Re: SMA and religion

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 1/15/2006 12:32:24 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,

those2@... writes:

Why do you remainful faithful to a religion which treats you so poorly

and sees you as worthless? You have said before that you often feel

worthless. It's hard to not see a connection there.

Lori

I think shes remaining faithful to her 'religion' not to 'whoever

offended(s) her.

j e s s ! c a

personal webpage: http://hometown.aol.com/heaven20seven/index.html

[Guest guest]

My brother and I both have SMA 2/3. I am 28, he is 18. Our family is very

Catholic. I was born in Poland, and came to the US when I was 8.

My family, our church, and others, have made stupid comments just like the

one you mentioned. We are sick because:

1. My parents don't have enough faith/love for God.

2. My parents or ancestors sinned, and we are their punishment.

3. We are the " chosen " ones to suffer along with Jesus, to suffer for other

sinners or the souls in purgatory.

In Poland, there was a procession around our church, with kids throwing

flower petals on the ground. My mom took me in her arms and joined in with

the kids, so I could throw my flower petals. A nun came up to her to leave

the procession, because its for kids only, and I am an embarrassment. My

mom reluctantly left, being physically pushed out. My dad then took me in

his arms and took me back into the procession. Then a priest came in and

asked my dad and me to leave. My dad told that priest off and we continued.

My own people, my own church, which was named after my patron saint, St.

Margaret, wanted me out, because I was a cripple and an embarrassment to

them.

I think I told the group this story before, but in case I didn't, here it

is. About 5 years ago, my family and I went to visit Poland. The airport

in Krakow has no convenient way to get out of the plane. You have to walk

down these long stairs they roll by the plane. So my dad, first picked me

up and carried me down the stairs and put me in my manual chair, waiting for

me on the ground. He went back up and carried down my brother, to his

manual chair. Everyone in the airport couldn't help but gawk at us, this

was such a freak show for them. Then, we were greeted by family, one of

which was my aunt, who is a nun. She was heading out with her religion

class somewhere. A week after, we went to her convent to visit her. While

my parents talked with my uncle, she told me something that happened to her

at the airport the day we arrived. She said a couple, who were traveling on

our plane, and saw my parents helping and carrying us, up and down, stopped

her and asked her a question. They asked what they have to do, never to

have children LIKE THAT. My aunt, a nun, told them to just pray and pray

and have faith that God will give them healthy kids. She repeated this to

me twice, to make sure I understood.

I hate her. I will never forgive her for that. She has no idea how much

that hurt me. She never will. I even told my priest, at confession, that I

just cannot forgive my aunt for this. He told me I don't have to. He was

shocked she could say such a thing and told me that she has done a cruel

injustice to me, and to leave her to God to forgive or not forgive. He told

me I have no sin in not forgiving her. But why do I feel guilty for hating

her???

I don't believe God gave us this disease and I don't pray to God to take it

away. I pray to God to help me find happiness.

Eternal Blessings,

Meg.

(My Blog: http://360./pink-tulipameritech (DOT) net)

Re: SMA and religion. On topic.

In a message dated 1/14/2006 10:34:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,

nickdupree@... writes:

Has anyone here been told by Christians that it's the parents fault for

not praying enough that causes the child's disease? Or family's

previous sin? or that if you only joined their church, you will be

healed?

Well, it has been suggested to ME that the reason my kids are disabled is

b/c my husband and I married " outside the catholic church " . We used a J.P.

instead of a Priest. I had a brief marriage when I was 18 years old that

ended

in divorce, and for some strange reason, the Catholic Church will NOT

recognize my " divorce " , therefore, they would NOT marry Joe and I 24 years

ago. I

still go to Mass every week, and my kids have been raised Catholic.

Hard to understand, so I've stopped trying.

I do NOT believe that our disabled children were given to us because we

didn't get married in the Church, but SOME " older " folks DO believe

this.............

SAD!

~

[Guest guest]

This is why i hate religions and priests, everin such the people who have

troubles, like us, and they say: Dont use condon or anti-concptives, if you

do, you go to hell... Obviusly, more poor people more people to send then

your few money... I realy hate the industry of faith...

Felipe

Re: SMA and religion. On topic.

>

>

> In a message dated 1/14/2006 10:34:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> nickdupree@... writes:

>

> Has anyone here been told by Christians that it's the parents fault for

> not praying enough that causes the child's disease? Or family's

> previous sin? or that if you only joined their church, you will be

> healed?

>

>

>

> Well, it has been suggested to ME that the reason my kids are disabled is

> b/c my husband and I married " outside the catholic church " . We used a

J.P.

>

> instead of a Priest. I had a brief marriage when I was 18 years old

that

> ended

> in divorce, and for some strange reason, the Catholic Church will NOT

> recognize my " divorce " , therefore, they would NOT marry Joe and I 24

years

> ago. I

> still go to Mass every week, and my kids have been raised Catholic.

> Hard to understand, so I've stopped trying.

> I do NOT believe that our disabled children were given to us because we

> didn't get married in the Church, but SOME " older " folks DO believe

> this.............

> SAD!

> ~

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Why do you remainful faithful to a religion which treats you so poorly

and sees you as worthless? You have said before that you often feel

worthless. It's hard to not see a connection there.

Lori

Meg W. wrote:

> My brother and I both have SMA 2/3. I am 28, he is 18. Our family is

> very

> Catholic. I was born in Poland, and came to the US when I was 8.

>

> My family, our church, and others, have made stupid comments just like the

> one you mentioned. We are sick because:

> 1. My parents don't have enough faith/love for God.

> 2. My parents or ancestors sinned, and we are their punishment.

> 3. We are the " chosen " ones to suffer along with Jesus, to suffer for

> other

> sinners or the souls in purgatory.

>

> In Poland, there was a procession around our church, with kids throwing

> flower petals on the ground. My mom took me in her arms and joined in

> with

> the kids, so I could throw my flower petals. A nun came up to her to

> leave

> the procession, because its for kids only, and I am an embarrassment. My

> mom reluctantly left, being physically pushed out. My dad then took me in

> his arms and took me back into the procession. Then a priest came in and

> asked my dad and me to leave. My dad told that priest off and we

> continued.

>

> Meg.

[Guest guest]

I remain faithful to God. People in Poland are very judgmental about others

different from them. Back when I was young, you never saw a person in a

wheelchair or walker outside. These people were either stuck at home or a

nursing home. Now there is more acceptance, but it's a slow process.

I love God and I love my catholic faith. But there are many screwballs in

it, but it's not God's fault. Not all clergy have treated me this way. So,

I won't leave my faith just because of some screwballs that have popped in

my life.

God, and there is no shortage of screwballs in my family! *LOL*

Eternal Blessings,

Meg.

(My Blog: http://360./pink-tulipameritech (DOT) net)

Re: SMA and religion

In a message dated 1/15/2006 12:32:24 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,

those2@... writes:

Why do you remainful faithful to a religion which treats you so poorly

and sees you as worthless? You have said before that you often feel

worthless. It's hard to not see a connection there.

Lori

I think shes remaining faithful to her 'religion' not to 'whoever

offended(s) her.

j e s s ! c a

personal webpage: http://hometown.aol.com/heaven20seven/index.html

[Guest guest]

To all who have been hurt or abused by people of faith,

I am truly sorry for the things you have faced. I want to offer an apology on

behalf of the Christian church. I want to emphasize that I am not talking about

church as in a building, a place where you go on Sundays, or even a single

congregation. I mean church as in the true worldwide collection of believers of

Jesus Christ. I'm not trying to be presumptious with my apology, but rather, I

am being completely sincere here.

True believers in Christ may participate in organized religion, but they also

recognize that real Christianity involves more than just a man-made brand of

procedures to follow. It's not about denominations. It's about a personal

relationship with Jesus, part of which includes treating people with love and

respect. It does also mean living by Biblical standards, but those standards do

not exclude loving people with varying opinions.

Do I want all people to come to know Jesus personally? Absolutely! I believe

that He is the Truth, the Life, and the Way.

Do I believe that the way to lead people to Him is by condemning them by my

words and deeds? Absolutely not! In fact, although there are many things we

disagree on as a group, we have one sure thing in common, and it isn't SMA.

We're all human. Sometimes we're right and sometimes we're wrong, but we all

hurt, we all love, we all cry, and we all rejoice. We all feel. And that makes

me love you all, even if I don't always agree with you. I really mean it, so I

hope you take me seriously.

I love you all as my fellow humans, and I'm genuinely sorry from the bottom of

my heart and soul if a member of the Christian community has hurt you. All I

can ask from my heart is please don't let the actions and words of a few people

turn you away from the possibility that 1) there is a God, 2) Jesus Christ is

the Savior, and 3) true Christianity really is about love when all is said and

done.

I have decided to follow Him with my life. In conversations with people, I like

to pose the following scenario to those who are trying to make a decision in

regards to following Jesus, or not, or who might be considering a re-evaluation

of their belief system. In my own views, I personally have no doubt that God

exists, that Christ is His son and my Savior, and that Heaven and Hell are very

real, and that belief in Christ is the road I want to be on. At the end of my

life, if it turns out that I am wrong, that there is no God, no Christ, no

Heaven, and no Hell...if I just close my eyes forever and my light is just

extinguished as my body fades back into dust, then all I would've done is have

lived a decent life, loving people, and looking like a fool for someone who

never existed. I can live with that. But...if I am right, and there is a

loving God, a Christ, and a Heaven, what have I missed if I don't believe? I

sure don't want to miss out.

And I don't want anyone else to miss out either. So I choose to love, in the

hopes that others will see Him in me and want to know Him too.

Blessings,

Holly

[Guest guest]

Thank you, Holly. That was expressed perfectly.

Nick, why you are exposed to such un-Christian behavior is beyond me.

Anyone saying things like that does not comprehend the love of Christ.

Yeah- the sermon on the mount is cool.

[Guest guest]

I'm glad you recognize the difference Meg! That's great! Don't let a

few bad apples spoil the whole bunch because the bunch is actually very

good.

Too many people are rubbed the wrong way by someone in a church, or

someone on television, and automatically stereotype all Christians as

being that way. Then, they choose to disassociate with the entire faith

because of a few " screwballs " . How some people who claim to be

Christians act, and what they say, is not always consistent with the

Bible. That doesn't mean that all Christians are that way. The

statements that were made in that parade, and by your aunt, were not

Christ-like. In fact, we were given two commands by Christ (which sum

up all of 10 of the commandments in the old testament) 1. Love the Lord

your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your

strength, and with all your mind; and 2. Love your neighbor (that's

everyone we come in contact with) as yourself.

Does it sound like they lived up to number 2? I think they missed the

mark!

Jay

P.S. By the way, your priest was wrong about forgiveness. Even though

it will be very hard, you do need to eventually forgive your aunt. It

will release you from the bondage associated with that unforgiveness.

That definitely doesn't mean you aunt was right...in fact she was very

wrong. That also doesn't mean you still won't feel hurt from that

memory, but at least it won't weigh on you.

Re: SMA and religion

In a message dated 1/15/2006 12:32:24 P.M. Mountain Standard Time,

those2@... writes:

Why do you remainful faithful to a religion which treats you so poorly

and sees you as worthless? You have said before that you often feel

worthless. It's hard to not see a connection there.

Lori

I think shes remaining faithful to her 'religion' not to 'whoever

offended(s) her.

j e s s ! c a

personal webpage: http://hometown.aol.com/heaven20seven/index.html

<http://hometown.aol.com/heaven20seven/index.html>

[Guest guest]

Many times in life help is right in front of us and we are too blinded

by scars and fear to see it.

Doug

>

> My brother and I both have SMA 2/3. I am 28, he is 18. Our family

is very

> Catholic. I was born in Poland, and came to the US when I was 8.

>

> My family, our church, and others, have made stupid comments just

like the

> one you mentioned. We are sick because:

> 1. My parents don't have enough faith/love for God.

> 2. My parents or ancestors sinned, and we are their punishment.

> 3. We are the " chosen " ones to suffer along with Jesus, to suffer

for other

> sinners or the souls in purgatory.

>

> In Poland, there was a procession around our church, with kids throwing

> flower petals on the ground. My mom took me in her arms and joined

in with

> the kids, so I could throw my flower petals. A nun came up to her

to leave

> the procession, because its for kids only, and I am an

embarrassment. My

> mom reluctantly left, being physically pushed out. My dad then took

me in

> his arms and took me back into the procession. Then a priest came

in and

> asked my dad and me to leave. My dad told that priest off and we

continued.

>

> My own people, my own church, which was named after my patron saint, St.

> Margaret, wanted me out, because I was a cripple and an embarrassment to

> them.

>

>

> I think I told the group this story before, but in case I didn't,

here it

> is. About 5 years ago, my family and I went to visit Poland. The

airport

> in Krakow has no convenient way to get out of the plane. You have

to walk

> down these long stairs they roll by the plane. So my dad, first

picked me

> up and carried me down the stairs and put me in my manual chair,

waiting for

> me on the ground. He went back up and carried down my brother, to his

> manual chair. Everyone in the airport couldn't help but gawk at us,

this

> was such a freak show for them. Then, we were greeted by family, one of

> which was my aunt, who is a nun. She was heading out with her religion

> class somewhere. A week after, we went to her convent to visit her.

While

> my parents talked with my uncle, she told me something that happened

to her

> at the airport the day we arrived. She said a couple, who were

traveling on

> our plane, and saw my parents helping and carrying us, up and down,

stopped

> her and asked her a question. They asked what they have to do, never to

> have children LIKE THAT. My aunt, a nun, told them to just pray and

pray

> and have faith that God will give them healthy kids. She repeated

this to

> me twice, to make sure I understood.

>

> I hate her. I will never forgive her for that. She has no idea how

much

> that hurt me. She never will. I even told my priest, at

confession, that I

> just cannot forgive my aunt for this. He told me I don't have to.

He was

> shocked she could say such a thing and told me that she has done a cruel

> injustice to me, and to leave her to God to forgive or not forgive.

He told

> me I have no sin in not forgiving her. But why do I feel guilty for

hating

> her???

>

> I don't believe God gave us this disease and I don't pray to God to

take it

> away. I pray to God to help me find happiness.

>

>

> Eternal Blessings,

> Meg.

>

> (My Blog: http://360./pink-tulip@a...)

>

> Re: SMA and religion. On topic.

>

>

> In a message dated 1/14/2006 10:34:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> nickdupree@c... writes:

>

> Has anyone here been told by Christians that it's the parents fault

for

> not praying enough that causes the child's disease? Or family's

> previous sin? or that if you only joined their church, you will be

> healed?

>

>

>

> Well, it has been suggested to ME that the reason my kids are

disabled is

> b/c my husband and I married " outside the catholic church " . We

used a J.P.

>

> instead of a Priest. I had a brief marriage when I was 18 years

old that

> ended

> in divorce, and for some strange reason, the Catholic Church will NOT

> recognize my " divorce " , therefore, they would NOT marry Joe and I

24 years

> ago. I

> still go to Mass every week, and my kids have been raised Catholic.

> Hard to understand, so I've stopped trying.

> I do NOT believe that our disabled children were given to us

because we

> didn't get married in the Church, but SOME " older " folks DO believe

> this.............

> SAD!

> ~

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

What are you trying to say? Do you think I don't appreciate the goodness in

people when I see it? I do.

I love and cherish all my family members and friends who do help me and

treat me with dignity and like a " normal " person. They don't see the

wheelchair, they see me.

My problem is that the bad in my life outweigh the good. I need to let go

of the bad, I just don't know how.

Eternal Blessings,

Meg.

(My Blog: http://360./pink-tulipameritech (DOT) net)

Re: SMA and religion. On topic.

>

>

> In a message dated 1/14/2006 10:34:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> nickdupree@c... writes:

>

> Has anyone here been told by Christians that it's the parents fault

for

> not praying enough that causes the child's disease? Or family's

> previous sin? or that if you only joined their church, you will be

> healed?

>

>

>

> Well, it has been suggested to ME that the reason my kids are

disabled is

> b/c my husband and I married " outside the catholic church " . We

used a J.P.

>

> instead of a Priest. I had a brief marriage when I was 18 years

old that

> ended

> in divorce, and for some strange reason, the Catholic Church will NOT

> recognize my " divorce " , therefore, they would NOT marry Joe and I

24 years

> ago. I

> still go to Mass every week, and my kids have been raised Catholic.

> Hard to understand, so I've stopped trying.

> I do NOT believe that our disabled children were given to us

because we

> didn't get married in the Church, but SOME " older " folks DO believe

> this.............

> SAD!

> ~

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I am just saying sometimes when people offer help its taken as pitty

or untrue caring when thats not always the case.

Doug

> >

> > My brother and I both have SMA 2/3. I am 28, he is 18. Our family

> is very

> > Catholic. I was born in Poland, and came to the US when I was 8.

> >

> > My family, our church, and others, have made stupid comments just

> like the

> > one you mentioned. We are sick because:

> > 1. My parents don't have enough faith/love for God.

> > 2. My parents or ancestors sinned, and we are their punishment.

> > 3. We are the " chosen " ones to suffer along with Jesus, to suffer

> for other

> > sinners or the souls in purgatory.

> >

> > In Poland, there was a procession around our church, with kids

throwing

> > flower petals on the ground. My mom took me in her arms and joined

> in with

> > the kids, so I could throw my flower petals. A nun came up to her

> to leave

> > the procession, because its for kids only, and I am an

> embarrassment. My

> > mom reluctantly left, being physically pushed out. My dad then took

> me in

> > his arms and took me back into the procession. Then a priest came

> in and

> > asked my dad and me to leave. My dad told that priest off and we

> continued.

> >

> > My own people, my own church, which was named after my patron

saint, St.

> > Margaret, wanted me out, because I was a cripple and an

embarrassment to

> > them.

> >

> >

> > I think I told the group this story before, but in case I didn't,

> here it

> > is. About 5 years ago, my family and I went to visit Poland. The

> airport

> > in Krakow has no convenient way to get out of the plane. You have

> to walk

> > down these long stairs they roll by the plane. So my dad, first

> picked me

> > up and carried me down the stairs and put me in my manual chair,

> waiting for

> > me on the ground. He went back up and carried down my brother, to his

> > manual chair. Everyone in the airport couldn't help but gawk at us,

> this

> > was such a freak show for them. Then, we were greeted by family,

one of

> > which was my aunt, who is a nun. She was heading out with her

religion

> > class somewhere. A week after, we went to her convent to visit her.

> While

> > my parents talked with my uncle, she told me something that happened

> to her

> > at the airport the day we arrived. She said a couple, who were

> traveling on

> > our plane, and saw my parents helping and carrying us, up and down,

> stopped

> > her and asked her a question. They asked what they have to do,

never to

> > have children LIKE THAT. My aunt, a nun, told them to just pray and

> pray

> > and have faith that God will give them healthy kids. She repeated

> this to

> > me twice, to make sure I understood.

> >

> > I hate her. I will never forgive her for that. She has no idea how

> much

> > that hurt me. She never will. I even told my priest, at

> confession, that I

> > just cannot forgive my aunt for this. He told me I don't have to.

> He was

> > shocked she could say such a thing and told me that she has done a

cruel

> > injustice to me, and to leave her to God to forgive or not forgive.

> He told

> > me I have no sin in not forgiving her. But why do I feel guilty for

> hating

> > her???

> >

> > I don't believe God gave us this disease and I don't pray to God to

> take it

> > away. I pray to God to help me find happiness.

> >

> >

> > Eternal Blessings,

> > Meg.

> >

> > (My Blog: http://360./pink-tulip@a...)

> >

> > Re: SMA and religion. On topic.

> >

> >

> > In a message dated 1/14/2006 10:34:51 PM Eastern Standard Time,

> > nickdupree@c... writes:

> >

> > Has anyone here been told by Christians that it's the parents fault

> for

> > not praying enough that causes the child's disease? Or family's

> > previous sin? or that if you only joined their church, you will be

> > healed?

> >

> >

> >

> > Well, it has been suggested to ME that the reason my kids are

> disabled is

> > b/c my husband and I married " outside the catholic church " . We

> used a J.P.

> >

> > instead of a Priest. I had a brief marriage when I was 18 years

> old that

> > ended

> > in divorce, and for some strange reason, the Catholic Church will

NOT

> > recognize my " divorce " , therefore, they would NOT marry Joe and I

> 24 years

> > ago. I

> > still go to Mass every week, and my kids have been raised Catholic.

> > Hard to understand, so I've stopped trying.

> > I do NOT believe that our disabled children were given to us

> because we

> > didn't get married in the Church, but SOME " older " folks DO believe

> > this.............

> > SAD!

> > ~

> >

> >

> >