Good by and Good Luck--I do not belong here

After my post to Kym and telling what I believe in, my "Angel" does not want me to be associated with her. I do not belong here among people like that and certainly don't want to make anyone uncomfortable, so I will not be posting anymore. I think I have more compassion, understanding and sense than some who "preach" about their wonderful, all knowing and all forgiving and powerful god and then become hypocrites in real life. Does anyone know how to update the "Angel" page on our profile to remove someone? Oh, well I will figure it out. I will be fine, don't worry about me. I am a very strong individual and take credit for my own actions. If anyone wants to stay in contact with me, do it through the e-mail on the profile.

Please just let me say, that I grew up in church, and I do believe; however, I also believe that EVERYONE has the right to believer however they want... It takes a very open minded Christian to let someone else have his/her own views on religion... Please don't go... I'll be your Angel! Love Lori

Sally, I really don't know what is going on, nor do I need to know. But please don't leave us, we need your encouragement, and your very good ideas that you so freely share with us. Love, Betty

Sally, I too am a Christian and have my religious beliefs, but I will not force them on you. You have a right to your beliefs and can be a very good person even if you don't believe (this is a personal choice). We don't want you to go. I too don't know exactly what is going on here, and don't need to know....But, the way you were treated was not right and is not what God would have wanted...we should all extend compassion and love to one another regardless...this kind of treatment is exactly what turns non-believers off to religion (like you said it's the hypocrocy...and that is not what Christianity is all about -- seems like it sometimes, but it's not)....Really, this kind of attitude is rare and I'm sorry that you had to experience it. I know that it was hurtful...If you stay, we'll find you a proper angel that can give you unconditional support and love. Whitney

Sally, Diversity is so important and I hope you stay with us. It is too bad that whomever was going to be your angel decided not too because you're not religious. However, that's their issue and not yours and I don't think, at least I hope, it's not shared among the majority of us. There are many of us who are not religious on this website and many who are. However, this website is not about religion, it is about obesity and the preferred method of treating it, bariatric surgery. Don't get lured into thinking you do not belong here because of your philisophical belief system or because someone rejected you. There's a lot of support available to you. I'd be happy to be your angel if you like. I don't exactly know what to do, but I'll do it for you, or for anyone else out here if they would like. I hope that this whole religion/christianity thing that's going on here does not become a divisive force among us. I know it is possible that it will but it would be a real shame. We all started with the common interest of taking care of our obesity problem and becoming healthier. If we all stay focused on that which we have in common, and not our differences, we can continue to do a lot of good for each other. Having said all that, if you do decide to leave this website (and I hope you don't) but still want support, feel free to e-mail me and let me know how to reach you. I'd be happy to keep the communication going. Your caboose

Since I am the "Angel" you are talking about I will reiterate what I emailed you. What I said was, that I felt as a person who believes in God, it was upsetting to have an "angel" who doesnt, and that I would prefer to have an Angel who shared my beliefs with me. Never anywhere in my email did I say that I didnt want to be associated with you, I just said that I felt more comfortable having an Angel who would be saying prayers for me when I go in to surgery!! Now you have taken something that should have not been a big deal and made it a big deal. I will say again that I never said that I didnt want to associate with you, I just wanted an angle who had my same beliefs!! What is so wrong with me wanting an angel who shares my beliefs. Im so sorry that being a christian upsets soooo many people, and that I'm not allowed to want an angel who is a christian. I emailed you Sally with the way I felt, and I in no way wanted to hurt your feelings, I emailed you in private and you have brought it to the forum out in the open and are making such a big deal about it. all you emailed me back was one word fine, instead of emailing me back about how you felt, you like a child brought it to the boards so you could get attention. I didnt bring my email to the boards because I thought it was a private matter that should be handled between us. So now it's out and Im terribly sorry that you were so offended that you had to bring it here. Now this will make us all argue amongst each other, the believers and the non-believers and we shouldnt arguing amongst each other. I take offense to you saying that I am unchristian, Im didnt say that I wouldnt associate with you or talk to you, I just said once again that I was more comfortable with someone who believes as I do. `Nicole

Yanno, I have a problem with this.. only because of my belief system. This is a general opinion and not directed at anyone. If you (general) are a Christian, how can you turn your back on someone who needs you? Is that Christian-like? Just because someone doesnt believe in a diety doesnt mean that they support you anyless. Whether they pray to God or just hold you in their thoughts that should be sufficient enough. To ME its more about principle. It shows a complete lack of respect for someone who is different. How can you be friends or associates with someone but in the back of your mind there will always be that point of judgement that rejected their support in the first place? Rejection is a hard pill to swallow. Now here comes the personal stuff... Nicole, do you understand why Sally feels the way she does? Being an Angel is a huge responsibilty, I would imagine.. (Im not one nor do I have one). How would you feel if Sally refused to allow YOU to be her angel because of the color of your skin?? Or if someone refused Rob as an angel because he's a man?? It wouldnt be right. Whether or not she's praying for you on the day of your surgery shouldnt matter.. having a support system that doesnt judge you should b e the most important thing of all. Support is why we are all here. Just my .02.

Ok I will say again, now this is what my decision comes down to. if Sally is my angel and she dosent beleive in God and I ask her when she calls BEING MY SUPPORT to pray with and she dosent, now how am I supposed feel? That is what my decision came down to. If I asked my angel to pray for me, and with and she said ok I dont pray but I will give you positive thoughts to me that is not the same and I'm sorry for that!! And if Sally refused to be my angel because of what color I am she has every right to, I dont have a problem with that, thats her belief. I will stand behind my right to have a christian angel. And yes I should have been more vocal in expressing what I wanted in an angel, so that is on me. I didnt intend to hurt Sallys feelings and I cant keep saying that, but I will not be made to feel bad because I wanted a christian angel! ~Nicole

Nicole.. Im not coming down on you.. Just trying to get you to understand. I, too, do not believe in a diety. My fiance is HUGELY religious, Ive had this type of conversation with him a million times. I dont pray to a higher being but when HE is praying, I bow my head in recollection and thanks for the day, out of respect for him. If you believe in God.. then you would believe that any thoughts in support would go to Him, thats how I think anyways. If your belief system is SOOOO strong, it wouldnt matter if someone prayed directly to God or to their plant. As long as they were 'praying' on your behalf. Anyway, thats part of my 'argument' with my df.. he gets it. I guess thats my issue with it. No matter tho.

Sally don't go just because of one bigot. You belong here. You just have to face things like this head on. Prejudice is an awful thing. Shallow minds do not rule this world or this board. Your former angel is not very angelic, is she? I'll help you find another angel. Just don't go because if you do you give a stronger voice to bigots. By the way who was it?