Jesus Saves!

[Sister Fracas 5]

Technically, I call myself Pagan

It's an awkward business, trying to put a name and a description to what you believe in paganism. Hearing people argue over the technicalities of (just) the word Wicca gives me a headache these days.

This should probably be another thread, but I'd be curious to know how many people who consider themselves pagans had a bad experience with Christianity? Like how many are formerly Jewish, Hindu, Muslim compared to Christian?

that would be an interesting poll... if you've converted from one belief, what did you convert from and why? hmmm

[chri'stina 190]

Technically, I call myself Pagan

It's an awkward business, trying to put a name and a description to what you believe in paganism. Hearing people argue over the technicalities of (just) the word Wicca gives me a headache these days.

This should probably be another thread, but I'd be curious to know how many people who consider themselves pagans had a bad experience with Christianity? Like how many are formerly Jewish, Hindu, Muslim compared to Christian?

that would be an interesting poll... if you've converted from one belief, what did you convert from and why? hmmm

The only issue I'd see with the poll is that it could to be skewed relating to Christianity, since many Americans consider themselves some form of Christian, or did at one time, and this board is about people immigrating here. We might not have enough people from Hinduism, Judaism, etc represented here to get an accurate look at if/why they left those religions as well. I know my husband falls into the leaving Hinduism to become Christian category, but I think many on VJ would have Christian stories. Am I making sense...

I think it would turn into a bashing Christianity thread.

[Sister Fracas 5]

The only issue I'd see with the poll is that it could to be skewed relating to Christianity, since many Americans consider themselves some form of Christian, or did at one time, and this board is about people immigrating here. We might not have enough people from Hinduism, Judaism, etc represented here to get an accurate look at if/why they left those religions as well. I know my husband falls into the leaving Hinduism to become Christian category, but I think many on VJ would have Christian stories. Am I making sense...

I think it would turn into a bashing Christianity thread.

I see what you are saying. I guess I just think to me it would be more interesting to know where people place themselves. You know, for example just say you get 100 people say they've converted from Christianity...what would be the breakdown of the religions they are going to? Where are most former Christians going? What's more interesting than why they left one religions is why they chose a particular religion over another...like why Muslim over Judaism, or why paganism over Buddhism? I dunno...I just find people's beliefs fascinating... as you well know...

Edited August 29, 2007 by Frances

[chri'stina 190]

I agree it would be interesting to see.

[almaty 19]

Technically, I call myself Pagan

It's an awkward business, trying to put a name and a description to what you believe in paganism. Hearing people argue over the technicalities of (just) the word Wicca gives me a headache these days.

This should probably be another thread, but I'd be curious to know how many people who consider themselves pagans had a bad experience with Christianity? Like how many are formerly Jewish, Hindu, Muslim compared to Christian?

that would be an interesting poll... if you've converted from one belief, what did you convert from and why? hmmm

The only issue I'd see with the poll is that it could to be skewed relating to Christianity, since many Americans consider themselves some form of Christian, or did at one time, and this board is about people immigrating here. We might not have enough people from Hinduism, Judaism, etc represented here to get an accurate look at if/why they left those religions as well. I know my husband falls into the leaving Hinduism to become Christian category, but I think many on VJ would have Christian stories. Am I making sense...

I think it would turn into a bashing Christianity thread.

i also agree, allot of the posts would be a negative view of their childhood experience or history in general..i forsee, some flaming ...

[Sheriff Uling 3]

I would appreciate a mature sensitivity to other members and their religious belief, I am offended by the blasphemy in this thread. It is entirely possible to believe what you want to believe without being insulting. Jesus is my Lord and Saviour and these negative comments are provocative and uncalled for. Please be respectful and exercise some sensitivity on this cultural and religious diverse board.

As much as I respect your opinion, you must also respect the opinions of others. There can not be a double standard simply because you personally are offended. As long as those individuals are NOT violating the TOS, they have every right to express their opinions and have fun as they see fit. Please keep in mind that this is a public forum open to the entire world and not everyone shares the same culture, background, or beliefs.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

[Fandango 1,440]

I would appreciate a mature sensitivity to other members and their religious belief, I am offended by the blasphemy in this thread. It is entirely possible to believe what you want to believe without being insulting. Jesus is my Lord and Saviour and these negative comments are provocative and uncalled for. Please be respectful and exercise some sensitivity on this cultural and religious diverse board.

As much as I respect your opinion, you must also respect the opinions of others. There can not be a double standard simply because you personally are offended. As long as those individuals are NOT violating the TOS, they have every right to express their opinions and have fun as they see fit. Please keep in mind that this is a public forum open to the entire world and not everyone shares the same culture, background, or beliefs.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

Sheriff...no one said anything about violating TOS...the poster was just asking for a bit of respect and sensitivity.

If we want to get into everyone's 'rights'...omoba has the right to ask for mature sensitivity to other members and their beliefs...

I would appreciate a mature sensitivity to other members and their religious belief, I am offended by the blasphemy in this thread.

It is entirely possible to believe what you want to believe without being insulting.

Jesus is my Lord and Saviour and these negative comments are provocative and uncalled for. Please be respectful and exercise some sensitivity

on this cultural and religious diverse board.

ITA!

[Ta Ta 1]

And I restate that it can be done with respect and sensitivity instead of bashing. The line of TOS violation is a fine line and surely I don't have to quote it now.

Respect always should be on top no matter what the discussion is about.

I have not said to stop all religious discussion. I have pointed out a more respectful way to word your opinions.

Making fun of someone else's belief in my opinion is not ok for this board. Whatever religion it may be.

Common sense should win out over a bashing fest to single out any particular faith, Jesus in this thread. Try it with mena and surely they will say the same.

Or Hindu or whatever.

I don't know why weighing your words is so difficult. Think before you type an opinion. Does your care and concern for another human being

not outweigh the kindergarten ' fun ' of bashing away ?

Freedom of expressing your opinion is one thing but violating basic decency while mindlessly babbling on is another.

Some people just lack common courtesy and board etiquette.

Bashing away does add " fun" to your life ?

[AnaAndDaniel 0]

<-- does not know what to say now.

Daniel

:energetic:

[Sheriff Uling 3]

I would appreciate a mature sensitivity to other members and their religious belief, I am offended by the blasphemy in this thread. It is entirely possible to believe what you want to believe without being insulting. Jesus is my Lord and Saviour and these negative comments are provocative and uncalled for. Please be respectful and exercise some sensitivity on this cultural and religious diverse board.

As much as I respect your opinion, you must also respect the opinions of others. There can not be a double standard simply because you personally are offended. As long as those individuals are NOT violating the TOS, they have every right to express their opinions and have fun as they see fit. Please keep in mind that this is a public forum open to the entire world and not everyone shares the same culture, background, or beliefs.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

Sheriff...no one said anything about violating TOS...the poster was just asking for a bit of respect and sensitivity.

If we want to get into everyone's 'rights'...omoba has the right to ask for mature sensitivity to other members and their beliefs...

LisaD & Omoba,

I completely understand and feel very similar to you both. However, freedom of express is easy to defend and sometimes hard to accept when you are on the other end of it. Where do we draw the lines in the sand? It's hard to say. Who truly knows the hearts or intent of what folks express through their written communication and does that matter (probably not)? Anyway, someone will always be offended by an opinion, joke, statement, or whatever that is not in-line with their own way of thinking, beliefs, religion, or whatever. Now, when I wrote about violation of the TOS, I simply meant that the individuals for whom may have written something Omoba felt was offensive may be within their rights to express as far as the TOS is concerned (absent of their freedom of speech). Nothing more! Like I wrote before, I sincerely empathize with Omobo. Maybe my first impression of what Omobo wrote was more a demand then a request, which is why I responded. However, my interpretation was wrong (my apologies), but my stance is still the same...

As always... cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I would appreciate a mature sensitivity to other members and their religious belief, I am offended by the blasphemy in this thread. It is entirely possible to believe what you want to believe without being insulting. Jesus is my Lord and Saviour and these negative comments are provocative and uncalled for. Please be respectful and exercise some sensitivity on this cultural and religious diverse board.

As much as I respect your opinion, you must also respect the opinions of others. There can not be a double standard simply because you personally are offended. As long as those individuals are NOT violating the TOS, they have every right to express their opinions and have fun as they see fit. Please keep in mind that this is a public forum open to the entire world and not everyone shares the same culture, background, or beliefs.

Cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

Sheriff...no one said anything about violating TOS...the poster was just asking for a bit of respect and sensitivity.

If we want to get into everyone's 'rights'...omoba has the right to ask for mature sensitivity to other members and their beliefs...

LisaD & Omoba,

I completely understand and feel very similar to you both. However, freedom of express is easy to defend and sometimes hard to accept when you are on the other end of it. Where do we draw the lines in the sand? It's hard to say. Who truly knows the hearts or intent of what folks express through their written communication and does that matter (probably not)? Anyway, someone will always be offended by an opinion, joke, statement, or whatever that is not in-line with their own way of thinking, beliefs, religion, or whatever. Now, when I wrote about violation of the TOS, I simply meant that the individuals for whom may have written something Omoba felt was offensive may be within their rights to express as far as the TOS is concerned (absent of their freedom of speech). Nothing more! Like I wrote before, I sincerely empathize with Omobo. Maybe my first impression of what Omobo wrote was more a demand then a request, which is why I responded. However, my interpretation was wrong (my apologies), but my stance is still the same...

As always... cheers!!!

Sheriff Uling

...give him back his badge, but keep his pistol.

[Ta Ta 1]

Thank you. It is perfectly ok to agree to disagree. I am sorry you took it as a demand at first, it was not intended as such.

It was a request for sensitivity.

I am in no authority to demand anything here.

I appreciate you considering my perspective.

Peace !

[trueimage 0]

Thank you. It is perfectly ok to agree to disagree. I am sorry you took it as a demand at first, it was not intended as such.

It was a request for sensitivity.

I am in no authority to demand anything here.

I appreciate you considering my perspective.

Peace !

Omoba, Thank you for stepping up and saying what no one else did.

[Fuzzness 2]

I've not seen anything that I would consider blasphemy. I'm not seeing anything like "Jesus sucks, Satan rules" or anything even close to that which I would call blasphemy. Maybe it would be a good idea to have a definition, that way maybe those who are sensitive to others might be able to avoid being offensive.

[Fandango 1,440]

Sheriff, it didn't come off to me as an order...more of a request. People can honor the request or disregard it, that's their choice...but O asked....(s)he didn't say that 'people who disagree with me don't have a right to voice his/her opin'.....(s)he asked.

Nothing more, nothing less!

And had I been here earlier, I would have asked too...