I am making a conclusion base on available data. You have never surprised me, theologically. johnnyfive has presented me with ideas I have never heard before, as a contrast.

Let me be perfectly clear here. I have stated, openly, that I am a Baha'i. You never asked questions about how Baha'is view suicide, the afterlife, mental health, their beliefs on the human soul, spiritual development, or anything of the sort. You never asked why I view my religious background as an overwhelmingly positive experience. You know there will be nuances, because there are always nuances and that's what colors these worldviews of ours, you know there will be differences, because there are always differences, because we all have different beliefs, but you don't want to ask and I want to converse, not lecture. Hence our impass.

I haven't read it yet, but I look forward to seeing johnnyFive's response and if he welcomes it, I'm sure I'll have plenty of questions to ask him.

Once again, unless you have experienced the level of religious trauma I have, I don't think it's POSSIBLE for you to understand. It's not a dig at you, it's a compliment that you haven't been fucked up in my unique and colorful ways.

I am continually insulted, but continually not angry, because you assume I lack any ability to understand, empathize, or exercise any degree of imagination. You're being dismissive. That's not okay in the sense that you're not giving me a fair shake, but that is okay in the sense that you're entitled to feel what you're feeling and I'm not going to tell you otherwise.

Yes, and I have discarded it years ago. Potential is meaningless unless it is actualized.

I wanted to stop a long time ago, but the train keeps on rolling with or without me.

Consider a healthier world view. We're all on this train whether we want to be or not, so let's make the best of it.

Edit: Apologies to johnnyFive, I thought you were in this thread. You were not.