Dear Barb M., Rayna & All.... I find it interesting that in the name of love, tolerance, support, encouragement, help, free speech etc. etc. just about anything posted to the list is acceptable. But, when God, personal faith/trust in Him, His love, His care, dependence upon Him, prayer to Him etc., as the strength many of us look to and rely upon to deal with PD and the other problems of this life, and more importantly, our blessed hope for the life to come, that is unacceptable. Each of us is free to believe whatever we want. Briefly, I believe in God, His Word the Holy Bible, His Son and my Savior Jesus Christ. I wish that everyone would know the peace, joy and hope that I have found in my personal relationship with Him for nearly fifty years. However, what others choose to believe is their individual decision. I can't, and don't want to, force anyone to believe as I do. I agree this list isn't the place to debate God and I don't intend to start one. But I submit that it is just as much the right, of those of us who trust Him, to share the help we believe He gives us, as it is for others to share their thoughts and feelings. I'm unaware of any list policy concerning the matter. It has been evident, since I've belonged to the list, there is a wide variety of opinion among members. They have been "discussed", sometimes quite heatedly, but for the most part, tolerantly. Please tolerate me and I will tolerate you, for the benefit of us all. And if I cannot, or if you find you cannot.......we all have a DELETE key. Thanks for listening. Gaylon -----Original Message----- From: Rayna Gillman <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Re: Reply to l/3l post to Marie >Barb, you speak for me as well. As a newcomer to this list, I have opted >not to comment about peoples' references to God/the bible/religion/the >efficacy of prayer/etc -- but I agree that these comments have no place on >this or any other list, unless the list is organized for that purpose. ====================== >>Speaking only for myself... >> >>We cover a HUGE variety of topics amongst our 1600 members on the >>List, and I feel VERY STRONGLY that the discussion of deep PERSONAL >>religious beliefs OR non-belief, and all that such a discussion >>entails, is totally out of place as a PUBLIC discussion in this >>particular forum. >> >>Believe as you will - that's your individual right... but please, >>PLEASE don't let's delve into the depths of religion in our public >>discussion when it 's so very easy to move this topic to private >>email amongst those who are interested in continuing the discussion >>further. >> >>Your sensitivity and consideration regarding this often touchy >>subject would be greatly appreciated by this individual. >> >>Barbara Mallut >>[log in to unmask] >> >> >> >> >>-----Original Message----- >>From: Callie M. Judd <[log in to unmask]> >>To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]> >>Date: Sunday, January 31, 1999 8:06 PM >>Subject: Reply to l/3l post to Marie >> >> >>>Sharon: This letter got returned- so I'm resubmitting- hope it >>makes it this >>>time..; >>>I do hope your parents recognize your sincerity of heart. You are >>so >>>fortunate to have each other. Concerning their "different" way of >>God >>>revealing himself, I some- >>>times feel this is a way of saying the truth about God, who he is, >>and what he >>>ex- >>>pects is relevant to each person. Such relevant truth is a serious >>>misunderstanding >>>by many, and I'm coming to an awareness that families need to >>interact with >>>each >>>other, in a loving way, to help all arrive at the one real truth- >>which can >>>then help >>>overcome real problems of everyday life. I'm a real believer in the >>>relationship with >>>God being such that we are able to accomplish the needed help and >>spiritual >>>growth >>>as well as physical needs- a "faith in action" concept, WITHIN THE >>FAMILY, >>>that >>>so many have abandoned for "each to his own" philosophies. >>> My healing from chronic depression came when I started reading >>the Bible >>>for >>>myself, by myself, and came to the realization I no longer wanted to >>let >>>people stand between me and God (I was raised Catholic - am now non- >>>denominational). >>>Perhaps such thoughts, coming from a third party, could help your >>dad? >>> Your activities in family literacy intrique me, please tell me >>more - >>>I'm presently >>>substitute teaching and thinking of getting cert. in Eng.,reading, >>ESL, or >>>something >>>in that area. I know I want to work in a field that helps family >>>communications, so >>>maybe family "disintigrations" can be avoided. >>> >>> A partner in the effort....... >>> someone who cares........ >>>Marie >>>