Faith based threads

Hi @Former-Member,

I agree with @Teej and @Appleblossom, especially on the 'bottom up' approach to the forum. That way it is about the members and the community, rather than the 'top down' visions of the organisation and individuals managing it, which can be an inhibiting thing rather than helpful. Keeping the forum about the members and community is also more empowering to us, and we are people who can especially benefit from this, given the stigma and low status that often goes with mental illness.

Having said that, I do understand where you might be coming from. I am not religious and have to admit that I personally recoil when god is mentioned in conversations on the forum. It is a trigger for me. I have a fair bit of anger baggage about what I have seen and experienced in relation to religion in my life over time. I have explored a number of different spiritual traditions over my life, and do have a kind of personal spirituality which is a conglomeration of some of them, along with my own personal take on things, and I'm aware that when I discuss these things in discussion threads, it may be offputting or triggering to others. So I believe it goes in all directions and that, generally, we need to be tolerant of each other's differences, and walk away if there's something that's bothering us.

With the particular thread you mentioned, I think it was started because mentions of religion on various other threads were giving rise to a lot of conflict on the forum, and so the idea seemed to be to have a space where these things could be shared without so much trouble arising. I never go to the thread you mentioned, and that solves my problem. The only thing that continues to bug me is that the title of the thread is ALL IN CAPITALS, which makes it feel like the thread is shouting at people when it appears in 'recent posts'. For me personally, that comes across as a kind of evangelism, which I personally don't like in any spiritual approach. I also don't think it has any place on the forum really.

To kind of restate my first point, I believe the forum works best if it is allowed to evolve from how members actually use it. Even when I don't personally relate or even like the content of some discussion threads, I fully support members rights to as much free speech as possible, and believe strongly in the value of 'subcultural' communities on the forum.

Thanks for coming to us for discussion before proceeding with any changes on this.

Hey everyone,

The feedback we have gotten is really insightful (I know I have said that in both threads but I do mean it!). Please be aware, your perspective may differ from others here which is completely fine - just ensure you express that in a respectful way. The idea is not for anyone to be fearful of sharing their thoughts, even if they differ from others. We want everyone to feel safe and supported in their thoughts. When we don't have body language etc in communication, we have to be wary of the tone that may come across.

This discussion is not about denying anyone a space for faith discussion and we are certainly not saying the thread is bad in any way. It is great that it helps people in many ways! We are looking at making sure it still promotes a space where other faiths can be welcome as well or how we can best do that moving forward, as well as acknowledging that there can be triggers around specific faiths for others.

We are taking all your feedback on board so we can further explore this area as the forum expands and evolves. Really grateful for the range of feedback.

Hi everyone,

We are really grateful for all the feedback so far. It’s important that when providing this kind of feedback that you still present neutrally in discussing specific religions or atheists. It’s really important that any level of feedback is welcomed here without fears, even if they differ from others. When we don't have body language etc in communication, we have to be wary of the tone that may come across.

This discussion is not to highlight the author of the thread or to say the thread is causing an issue. We are looking at making sure it still promotes a space where other faiths can be welcome as well or how we can best do that moving forward.

There are a lot of good points here - particularly good insight around peoples feelings on getting involved in threads that they connect with and managing the ones that they possibly feel triggered with. Also interesting thought about the use of capitals in the thread title too.

Just to remind everyone, there isn't a right or wrong perspective here and all points of views will be welcomed not only by the forums team but among members as is the way throughout the forums.

Hi @Former-Member and everyone, I have edited my earlier post as I feel it was unnecessarily offensive in the way I worded it at the time. As I mentioned, I have anger issues surrounding religion, related to past experiences. But I don't think it is helpful to express this on the forum in the way I did. I sincerely apologise to anyone who read that post and was offended. I wrote the post very early in the morning, before my senses were with me enough to censor hurtful words. I am aware that religion can be of great benefit and meaning to many people, and I do respect that, when I'm not so caught up in my own personal feelings about such matters. As I said in the post, I strongly believe in the right of everyone to express themselves on the forum about what is meaningful and positive in their lives. Though I may continue to make mistakes in the way I say things at times, overall my intention is to do better in my way of expressing things in the future.

@Mazarita Total love and respect coming you’re way for the amazing beautiful person you are. 💜😘 I’ve cleaned up my post now too. I was in total emotion mind when I wrote mine, which I knew at the time, but felt it important to start a discussion off.

@Former-Member I do concur with an earlier statement about the title of threads not being in all capitals. I understand how this came about in this instance, however in the past there has been a couple of threads in all caps and they do bother me a bit. I’m not against an occasional all caps word or two in a post but it doesn’t feel right for a title.

Thanks, @s-jay. It's good to know you are considering all issues about this thoroughly, as well as keeping us informed about progress. Your care for the community is much appreciated.

Hello all 🙂 just touching in on the Faith Based thread.

I believe it’s incredibly positive to see a thread in which the discussion of religion has assisted in your relationship with spirituality, providing also an outlet for reflection and kinship amongst members. We have considered a lot of feedback and are pleased to hear that for many of you this thread is a calming resource, as well as a place to relate to one another.

In taking onboard your views regarding the Caps lock, we do agree, it can be misconstrued and is somewhat directive in its tone. For the purpose of the forums and with the goal of inclusivity, on Monday January 21st we will rename this thread “Christian Chat”.

I want to acknowledge that there are a wide variety of spiritualities on the forum, not just Christianity but also Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Agnostic and a diverse range of others. Some of you may have a personal relationship with the Divine and some of you may not. Some of you may find meaning in science and some in nature. We’re hoping this incredible thread and the new title will encourage other members to start further faith-based chats if needs be, as well as providing the community with a clear and concise view as to the context of this conversation.

If any members have further questions please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via team@saneforums.org