Do You Have To Be Religious

jesse1216 · Post by **jesse1216** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 12:37 pm

I don't want to offend anyone but I keep constantly reading posts talking about god and praying to solve your problems and it makes me uncomfortable. I am pretty much an atheist and I feel that religion and politics should have no place in these forums. I had to say it because I may not log in to the peer support anymore because of this.

Stretch68 · Post by **Stretch68** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:28 pm

Don't let that hold you back, please. Everyone is doing anything they can to help themselves. That dosen't mean YOU have to be religious. There are others here too. You can still find a lot of support and good help here. Please hang in there, seek help if you need it.

AMANDAJ · Post by **AMANDAJ** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:33 pm

Jesse,

This is not about religion or politics but about reducing one's anxiety enough to cope with life. Freedom of Speech gives you the right to say that you don't believe what others are talking about and they have a right to say their view. I see it as believing in a loving, heavenly father who created us perfectly and comforts us when needed. People wonder how we are made perfect? We are perfect but with the world that we live in we are told that everything is wrong with our appearance, dress and life that we have to buy certain products to fix our selves. It is our position whether to believe their is a God, Mother Nature or Buddha. I believe their is a God since their is love in this world when people want to show it.

AmandaJ

h.beth · Post by **h.beth** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:44 pm

i agree with stretch...(((cyber hugs to you jesse))))))...yes seems many religious with these problems, still trying to hang on praying etc. i used to be myself--getting closer and closer to more bible and god thinking somehow i was not good enough (not sure why..but have since found out thats my core negative self tslk=feeling "not good enough").....so i just tried harder and harder to be closer to god thinking that would help me somehow. many that way jesse...but obviously still needing more help to feel better. this program very hgelpful jesse...and accepting yourself as "good enough", just as you/we are.....warts and all. after all, at least in my case, we would not be so harsh on others we loved, as we can be to our own selves. maybe thats not your problem at the core....just remember, we all different, and that is ok.....really you are right, others should not be "SHOULDING all over others", or "preaching" there is only one way (to get better)....this should be more respectful environment. but, since i have been a "black and white" thinker my own self for much of my life=trying to do the "right" things and "right" way to believe, as many others are also--trying to get well and recovered....guess, jesse....altho hard when vulnerable and seeking out ways trying to feel better...we must learn to try not to be offended by other "black and white" thinkers who may be trying to hang on and also get well with religion/and its marriage to certain political beliefs/or particular health beliefs pro or against meds----as we each different. again, jesse, i understand from both sides how it feels to be "shoulded/preached" to as tho "their way is the only way. stay strong, and accept yourself as ok =just as YOU are....even if others not agreeing or validating you in your own uniqunesses (sorry spelling). welcome and best wishes to you jesse in your recovery.

m4 · Post by m4 » Tue Jan 29, 2008 1:44 pm

Hi Jesse,
I purposely write "Thank Goddess" b/c I believe in a goddess and I am also a Buddhist. I found the god and "he" comments very distracting at first, it seemed that everyone or most everyone on these forums believe in a Christian god and that god is a "he". I believe in a much different creator. I have gotten over the god comments and just see that all the world's religion share the same thing. LOVE. As far as being an athiest, I can see you being turned off. I have a belief, so I just see other's belief in god as similar to mine but I am not Christian. So, if you are not a believer in anything (atheist), I could see how you would be turned off. I don't know what to say but as they say in ALAN-ON and AA meetings: "Take what you like and leave the rest".
Leave the god talk and take any good advice or insights that you can get from this forum.
That is my advise and thanks for writing b/c I thought I might be the only non-christian on this entire site!!!
I wish you inner peace and strength.
Mary

Michele16 · Post by **Michele16** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:04 pm

Jesse,

You don't have to be religious. In AA, recovery is based on belief in a higher power but people in AA have all different conceptions of what the higher power is. And some people are atheists. For the most part, everyone is able to get along and people have tolerance for others' differences. I hope you won't drop out and try not to get disturbed by people referring to God. Everyone is on their own path. Hang in there!

bevhembree · Post by **bevhembree** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:46 pm

I'm sorry that you have been turned off. God is a major part of a lot of people's lives and how they deal with their illness. We are just sharing experiences and how we cope. Please think positive about what good can come to you from the forum. I don't agree with some people's comments from time to time, but I overlook it. I hope you can too because you will find an incredible amount of support here. Beverly

jesse1216 · Post by **jesse1216** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 2:57 pm

Thank you all for your feedback. I will try not to let all the religion talk get to me.

Mello Nello · Post by **Mello Nello** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:15 pm

Most talk of God in is in the spirituality section. I dont care what anyone beleives in, but dont take the right of those that do beleive in a God away. Someone talking about buddha or etc. certainly doesnt offend me. We have enough to worry about getting better, without worrying about the word "God".

jesse1216 · Post by **jesse1216** » Tue Jan 29, 2008 3:26 pm

Mello, i haven't even gone into the spirituality section and every other post i read is talking about "GOD". No one is taking anyone's rights away; i'm just stating my feelings and my opinion. I sure hope that's ok.