missy|1454325193|3985070 said:Jambalaya|1454304714|3985007 said:Lawsuits were talked about in quite a few posts near the beginning of the thread, Maria. I have conceded the point about HOAs not being the obvious place for prayers and agreed that it's hard to refute that argument, and I've agreed with much that has been said, so I don't really agree that I've been digging my heels in. .
Jambalaya I agree with Maria and probably a few others reading this thread that yes you sure have been digging your heels in and repeating yourself. A lot. Reread your posts if you don't think so.
I do have an opinion that there are bigger things to worry about in terms of discrimination than HOA prayers, and I've maintained that part of my opinion.
What does that have to do with the price of gasoline? Meaning you are muddying the situation as no one is talking about the "bigger" issues like world hunger, war or poverty. We are talking about NonMarie's HOA meeting and examples that might relate to it. You keep interjecting with the fact there are bigger issues. Yeah, there sure are, and so what does that have to do with this specific issue? We could say that to anyone who is facing any issue. But that still doesn't mean a thing when discussing this specific issue.
I don't think that holding an opinion, even in the face of great disagreement, adequately qualifies as digging your heels in, especially when you have written around the subject at great length, considered many views and conceded many points at various points in the discussion.
Yes and you have repeatedly let us know your opinion. You have been successful in that mission but I wonder why you had to keep repeating that opinion over and over and over and over. I think that is where some PSers have felt you were angry because of the constant and strong responses where it almost felt like you were trying to strong arm some of us who did not agree. JMO of course. And for the record I am not angry at all with you or anyone here. I enjoy a good debate but honestly the sheer repetition of your responses did feel like you were trying to force it down our throats. Again not angry in any way shape or form just stating how your posts made me (and perhaps others) feel.
Lawsuits, threats to withold fees, and refusals to consider compromise seem pretty angry responses to me. Then, the thread deteriorated into jerking off, Satan, maggots, poop, and the opinion that there is nothing after, which is fine, but it was expressed aggressively with images of maggots and bacteria instead of saying politely "I don't believe in an afterlife." We have a huge lurker pool. Someone with terminal disease could be reading this thread and I'm not sure that the graphic descriptions of what happens to your body are helpful for someone in that situation. I am not complaining about any of this in the slightest - I am mentioning it only to answer your question to me that you asked. You wanted to know where the anger was. My answer to your question is, it's in those things I just described. I am not angry but I am surprised at the strength of feeling shown in the things I have described in this paragraph.
I think I addressed most of this already so won't repeat myself. Except to say we cannot worry with each thread and reply thinking of the lurker pool and what they are going through. I don't think someone's opinion would be that upsetting to someone who has a strong belief either way. And if so perhaps questioning their beliefs is a good thing don't you think?
You say I'm the angry one but I thought I was saying the opposite: That back when I was an atheist, the prayers of others never bothered me and I was happy to let others have them, even if I privately thought they were a bit silly.
Again that is your opinion. It doesn't bother *you*. As you can see it does bother many and that is why it is a topic of contention. Honestly Jambalaya we know it doesn't bother you because you have stated that fact probably a dozen times in this one thread. As someone already pointed out (thank you Yenny) that is because you are part of a majority and have never really felt that type of religious discrimination. But we get it. Doesn't bother you if others pray at public places where you have to listen to it. Point noted.
You also say that a person with HOA experience tells me that a vote would be divisive and pointless but that I dug my heels in. I said this in response to her advice: "I agree that a vote would be difficult, but people are so incredibly angry and upset about the idea of these HOA prayers (lawsuits, threats to withold fees, any compromise out of the question) that the only way to settle the matter would be a vote." (I should have said some people are incredibly angry.)
No one was talking about suing. NonMarie was/is concerned about the possibility she might be liable if someone else theoretically sued the HOA for praying at the meetings. That was where the lawsuit was brought up. And as for the other potential options they were mentioned during the conversation as things that could be done. Not that should be done.
The vote idea was only due to the (theoretical) situation of unrest, not because it's always a good thing to have votes for everything. I saw her point immediately and said I agreed. I wouldn't randomly pick out the prayer issue and say "Let's have a vote on this." But when there is great unrest, don't people oftentimes have votes, when they can't agree? Of course, if the HOA was willing to make a unilateral decision on the prayers, then no vote needed either, but Molly didn't say what she'd do if faced with this decision. If she/the board decided there would be no prayers, period, then I'd have no problem with that either. She/they are the boss in that situation. (Except, according to the first responses here, Molly and her board would then be faced with lawsuits and fee-witholding.) Like I said, given that I have a free choice not to pray or listen, I don't get upset about it. I save that for situations where choices are taken away, like when women's abortions are stalled by making them see different doctors until they are past the date where you can have one.
LOL Jambalaya, prayer has no place at an HOA meeting period. No need to take a vote. No prayer at HOA majority vote does NOT matter. Got it? If the majority of people don't want to take refugees into their country what would you say about that? I think examples of majority rules in some (many) cases is not a good one. Just because the majority thinks an idea is good doesn't always and should not always matter. Sometimes the "right" thing should matter more. Yanno?
I'm sorry you feel I'm angry. I've taken great pains in the thread to explain in detail and in a polite manner why I feel the way I do, and addressed whatever has been brought up with me in a calm manner. I've tried to be as straightforward as possible in my responses, to stick to the topic at hand, be non-combative, flexible as I can be while holding an opinion contrary to the thread majority, and avoid the disrespectful eyeroll icon, which I try hard to avoid anyway, as no one likes eyes rolled at them. I have also had someone say a negative thing about my personality and I addressed that politely too, considering if she might be right. I don't really know what else I can do. I'm not Perfect Pricescoper!![]()
No one is claiming to be perfect don't worry. And this is just an online forum so don't take what others say to heart unless it does help you in terms of introspection and examination. That is always a good thing IMO. And as you say we are none of us perfect and it is always interesting to see what others think and if we can learn from different points of view all the better. For the record I am spiritual and while not religious I respect those who are and as long as they don't try to shove their religious beliefs down my throat we are good.
It's just discussion, Missy. A given poster replied to me, so I replied to them, etc. and yes, I did repeat myself, because I answered everyone who answered me, in order to be polite. I don't like to leave people hanging who have replied to me. That did make for a lot of repetition, I know that. I tried to explain what I meant in different ways. The thing is, I don't understand why some people's practice of religion makes other people so mad. I don't understand that at all. No one is being forced to practice religion. A person has the option to just ignore it. I can understand religion being kept out of certain places, of course. But it's not a perfect world and you could just roll your eyes and move on. I don't think that an issue like the HOA prayers is worth the raise in blood pressure. That's my opinion, and usually, PSers are allowed to have their opinions. But my opinion has definitely been unacceptable in this thread! I can totally see why PS won't allow the discussion of religion. It's a topic that does really annoy people. My opinion just on these HOA prayers happens to be different from how the majority on this thread, and it's OK to hold a different opinion. No harm no foul, as far as I'm concerned. I hope you're feeling OK today, Missy, since you said you weren't feeling well yesterday. Probably my wordiness gave you a headache!

Feel better!

ETA: Missy, you wrote: No prayer at HOA majority vote does NOT matter. Got it?
In general with this thread, I'm really not getting it, am I?
