This thread embodies the problem with Mudcat. I used to post a LOT and over time I have stopped or at least slowed way down. I come by often enough but I am seldom tempted to get into a discussion. And this is why.

Let me start this by saying that EVERYTHING that follows can have the phrase "In my opinion..." in front of it rather than typing it over and over...

People have been allowed to rant and rave about every subject under, around and over the sun but when Slag comes in here, without any false advertising to get anyone into this thread, and lays out there his opinions and beliefs, he is attacked. this is typical here. He is told that his opinions leave no room for discussion. How much room is there for discussion when we are told that it's ok if we want to believe in our imaginary friend? The problem is that with many of you, it's not enough to simply disagree, the poster in question has to be berated, his or her God called an imaginary friend and that their beliefs are akin to mental illness! I do believe in a God that is a loving God and that He is everyone's God whether they believe in Him or not. I do believe that the key to Heaven is through Jesus Christ and I believe that I am a better husband, father, brother and friend than I was before I accepted that belief. I believe that it is wrong to judge people's intelligence because their beliefs are different from yours but that happens here on Mudcat and it happens all the time.

I have been hanging around here for a long time. I have gotten comfort from many of you when I was in need. When my sons were in the NICU because they were both under three pounds I came here and found kind words from kind people. I get that same comfort from prayer. To some of you, that makes me crazy. OK, so I'm crazy...but to be honest, I think that says a lot more about you than it does me. Because you see, I believe that it makes us different, simply with different opinions and beliefs, you have decided that I am flawed in some way. Not all of you, but clearly there are many.

This site has gone from a place I regularly visited and contributed to, to a place that I visit when I want to see if anyone's posted any good jokes to the latest joke thread. And that's sad for me, because I used to love this place. Don't get me wrong, it's not just the religious thing, it doesn't take a discussion of religion to bring out the ugliness of the comments, judgements and accusations. As was stated before me, it even happens in the music discussions.

So that's my opinion...for what it's worth,
Frank