Chatterbox: Down to Earth

@Jaybells (Responding to your posts on the Poetry Contest and ConfessionsC Threads) 

First things first, I'm so, so glad that you're still here!! :D I got so scared when I read your tentative temporary goodbye...(but don't worry about being dramatic, or scaring, or worrying; I think it's very kind of you to let us know, so we don't just think you're on a long hiatus and be like, "Hey, Jaybells hasn't been around in a while...I miss xyr a lot" [not sure if I used your pronouns correctly, but I think you still use xe/xyr?]) 

(and now to abruptly switch topics to your post two weeks ago on the Poetry Contest thread, bc I can’t think of a proper transition)

What you went through sounds truly awful (and not being able to talk about it in entirety?!) :( *hugs* It seems that even if the people who (Condemned? Convicted? I can’t find the right word) you genuinely meant well and were trying to help you, they might not have been doing it very lovingly or tactfully or gently. *sighs* (I’m just guessing based on your description–I don’t think what they said would be as harmful if it had been put more gently). 

It makes me sad how much some people try to exclude LGBTQIA+ people. It seems like all this controversy and hatred and exclusion has really damaged your faith in God :( Hatred goes to say that nobody is perfect...but it's still terrible how that hatred is really going against God's message of love :( Have you tried looking for other churches who would encourage rather than discourage you? I think there are some out there...

 

I know that you said you don’t identify as religious anymore, but lmk if you want me to pray for you (physically, for health and hospital procedures and spiritually, and also anything else too) <3

submitted by Lyric@Jaybells, age :)
(July 27, 2024 - 1:21 pm)

Feel free to pray, I don't mind. I think it can be important to have something you feel like you can rely on, like a higher power. It's just that it can also become a problem when people use the excuse of a higher power to do/allow truly horrible things.

Not sure if you saw, but the whole middle half of my comment actually got taken out, so as much as the LGBTQIA+ thing with the church/temples is an issue with me, there are also a lot of other types of hypocrisy and just not-good things that go on having to do with religious institutions. These kinda of things are a real and present problem for so many people.

I'm sure that there are churches and synagogues (and other religious spaces) where these things are not as prevalent, but it's hard to have faith in a system that seems to encourage a lot of these failings. I've tried to speak out, but have only ever been shut down and dismissed, if not worse. If I can't change the unfair long-standing "traditions" of others, I just have to step away from it.

Maybe someday I will be able to find a group that I will feel comfortable in, but as of now, I can't claim to be religious. Thank you for hearing me out, I know I can be uncomfortable to be confronted with information like this, but I think it's really important to at least try to understand and be knowledgeable about the flaws and injustices around us, especially when it has such a real effect on so many peoples' lives.

submitted by Jaybells, Lost, somewhere
(July 28, 2024 - 1:12 pm)

Haha, it happened again, a good chunk of my comment was taken out :')

submitted by Jaybells, Lost
(July 29, 2024 - 2:37 pm)

Oh, and yes I still use xe/xyr! You used it properly, too! :)

submitted by Jaybells, Lost, very lost lol
(July 28, 2024 - 1:13 pm)
submitted by top
(July 28, 2024 - 8:12 pm)
submitted by top
(August 3, 2024 - 3:05 pm)
submitted by Top
(August 4, 2024 - 4:47 pm)

:/ part of my comment got taken out too, I think...or I might have deleted it before submitting and forgot I deleted it.

Thank you for sharing! Yes, I agree that it's important to be aware and understanding of this. I'll be praying :)

submitted by Lyric, reading
(August 8, 2024 - 1:51 pm)