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In Reply to: We're all outsiders (Repost) posted by Perry on January 09, 2005 at 17:27:10:
I wanted to respond to some of the comments on my post to Jules below, but that particular thread was getting pushed far down the board with all the recent discussions.
I appreciate the sentiments you express, WC. You’re right, we are all outsiders in some way. In my case, loneliness just exacerbates the feeling. In part, my comment that I’m not tolerated or respected much on this site was in response to a discussion I was involved in on this board a few days before Christmas. I lashed out at someone offering a general Christmas greeting to everyone on the site, questioning why they felt the need to offer such a greeting on this board. I was criticized for doing so, which is fine, so I attempted to explain myself.
What particularly upset me about the responses to me was that although the Christians were quick to criticize, denounce, and ridicule me, not one of them expressed any concern for me. The only person who expressed any empathy and concern was Susie, a non-Christian. I was accused by Joseph, for example, who was not even a cult member, of being over the top in my response and perspective. But yet, in the responses I got there were cruel, insensitive remarks directed at me that were not deemed to be over the top. It is one thing to disagree with my opinions, but quite another to attack me personally for the views I hold.
As far as what prompted me to lash out at the Christmas greeter in the first place, I’ll say this about it: it had nothing to do with Achiek’s recent accusation against me that I’m so sensitive that I can’t even bear to hear the word “God” mentioned. I’m paraphrasing her from a very recent post she just made within the last day or so, which is untrue and totally uncalled for. Why did she feel the need to denigrate me like that? If the people who criticised had instead expressed concern and empathy for me, as Susie did, they might have learned that circumstances in my life this year are really what prompted my initial lashing out. I did not feel this way last Christmas, and I doubt that I will have the same visceral reaction to Christmas greetings next year. But this past year has been a very difficult one for me in many ways. Among many other things, I’ve been experiencing emotions I’ve kept buried for years. It was some of those emotions that triggered my comments regarding Christmas greetings.
I don’t really want to rehash that particular topic, though, because there are some really good conversations going on here now, like the one on Responsibility. We’re all, it seems, learning how to talk with each other. Considering our common experiences one would think that would be fairly easy, but it’s more likely those experiences are the reason many of us, myself included, have a such a difficult time doing so.
One last thought: I can really relate to the various people who say “goodbye” to posting here, then come back later on. I don’t know if I’ve ever said I’d stop posting, but I’ve certainly thought it many times. But I keep coming back. It’s a love/hate relationship I guess.
No, this is my last thought: WC, thank you for providing this space. It is a tremendous service you are providing and it helps a great deal, likely in ways that you will never know, so I hope criticisms about the site don’t discourage you too much.
