery and remember this is different for each but we are STILL ALL THE SAME.

Sorry to drag this up again. When this first came out, I was still suffering from my head cold and was away for a day. However, I just have not felt "right" not answering it. "To thine own self be true."

I think TNW said it right on. We are all here to recover and have no way of knowing whether what we say may affect someone positively or negatively. Alot of churches/religions are recognizing how addictions are ruining people's lives and are actively trying to help people recover. If someone has something they want to share that they find helpful from a christian standpoint, they should feel free to do so. Someone may need to hear that message and gather great strength from it. The Reflection for the Day is shared daily from GA, and there does not seem to be a complaint regarding this, nor is it regarded as preaching. We are here to share our experiences, offer hope and strength to one another.

I do consider myself a Christian and I do try to be considerate of the fact that not everyone is. Quite often I will mention Higher Power, instead of God, because I know not everyone shares the "Christian God." I do want to respect that. However, I have shared some of my experiences and thoughts that would be considered from a Christian standpoint. If someone is offended by that, I do apologize, but I am simply offering my experiences and hopes, etc. I do consider my spirituality extremely important to my recovery.

I have gathered strength from GA, the twelve steps, other quotes and sayings not of a biblical nature, scripture, church, DS, and various recovery literature, etc. I gather strength from many sources. I would hate to see us tell anyone they can't share something that someone else might find helpful.

In meetings we are told to "take what we need/want, and leave the rest!!" I feel the same is here. If there is a thread that someone does not agree with then they should exit out of it and start one they want to discuss or read a new one. We should all feel free to be able to share what we might feel would help other people's recovery and our own.

We don't want to offend the non-Christian, nor the Christian. We all just want to get better. I am much more disturbed by people posting about horse racing, going to on-line casinos, and going to Vegas to spend their money. That sort of thing is just spiteful and hurtful.

Hope everyone is having a great gamble free day!

I agree with thenewway and new55, take what you need, leave the rest.. I so appreciate this open forum. This reminded me of when I was new at a GA meeting. I talked about how I went to pick up hamburgers at this casino to bring home, the hamburgers are so good and while I was waiting I was so tempted to gamble. I put a dollar in the machine but cashed it out before I pushed a button. After I told that story, I was told I shouldn't say they have good burgers or some one else might be tempted to go there and end up gambling. I was surprised, considering some of the things we talk about in meetings. But you know what, I love my GA meetings, so I "left" that and still go to meetings.

I also understand your point Rainie, I do not want anyone to feel excluded. I am hoping in this forum, there is enough advice, lessons, learning and encouragement for all. I think there is.

Thank you everyone for sharing your thoughts and experiences on this topic. I think that this topic served a purpose. It challenged us all to reflect upon the subject, dig deep to see where we stood on the issue and then articulated it. I know that it takes courage to talk about controversial issues but it is really nice to know that we can do that here and still remain solid.

Have a great GF day!
Lorraine

I have read and been to GA
where you are not treated as one
might expect.
I am so sorry when I hear this
as it comes from people who have
been hurt and in the deepest need
of empathy and understanding.
I wish to just reiterate that the
"take what you need/want and LEAVE the rest"
motto is probably the best.
Remember that we are all alike and yet different
and that peoples personalities and characters
are coming into play and that they are changing
each and every minute so there might be a little
"conflict" or "misfit" at any one moment and just
CARRY on with recovery.
Don't ever let anyone stand in YOUR way of recovery.

That was why I posted on this opinion,
and guess what
we all have them,
the way I did.
I simply believe we should all be adult and feel free
to be open and honest.
Sometimes
I know that I may post something that just pops
to me on a website of some faith I am not even
familiar with but I simply like the way they quote a
certain thing etc. so I REpost it here.

If although, having said this, I have ever or ever do
offend ANYONE at anytime please
do feel free to call me out and I am sure I will
most obligingly agee to relook and rethink what
has been posted or simply agree to disagree.

Have a great
successful and gamble free day.
There is no other DAY without it being gamble free.

this has been an experience reading this post. first, let me say if I have said or posted anything that offended anyone, I'm truly sorry for it. I am a Christian, and at times my Christian beliefs will 'creep' into my post. However, it is never, ever my intention to make someone think or act like me. The one thing we all have in common on DS is we have a desire to quit gambling. How we arrive at that goal is going to be as different as we are. Each of us will use the tools that work for us, and those that don't work, we won't use. Each of us are free to decide what and when we post, as long as we promise to be nice. right? so let's continue to encourage each other, and let each other be our unique selves. I love the freedom we have of not reading anything we don't want to read. like facebook: I just stroll on....... have a great, gamble free day.