I am really hurt this past weekend,I had sponsered a message board for a bunch of mothers so that they could chat and have a place to keep in touch,and most of them there are Christians.I didn't have a problem with it,I even made them a Bible Study Room and paid the money for the ezboard.I always felt kind of uncomfortable with some of them there,but it all came to a head on friday.We had a secret santa on the board,and this one girls secret santa wasn't posting anything to her and she didn't think she had one and said something like she guessed her secret santa forgot her.So I felt bad for her,and took it upon myself to pretend to be her secret santa and I sent her a gift.Well,the girls real secret santa was so mad,and especially because it was me that did it,she had one of the other women on the board write me a nasty letter,and then proceeded to tell me that they are Christian women and didn't like my presence on the board,needless to say they wanted me to leave.But I wasn't about to leave and let them use a board that I paid for,so I got rid of all of them and designed the board over,and have my friends from the pet board coming.And now even the girl I sent the secret santa gift to and felt sorry for is being two faced towards me.There is only one girl that stayed on my board out of 23.Sometimes I wonder how some Christian people can spout out about kindness and stuff and they don't even follow it themselves.I talked to these people for almost 2 yrs,and it really hurt me,I'm a sensitive person with a caring heart,and I sure didn't have the money to be spending on a board,but I felt bad for them.Guess I'm a sucker.Oh well,maybe I should have put this in the vent section.

No, you put the post in exactly the right place. Prejudice is very much a part of following and alternative spiritual path. I am not christian but find the words of the christ to be wisdom that anyone with heart can hear- the problem is those who hear nothing but man made rules that have nothing to do with their savior's words. I am sorry for you but this happens and will happen again.......it is the way of things.

Not all christians are like this- many have hearts that are full of love for all- you will find these people from time to time.

Try to understand that the souls of some people are limited with the need for control (right wing fundamentalists- hey how 'bout the taliban??).Just giggle silently to yourself thinking "it's too bad closed minds don't come with closed mouths".

I personally cannot imagine life with a closed mind- despite the problems that an open mind brings from time to time- it's worth walking the road!You will see wonders that they will never even know exist!

On the other side of the political fence.....

This thing with the schools banning yule trees, red and green and santa....one little girl on the news said she thought we should all be able to have our different holidays toghether. She is so right! What an opportune time to learn about different beliefs than the holidays!

I hope you all have a meaningful holiday. Hope it snows pretty for yall up there in the north country.

sundog

You have kind heart Manaka. It was very nice for you to do that for them. And what thanks did they give you? Well you learned a lesson and are the bigger person for it. You have a board now that you like and will maintain and let them get one of their own. A few of us have also learned the hard way that many "members" are not who or what they seem and take joy in making others angry, upset or sad. Don't let them win. Make lemonade out of lemons and enjoy your board and make it what you want! =)

I can't believe how many posticons there are. Anyways, what I'm finding is someone can be religious, but not spiritual at all (I must go to church, I must put money in the basket, I must attend the social events...) and some of the most spiritual people I have ever met are not religious at all. I have a friend who is christian and believes her jewish friend, and for that matter everyone that doesn't believe what she does, is going to "burn in hell". How presumptious is that! I'm right, so everyone else is wrong. That is an issue for therapy...anyways, it sounds like the people you were around were extremely religious, but not spiritual in the least.

Manaka, I am so sad to hear what those ladies did to you!! There is so much more to being a good person than just being able to "announce" that they are Christian. I have NEVER believed in trying to change anyone's faith, nor do I believe in pushing my own faith onto anyone else. That is a very personal choice, probably the most personal choice you will ever make. This is that faith that is with you in the darkest, most frightening and most alone moments of your life, and if you aren't comfortable with it, then it is time to take another path. My own faith is a mixture, part Native American, part Pagan, part Christian... this is what suits me, and makes me feel whole. I get so frustrated when I hear about something like this... where people literally "gang up" on someone just because they are different. They look at everything... skin, race, religion, political affiliation. I have always loved the differences among the peoples of the world. Take a look at my postcard site... I have several religions represented there, and I do them all with equal care and attention to detail. I had to research many of them to even create a card that would be acceptable. I learned alot! But, mainly, I learned how very ALIKE we all are! We all have the same wants, needs and desires, no matter what language we speak or how we worship.
Anyway, Manaka, I am sending you a soft, warm hug, and I want you to be happy that you are no longer associated with these dreadful women. You were too kind, too sweet, and they bashed you for it. Just be our Manaka, and we love you just as you are!

Blessings,

azspirit

Here, here to what everyone has said. I am so sorry you were mistreated, Manaka. It's amazing to think that those (x)members of your board wanted you to be the one to go! Forget it!! They can go find a churchy board where they can claim themselves christian and mistreat people and expect them to like it.

Take heart though, you're a good person. You did what you thought was necessary at the time - and it was a good thing. Shame on them for being so hateful and catty.

We're glad you're here...

Big hugs,
Kell

Manaka i will have to say they are VERY pig headed. If they can't see past their "god" and see that other people belive in other gods to then they are the bad guys. I'm glad you have found other people for your board. I hope this one is nicer then the other one.

Cherrie

It's been the week of the converters.Then this other women sends me a letter,telling me basically that she likes me and doesn't want to see me go to hell,and tries to convert me,and then for Christmas,my father and his wife send my daughter a book about Jesus.And if it's not friends trying to convert me,it's my family.Why can't they just deal with the fact that not everyone is a Christian.

Manaka, that woman had no business to judge you. Her own Christian Bible says that only God is the judge. But, she can tell people that they are going to hell? Give me a break! Has anyone ever noticed which religions even go door to door, peddling their faith like a commodity? You don't see Jewish, or Hindu, or Pagan, or Native American, or Buddhist, or Shintu, or Muslim, or other faiths going door to door like the Christians do. I was born and raised a Christian, and that has been something that has always bothered me. Most any religion will welcome converts, of course, if people seek them out... that is fine. But, I think it is only right to allow people to worship their Creator in the way they choose. They don't need my judgement or harrassment. It is up to each of us to be in a good relationship with our Higher Power, whatever or whomever we conceive them to be.

Those are my thoughts, for what it's worth...
and it is how I believe, and how I conduct my life. You will never hear me telling anyone how to worship.

azspirit

I am so sorry, Manaka. I think we all know what it is like to have kindness returned with unkindness and it hurts. Please have courage and forgive them. Do as the Christ preached. Forgive them. Show them what a good concientious heart heart can do. I personally believe that Christianity has strayed from what the Christ taught. And many Christians wouldn't recognize the Christ if they were locked in a room with him for a week. But they need to learn. From a kind and sensitive heart. =)

P.S. What you did for them was in the true spirit of Christianity. You have a kind and generous heart. God bless you.