posted
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
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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BoxerMom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25251
posted
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.
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
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..
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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posted
"...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
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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linky123
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19974
posted
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.
-------------------- 'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.' Matthew 11:28 Posts: 2607 | From Hooterville | Registered: Apr 2009
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lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
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
randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
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.
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
You're not dumber than a stump randibear...you're hilarious
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
-------------------- Wrinkles only go where the smiles have been --J. Buffett
All of my replies should not be taken as medical advice as they are my opinions only and I am not a physician. Posts: 55 | From Florida | Registered: Oct 2012
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MADDOG
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 18
posted
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
Posts: 4083 | From Ohio | Registered: Oct 2000
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2roads
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4409
posted
Love you guys.........
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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steve1906
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16206
posted
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
-------------------- Everything I say is just my opinion! Posts: 3529 | From Massachusetts Boston Area | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
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!
-------------------- Ellen _ _ ___________ _ _ lyme disease dysautonomia Chiari malformation anxiety Posts: 72 | From Birmingham, AL | Registered: Dec 2013
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2roads
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 4409
posted
ahhhh...just tell your other friends to come over to this site.
"The cool site.....the open-minded site".
Posts: 2214 | From West Chester, PA | Registered: Aug 2003
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lax mom
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 38743
posted
Prostelatyzing? Seriously? I almost fell off of my chair. You're better off away from that site.
Marz
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3446
posted
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!
Posts: 1302 | From USA | Registered: Dec 2002
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randibear
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11290
posted
Sometimes the oddest duck has the prettiest feathers.....
-------------------- do not look back when the only course is forward Posts: 12262 | From texas | Registered: Mar 2007
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momindeep
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7618
posted
randi...you are my type of gal! Sorry Ellen...doesn't surprise me tho.
Posts: 1512 | From Glenwood City WI | Registered: Jul 2005
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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.
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