It really gets OLD!

i think anyone challenging anyones beliefs, especially in something so personal as religion, is being extremely rude and not really worth bothering with. Be secure in your own version of truth and let them struggle with thiers, niether you nor they have the right nor reason to declare your version as correct for everyone, just correct for you blessed be

"I guess I should be used to history has a way of repeating its self Christians have been persecuted since the beginning of time" ah but no more than any other religious group in all honesty... as for ppl giving you a bad rating for sayign you enjoy goin to church or love your god etc....If you know for a FACT that you are being unfairly rated then I would complain about it....BUT make sure that is why whoever is doin it is rating you negatively...maybe its not about your personal beliefs but rather how you relay them to others...make sense? all in all though, if you are being pleasant to others and not being disrespectful when one doenst share your views then I really wouldnt worry about the ratings....ppl who've talked with you in here will KNOW you arent a negative person ya know..

You are not the only person who feels persecuted hun, just for your beliefs, a while ago I was spat at by a "christian man" because I wear a pentagram. For what it's worth I cannot see the need to negative rate anyone for their personal beliefs, live and let live. :-)

I understand your frustration and have trouble understanding how explaining your opinions about controversial subjects in a polite and reasonable manner can get anyone negative ratings. I can't see how people will justify this behavior. The fact that I agree or disagree with you has nothing to do with the quality of my response which is what can and should be rated. ON the other hand, and I am not saying that is your case , sometimes controversial subjects are rammed into people's throat's in a rude and improper manner, responses when not in agreement of poster are ridiculed and people try to convince anyone opposing their views that they are wrong. A discussion is about present a topic to discuss, look at it from all angles, and learn from it, not to force opinions on others. This kind of thing often bring flames and upsets in both sides and things sometimes get out of hand. In this case it's not the subject of the discussion that is the problem but the way it is handled. In any case rating negative is not the best option to resolve a problem and I believe it shouldn't even be available. The plus and the exclamation mark to bring mylot administration attention to an inappropriate discussion should be enough just because people misuse the - rating ,often using it for vengeance instead of rating the quality/or lack of a post.

Who are they... where they at.. let me at 'em.... I know sweetie, it can be frustrating, not just with religion, with anything you have a strong opinion on or a different one than say the original poster. I have been very frustrated on here several times, not for that in particular but other things. Let it roll off your back honey. I know I am not an overly religious person, I do believe in God, I may have a different opinion than others do. I have no problems with people stating their opinions. I can see where people would be upset if in a discussion about let's say, dog walking, someone comes in spouting the word of God. They weren't asking an opinion on that at that time. I have no problem with Atheists, Christians, Muslims, anything. Just don't force it down my throat. I know you are not that type of person, I think you have to let it go though. Don't let some of these people get you all worked up. In the end, they are really not worth it.

Just keep on giving your opinions. I was christened in the local cathedral as a baby - I was baptised in a small community churcg when I was in my 40's - I haven't attended church for quite sometime but I probably will again when I get back home. I feel that it is to each his own. If people don't like my beliefs then so be it. I don't care what religious faith a person has. It is their choice and theirs alone. I got into a rather nasty thing about religion on here one day. I answered a very nasty post from an atheist. This person got nastier and I believe the entire thing was deleted. If one wants to be atheist then let them - I dont care - I know who I am what I am and it is no one elses business but mine. Just be true to yourself.

Well I for one have no problem with religion being expressed when it is in the right place for it. When I see a discussion about a woman in an abusive relationship and someone posts "Well if you just went to church everything would be all right" then I think they are wrong to do so and I will tell them that but I won't rate them negatively for it. There is one poster on mylot who loves to go into the religious discussion and blast everyone stating basically unless you believe what she does you are going to hell. It could be a question about the bible and as far as she is concerned the bible has to be believed word for word and if not you aren't a Christain so if you say "Well how could this happen in this part but over here it says something else" you are not a good Christian in her mind. She doesn't answer the guestion at hand just demands that you believe without ever thinking about it. Yes ones like that I find irritating but I do not mark negatively. There is nothing wrong with loving your God or believing your faith. That is fine. It's when some like to try and shove it down another's throat that it becomes intrusive. I know I go into the religious discussions to discuss and to hear other opinions. I want to discuss not to have closed minds in there.

Don't feel put upon, it happens both ways. I have entered a discussion and asked a question that I guess people didn't want to answer. It was about the bible and while I received no answer my star dropped two points.

Actually I've gotten bad ratings and negative responses for posts on Paganism. *shrugs* I think there are people who bash anyone of a different religion. I personally love to talk to people of other religions, as long as their responses are respectful. I really don't mind when people tell me about the wonderful things their God has done for them as long as they don't mind if I do the same. =) As for being persecuted, I've spent my whole life being persecuted for being Pagan. In fact, I've known people who were persecuted for religion, and those people have been Pagan, Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish, atheist... in fact, I know very few people who haven't at some point in their life had problems because of other people not being accepting of their religious beliefs.

Discussions about religion and politics always stir up the worst in people - across the board. It just seems to hit people in all the wrong places. There are so many things that religions share, or should share - a belief in treating others the way you would want to be treated, living a "good" and honorable life. Ant to the person who was spat on by a "Christian" for her pentagram - all that shows to me is that he/she doesn't follow all things in his walk w/God! I have been considered a Christian for a long time, and I feel ashamed for myself and my *religion* when I hear things like that.

I am a Christian and my faith is strong - I have never had a problem with being given a bad rating because of it! I would add that I do not believe in ramming my opinions down other peoples throats or thinking that they should believe the same as me! I also believe as most of my christian friends do that as Christians we should respect and accept other peoples faith and beliefs! I am not saying that you do push your opinions on anyone or are disrespectful of others religions! I am sorry that you feel persecuted but take yourself back in time sweets and I am sure you would find out what real persecution is e it as a Jew, Muslim, Sikh , Hindhu or any other religion! Remember the Holocaust - that is true persecution! Good Luck and God Bless! xxx

I don't worry about my rating, if someone wants to rate me negative then there is nothing I can do to stop them. I don't go around rating people negatively just because they happen to disagree with me. And you are right, if you know something is going to upset you, why read it anyway? I love the Lord too, and I am not ashamed to proclaim that Love to others, but I certainly don't push it down their throats either, if someone disagrees with me, then that is their right. I try to be respectful of others viewpoints even if I don't agree. Hold onto the hope you have, and pray that your words may bring Glory to God.

Don't get me wrong, because it might have been lesser before, but a rating of 94/100 as it is for you today (Monday) looks pretty good. I'm seeing Pagans in this thread with an 8 to your 9 and the 9 looks better! Paganism being misunderstood so often might be why they have 8's...I feel it could be, anyway. As far as I'm concerned there is too much bashing and flying off the handle at a moment's notice at MyLot in general and if everyone would be better at not criticizing so much it would benefit everyone. In my opinion -- I am making MyLot money so I'll say what I think and what I know, regardless of who rates me with a minus.

Well get used to It!....Everybody is entitled to their Own Beliefs. You have yours and They have theirs and Thats the Way it Should Be. Why are" Christians" so prone to believe their Faith is the Only One? Nothing could be further from the Truth! And don't forget that the Christian Church murdered Millions of Witches during the Dark Ages. And it was done in the Name of God and Jesus! This is Fact not Speculation..(sure the church made a mistake didn't it?)

The way I see it...if a person posts something that anyone can respond to then you have to accept the opinions or you shouldn't post at all. Especially, when it comes to Jesus, people get HOT. If you think that all should be respected for the individual belief great, but not everyone feels that way. We all have a right to our beliefs and we all have a right to challenge. How are you going to learn without challenges? If you don't want challenges don't post anything. You can't control what we write, even if you throw a fit saying, "It's not nice." I'm sure-if you can't take what is in here on MYLOT.COM- there is a Christian post that maybe more accepting.

How can you tell if someone gives you a bad rating? I didn't know it showed up. Anyway, I don't think people should give a bad rating if someone is just voicing their own opinion. That's not right at all.

Amen to that brother. Well, again I don't think ratings should be the center of factors that we talk about. I can careless about ratings but the reason that I joined myLot is not to be loved by everyone but to share constructive opinions with one another. I guess some people are more bitter then others perhaps.

I won't give you a bad rating.

Yes, very aggravating. It's easy to voice a strong opinion on things like politics, inflation, etc. but not so easy when it's your religion. Sometimes we shy away because we are scared what people will say. I say, be BOLD and stand strong in Jesus, and if you reach one person out there, it's one more for the Lord. Blessings - Ronelle Fulton

Don't be upset, Rickrocks8. You're right in saying that "Maybe there is a glimmer of hope when the unchurched read such things." Very rightfully said, because I also post things hoping that I might be able to enlighten the mind of a pagan or an atheist, and get them to feel the same burning love that I have for the Lord. This is exactly how the early Christians felt when they were evangelizing people and they were persecuted. But the fact that we still do our own share of taking on the mission of Christ is enough for us to be courageous! It doesn't matter if others here mark us a bad rating. What matters is in the eyes of our Lord, we did not deny him but instead spread the Good News about the Lord!