We are not actually considering allowing all religious discussions, but we have noticed quite a bit of discontentment at and anger towards the ban on religious posts recently. We wanted to post these polls and this discussion to hear your opinions on this. The rule should ideally both prevent people from experiencing a worsening of their symptoms from using this site and prevent fights between users over differing religious beliefs.
As the polls look now, I notice that most are happy with the current moderation, but a sizeable minority are not. Most would however like to see some posts about religion allowed, but not all posts, and some members find religious posts triggering.
I do not find religion helpful, and I have seen myself from being in hospital that it can become an obsession for some people.
This is a recovery and support network. Politic and religion are two very emotive things and I do not think it will do the content we have here any good as the atheists or the Trump supporters or whatever will just cause you guys a lot of trouble.
These topics are very argumentative, and also could trigger others. This is a safe place you have here online for people to come to for support. I donāt particularly think politics or religion should play a part.
I am deluded enough already according to doctors, so reading regions fanaticism from people really struggling is not going to be of benefit to the poster or the reader if it turns into a ā ā ā ā -storm.
Letās please try to keep this discussion civil. We decided to post this because we want your guidance on how to make this forum work well for everyone. We have not yet decided to change the rules at all.
I think spirituality is a fundamental aspect of being human. I think discerning spirituality from delusion is an important challenge that all people with psychosis have to go through and I am sad that it canāt be discussed here, where we can have outside feedback to say things like āWhile I appreciate youāre trying to develop your views on existence & the universe I highly doubt you are, in fact, Jesus and perhaps need to make a medication adjustmentā and things like that.
I know for me I have had to learn over time that the divisive factor for spiritual beliefs vs delusional ones were that delusional beliefs revolved around me, and my spiritual beliefs did not. For example, everyone reincarnates=spiritual belief, I am the incarnation of a previous werewolf princess=delusion. This was a very important lesson for me to learn and helped me with insight and avoiding delusions while also building a healthy spirituality.
Also I believe spirituality can be discussed in a recovery context. Maybe some people found their religion to be a comfort to them and it helped them and they want to share that for example.
Despite all of this, I do also very well understand the reason why the policies are as strict as they are, and just because Iām not really triggered by talking about spiritual things and find it interesting doesnāt mean that other people wonāt be badly triggered. Thus if we do ever allow its discussion to a greater extent I would say having trigger warnings attached to it would be a must even if itās something innocuous.
Oh god in the past before I had insight and would freely talk to people I trusted about my beliefs I would suck people in. Even when Iām psychotic since Iām well spoken it seems like Iām not. Itās bad enough to the point where I convinced several mental health care workers in the past that I had special gifts and was chosen for x reason and whatnot. Also had friends believing in the past in other weird things. It scares me and makes me feel like I need to wear a T-shirt saying āI have a psychotic disorder please donāt believe things I tell youā.
Though the last time it happened I was even very clear that I was diagnosed with a psychotic disorder and the therapist was just like no you donāt this is real. Iām an unintentional cult leader.
Thatās why when Iām doing well I donāt really allow myself to talk about my beliefs. Even when my friends just ask me like what my spiritual beliefs are out of curiosity.
Ohh! Touchy subject either way. I think if folks want to discuss spirituality through PMs there is no harm there. But openly could inadvertently hurt many folks.
I donāt see the harm in it, this place is a bit like a church in a way, we are a community or gathering of like minded souls even if it is just online and we all try to support each other too,
I think there are a lot of misconceptions around religion esp bc of what has happened recently with all the terrorism etc its no wonder it has gotten a bad name,
I personally think it is a good thing, I think some of the stories in the bible are really inspiring but obviously i do not think anyone should be quoting any verses here,
a lot of the stories are of great struggle and how someone stood up for the people in a time of great conflict and i think we are a people who struggle in times of great conflict as well and we all need a good role model to look up to.
anti religious texts are just as triggering (if not more) as the alternative imo, i get really upset when i read someone putting down my faith bc it means a lot to me.
for anyone who is against it, i really am sorry you feel that way
but truth is imo with this illness anything and everything is a potential trigger if you are symptomatic, i think the trigger is not the problem but the symptoms of the illness relating to it and that should be treated.
I think schizophrenia has a major spiritual component. Itās an elephant in the room. It would be beneficial for some to discuss it but itās going to be more work for the mods as it is a divisive topic. In my experience posting about the concept of god here the responses were all over the place and some people flagged it which got it deleted. I think some here are mad at god for ending up with schizophrenia.
@anon73425833 you have made your stance abundantly clear, and we are taking your thoughts into account. Please try to remain civil and allow everyone the same courtesy of being able to voice their own opinions.
Yeah. Spirituality is the elephant in the room. I pretty much agree with @mmasters post. People should be allowed to discuss it. Iām an athiest for what itās worth.