tomato1236
Ninja Master
Honestly? Why is that?
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How do you feel after posting on RF?
- Thread starter tomato1236
- Start date
Honestly? Why is that?
DallasApple
Depends Upon My Mood..
I feel pretty good..
Katzpur
Not your average Mormon
First off, I feel awfully darned grateful to be LDS. The more I read of other people's beliefs, the better I feel about mine. I have always noticed that most Latter-day Saints on this and other forums seem to have a quiet confidence in their beliefs and don't often come across as hostile to people who see things differently. That's not to say that we have a monopoly on that, but there are an awful lot of people on every forum I post reguarly on who simply can't deal with the fact that we're all different. They can't just disagree; they have to fly into a rage over every difference of opinion or result to insults when someone raises a point they disagree with. For the most part, I don't see members of the Church as reacting that way. Maybe it's because of our overall view of the Plan of Salvation, etc., and the realization we have that everything doesn't have to be resolved within the timeframe of our mortal lives.
Anyway, I'm really busy right now and don't have any more time to say what's on my mind. Later, maybe. Maybe I should have waited until I had the time to say everything that's on my mind.
Last edited:
tomato1236
Ninja Master
That's arrite. I look forward to hearing more.
tomato1236
Ninja Master
So there is a very distinct feeling I get after I post. Writing about a feeling you have can be difficult if you're not immediately feeling it. Fortunately, I just got randomly yanked by Autodidact and Smoke from a discussion (they weren't even part of) about the mechanics of sin and repentence into a hostile discussion of homosexuality and my church's attempts to oppress gays by unethically influencing politics. So the feeling is back. 
I've found that regardless of what about, or with whom, after I post here I have a sort of sick feeling. One of those feelings that's not quite like others I've had, but similar. It's similar to guilt, but I don't think I've done anything wrong by discussing religion, and it goes away eventually, which guilt doesn't do without repentence, or the numbing of your conscience. So I don't think it's guilt. It's similar to the feeling you get when you're in trouble, or you've been cussed out. Maybe frustration at unexpressed feelings during an argument. It's similar to anxiety, but doesn't make me want to leave. It's an empty feeling, dissatisfaction, unpleasantness. But then I come back the next day for more. Maybe it's more similar to those times during my single years when I would find a girl I wanted, but who only wanted me for a friend. I spent hours and hours trying to get in good with her, take her on dates, etc., but would never get any sort of effort from her. Like I was being used. I had such strong feelings toward her, and did everything I could for her, and told her all about myself when she asked, but at the end of the day I didn't feel any closer to her because she wasn't sharing herself.
RF is the same way. I feel like I do a lot of explaining of my point of view, which is something very important to me, and I get little in return but criticism. I can take criticism. I'm a thick-skinned, confident person. I think what leaves me feeling empty is the incredible amount of posters here who will dissect the assertions of others, but offer nothing in return. The statements of "I don't believe that" are so much more prevalent than "But I do believe this, and this is why it's important to me". But can I blame everyone else for my negative experience? There have been several times I decided, ok, I'm done with RF. I'll just leave it alone. No one has benefitted at all from my participation, and I leave feeling disappointed each time I post. But I have a lot of spare time at work. I'm basically required to sit here until 5 in front of the computer. It's boring. So several times I've come back just to check a few posts. See if anyone frubaled my posts.
My initial motive for joining was to express my beliefs and help people gain their own experience with spiritual things, or to help spiritual people understand more. Also, I have an interest in the issue of homosexuality since my bro is gay, and I want really to understand all I can about it. Usually, though, instead of explaining their point of view in a personal way, the gay people here just get angry at me and tell me my church is hateful, etc. I'm sorry they feel this way, but I'm not here to defend my church to angry gay people. I'm not the prophet. And I don't persecute gays. I'm just a dude, and I'm trying to learn.
So anyway, all the times in my life I've had similar feelings, I've taken them to mean that I should cease whatever activity is associated with them. If I trust my feelings, this is what I should do. When I think about it, I can't imagine what's wrong about sharing my feelings on religion. When I balance the two, I recognize that testifying is valuable, but arguing is not. I recognize that I should share my faith, but with those who are really looking to find the truth, not those who are searching for a vehicle to justify dismissing it. It is much like praying for direction. I believe that God will guide us if we ask AND are willing to act on the direction we receive. I have been spending time here with people whom I feel are not willing to act, but talk only.
Prove it. Show me. Give evidence. You can't say you know that. It's a myth. It never happened.
Instead of looking for proof, prove yourself.
Moroni 10:
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and bponder it in your chearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not btrue; and if ye shall ask with a csincere heart, with dreal intent, having efaith in Christ, he will fmanifest the gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may aknow the btruth of all things.
6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.
7 And ye may aknow that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, baccording to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.
I've found that regardless of what about, or with whom, after I post here I have a sort of sick feeling. One of those feelings that's not quite like others I've had, but similar. It's similar to guilt, but I don't think I've done anything wrong by discussing religion, and it goes away eventually, which guilt doesn't do without repentence, or the numbing of your conscience. So I don't think it's guilt. It's similar to the feeling you get when you're in trouble, or you've been cussed out. Maybe frustration at unexpressed feelings during an argument. It's similar to anxiety, but doesn't make me want to leave. It's an empty feeling, dissatisfaction, unpleasantness. But then I come back the next day for more. Maybe it's more similar to those times during my single years when I would find a girl I wanted, but who only wanted me for a friend. I spent hours and hours trying to get in good with her, take her on dates, etc., but would never get any sort of effort from her. Like I was being used. I had such strong feelings toward her, and did everything I could for her, and told her all about myself when she asked, but at the end of the day I didn't feel any closer to her because she wasn't sharing herself.
RF is the same way. I feel like I do a lot of explaining of my point of view, which is something very important to me, and I get little in return but criticism. I can take criticism. I'm a thick-skinned, confident person. I think what leaves me feeling empty is the incredible amount of posters here who will dissect the assertions of others, but offer nothing in return. The statements of "I don't believe that" are so much more prevalent than "But I do believe this, and this is why it's important to me". But can I blame everyone else for my negative experience? There have been several times I decided, ok, I'm done with RF. I'll just leave it alone. No one has benefitted at all from my participation, and I leave feeling disappointed each time I post. But I have a lot of spare time at work. I'm basically required to sit here until 5 in front of the computer. It's boring. So several times I've come back just to check a few posts. See if anyone frubaled my posts.
My initial motive for joining was to express my beliefs and help people gain their own experience with spiritual things, or to help spiritual people understand more. Also, I have an interest in the issue of homosexuality since my bro is gay, and I want really to understand all I can about it. Usually, though, instead of explaining their point of view in a personal way, the gay people here just get angry at me and tell me my church is hateful, etc. I'm sorry they feel this way, but I'm not here to defend my church to angry gay people. I'm not the prophet. And I don't persecute gays. I'm just a dude, and I'm trying to learn.
So anyway, all the times in my life I've had similar feelings, I've taken them to mean that I should cease whatever activity is associated with them. If I trust my feelings, this is what I should do. When I think about it, I can't imagine what's wrong about sharing my feelings on religion. When I balance the two, I recognize that testifying is valuable, but arguing is not. I recognize that I should share my faith, but with those who are really looking to find the truth, not those who are searching for a vehicle to justify dismissing it. It is much like praying for direction. I believe that God will guide us if we ask AND are willing to act on the direction we receive. I have been spending time here with people whom I feel are not willing to act, but talk only.
Prove it. Show me. Give evidence. You can't say you know that. It's a myth. It never happened.
Instead of looking for proof, prove yourself.
Moroni 10:
3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and bponder it in your chearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would aask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not btrue; and if ye shall ask with a csincere heart, with dreal intent, having efaith in Christ, he will fmanifest the gtruth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may aknow the btruth of all things.
6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.
7 And ye may aknow that he is, by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore I would exhort you that ye deny not the power of God; for he worketh by power, baccording to the faith of the children of men, the same today and tomorrow, and forever.
tomato1236
Ninja Master
Hi Tomato
This is a really good post you add. I have not been able to find a way to answer your question in post number 21, but your description above touches on it well.
Thanks. I'm glad you appreciate it. I wanted to know if other people feel this way, but didn't want to start the thread with it in case some people just feel incredible joy when they post.
Orias
Left Hand Path
I am glad you brought this up.
I usually feel pretty good after I post, sometimes I feel like a jerk, or a bass terd, but most often I feel accomplished, since most of what I post, I post of the top of my head (which most people probably do).
When I post here, I get a sense of accomplishment, and the fact that people here actually have intellectual (not always) conversations with someone of my age. Most people either ignore me or treat me like a kid, but here I can spread my ideas and influence people as well as the Opposite. The people here are generally very smart and intuitive, all here to seek a greater understanding of what is.
And frankly I am glad to be a part of it, even if it does get dull some times.
Xeper,
Orias.
tomato1236
Ninja Master
Right on.
I remember going to chat rooms as a kid younger than you, and debating with people, and feeling validated. I would sometimes ask people after a discussion to guess my age. They would usually guess that I was 10+ years beyond my age and that made me feel good...except I do remember one person that guessed I was a 35 year old woman, and I didn't know what to think of that...
indian tea
Purveyor of Rare Herbs
rf is like any online forum....
at first you take it seriously... maybe get upset when people negate your ideas
then you understand it's all rather empty and superficial
coupled with this you soon discover with any prolific internet interaction, you are probably dealing with an overly large proportion of sociopaths, social misfits and the mentally ill...
RF then is what you make it, but like any other internet forum... if taken too seriously could ruin your life, like colon cancer..... however in the end, unlike rea life...you can turn everyone off and walk away
so how do I feel? generally disappointed at the level of stup[idity, or conversly bewildered and out of depth in a given subject.... bored and peturrbed by the same continous barrage of drivel that goes for threads...................
but hey, like the Op it kills time
at first you take it seriously... maybe get upset when people negate your ideas
then you understand it's all rather empty and superficial
coupled with this you soon discover with any prolific internet interaction, you are probably dealing with an overly large proportion of sociopaths, social misfits and the mentally ill...
RF then is what you make it, but like any other internet forum... if taken too seriously could ruin your life, like colon cancer..... however in the end, unlike rea life...you can turn everyone off and walk away
so how do I feel? generally disappointed at the level of stup[idity, or conversly bewildered and out of depth in a given subject.... bored and peturrbed by the same continous barrage of drivel that goes for threads...................
but hey, like the Op it kills time
tomato1236
Ninja Master
Uughhh. Drivel. Superficial and empty. Yep.
indian tea
Purveyor of Rare Herbs
don't mind me..its my birthday today...
lol
lol
tomato1236
Ninja Master
Happy birthday.
Bismillah
Submit
tomato: I understand what you are saying, sometimes I, but not quite as much recently, have suffered from the same sick feeling. What I think it is the fear that the beliefs we hold are wrong, or contradictory, or whatever else someone else states they are. This is not bad in itself. In fact I think it is something that should be encouraged, and is encouraged in Islam, because it gives reason for someone to look deeper within their religion and better understand the scripture that they follow.
I also understand your frustration. I've been a member of the forums for a bit and I've gone through various periods of ignoring these forums just because nothing seems to be accomplished. I come here to give a new perspective on things and as a Muslim this forum is an especially important way for me to defend and validate my faith, considering the society I live in. I think this is true for all theists, we all live in a world where it is no easy task to be religious. But, moreover on a personal level, I am always encouraged by like minded fellows of my religion and it seems that in the end my faith in Islam is always validated and comes out stronger than before. The golden rule to remember I think is that it is going to be very hard to persuade others on an online forum, merely acknowledgment of an alternate way of thinking is enough for me many of times.
I also understand your frustration. I've been a member of the forums for a bit and I've gone through various periods of ignoring these forums just because nothing seems to be accomplished. I come here to give a new perspective on things and as a Muslim this forum is an especially important way for me to defend and validate my faith, considering the society I live in. I think this is true for all theists, we all live in a world where it is no easy task to be religious. But, moreover on a personal level, I am always encouraged by like minded fellows of my religion and it seems that in the end my faith in Islam is always validated and comes out stronger than before. The golden rule to remember I think is that it is going to be very hard to persuade others on an online forum, merely acknowledgment of an alternate way of thinking is enough for me many of times.
Breathe
Hostis humani generis
Happy birthday!
Orias
Left Hand Path
Right on.
I remember going to chat rooms as a kid younger than you, and debating with people, and feeling validated. I would sometimes ask people after a discussion to guess my age. They would usually guess that I was 10+ years beyond my age and that made me feel good...except I do remember one person that guessed I was a 35 year old woman, and I didn't know what to think of that...
LOL.
Thats funny.
I would guess that its pretty hard to base age off of intelligence, but what do I know
.
