Poll Does Prayer Help You Feel Safer?

[Zef]

I wonder if the administration would consider adding an option in the profiles that might help the taboo. Strength and conviction are required to accomplish the "dealing and healing" for everyone. In my opinion this is best decided by the staff. But as a member, I would like to voice that the opening paragraph states,
I believe that an option on the profiles could remove that taboo and allow us to express our faith, still honoring the intent of this site and it's goal.

I interpret this as saying that Nowhere would like the site to promote 'faith'. As someone who triggers very strongly around people 'testifying' or promoting their faith, I want to disagree strongly.

Most of the people using this forum are from cultures that are dominated by Christians. Although many Christians like to announce that they are under attack, the opposite is actually the case. Christian values dominate our cultures to such an extent that non-Christians are often considered secondary citizens.

If there was to be a note about honoring people's beliefs on this site, I submit that it should read that the site honors and removes the taboo from people of less popular or no religious affiliation so we can be protected from the dominance of Christians, including their desire to propagate and infringe their beliefs on others.

Or, better yet, give them their own section, so those who do get value from their faith can do so while those who are triggered by it are able to avoid that section.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Ok this question...I don't know. Mixed.

I used to be quite a bit more religious, and would read and pray all the time. I am not christian though. But around the same time I become more religious, the major sexual abuse started. I was groomed and used for sex by older men. Sex become my trade and the only way for me have friends. I traded sex for someone to talk too. So with that happening at the same time, you could imagine how religion was shaping up for me.

I also blame my religion. It dramatically set me apart from my other classmates. Looking back I can see how that effected the chance I would have had getting help back then. People just ignored me or disliked me. ( I have had things thrown at me) Coupled with the untreated mental illnesses, my teachers never liked me either ( meaning I never tired in school, they thought I was stupid. And some because of religion) . I had no one to talk too, and I blame religion on that.

So now, I do pray every once and a while. Religion is now very private for me. While I follow the basics of my religion, I try not to involve others. I can't imagine many people from my religion understanding me. Even though I badly want to talk about it to others of the same faith. I need incite.

I do not see why God would do this to any human. I don't see many signs of God giving a f*ck about us. I don't understand why, so I often am to angry to pray. I know there must be a propose to this world. But I don't stay here because God say's it's a sin to commit suicide, I stay mostly because I think I could help others. Feels sort of like a duty. While I live like a robot.

Sounds mixed, right? Can't help it. I am on the fence with this one.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Christian values dominate our cultures to such an extent that non-Christians are often considered secondary citizens.

Since I have experienced this, I completely agree with you.

 

[Tinyflame]

I will genuinely offer my thoughts to someone. Just because I'm not religious, doesn't mean that I don't have thought and compassion for others. And I will be quite honest in my replies by stating I cannot offer prayers, but my thoughts with them don't have any less meaning (in my opinion).

Dear CB, technically I would be 'religious' but 'that' or 'those' ARE my 'prayers' for others also.

I agree entirely, even if one has no particular beliefs or negative ones, I think a true even thought of compassion = a prayer. From the heart, sincere. Like children do.

 

[Middle of Nowhere]

My original point is simple, any personal information in the profiles is a choice to show or not now. What would it change to have this option available to members. Each user of this site has a personal responsibility to know that they are in VIRTUAL REALITY. Anthony has made that clear as of late and I agree completely.

 

[EloiseLandau]

Each user of this site has a personal responsibility to know that they are in VIRTUAL REALITY. Anthony has made that clear as of late and I agree completely.

So....wait... the people who just said they have triggering issues due to religion are just to be ignored because someone wants the option to list their religion? This is what I am reading? Am I making a mistake?

I mean, yes this is virtual reality, but I assumed when I joined I wasn't discussing hard issues with Turing machines. This means, if most everyone on here is human, virtual reality is still being utilized by humans and, while we have personal responsibility to know that this isn't a safe place in terms of what we say compared to what the public world can see, it should at least, perhaps, be safe from blatant triggering devices.

Or at least, that is simply my feeling.

 

[timetorecover]

Who do you pray to if you do not have any faith?
I want to believe, but I have been brought up Atheist.
I am spiritual and have beliefs in higher realms, just do not know how to direct them!

 

[Tinyflame]

JMHO timetorecover, but maybe any 'force' or 'feeling' in which you find peace, beauty or strength, for example 'God' or a "Higher Power" may be in nature or 'seen' in the smile of a friend or child.

Or even, think of someone who made you feel safe and protected, pray to them first.
And/ or, possibly just 'talk'/ 'ask'- just like you would here (your heart).

 

[EloiseLandau]

I am spiritual and have beliefs in higher realms, just do not know how to direct them!

The idea of a god or gods also varies by definition. Some worship their ancestors. Some believe things like great waterfalls are representations of gods, manifested in nature. Some think of an independent higher power.

If structured systems don't work for you, find something that does... the goal here is to find something that works for you.

 

[Middle of Nowhere]

(((Hello Zef)))

"I interpret this as saying that Nowhere would like the site to promote 'faith'. As someone who triggers very strongly around people 'testifying' or promoting their faith, I want to disagree strongly."

The origin of the poll has nothing to do with religion. There is nowhere that I state anything other than each member has the right to a voice on this sight. I respect anyone who has an opinion. I am not going to address the issue of your personal experiences. This has nothing to do with the original discussion. So I would appreciate it if there were no personal attacks on people of any faith, or lack there of.

 

[Lucycat]

prayer does not make me feel safer.

 

[Middle of Nowhere]

The origins of my point have not changed. I see the taboo, I want to change it. There is no reason we should be afraid to support eachother in any way. I would also point out that we have a religious symbol on this site already.

:devilish:

Does this trigger anyone?