I may be opening a can of worms here, but something ticked me off a couple of days ago...

A good friend lost her heart dog and I posted on her Facebook tribute to him. I posted a poem that had the word "God" in it. A mutual friend then BLASTED me in a PM for using that word.

That particular person does not believe in God and refuses to acknowledge that others are entitled to their beliefs as well. The friend that lost her dog is deeply religious so I did not think that my post was out of line...

My beliefs are as eclectic as my dog training- I take bits and pieces and weave them together into something that works for me. I doubt that Paul even knows EXACTLY what I believe, because I don't talk about it much- my beliefs are deeply personal.

When someone here posts that they have lost their beloved dog, I try to post a poem or something to make them feel better. Now, though, I am wondering if I am offending them by doing that.. I certainly don't mean to, if I am.

So, I guess, I am just wondering if I should continue doing what I've been doing, or if I should stop. Have I been out of line by posting poems with the word God and mention of prayers?? What do you all think??

All opinions are welcome. Thanks!

--Kel

My opinion is that your responses are great ... and so valued.

We both know that LB isn't a board that entertains political or religious arguments.

But that's very different from offering heartfelt words of comfort at a time of loss.

Please don't stop.


JMO.

Kelly, I second the good advice Connie gave you. Don't stop doing what you're doing because one person doesn't understand your intention.

We live in such a melding pot of beliefs. Heck, we often don't need to go outside of our immediate families to get differing points of view, let alone across all the different cultures.

God, Allah, Yahwey, Jehovah, Spirit, Santa Claus, The man in charge, however you want to refer to whatever, probably doesn't offend whatever it is. And even if you don't believe in anything, that perfect something is probably okay with that too.

The problems come in when us imperfect, "conditioned by beliefs", flapping tongues and prancing fingers try to impose those beliefs on someone else. And they don't even have to be religious. My God, have you heard any parenting discussions lately?

I'm not the slightest bit religious as far as any organized religion goes. Hell, those gangs start wars.

But I do believe. Not in some one or some thing, but...well I don't know that there are even words for it.

In any case, when it comes to stuff like that, someone ragging me out for an action I took in good faith, I thank God he gave me dogs. I've learned to follow their lead on this one. Shake it off and carry on. Sometimes you want to piss on them but best to relieve yourself on something worthy of your attention.

Mind you, I'd have probably said something like, "Thank you for your concern, God Bless you." And not thought another thing of it. If she retaliated, she wouldn't get another moment of my time. This is where our true choices come in.

Something can only bother you if "you" let it. You know what you felt your friend needed. Trust in that.

You know that old saying about opinions, they're like ass holes, everyone's got one.

Selective hearing, ask Paul about it. Most men have it down to a fine art. Smart, smart. We desensitize our dogs to reacting and responding to every little thing. It's a good training process that many humans could benefit from.

You could start small by filling her PM box with a bunch of parables and work up to scriptures. Bet she'd be ignoring you by the end of it.

You done good Kelly, shake it off.

Sorry about the language mods, it just seemed to fit.

Don't let one person's opinion make you second guess yourself. I personally believe that those who oppose God and public prayer are in a very small minority. When a fanatic feels outnumbered, one of his favorite tactics is to single out and corner an individual, rather than face the masses.

I am not very pious, but I am from a Christian background, and my FB timeline is always full of religious references, memes, and prayer requests posted by friends and family. I have Muslim and Jewish friends that post on my very public profile, as well as some agnostic. I am sure you see some of the same on your timeline, and so does the person that pm'ed you. The fact that this person singled you out doesn't make you wrong, and it makes them a bully. If they were willing to openly challenge every believer out there, they would have responded to you in the public thread.

Good looking out, Kelly. Don't let the man or the PC keep you down.

People that feel the need to trash anyone that doesn't go along with "their" beliefs, regardless if they are religious, political, whatever seem to have trouble understanding this country's right to free speech. I believe it's also a desperate need for attention.
They also have the right to NOT view something they disagree with.
They also have the right to disagree but doing it with aggression is the best way on the planet to show how much of and idiot they are.
Don't let these idiots intimidate you for expressing whatever you believe about whatever subject as long as you don't try and force it on others and your courteous in you explanations.

On LB here my tag line, bi-line, whatever it's called is;
Old dogs love to learn new tricks.

On another forum it's;
The words of a fool offend only another fool.
I try to live by that especially over the net.
Someone's opinion has to hold some value for me to give it a second thought. To argue with that person would only take me down with him/her.There's a HUGE difference between an discussion and an argument.
.......Besides, it's more fun to piss them off with a simply smile and a nod.

You post from the heart and you care deeply about everyones dogs and the sadness of those people that loved them deeply and unconditionally.

Your beliefs are strong, important to you, and speaking as an atheist, I have NEVER been insulted or offended by your kindness or your deeply moving poems offered with friendship and love.

So big fat raspberry to the rude person that was bang out of order addressing you that way.

xx

Kelly, don't change who you are because someone lacks faith and confidence in themselves and feels threatened by a differing opinion........why else would she blow up over something between you and another friend?
Perhaps you could sign her up for an agility class to work on her confidence. I wonder if its genetic or lack of socialization?
BTW I love what you post because it is filled with warmth, caring and comfort. I really don't think the world can have too much of that.

I went to Varanasi India last year and met a "Naga Sadhu"--a stark naked holy man, covered in ashes, who had not spoken for 30 years. He blessed me by touching my head. And while I don't share his religious beliefs, it was a very profound gesture of kindness and connection. It's not something I will forget.

Neither will I ever forget the heartfelt words you offered to me when Luca died. They were also a blessing. Your kindness touched me. Thank you.

I read Kelly's post last evening and decided to think about it overnight and not respond right away. I'm glad I waited, because there has been so much wisdom and kindness posted so far. Somehow, I knew the members of this forum would respond this way and it would not devolve into the kind of religious/political argument that is so hateful and divisive these days. Reminds me of why I'm proud to be a member of this forum.

My beliefs are pretty eclectic, too, and do not fit the parameters of any of the organized religions. I consider myself to be constantly seeking knowledge. I am a scientist, not by profession but by my own nature, and I believe our species is far from knowing everything there is to know. It's a big universe out there, full of mysteries, and many wonderful, amazing things are waiting to be discovered!

Kelly, please do not stop what you are doing. I don't understand how anyone can take offense to words used to express genuine sympathy and compassion to someone in their time of sadness and loss.

Kelly - Please don't change a thing. The words and poems you offer are hugely comforting and it's so apparent they come from your heart, without any hint of an agenda or attempt to sway us into any particular belief. I can't tell you how much I value the experiences you relate and the words of advice you offer. Again, don't change a thing. To do so would simply be to give in to the bullies and you're better than that.

Oh, and you need to get a different "mutual" friend.