Well, like I said earlier, I don't mind people who say they'll pray for me. I don't feel that it really intercedes on my life or my beliefs, but I whole-heartedly understand how some might feel that way. I can also understand how some might be offended by being asked NOT to pray for you. People feel strongly about what they feel strongly about (pretty deep, huh? ) When someone says they'll say a prayer for me, I just say "thanks" and shrug it off. I guess I'm just a "laissez-faire" kinda gal.

Oh man, that's the worst kind!! I hope it's not getting to you, it doesn't seem like it is. That sort of thing makes me angry. Those people have no idea what their god will or won't do for them but they always come up with some kind of "explanation" to connect god to whatever ends up happening. If you were religious and your health improved, that would be god hearing your prayers. If you weren't healed that would be god's will and it's not in his "timing" for you or his "plan"... sheesh! Personally, I find greater comfort in the fact that there isn't some man in the sky pulling the strings on my life and manipulating me to his whim. Sometimes bad things will happen and I will do my best to deal with them! Victimhood is in your mind and you CAN be strong enough to handle whatever life throws at you! For me, my weight was my.. dare I say it.. cross to bear for my entire life. I struggled and fought and never conquered it. It made me depressed and had a negative impact on virtually every aspect of my life. Surgery was the answer I'd been waiting for my whole life and I worked two long years to get insurance approval. Now I'm doing everything I can to make the most of the opportunity I've been handed. I hope you can find an answer for yourself for all that you are dealing with, Donna. Take care my fellow Don(n)a sister!

I can totally relate Myrtle! I can't believe the firestorms I've set off on other messageboards simply by mentioning that I'd prefer people refrain from praying for me! There are some xtians who get REALLY offended and behave as if I have violated some "right" of theirs to be involved in my life! I just want to be left alone and they have trouble grasping that! I would like everyone to feel free to do and believe whatever works FOR THEM. If someone believes that god works in their life and somebody hears their prayers---great, I hope it brings them comfort and strength. I really do. But please leave me out of it! That doesn't seem like it should be a difficult request but.... I'm sure there are some people who find that facing WLS stirs up religious issues in their family, perhaps if they have distanced themselves from their family's religion. If anyone is struggling with this I hope they will find this board for support.

Thanks for posting the link for this board on the main board. I would never have found it otherwise. I don't think I'm an athiest per se, but would rather keep religion out of the posts I do see and read. I moderate a couple local support boards and religious posts are not allowed through and those who constantly put "blessings" or "god won't give you more than you can handle" or "I hope the lord guides your surgeons hands during surgery" are warned that religious comments should be kept to a minimum. For some it's just the way they talk, for some it's their lifestyle but I believe it isn't EVERYONE's lifestyle so don't post it on a national board. I'm glad this board exists - I hope to get many opinions and advice for myself here and hope to give some back. Thanks again for the link. Myrtle.

My post on the Main board must have worked! Thanks Becky! You've given me an idea for a thread...