Hi. I haven't posted for a while, as I have multiple illnesses and try to keep up on several forums.
I just got blocked from an anxiety forum for speaking of my faith. I really needed the support. I'm sick and isolated.
Thank you to everyone here for accepting me even though my faith may differ from yours. I'm a Christian and especially appreciate the God Thought thread. My faith keeps me going even through illness.
The anxiety forum guidelines did not say to refrain from talking about faith or religion. The block hit me by surprise.
For my sanity's sake, I copied and pasted below my post on the anxiety forum. Was I out of line???
"Religion is essentially a set of rules.
Christianity on the other hand is a faith- a faith that Jesus is Lord and Savior.
I didn't understand the difference between the two until a few years ago.
Now that I'm a Christian, I wouldn't touch religion with a ten foot poll, and I wouldn't trade my faith for my life.
If you're seeking meaning in life, how about asking God to reveal Himself to you if He is real.
I firmly believe He would answer your request, and give you an unshakable faith. Blessings, Ellen
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
Ellen, many many people get blasted on anxiety forums. Usually it's for mentioning that an underlying cause of anxiety can be Lyme and/or other infections, especially in the presence of other indicative symptoms.
The reply is often along the lines of, "How dare you suggest I may have a more serious diagnosis?!! I have ANXIETY, which you have now made so much worse!! You are obviously a terrible person and I blame you for all my emotional states."
It's an inappropriate, irrational, victimized response.
I have no idea what response your post received. I just wanted you to know that anxiety boards are fraught with peril. I would never characterize a chronically ill person this way, but some people do use their conditions (whatever they may be) to control and punish others.
Drop the boards that make you feel worse. Keep the ones that make you feel better.
Don't be hard on yourself. We love you.
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Dont be afraid. Ive been kicked off several. One for telling people about lyme and not fibro. One for uh political and one for not cowtowing to doctors. And yep one for my faith...
Youre not alone..
Posted by Ellen (Member # 42834) on :
"...some people do use their conditions (whatever they may be) to control and punish others."-BoxerMom
Thank you for pointing this out. That never crossed my mind, but I think you hit the nail on the head. The response was a public block from the administrator for disagreeing with her.
The forum rules do say it's not OK to disagree with the administrator, but I thought it meant on medical issues. Turns out the administrator is not a Christian, and I was disagreeing with her on issues of faith.
The reason I feel you hit the nail on the head is because she won't even let others disagree with her medically. She's not a doctor, and not a health care practitioner of any type, yet she refuses to acknowledge that psychiatric illness can stem from a physical illness and can be treated with medicine.
I'm surprised I didn't get kicked off the forum any earlier, because I was encouraging people to rule out physical causes of mental illness.
Maybe my faith disagreement was simply her last straw before booting me. That makes me take the response less personally, as I cling to my faith but abhor my illness. Thank you for your insight.
Blessings, Ellen
Posted by Ellen (Member # 42834) on :
Thank you randibear. Just saw your post. Whatever happened to the first amendment?
Posted by BoxerMom (Member # 25251) on :
I don't think there are any rules regarding who can start an internet board. I'm sure some do it for attention and/or followers.
Some boards are just poorly moderated and devolve into petty bickering.
Doesn't seem like this board is much of a loss. There is probably an "island of banned members" somewhere.
Don't let it ruin your day. Posted by linky123 (Member # 19974) on :
Sounds like the admin on that site is a tyrant. You are probably better off not being there anyway.
We are glad you are on lymenet. I really wouldn't worry about the other. Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
Ellen,
Firstly, it sounds like the moderator of that forum suffers from an extreme of black and white thinking.
Anyway, I know exactly what you were trying to express.
My in-laws use religion as a weapon.
My brother-in-law, who is a PASTOR with a Masters degree in theology to back it up but no compassion to speak of, once told me I was UNLOVEABLE!!! Geesh!
As a Baptist, I was raised that God was mad at me, just waiting for me to slip up...but that's not true. He loves you and wants the best for you...warts and all, even when you make a mistake. Even if you got "banned", you are still a precious child of God and He is well pleased.
I suggest you watch these 2 movies. They made me cry:
We Christians are not known for our outrageous love...harsh judgments, yes... twist a bible verse to make a political point...yes, but overwhelming love and compassion...no...sad to say Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Well this baptist ummmm disagreed with some of the viewpoints on a particular board. I was definitely the minority. And being pro marine didnt help eithe and the fact that im from below the mason dixon line and well you get the point...
Ive been called everything in the book, hon, so you're in good company here.
Im the resident redneck!!!! Lol....
I may be dumber than a stump bout some things but I do know lyme...and I learn more every day.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
You're not dumber than a stump randibear...you're hilarious Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Yeah a little humour can help anybody.
No sense in lying round like a dead clam on a polluted beach.
Besides id much rather be bugging the crap out of y'all....
Posted by Thewino (Member # 39086) on :
Ellen,
If a forum doesn't want you to contribute because of your faith, I would think along the lines that I dropped them instead of the other way around.
I don't see anything wrong with your post. The main thing is to simply stay away from those type boards who are full of cliques of people and other people with closed minds.
Please find comfort in your faith and leave that sorry forum in the rear view mirror. You will feel better!
Be well, TheWino
Posted by MADDOG (Member # 18) on :
Well if that moderator didn't agree with you Ellen. Just imagin were that moderator is going some day.
EEEEKKKKKKKKKKKKKK,EEEEEEEKKKKKKKKKK.
Scares the HELL out of me!!!!!!!!
Ha when I actually go to church I am a Holy Roller.Lately I have been a little lax on the Holy part.
MADDOG
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
Love you guys.........
Posted by steve1906 (Member # 16206) on :
It doesn’t matter what faith we believe in, what matters is how we treat each other.
Be good to yourself, be good to others, give a helping hand when possible.
Religion, politics, race etc. will always be debatable, always…
I’m catholic, and I turn to God daily, I believe everything happens for a reason, even diseases like Lyme.
I thank God that I’m still alive, I never ask him why he choose this route for me and others.
I know at times it seems like death is very close, but I always say a pray for others that are sicker than myself.
Always be honest with yourself, in the end, we will all answer to someone.
Ellen, say away from forums that are negative, it will only make your anxiety worse.
Steve
Posted by Ellen (Member # 42834) on :
Thank you so much everyone. I don't mean to be bashing anyone, which is why I left that forum unnamed, but it really was a blow to lose my friends from that site. Only the administrator/moderator was out of line.
Would be easier if we could make face to face friends struggling with the same things we are, but of course that's hard to do when we're sick!
I purposely didn't mention the reason here why the moderator said mentioning my faith was out of line- to see if others here agreed with her. Sounds like you don't agree with her, as no one here seems to think I was prostelysizing. That's why I was blocked; I was told I was prostelatyzing and not accepting others' views. The truth is just that I have my own views too, and I thought I was free to express mine just like everyone else. Guess I wasn't. Thank you for the support and for accepting me!
Posted by 2roads (Member # 4409) on :
ahhhh...just tell your other friends to come over to this site.
"The cool site.....the open-minded site".
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
Prostelatyzing? Seriously? I almost fell off of my chair. You're better off away from that site.
Posted by Marz (Member # 3446) on :
Did your post stay on the board or was it removed?
If it stayed, I'm sure it was a wonderful witness to others.
Well said and amen, Ellen!
Posted by randibear (Member # 11290) on :
Sometimes the oddest duck has the prettiest feathers.....
Posted by momindeep (Member # 7618) on :
randi...you are my type of gal! Sorry Ellen...doesn't surprise me tho.
Posted by Merry (Member # 42990) on :
Matthew 5...
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
Posted by Ellen (Member # 42834) on :
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