religious expression & diversity

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to add my .02 to this discussion. I personally don't find it

offensive if someone talks about how God (or who/whatever they worship) has

helped them deal with their situations. What I do find offensive, and as

far as I know it has never happened on this list, is when someone tells me I

MUST believe only their views or they push their religion on me. If someone

is going on about how God has helped them and I don't wish to read it, I

just skim the post until I do get to what I want to read. While I agree

that posts that are more religious in nature than mito don't belong here, I

do think we need to be flexible and not get offended at the mear mention of

religion. Seeing as we're all adults we should be able to take a prayer

offering not as a bad thing (if you don't believe in that), but as a good

thing. I mean I for one can't remember who is what religion and I don't

mean to offend anyone if I say I will keep them in my prayers, I'm just

trying to be helpful in my own way. I know religion is a very touchy

subject, I just hope we can be a little tolerant.

Sue ( & Jack)-worn out parents to the greatest kids on earth--

Chris-8: Leigh's Disease, MR (mild), hypotonia, non-walker/talker

-7: Leigh's Disease, MR (mild), hypotonia, non-walker/talker, trach

tube (tracheomalasia), g-tube/fundo Visit us! http://u2.lvcm.com/jscb

[Guest guest]

Ok, I think that some threads by their nature carry more of a tendency for

religious expression than others. Being able to feel free to express how

you are coping (or not coping) at any given time is really important in

dealing with this disorder. I think that the respect for diversity shown

here is wonderful, as is the overall support, and would hate to see anyone

feel stilted in their expression. So I have a suggestion that may help in

part.

If I recall correctly, years ago the Our Kids list decided to set up a

semi-connected prayer list, and I think it goes through two OK members (and

that it is even listed at the OK site too). Perhaps it would be helpful to

some of our members to start one up as well. *Not* to stop expression here

by any means, but perhaps channel some of it in a positive and more

fulfilling fashion for those so inclined. Again, I want to emphasize that

I would hate to see anyone feel uncomfortable and not able to fully express

themselves here. I also find that if I am responding to someone (usually

privately) that it really does help sometimes to have some feel for the

'whole' person, and that comes through better with free expression. And

btw, I am saying this as a Jew and an Israeli. I would _not_ want people

praying for us, but I _do_ appreciate this as a meaningful and constructive

or central experience for many people. Again, a parallel prayer-list would

not be to _replace_ religious expression here, just something to help meet

some people's needs here more fully by providing one more outlet.

My, I am saying this poorly. I'm hoping someone else who is an OK member

can flesh this out better and more sensibly.

Thanks for listening,

Jana

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 99-06-23 13:54:19 EDT, you write:

<< I just skim the post until I do get to what I want to read. While I agree

that posts that are more religious in nature than mito don't belong here, I

do think we need to be flexible and not get offended at the mear mention of

religion. Seeing as we're all adults we should be able to take a prayer

offering not as a bad thing (if you don't believe in that), but as a good

thing. I mean I for one can't remember who is what religion and I don't

mean to offend anyone if I say I will keep them in my prayers, I'm just

trying to be helpful in my own way. I know religion is a very touchy

subject, I just hope we can be a little tolerant.

Sue ( & Jack)-worn out parents to the greatest kids on earth-- >>

Dearest Sue and all:

I appriceated what you said in this email. Anything I wrote was a responce

to another email. It was NOT intended as a religous " advertisement " . If

MitoList members are to be sensored regarding contributions containing

religour support, MitoList should carry that in the heading, and state that

MitoList is a " Secular-Support Organization only. Are we now to choose what

kind of support is acceptable and what is not? Sounds particularly offencive

to me!

Lynnie