Folks coming here for help...

So this isn't the only forum I go to where the focus is religion. I notice that just like other religious forums, this place gets a lot of traffic from folks who want to discuss their religious beliefs, theological concepts, or have questions and seek to broaden their religious understanding. Also politics, because why not?

One thing I notice here, however, is that every day quite a few people come with serious life issues... They seek help. Help through prayer, and help through advice. These aren't just small issues, but things that really effect folks to their core. I see this in other forums too from time to time, but nothing even close to what I see on here.

Why is that? I'm curious to get some insight on what you folks think the reason might be.

jacks said:

In general I think people turn to the internet for all kinds of things, including help with life issues. It seems natural to me that Christians would come to a Christian Forum for help and advice. One good thing I've noticed here is if the issue is really an emergency or life threatening or the person is clearly in need of professional help, they will be encouraged to seek that help and not just rely on advice from strangers.

Click to expand...

I wish I could rate this both as useful and friendly, but I think the heart wins over.

Yah, that seems pretty natural to me too; especially when one believes there's power in prayer. Gaining that third party perspective can be useful in having a more three dimensional understanding of one's struggles, too, but it is good to point people in the direction of a professional when it's bigger than things we can handle on our own. I appreciate that.

Ophiolite said:

I think there is something in the Rules about criticising the way the Forum is run. I may be about to break it.

Perhaps the other forums have recognised that internet forums, open to all and sundry, are not the place to seek solutions to serious life issues. Those forums discourage, or prohibit such discussions. At least once a week I see an impassioned post from a member, obviously in pain, who then receives a mix of responses, some of which are misguided, some even dangerous and CF seems willing to accept the risk they pose to those members.

Click to expand...

Very interesting insight...

I do notice that elsewhere folks are quick to point the person in question towards the direction of a counciler/psychologist/rehabilitation center. Most people (including myself) haven't seemed comfortable with giving advice beyond that when it comes to seriously painful matters.

It sucks feeling helpless not being able to help people beyond that... And I guess that's where prayer can be helpful.

bèlla said:

This is the first religious forum I’ve participated in. The others were secular and focused on relationships. I’m way outside my comfort zone.

There’s a gravity of issues on the site I’ve never encountered elsewhere. I see things here I’d never come into contact with real time.

I suspect the atmosphere draws a greater demographic of pain than other venues. The wounded feel safe to unburden themselves in a measure they can’t do with others. Or there’s no one to listen.

Yours in His Service,

~bella

Click to expand...

Yah... On other religious forums I do write out my thoughts in journal format just to get my thoughts out there so I can see them laid out in front of me. It also helps to get some third party feedback just for some extra perspective. I suppose it's easier to do so in the company of folks who make you feel comfortable, and share a certain understanding.

For me, it's in the company of the skeptically minded where I feel most comfortable; they usually help me to consider things I haven't thought of before. Thankfully, I don't have things in my life that are as dire as I read here (at the moment), though there is something to be said about releasing your burdens into the void rather than to saddle them squarely on the shoulders of loved ones.

I think we all deal with our struggles in the ways we've learned best. It can be difficult to take our struggles outside of our comfort zones, though whenever I have, it never ceases to amaze me just how much compassion people have when you do let your guard down. I've made lifelong friends in an instant just by allowing myself to be vulnerable in that moment.

Sorry to take things off topic, my mind does go on a tangent at times.

OldWiseGuy said:

I've checked out other religious forums during my bans. None compare to CF.

Click to expand...

I think we all have our communities where we feel most at home.