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Peg,

I don't believe that I said I was a nonbeliever - it would be inaccurate if I did. I also recognize that belief in god or a higher power is relevant to  emmotional support and strength to deal with this disease. But debating whether god exists or why one chooses to believe in god seems periously close to attempting to convince - preaching. I didn't say ban it , or move it to a separate area as was suggested about PD politics, I just said label it honestly - its off-topic.

I am not here to stir up trouble - it  genuinely bothers me to see so much of the "hallelujah" chorus here, on MGH, PLWP. It is usually fundamentalist in nature and often offers its politics with it, such as comments about prayer in schools, the pledge of allegiance, blah, blah...

I won't post on this subject again, but after the recent anguished posts about "we have lost our way" it seemed a bit hypocritical to launch into a long thread discussing people why believe or don't believe in a deity. Just my opinion.

Respectfully my friend,

Greg



Peggy Willocks <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
You make a valid point about not discussing the existence of God here. Here
is not a place to try to inflict our beliefs about anything about such
important topics as religion - politics and advocacy included. However here
IS a place for us to share emotional support. Wendy was not preaching but
merely making a statement about her emotional support being found in a diety
very much recognized throughout the world, no more than what you do through
your motivational statements about advocating for a specific political
action. She was answering a question as to why bad things happen to good
people - in her humble manner.

Your point is well taken that you are wanting to go on record as a
non-believer; Wendy's was well taken that she was going on record as a
believer - something that helps her (and me and others) get through living
with Parkinson's. It is best if we not discuss either politics or
religion - but let's not totally remove the intent of the First Amendment's
"freedom of speech." And please don't point a finger at someone and say
they're preaching, and their doing so willl "bring people to your door with
a Watch Tower in hand. If her statement here does so, please let us know.
Preaching? - If that is giving one's opinion of one's way of dealing with
things, we ALL have done so at one time or another. Time to move to another
topic.
Peggy
PS - "I am Peg Willocks and I approve this statement."

----- Original Message -----
From: "Greg Wasson"
To:

Sent: Wednesday, February 11, 2004 2:48 AM
Subject: Re: WendyLearning To Accept Life, Not Fight It


> With all due respect to everyone who has contributed to the recent
discussion of the existence of God, I think that the God/No God question is
far less important to the subject of Parkinson's than a respectful
discussion of the politics of health in the U.S., Canada, or elsewhere.
>
> If believing in God makes it easier for some to live with the disease,
fine, end of story. The rest, despite disclaimers, is intended to convince
those who don't believe - that is, it is preaching. It is off-topic and
comes close to being offensive. I don't want preachers showing up on my
cyber door-step, Watch Tower in hand.
>
> This is not aimed at Wendy or anybody in particular. But I think that
debate about the EXISTENCE of God should be clearly labeled OT (off-topic).
>
> Greg
>
>
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