Poll Does Prayer Help You Feel Safer?

[EloiseLandau]

"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."

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.

Perhaps if you ceased falling back on the "original point" and simply admitted what you wish is in fact an option to show one's religious leanings, things wouldn't seem so entangled.

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.

Nor does the original discussion have anything to with your later assertion that would would like to see the option to proclaim your faith available on your profile.

Oh, and not addressing personal experience kind of blows the whole concept of why this site exists out of the water. You can't cherry pick who and what you're going to address; people like Anthony have to consider the good of the whole, and even if no one on this thread here says they are triggered, it proves nothing except that no one answered your question. In fact, it's odd that you ask if it triggers anyone when you just voiced it was not something you would address, after a few people had their own concerns about religious symbolism in general.

I don't know. Why not ask the admins directly? Seems easier than trying to convince the crowd here.

I'm sorry if I seem brusque. This whole issue confuses me.

 

[Lady of Longbourn]

Nowhere,

I am definitely confused why expressing what I said is coming across as a bad thing to you. I was honest in my feelings. I do pray, but it's hard for me. I explained why becasue having any opinion is allowed on this forum and seemed necessary to the topic because it was not a clear cut yes or no for me.

Can't say I have anything more to say on the subject. I refuse to argue about prayer, out of all things.

 

[Middle of Nowhere]

Everyone

I apologize if my words were hurtful to anyone. My posts on this sight are far from evangelistic. I never stated my personal beliefs other than there is a taboo. I also said that I would not be interested in anything other than an avenue to change that. I was simply pointing out my opinion and standing up for it. My questions and statements are an attempt to remove the taboo of FAITH. Religion has nothing to do with my point. The intention of this poll was to see if prayer was helping anyone. I saw a taboo.

I only address the original point because there is no underlying agenda. We as an online community have the choice whether or not we will put this taboo out of our way. It is something I will pray for.

I wonder now this morning why the question I asked about the devilish smile guy is taken so out of context. My communication skills are rusty I suppose. I did not ask that to be combative, I was simply asking. I am here to learn. I look up at the sky and have questions like everyone.

As I travel my path I would like to see a revival of faith. Be it nature or soap bubbles or Bible or Koran or something you just feel. If faith is ever going to be helpful to anyone on this sight we should be allowed to discuss it. After stating that I also realize that Zef and all of you were doing that.

I started a poll. I stated my opinion. I asked questions. They were answered. I have learned. I thank everyone for their thoughts on the subject as they are as equally valid as mine.

Have a good today and may faith be in your life.

 

[windwoman]

I would not be able to survive if not for prayer and faith. My abuser used my spiritual beliefs and practices to further his agenda.

For the better part of 3 decades I could not walk into a house of worship of any religion without being triggered.

IMHO faith and religion are only kissing cousins. Religion is the vehicle some choose to use to find, increase, or practice their faith. Some choose a different vehicle.

 

[Zef]

Looks like we had a good discussion here. :)

If I came off as too much in attack mode, I apologize. I was triggered by the discussion, which made me feel like I was under attack. . .and, when I feel that way, I attack back. BUT, my triggers are my responsibility and no one else's, so I apologize.

Saying that, I do feel strongly about the role of faith in our cultures and politics. I am fine with people being proud of their beliefs and being able to put them on their profile as long as there are options for those without faith have the same options.

This issue is a little more ticklish, though, because there are many people here who have been severely harmed by faith, including myself, and justifiably see it as a significant part of their trauma. I'm in a place where I am taking on those traumas in more healthy ways, but there are probably people here who are not able to do that yet.

So, in my mind, the question is what is more important for this forum, promoting faith or keeping the forum safer for those who faith has traumatized? In the end, that is a question for Anthony and the mods to answer.

 

[TeddySue]

As this is still here and no one has closed the thread, I'm assuming that I can write here.

Your question was about prayer: "Does prayer make you feel safer?"

Those raised in a so-called Christian home were raised with prayer as a daily occurrence. I was one of those children. And yes, the "church" held a lot of terror for me, and up until 3 years ago (I am 62) every time I sat in the congregation and looked at the pulpit (no matter what preacher or what pulpit) I saw a giant phallic symbol standing there instead of a pastor. In therapy I was able to dig deep and reveal this was because I had been sexually abused by a pastor (or more). It was a trigger trying to help me deal with what happened to me.

Does prayer make me feel safe? Yes, it does. Even through the traumatic years of my childhood I said my prayers, and felt comfort and safety. In my adult years when I was betrayed in the most appalling way, and rejected by almost everyone, it was my prayer life that offered that string attached to the One I was praying to that kept me sane. I believe; and I will always believe in what and Who has been my salvation. I have no safety in a church building; no safety in the one standing in the pulpit; and no safety in the congregation of human beings sitting in the pews...

 

[AngelaMarie]

I do reach out to a higher power when things are really bad. I am not religious at all, however, I do believe there is something to humbling myself and asking for help in the midst of heart ache. I always appreciate it also when someone else cares enough about me to mention me to their higher power.

 

[Red Feather]

I think of prayer as just thought. It is energy, meditation, music, mantras, love. Different words for an experience that everybody knows. That's just my opinion. We're all traumatized and triggered by different things and different words. This forum helps me figure it all out, what words belong to which of those horrible memories. Thank you to all the moderators who make that possible. I'm really grateful. And I'm sorry if I upset people. :(

 

[TeddySue]

Nadia, I agree that with most prayers they do involve thought. Mine includes trust, and that's where we all come together with our trauma and triggers: who do we trust?

With my mind I perceive the One Who gives me hope; and with that hope comes trust. The different things and different words that trigger us could be what brought us here, searching for the familiar language spoken by the traumatized individuals which speaks "belonging" to our souls.

Nadia, you do not upset me.

 

[Tinyflame]

Me neither Nadia, nor does anyone else's feelings bother me.
Except to say that I hope they can find peace and hope.

I think there is a language familiar to trauma sufferers, or similar feelings, or experiences.
I have found 'hope' where I never looked for it, or expected it. Never even occurred to me as something that existed.
It never really occuurred to me, that some things I could ever overcome. (Short term even, let alone along).
'Prayer' to me is love, in whatever way anyone chooses to express it.

I hope that whatever anyone believes they can find 'God' or a Higher Power or 'people' or some place where they can be themselves and get some reprieve and strength.

 

[AngelaMarie]

Well said, Junebug!!

 

[Tinyflame]

Thank you AM, (((Hugs))).

Though I'm not (personally) used to the 'feeling' of being safe, I think that prayer helps me feel safer as regards my loved ones' welfare.

(Although don't get me wrong- I pray a lot to get through things!)